CRUISING: Old and new (cruise ships)

Douglas Ward and the SS United States

I remember, when I worked aboard Cunard Line’s RMS Queen Elizabeth from 1965 as a young and enthusiastic leader of a musical trio in the First-Class section of the three-class ocean liner. My agent was Geraldo, who was both a bandleader and theatrical agent, based in London's Bond Street.  

We visited the SS United States berthed at Pier 86 (now the home to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum) on the Hudson River.  It was docked next to Pier 88 – the Cunard Line pier. There were large rooftop car parks above both terminals, and visitors could go aboard the ships for a fee of $0.50cents, which went to the Seaman’s Fund in New York City.

My impression of the SS United States was rather disdainful. I found the interior rather cold and uninviting, because everything was made of steel, metal, or aluminum. In fact, the only wood was in the pianos – although some may remember that the butcher’s block was also wood. Always, on sailing, there were streamers and confetti. The SS United States was retired in 1969.

Travel News Update would be delighted to hear from persons who either travelled on SS United States, or were a member of the crew.  Please complete READERS COMMENT below.


New cruise ships due to launch in 2025

The current year will not see any new ships operating out of the United Kingdom.

On the Continent TUI Mein Schiff Relax, at 160,000 tonnes and nearly 4,000 passengers, has already been delivered and aimed at the German cruise market (though it is far from exclusively German and anyone is welcome to book). She is the first TUI ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).  A sister ship will arrive in 2026.
www.meinschiff.com

MSC World America has been delivered with a gross tonnage of 215,863 and a capacity of 6,762.  She is a sister ship to World Europa introduced at the time of the 2022 Doha World Cup.  She is the largest MSC Cruises ship to sail around the Caribbean, offering cruises to the eastern and western sides of the region from Miami, including visits to MSC’s private island Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.
www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/46
www.msccruises.co.uk

Also in April Norwegian Aqua arrived at 156,000 tonnes and a maximum capacity of 3,550.  It will not be the biggest ship in the fleet – the Breakaway Plus keeps that title – but she will offer a huge range of exciting features. Chief among those will be the Aqua Slidecoaster, a combination rollercoaster and waterslide (the first not just at sea, but anywhere in the world!).  Norwegian Aqua will offer sailings from New York, Port Canaveral and Miami, with itineraries including calls at NCL’s private resort Great Stirrup Cay.
www.ncl.com

Oceania Allura at 67,000 tonnes and expected in July has a capacity of 1,200 with some high-quality dining options.  Allura’s inaugural season will include sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean and then around the Americas.
www.oceaniacruises.com

Viking Vesta is the 12th ocean cruise ship in the Viking fleet.  The ships are bland, and visually at least much the same.  The gross tonnage is 47,000 and capacity 998. Viking Vesta will offer cruises all across Europe in her inaugural season.
www.viking.com

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Cruises Luminara is something special with a gross tonnage of 46,750 and 452 clients.  Expected delivery is July 2025 and the third superyacht sailing for Ritz-Carlton, better known for its hotels around the world.
www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com

Carnival Group’s Star Princess arrives in August 2025 at 175,500 gross tonnes and 4,300 passengers and is the third Star Princess to have sailed for Princess Cruises over the years. She will also be the second Princess ship to be powered by LNG. Her inaugural season will include cruises throughout Europe.
https://princesscruises.com

Also in August Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Star of the Seas joins at 250,000 gross tonnage and a maximum capacity of 7,600.  She is a sister ship of the well received Icon of the Seas.  Neither ships will be seen in Europe this year or next.  They are too big as far as port capacity is concerned.  Star of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral and offer cruises to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with every cruise including a visit to the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
https://royalcaribbeangroup.com

Virgin Voyages Xcel will be introduced in November 2025 straight into the Caribbean market, the fourth Virgin ship.  At 141,000 tonnes she has a capacity of 3,260 passengers.  Virgin Voyages had a delayed introduction due to Covid with its maiden voyage out of Portsmouth 2021.  The product was quirky, aimed at a young market, a somewhat different product to the traditional cruise lines.  We reviewed Scarlet Lady in April 2022.  It will be interesting to see what changes have taken place since that time.
www.btnews.co.uk/article/18935
www.virginvoyages.com

AND FINALLY: Here are details of a cruise ship that you cannot book, but need to be invited.  Four Seasons has decided to follow in the footsteps of Ritz-Carlton and enter the world of cruising, with the launch of its first superyacht later in 2025 with just 95 suites. This one comes in at 35,000 tonnes and is named Four Seasons. www.fourseasonsyachts.com

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