23 Thrilling Cruise Ships That Delivered in 2023

Last year, in 2023, the shipbuilding industry had a great time. They made and finished 23 new cruise ships.

These ships vary a lot. World’s largest cruise ship to small coastal ships. Each type is made for different groups of people who want specific things from their cruise experience.

Here are the new ships that have been delivered since January:

1. Icon of the Seas

• Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
• How Many People: Up to 5,610 guests
• Size: 250,800 tons
• Where It Was Made: Meyer Turku (Finland)
• When It Set Sail: November

The Icon of the Seas joined Royal Caribbean International’s fleet in November. It’s a massive ship, the largest cruise in the world right now, weighing around 250,000 tons. Currently, it’s getting its final touches at a shipyard in Spain and will start its first voyages in the Caribbean in late January.

2. MSC Euribia

• Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
• How Many People: Up to 4,888 guests
• Size: 177,100 tons
• Where It Was Made: Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France)
• When It Set Sail: May

The MSC Euribia started sailing for MSC Cruises in June. This ship was built in France and runs on LNG (liquefied natural gas). Right now, it’s taking people on trips across Western and Northern Europe.

3. Silver Nova

• Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
• How Many People: Up to 728 guests
• Size: 54,700 tons
• Where It Was Made: Meyer Werft (Germany)
• When It Set Sail: July

The Silver Nova marked a new era for Silversea Cruises when it was delivered in July. This ship, powered by LNG, is considered the world’s greenest cruise ship. It’s got some cool new features, like fuel cells for power and a unique design for its public areas.

4. Carnival Jubilee

• Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
• How Many People: Up to 5,400 guests
• Size: 183,900 tons
• Where It Was Made: Meyer Werft (Germany)
• When It Set Sail: December

Carnival Cruise Line welcomed the Carnival Jubilee to its fleet in early December. This big ship, part of the XL-Class, started its first cruise from Galveston, Texas, on December 23rd.

5.  Explora I

• Cruise Line: Explora Journeys
• How Many People: Up to 922 guests
• Size: 64,000 tons
• Where It Was Made: Fincantieri (Italy)
• When It Set Sail: July

Explora Journeys introduced luxury cruising with the Explora I in August. It’s the first of six ships ordered by MSC Cruises Group for this upscale brand. After its European debut, it moved to North America for the winter season.

6. Norwegian Viva

• Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
• How Many People: Up to 3,215 guests
• Size: 140,000 tons
• Where It Was Made: Fincantieri (Italy)
• When It Set Sail: August

The Norwegian Viva, the second Prima-Class ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, started cruising in the Mediterranean in August after being built in Italy.

7. Adora Magic City

• Cruise Line: Adora Cruises
• How Many People: Up to 5,000 guests
• Size: 135,000 tons
• Where It Was Made: Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (China)
• When It Set Sail: December

Adora Cruises made history with the Adora Magic City, the first huge cruise ship made by a Chinese shipyard. It’s all set to start sailing in early January after being entirely built in Shanghai.

8. Vista

• Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
• How Many People: Up to 1,200 guests
• Size: 67,000 tons
• Where It Was Made: Fincantieri (Italy)
• When It Set Sail: May

Oceania Cruises welcomed Vista this year after a ten-year wait. This premium ship started in Europe and is now heading to North America for winter.

9. Celebrity Ascent

• Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
• How Many People: Up to 3,260 guests
• Size: 140,600 tons
• Where It Was Made: Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France)
• When It Set Sail: November

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent set sail in November from France. It crossed the Atlantic and started its first Caribbean season from Port Everglades.

10. Resilient Lady

• Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages
• How Many People: Up to 2,770 guests
• Size: 110,000 tons
• Where It Was Made: Fincantieri (Italy)
• When It Set Sail: May

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady began its journey in May. This ship, similar to Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, started in the Eastern Mediterranean before heading to Australia for Virgin’s first season there.

Here are some more ships that were delivered in 2023:

• SH Diana (Swan Hellenic)
• Ocean Albatros (SunStone)
• Scenic Eclipse II (Scenic Tours)
• Viking Saturn (Viking)
• Seabourn Pursuit (Seabourn)
• Emerald Sakara (Emerald Cruises)
• Seven Seas Grandeur (Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
• American Glory (American Cruise Lines)
• American Eagle (American Cruise Lines)
• Havila Polaris (Havila Voyages)
• Havila Pollux (Havila Voyages)
• American Serende (American Cruise Lines)
• American Eagle (American Cruise Lines)