15 Best New Cruise Ships to Begin Sailing in 2021

You can receive daily cruise news updates directly to your inbox, so you don't miss a thing! Go ahead and Subscribe here.

2020 has been an interesting year for cruising, with ships docked for uncertain amounts of time due to sailing restrictions, dry docks and refurbishments of some ships being delayed and new shipsโ€™ releases being postponed.

However, as we look forward to a brighter year in 2021, and the return to cruise travel, here are a few of the ships that we can expect to appear. Among them, youโ€™ll find mega cruise ships making their appearances for the very first time, older ships making appearances as brand-new vessels and then some cruise lines hitting the high seas for their very first itineraries altogether.

AIDAcosma (AIDA Cruises)

AIDA Cruisesโ€™ second LNG-powered cruise ship, AIDAcosma is slated to set sail from Kiel, Germany, in May 2021, headed to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic Sea.

Carnival Ordered LNG Aida Cruises Ship
Rendering By: Carnival Corporation

From there, the ship will sail seven- and 14-day itineraries throughout Norway and then on to ports in Estonia, Finland and Russia. The German cruise lineโ€™s new vessel will feature 20 decks and 2,600 staterooms, resulting in capacity for up to 6,600 passengers and a crew of 1,500 individuals.

Built for $950 million, the ship boasts a gross tonnage of 183,900, putting it in the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world, right next to its sister ship, AIDAnova.

Features include a new waterpark with a childrenโ€™s pool and water slides; a rock-climbing wall; a pool deck that extends the entire width of the ship; and 17 restaurants and 23 bars, including new eateries The Beach House Restaurant and Mamma Mia.

  • Gross Tonnage: 183,900
  • Guest Capacity: 6,600
  • Debut Date: May 8, 2021
  • Homeport: Kiel, Germany

Carnival Radiance (Carnival Cruise Line)

Sometimes, you just need a little refit and refurbishment, and thatโ€™s exactly whatโ€™s happening with Carnivalโ€™s Carnival Victory ship.

Carnival Radiance Rendering
Rendering By: Carnival Cruise Line

Originally a Destiny-class cruise ship, the vessel, which was first launched in 1998, was set to undergo extensive renovations (though these were temporarily put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic) in preparation of a brand-new reveal as the newly-named Carnival Radiance.

Still, even though refurbishments were halted, Carnival plans to launch the ship from Long Beach, California, in 2021. Carnival Radiance will feature much of the latest and greatest Carnival amenities and activities you already know and love, with a few newer features, like the Big Chicken restaurant from Shaq.

  • Gross Tonnage: 101,509
  • Guest Capacity: 4,375
  • Debut Date: Spring 2021
  • Homeport: Long Beach, California

Celebrity Apex (Celebrity Cruises)

Originally intended to debut in April 2020, Celebrity Apexโ€™s big reveal to the world has taken a little longer than expected.

Celebrity Apex Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Obatala-photography / Shutterstock.com

A bit on the smaller side, this member of Celebrityโ€™s Edge class offers 16 decks, an outward-facing design with the new Magic Carpet (a cantilevered, floating platform that transports passengers up and down the side of the ship, with experiences provided while hanging over the open ocean), a Rooftop Garden and a new venue named Eden, with expansive space and outdoor-indoor seating.

Related: 10 Must-Know Things About the Celebrity Apex Cruise Ship

Itineraries include trips through the Caribbean and to Mexico, up until May, when the ship will head to Europe, for cruises around Spain, the Greek Isles and the French Riviera for the summer. Celebrity plans to bring the ship back to the Caribbean in the fall of 2021.

  • Gross Tonnage: 129,500
  • Guest Capacity: 2,910
  • Debut Date: March 6, 2021
  • Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Costa Toscana (Costa Cruises)

When Costa Toscana launches its debut season in late 2021, itโ€™ll mark Costa Cruisesโ€™ return to South America following 72 years of absence. The LNG-powered Costa Toscana has more than 2,600 staterooms and introduces a new cabin category to Costaโ€™s cruisers, including new cabins with balconies and terraces.

Costa Toscana Rendering
Rendering By: Costa Cruises

The ship will head out from Santos, Brazil, the day after Christmas 2021, for cruising over the remainder of the holiday season, with stops in other Brazilian ports. The itinerary is available over both the Carnival and Easter seasons before the ship is relocated to Europe in April 2022.

  • Gross Tonnage: 180,000
  • Guest Capacity: 6,218
  • Debut Date: December 26, 2021
  • Homeport: Genoa, Italy

Discovery Princess (Princess Cruises)

Princess Cruisesโ€™ sixth and last Royal-class ship, Discovery Princess is set to debut next fall, with sailings around the Mediterranean, inclusive of stops in Rome and Athen.

Discovery Princess
Rendering: Princess Cruises

For the 2021 holiday season, the ship will sail around the Caribbean, before sailing around South America in January 2022, repositioning the ship in California, where she will find her homeport in Long Beach, perfectly situated to offer cruises to Mexico in 2022.

