New luxury ships launching in 2021

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Evrima
Ritz-Carlton

Ritz-Carlton is poised to debut its first-ever cruise ship Evrima in July 2021 after several shipyard delays pushed back the 2020 launch date. Inspired by private super-yachts, the long-awaited luxury ship has 149 suites with 24-hour room service and spacious ocean-facing terraces. The top-end Owner’s Suites are a cavernous 102 square metres, with whirlpool tubs on the terrace and a separate living room. There’s a spa offering relaxing treatments in ocean-view rooms and five restaurants, including a poolside grill, an Asian-fusion option and SEA specialty dining experience with a tasting menu crafted by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Sven Elverfeld.

Seabourn Venture
Sebourn

One of 2021’s most buzzworthy launches, Seabourn’s first purpose-built expedition ship Seabourn Venture is due to depart from Greenwich in December. The ultra-luxury ship will sail on a series of 10 to 14-day Norwegian Winter voyages in search of the northern lights between December and April 2022, exploring snowcapped mountains and giant fjords. In the summer months, it will sail to the Arctic, Caribbean and South America. The 132-suite vessel will carry two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, sea kayaks, mountain bikes and e-bikes to enable guests to explore the rugged landscape in style. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences on offer will include snorkelling with whales, snowshoeing and dogsledding.

Sea Cloud Spirit
Sea Cloud

Sea Cloud Cruises’ long-awaited rigged sailing ship Sea Cloud Spirit will sail its maiden voyage from Rome on September 14, following years of delays. With a capacity for 136 passengers in 69 cabins, 25 of which have their own balconies, this is the third ship in Sea Cloud’s fleet of private yacht-style vessels. Cabins have large windows and are elegantly decked out with dark wood, while facilities include a library, spa, Finnish sauna, steam bath, fitness room and four Zodiacs. It will also achieve a first for a sailing ship with a passenger lift connecting the decks. Like its sibling ships, there’s an emphasis on fresh, organic and locally-sourced food, with a mix of laid-back and fine-dining restaurant options. Future sailings will include France, Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean, and the ship’s small size means it can visit smaller ports in Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize and Panama.

Silver Dawn
Silversea

Silver Dawn is the 10th ship to be added to ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea’s fleet. Following the delivery of sister ships Silver Origin and Silver Moon in 2020, Silver Dawn is due to be unveiled in November. With eight dining options, the ship will accommodate 596 guests in 298 ocean-view suites, 96 per cent of which will have a private veranda. Silversea promises to deliver a sense of small-ship intimacy, with a crew-to-guest ratio of one to 1.45. The line has revealed that the vessel will feature “pioneering enhancements” that its sibling ships do not have, but details are yet to be revealed. Upcoming sailings include epic South America and transatlantic voyages as well as shorter Mediterranean itineraries.

Viking Venus
Viking Ocean Cruises

Launched last month with a glitzy naming event with the ship’s ceremonial godmother, broadcaster Anne Diamond, Viking Venus is the latest vessel to join Viking’s ocean fleet of five small ships. With 465 all-veranda rooms to accommodate 930 guests, the luxury ship offers outdoor dining options and Scandinavian decor. Inaugural voyages began on May 22, with the first of five eight-day round-trip Welcome Back sailings in England. The schedule will eventually include sailings to Iceland and Bermuda, with more to be announced as government restrictions ease. Bookings are open to vaccinated guests only.