The Fourth of July travel week was another busy one for new ship updates.
Most notably, Royal Caribbean signed an agreement with shipbuilder Meyer Turku for the third ship in its mysterious new Icon class, with delivery scheduled for 2025. (The first two Icon-class ships are set to sail in 2022 and 2024.) No further details on the new class of ship were announced, although the line did reaffirm that it would be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for lower carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency.
In river cruise news, Riviera River Cruises announced plans to launch the new all-suite MS Geoffrey Chaucer in the spring of 2020. With capacity for up to 169 people, the new ship will sail itineraries on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, as well as Dutch waterways. In addition to 88 suites, the new ship will also have a panoramic observation lounge, main restaurant, second restaurant with an open kitchen and panoramic aft windows, fitness center, spa, wellness area, boutique and sun deck.
Finally, in small ship news, SeaDream Yacht Club announced new details on the SeaDream Innovation, which is set to sail in September 2021. The new ship will incorporate a number of eco-friendly technologies, including the ability to sail silently and without emissions for up to three hours, as well as 110 oceanview suites, three marines and outdoor dining areas.
Related Stories
2019 Halfway: Top Cruise Stories of the Year
Top Trends in Ocean Cruising for 2019's Second Half
New Cruise Ships and Brands to Watch for Next Year and Beyond