Have you ever sailed on a brand-new cruise ship? There's a certain something about the experience — inaugural sailings are filled with a buzz of excitement, but even when ships have sailed once or twice before — they're absolutely spotless. The sheets are extra crisp having not being washed before and your filet mignon is impeccable, cooked on a spotless grill. Everything just... works. There's an extra feeling of luxury knowing you're one of the first one a ship, like the whole vessel was built for you and your sailing party. 

With that in mind, we've put together this list of brand-new cruise ships for 2024 with the month that they're expected to launch.

It's set to be an exciting time in the cruise industry, with several new ships in the pipeline, including the biggest cruise ship in the world in January, a brand-new Cunard classic in May, a brand-new river ship sailing on a river that has not yet been cruised from AmaWaterways and more!

January

Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International

Complete with eight neighbourhoods, seven swimming pools, six waterslides and a total of 20 decks, Icon of the Seas has a capacity of 7,600 guests. There’s no two ways about it, this new cruise ship is absolutely enormous — the most enormous in the world, in fact. Launching January 2024, Icon features future-iconic Royal Caribbean details such as the huge Aquadome theatre, the first family neighbourhood at sea, the largest waterpark at sea (the tallest drop slides and the first family raft slides at sea too), an ice rink and an assortment of dining experiences — featuring over 40 dining venues in fact! Add to that list a minigolf course, basketball court, rock climbing and a thrilling skywalk (154 feet above the ocean below) too — it just goes on and on.

If you want to enjoy big ship amenities but in the luxury, intimacy and world-class service of a small ship, give us a ring to talk about Big Ship Suites!

February

AmaLilia, AmaWaterways

AmaLilia is due to set sail in February along Egypt’s River Nile, and is smothered in AmaWaterways’ signature ultra-luxury. Decorated according to a regionally-inspired palette, this upscale ship features 41 staterooms, including 13 show-stopping suites; a Main Restaurant serving western fare with a local twist, a Chef’s Table dining experience, an onboard salon to treat yourself to a massage, manicure or pedicure as well as multiple public spaces where you’ll indulge your mind through the services of an expert Egyptologist talking you through the incredible destination around you. As with any river ship, the sun deck is a quintessential public area — new cruise ship, AmaLilia’s, is the perfect space to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Avalon Alegria, Avalon Waterways

Find Avalon Alegria sauntering up and down Portugal’s Douro River from February onwards. The ship is the newest addition to their Suite Ships class and offers capacity for 102 passengers in 14 deluxe staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites, wall-to-wall panoramic windows and open-air balconies in those suites, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, an adventure centre with complimentary activity gear, Starlink WiFi access and so many more amenities. Coveted dining options include the casual Panorama Bistro, the al fresco Sky Grill and the elegant glass-walled main dining room. There are three public spaces on board this new cruise ship — the Sky Deck with swimming pool, the Club Lounge and the Observation Lounge.

May

Queen Anne, Cunard

Queen Anne is set to be the 249th (two-hundred and forty-ninth!) and largest ship in Cunard’s resplendent fleet, both past and present. The cruise line’s first new build in over 12 years, Queen Anne, will accommodate up to 3,000 guests. On board this new cruise ship you’ll find old classics, like the Golden Lion pub and the iconic Queens Room Ballroom, but you’ll also find brand-new offerings, such as the Bright Lights Society venue and a new-and-improved The Pavilion with a retractable glass roof and a wellness studio. By way of dining options, Cunard Queen Anne will feature Aranya serving spicy Indian food, Tramonto where you’ll be whisked away to the Mediterranean, Aji Wa for modern Japanese cuisine and of course the Princess Grill, exclusive to Princess Grill Suite guests.

If you want to enjoy big ship amenities but in the luxury, intimacy and world-class service of a small ship, give us a ring to talk about Big Ship Suites!

June

Silver Ray, Silversea

Silversea are churning out new cruise ships. It’s fair enough really — following the rave reviews of their new ship Silver Nova in 2023, this ultra-luxurious cruise line is set to launch her sister ship in 2024. Ray will mirror Nova with an asymmetrical architecture and downright gorgeous contemporary design. We loved it, you loved it — everybody loved it.

Just ask Gary Buchanan, Telegraph Cruise Writer who went on board and loved it so much that he wrote a Silver Nova review for us last year.

July

Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean new cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, will set sail as the second largest cruise ship in the world. With eight neighbourhoods and over 40 ways to dine, this is the newest addition to the Oasis Class of ships. Royal Caribbean is promising that this new cruise ship will transform weekends away and work meetings with this behemoth — it’s an adventure park for adults and kids alike.

If you want to enjoy big ship amenities but in the luxury, intimacy and world-class service of a small ship, give us a ring to talk about Big Ship Suites!

Porto Mirante, Riviera Travel

Experience the thrill of a European adventure with the opulence of a luxurious boutique hotel on Riviera Travel’s new cruise ship. Mirante is set to be 80 metres long with all cabins and every amenity you need spread over four decks. The sun deck features a pool to soak up the sun, a bar and ample seating for the 120 passengers on board; cabins are contemporary and comfortable and the restaurant offers a relaxed, yet fine dining experience with informal seating to harbour an intimate, convivial atmosphere. 

August

MS Estrela, APT Travelmarvel

Is the Douro set to be the big river cruise destination for 2024? APT Travelmarvel seems to think so, becoming the third cruise line in this list to launch a ship on the Golden River in 2024. Estrela is custom-built to sail along the Douro — the sun deck features a large swimming pool, sun beds and a putting green while onboard entertainment will exhibit a typically Portuguese flair. That flair extends to the main restaurant which showcases the best of international flavours, but with a Portuguese twist. There are three cabin categories accommodating 120 guests across 80 metres of ship. The entry-level category, French Balcony Suites, feature an electric slide-down window, allowing you to bask in the glorious landscapes and fresh air as you sail right through the verdant heart of Portugal’s wine region.

EXPLORA II, Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys’ first foray into the cruising world did not disappoint one bit, and their new cruise ship EXPLORA II will match the grandeur of EXPLORA I. Indulge in the lap of luxury within huge entry-level oceanfront suites or above, each boasting a private veranda; each a sanctuary of comfort and sophistication. Culinary delights await at six vibrant restaurants, from Asia to the Mediterranean, France and beyond — all the culinary hotspots of our mouth-watering world are represented. Imagine unwinding in an indoor conservatory pool beneath a retractable roof in the Caribbean sun, a haven of tranquillity. Outside, revel in the embrace of three more pools, one exclusively for adults, or hide in one of 64 private cabanas strategically scattered around the ship. Elevate your shopping experience at sea with an industry-leading selection, including a bespoke Rolex boutique. This is more than just a cruise ship; this is a floating temple dedicated to spiritual, physical and emotional luxury.

Look at our exclusive pictures of EXPLORA I if you don’t believe us.

November

AmaMagdalena, AmaWaterways

AmaMagdalena is AmaWaterways’ second and final ship launched in 2024. It’s a special one too, as no other cruise line offers guests the chance to set sail up Colombia’s Magdalena River. Join 60 guests on AmaMagdalena as she sails for seven days from Cartagena, heading inland towards Colombia’s verdant heart, before docking in Barranquilla on the scorching Caribbean coast. Against a backdrop of incredible scenery, guests will be able to enjoy local cuisine and spot endemic wildlife from the signature comfort of an AmaWaterways ship. The spacious amenity-filled staterooms and suites are between 237 and 516 ft² and all feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin balcony design, with both a French balcony and an outside balcony.

Call Panache Cruises on 0161 513 8200 if you want to learn more about any of these ships.