According to Cruise Lines International Association, cruise passenger volume in 2023 is projected to reach 106 percent of 2019 levels, with roughly 31.5 million people sailing. In a post-pandemic travel landscape, cruising remains extremely popular. Cruise lines are responding with next-generation ships, refreshed onboard experiences and new itineraries that reflect passenger demand for unique destinations, creative dining and memorable activities. Here’s what to expect in 2024.
© Silversea
Princess Cruises will introduce Sun Princess, the line’s largest and most innovative ship, in the Mediterranean in February 2024 before repositioning to the Caribbean in the fall. The three-story Horizons Dining Room offers expansive wake views, abundant natural light and three distinct dining concepts. The Princess Arena features moveable seating, an in-the-round layout and seating for more than 1,000 guests. The Wake View Terrace includes an infinity pool, a South Beach–style resort deck, live entertainment and a full bar. Park19 adds active outdoor fun with climbing structures, a splash zone and Sea Breeze Rollglider—the first hang-gliding experience at sea.
In 2024 the five-night Limitless Voyage, inspired by Jennifer Lopez, returns for a second year and will coincide with International Women’s Day. The themed sailing includes speaker panels featuring more than a dozen female entrepreneurs, health-focused happy hours, special fitness classes, networking sessions and empowering shore excursions such as surfing lessons and waterfall jumps.
Windstar Cruises expands its offerings in 2024, sailing the Canary Islands aboard the 312-guest, all-suite Star Pride. The eight-day Captivating Canary Islands itinerary sails from Lisbon to Las Palmas with stops in Madeira and overnight calls in Funchal and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Star Breeze will present a new 14-day Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas voyage that ventures to lesser-visited Tuamotu Islands like Fakarava and Rangiroa, plus Marquesan ports such as Omoa on Fatu Hiva, Atuona on Hiva Oa and Taiohae on Nuku Hiva. Windstar’s first itineraries in the Middle East begin just before the new year, and a curated beverage menu for those sailings highlights regional flavors like za’atar and arak.
© Silversea
On Jan. 15, 2024, Silversea’s Silver Shadow will embark on a 132-day Far East–West world cruise visiting 65 destinations—40 of them new to the line—with 23 overnight stays. The voyage will call on Hawai‘i, Samoa, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, and will include extended explorations of China, Japan, the Russian Far East and Alaska. In summer 2024 Silversea debuts Silver Ray, the second Nova-class ship, which mirrors sister ship Silver Nova with an asymmetrical profile and extensive use of glass in suites and public spaces to maximize views, plus a high space-to-guest ratio for a spacious, luxurious feel.
Cunard’s Queen Anne, the line’s first new vessel in 12 years and the 249th ship to fly the Cunard flag, launches in May 2024. With 24 decks, 15 dining venues and capacity for about 3,000 guests, Queen Anne draws design inspiration from Cunard’s Liverpool archives in its fabrics, textures and layout. Her inaugural season will visit European ports including the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norwegian fjords and the Western Mediterranean. New themed voyages debut as well, such as London Theatre at Sea in June, Literature Festival at Sea in November and the Big Band Ball voyage in May celebrating the swing era.
After a decade away, Celebrity Cruises returns to Egypt with 10 itineraries aboard Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Silhouette. Departures from Athens will visit historical ports in Egypt, Türkiye and Israel, including Alexandria, Kuşadası, Haifa and Ashdod. Other notable Celebrity itineraries for 2024 include an 11-night Japan voyage on Celebrity Millennium calling at Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Mount Fuji and Jeju Island, and a 12-night Spice Route cruise exploring destinations like Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves, wildlife viewing in Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, and swimming in the Andaman Sea off Phuket.
© AmaWaterways
With international tourism rebounding, AmaWaterways is starting its 2024 European river season earlier, offering Rhine and Danube cruises beginning Feb. 11 when airfares are lower and crowds are lighter. Responding to demand for wellness and active travel, AmaWaterways has added onboard offerings such as yoga, Pilates, resistance-band stretching, cardio and dance classes led by trained Wellness Hosts. AmaMagna debuts the river cruise industry’s first full-sized deck pickleball court. The line’s 2024 themed cruises include vineyard-focused wine trips through Portugal, Germany and France, along with sailings exploring Black history in France and Egypt.
Maiden Voyages
New ships expected to debut in 2024 include:
Cunard Line’s Queen Anne
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure
Explora Journeys’ Explora II
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray
Viking Cruises’ Viking Vela
Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady