Below are some highlights of each ship debuting between now and next September. It's wise to call soon if you wish to book any of the inaugural cruises. New ships tend to sell out earlier than older ones, and inaugurals are generally in very high demand.
Ruby Princess, Princess --- November 8, 2008 --- 3,080 passengers. Sister ship to the Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, the Ruby Princess greets guests with a dramatic piazza-style atrium, featuring a variety of cafes and eateries along with a host of street performers. In addition to three main dining rooms, the 5-star ship will offer two specialty restaurants -- Sabatini's Italian trattoria and Crown Grill, serving steak and seafood. Onboard amenities include the Lotus Spa, the poolside Movies Under the Stars, an adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, an extensive children's and teens' center and a wedding chapel.
Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity --- November 23, 2008 --- 2,852 passengers. The 5-star Celebrity Solstice is the first of the line's new Solstice class, and 85% of the staterooms will include private balconies. The Solstice's roomy cabins will feature flat-screen televisions, plenty of storage space and spacious bathrooms. Celebrity will debut an all-new class of veranda staterooms on the Solstice, called "AquaClass." Passengers traveling in these accommodations will have unlimited access to the AquaSpa relaxation room and the Persian Garden, a unique aromatherapy steam room. Additionally, AquaClass guests will receive complimentary dining in Blu, an exclusive and intimate specialty restaurant. Availability on the inaugural cruise of the Celebrity Solstice is extremely limited.
MSC Fantasia, MSC Cruises --- December 20, 2008 --- 4,100 passengers. Eighty percent of the staterooms on this 4.5-star ship will feature ocean views, and 99 of the 107 suites will make up the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, a private, V.I.P. area that will include its own bar, pool, solarium and a concierge. Suites in the MSC Yacht Club area will also offer butler service. The MSC Fantasia will feature five restaurants, four pools, a children's area and the Aurea Spa well-being center.
Costa Luminosa, Costa --- May 5, 2009 --- 2,828 passengers. As her name implies, the 4.5-star Costa Luminosa is dedicated to light. Keeping with that theme, the ship will feature special lighting effects during evening performances in the main show lounge and an innovative 4-D cinema. Other Costa firsts on the Costa Luminosa include a roller-skating rink, an 18-hole golf course simulator and the Club Restaurant, where guests can see right into the large kitchen. Sixty-eight percent of the ship's cabins feature private balconies.
Costa Pacifica, Costa --- June 6, 2009 --- 3,780 passengers. Like her sister ships, Costa Serena and Costa Concordia, the 4.5-star Costa Pacifica boasts the state-of-the-art Samsara Spa. This 20,500-square-foot space houses a wellness center, spa, salon and fitness center. Elsewhere on the ship, guests will find a Formula 1 race car driving simulator, pools with retractable roofs and 13 bars and lounges. Each public area is inspired by a different genre of music, and throughout the ship passengers will have opportunities to enjoy arrangements composed especially for Costa.
Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn --- June 24, 2009 --- 450 passengers. Boasting one of the highest space-per-passenger ratios at sea, the 6-star Seabourn Odyssey will have 225 suites, 90% featuring full-size balconies. All accommodations offer a granite bathroom with a separate tub and shower and twin sinks. Public spaces include four dining venues, offering options from casual, grilled food to gourmet tasting menus; six bars and lounges, where complimentary fine wines and spirits flow freely; and the spa, which features a thalassotherapy whirlpool, Finnish saunas, aromatic steam rooms, a gym and an aerobics area.
Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity --- August 8, 2009 --- 2,852 passengers. The second in Celebrity's new Solstice class, the 5-star Celebrity Equinox will feature the innovative Lawn Club, a half-acre-sized area with real, growing grass and a country club atmosphere. The Patio on the Lawn offers a spot where passengers can relax and mingle or take in glassblowing demonstrations and lectures at the Hot Glass Show. Staterooms on the Celebrity Equinox and other Solstice-class ships will be 15% larger than those on other Celebrity ships and boast flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet access.
Carnival Dream, Carnival --- September 21, 2009 --- 3,646 passengers. When it launches, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will be the largest vessel in Carnival's "Fun Ship" fleet. Featured among the 4.5-star Dream's services and amenities are a two-level miniature golf course, the WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza -- an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue -- and extensive children's and teens' areas with program activities for three age groups. Adults will enjoy the 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 spa, Carnival's largest health and wellness center to date, as well as the scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam. The Carnival Dream will offer several new categories of staterooms including "cove" balcony staterooms located close to the water line, deluxe ocean view staterooms featuring two bathrooms and spa staterooms and suites with exclusive amenities and spa privileges.
Another ship, MSC Splendida, is due in June 2009, but this ship is not listed here because full ship details, prices and itineraries have not yet been announced.