The ship offers some of the largest balconies at sea, Michelin-star dining, Princess MedallionClass perks and more of the features that you already know and love from the Royal class of ships.

  • Gross Tonnage: 145,000
  • Guest Capacity: 3,660
  • Debut Date: November 3, 2021
  • Homeport: Long Beach, California

Enchanted Princess (Princess Cruises)

While Enchanted Princess was scheduled to debut in June 2020, the inaugural sailing has been postponed until later notice.

The ship was originally slated to sail the Mediterranean throughout Summer 2020, before commencing operations in the fall from Florida, with Caribbean sailings through Summer 2021, at which point it would return to the Mediterranean.

Enchanted Princess At Sea
Photo Via: Princess Cruises

At this point, itโ€™s expected the ship will still offer 2021 sailings in the Mediterranean.

Special ship features include the new Sky Suite, a VIP living area with the largest balcony at sea, at 1,000 square feet of space; new dining experiences; and the most pools and whirlpool hot tubs of any other Princess cruise ship. Of course, you can also find all of your other favorite, Royal-class amenities and venues.

  • Gross Tonnage: 145,281
  • Guest Capacity: 3,660
  • Debut Date: Summer 2021
  • Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)

Even though the new ship has been delayed multiple times, she’s one of the most anticipated cruise ships of the year, Mardi Gras is a vessel that everyone has on their radar. The first ship in Carnivalโ€™s new XL class and the largest in the lineโ€™s entire fleet, itโ€™s also the first ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in North America.

Carnival Mardi Gras During Sea Trials

She features 20 decks, with 11 decks dedicated to staterooms. New restaurants include La Piazza, while new entertainment includes the gravity-defying BOLT, a sea roller coaster thatโ€™s the first-ever roller coaster at sea. BOLT will be able to accommodate 190 cruisers per hour, with death-defying twists and turns, situated 57 meters above the sea.

Worth Viewing: Behind the Scenes Look Inside the New Carnival Mardi Gras During Construction

At launch, Mardi Gras will offer cruises around the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of the new dedicated Carnival cruise terminal 3 at Port Canaveral, Florida.

  • Gross Tonnage: 180,000
  • Guest Capacity: 5,282
  • Debut Date: April 24, 2021
  • Homeport: Port Canaveral, Florida

MSC Seashore (MSC Cruises)

An EVO-class cruise ship from MSC Cruises, MSC Seashore is the lead ship for the class, which is a subset of the Seaside class of ships that already exists, only larger.

MSC Seashore Rendering
Rendering: MSC Cruises

When launched, MSC Seashore is slated to sail the Western Mediterranean, with stops in Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples and more. The ship will sail from Miami in the 2021-22 Winter season. In addition to the shipโ€™s larger size, it will also offer the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest out of any MSC Cruises ship.

Related: First MSC Seaside Evo Class Ship Reaches Construction Milestone

It additionally offers room for more than 750 more passengers, as compared to ships in the Seaside class. Thus, expect more restaurants, bars and water features to accommodate the larger crowds.

  • Gross Tonnage: 169,500
  • Guest Capacity: 5,877
  • Debut Date: August 1, 2021
  • Homeport: Genoa, Italy

Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Originally expected to homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with cruises beginning in November 2020, Odyssey of the Seas will now launch in April 2021 in the Mediterranean, due to pandemic delays.

Odyssey of the Seas Cruise Ship
Photo: Royal Caribbean

The Quantum Ultra-class ship will be the first of its kind to travel throughout both Europe and North America. She is the sister ship to Spectrum of the Seas which entered service in 2018.

Special features include the SeaPlex playground, the largest indoor activity space at sea (and this shipโ€™s particular SeaPlex features more ways to have fun than ever before, with trapeze bars, laser tag, bumper cars and more); the FlowRider surf simulator; a bungee trampoline experience; skydiving simulator; two-level pool deck; and more.

  • Gross Tonnage: 169,000
  • Guest Capacity: 5,498
  • Debut Date: April 2021
  • Homeport: Rome, Italy

P&O Iona (P&O Cruises)

The largest ship for P&O Cruises yet, as well as the largest to serve the British market, this $950 million ship with its 18 decks is one of two identical ships, the second of which is yet to be announced.

P&O Iona Cruise Ship
Photo Via: Meyer Werft

The first British market cruise ship powered by LNG, the vessel features a three-deck atrium, 17 restaurants, 12 bars, 16 whirlpools, four swimming pools and a glass-encased entertainment venue called the SkyDome.

If you book a Spring 2021 sailing on the P&O Iona, you can expect seven-day round-trips through the Norwegian fjords. She was delivered by the Meyer Werft shipyard in October 2020.

  • Gross Tonnage: 183,900
  • Guest Capacity: 5,200
  • Debut Date: April 24, 2021
  • Homeport: Southampton, England

MS Rotterdam (Holland America Line)

Holland America Line built the previous MS Rotterdam in the mid-1990s and, just this year, sold the vessel to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, opening up the Rotterdam name again for Holland America Lineโ€™s use.

