Three new ‘big’ ships hit the water in 2014

You have to go back to 2010 — right in the middle of the recession — to compare the cruise-ship-building frenzy that was going on among North American major ship brands to today’s reality. That was the year mega ships Norwegian Epic, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas…then Celebrity Eclipse, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam all slid into the water.

Okay, fast forward to 2014. Although the economy is on the upswing, the cruise industry is taking a deep breath. Only three lines in the mega ship category will welcome new vessels this year.

Soon to be seen in an ocean near you …

• Regal Princess, a sister to the Royal Princess, which last year was not only a new ship but a new class.

• Norwegian’s Getaway, a sister to the highly successful Breakaway, which was again a new ship and class.

• Starting a whole new class of ship is Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, the most anticipated ship in the last few years, heading to New York in November.

Speaking of Royal Caribbean, its middle name has got to be “Wow!” Every time this cruise line launches a new brand it’s done with much fanfare and, while skeptics may decry the ongoing hype, when all is said and done, Royal Caribbean has a history of good reviews and successful ships. More on this ship later.

Two of the new ships will cruise in the Caribbean, and one will start the year in Europe.

Norwegian’s Getaway will make Miami its year-round home serving the Caribbean while the Regal Princess will spend its summer in Europe.

Quantum of the Seas will launch in November, and for its inaugural winter season, it will offer 7-to-12-night cruises to the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean. This ship — which will also serve the New York area by making Bayonne, N.J. its year-round home port — is the most anticipated of the new-builds as evidenced by the premium pricing reflecting the public’s interest.

Royal Caribbean is known for innovations and Quantum is another example why. It features a capsule (called North Star) that will elevate passengers 91.4 metres (300 feet) above the sea. The schematics I’ve seen remind me of the London Eye. Also new is RipCord by iFly, offering participants a chance to simulate skydiving, in a wind tunnel.

Action sports will move indoors and include basketball, mini soccer, bumper cars and a roller skating rink. No doubt Royal Caribbean is continuing its trend of firsts aimed at the family market.

While it’s a small launch season for the North American majors, that’s not the case on the rivers of Europe, with over 20 ships being launched — 14 of those by Viking.

And finally, here is a rarity: two new cruise lines will make their debuts this year. Pearl Seas Cruises will finally get its first ship — the Pearl Mist — on the water. The ship will sail in the Maritimes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Great Lakes and the Southeastern U.S.

Emerald Waterways, a division of Scenic Tours, will cruise the rivers of Europe with two new ships Emerald Star and Emerald Sky — both 443 feet long.

Phil’s Pick of the Week

This combo cruise and land tour to Alaska lasts for 10 days, departing Vancouver on May 10. You can take in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, then cruise in College Fjord and Glacier Bay. All of this on the Crown Princess disembarking in Whittier to head to Mount McKinley Princess Lodge. The next day, board a train for Denali National Park, where you’ll overnight. The tour ends in Fairbanks.

Starting price is just $897, based on per person, double occupancy. Price and space were available at time of writing. More details available from your cruise travel agent or princess.com.