Rotterdam Cruise Ship
Rendering Via: Holland America Line

Thus, a new MS Rotterdam was born, offering guests who enjoyed the previous iteration more luxuries than ever before. Holding nearly twice as many guests, the larger ship will sail the summer of 2021 throughout Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, round-trip from Amsterdam.

Expect favorited Holland America Line amenities, such as the World Stage 270-degree surround screen, Rudiโ€™s Sel de Mer and the Grand Dutch Cafe. You can view construction photos of the ship released by the cruise line in December 2020.

  • Gross Tonnage: 99,500
  • Guest Capacity: 2,668
  • Debut Date: July 30, 2021
  • Homeport: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Valiant Lady (Virgin Voyages)

Virgin Voyagesโ€™ second ship, Valiant Lady is an adults-only ship that many cruisers have been eagerly waiting to try. The brand promises a cruising experience like none youโ€™ve ever had, though thatโ€™s still yet to be seen.

Valiant Lady Rendering
Rendering By: Virgin Voyages

Enthusiastic cruisers will find itineraries sailing from Barcelona and across the Mediterranean through the end of 2021, at which point the ship will reposition, heading to Miami for Caribbean cruises.

Expect lavish staterooms and fine dining, as well as plenty of opportunities both to indulge in wellness pursuits and a bit of partying.

  • Gross Tonnage: 110,000
  • Guest Capacity: 2,770
  • Debut Date: May 2021
  • Homeport: Barcelona, Spain

Scarlet Lady (Virgin Voyages)

Virgin Voyagesโ€™ first ship, Scarlet Lady has been in the works for years, and when it finally was meant to make its debut, the 2020 pandemic put things on hold, with the shipโ€™s itineraries continuously pushed back.

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Cruise Ship
Photo: Virgin Voyages

However, cruisers are hopeful that Scarlet Lady will make her grand appearance in the coming year and that normal cruising will resume in May 2021. Currently, itineraries are available as soon as January, with trips around the Caribbean embarking from Miami.

The adults-only ship features 20 restaurants and bars (and not a single buffet among them), extensive entertainment options and even an on-board tattoo and piercing parlor.

  • Gross Tonnage: 110,000
  • Guest Capacity: 2,770
  • Debut Date: January 3, 2021
  • Homeport: Miami, Florida

Viking Venus (Viking Cruises)

Vikingโ€™s seventh ocean vessel, Viking Venus, heads out onto the waters in early 2021, with itineraries through Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The small ship offers luxury at every turn and an intimate feel.

Viking Venus Cruise Ship
Photo Via: Viking Cruises

Choose from a variety of staterooms, including the Penthouse Veranda, and take advantage of plentiful Viking-specific amenities that you wonโ€™t experience anywhere else, with any other cruise line. Upcoming cruises depart from popular ports, such as Barcelona, London, Bergen and Stockholm.

  • Gross Tonnage: 47,842
  • Guest Capacity: 930
  • Debut Date: January 26, 2021
  • Homeport: Bergen, Norway

MSC Virtuosa (MSC Cruises)

This mega-ship is MSC Cruisesโ€™ second Meraviglia Plus-class ship. Some of its highlights are two new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, created specifically for the brand; new digital features; and more poolside space, as well as plentiful stateroom options.

MSC Virtuosa
Image Via: MSC Cruises

When the ship launches in April, itโ€™ll offer short cruises around the Mediterranean at first, before switching to longer European cruises and then Northern European itineraries throughout the summer, before heading back to the Mediterranean in the fall of 2021.

She in the very final stages of outfitting at the Chantiers de lโ€™Atlantique in Nazaire, France and was floated out in December 2020.

  • Gross Tonnage: 181,541
  • Guest Capacity: 6,300
  • Debut Date: April 16, 2021
  • Homeport: Kiel, Germany

Even More New Cruise Ships!

These are just the major cruise ships that are currently aiming to debut in 2021. There are many smaller cruise ships that will enter service such as expeditions vessels and large luxury yachts. With so many delays in 2020, it will make for a busy 2021 with new ships kicking of sailings after being on hold.

If you enjoyed the article and would like no fuss daily cruise news to your inbox directly from Cruise Hive, you can Subscribe here.

Voting is now open at the Cruise Hive Awards, including your favorite cruise ships, cruise lines, ship features, private islands and homeports!

Holly Riddle
Holly Riddle
Holly Riddle is a travel and food freelance writer whose work can be found in print and digital publications all around the world. She is additionally an entrepreneur specializing in content and marketing services. Beyond frequent travel, Riddle enjoys cooking, reading, camping and spending time with her husband and two dogs. Her favorite travel destinations include Chicago, Amsterdam, Edinburgh and just about anywhere in the Caribbean. Find out more about us here.

Don't Miss Cruise Hive's Daily Update!

Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox.

Don't Miss Any Cruise News!

We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox.

1.3K Shares
Copy link