Excitement Builds As 4 New Cruise Ships Reach Important Milestones

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The world of cruises is abuzz in this past week as four major new cruise ships all reached significant milestones in their journey.

New ships Norwegian Aqua, MSC World America, Disney Destiny, Seven Seas Prestige

Each of the ships is sailing for a completely different cruise line and offering a wholly different experience, and they’re all at different stages of their construction journey.

One is set to launch imminently, one has hit water for the first time, and one has just had the keel laid – but excitement is almost equal for all three!

Norwegian Aqua welcomes invited guests ahead of inaugural season

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, has been offering exclusive previews to over 2,000 invited guests ahead of her christening ceremony.

Norwegian Aqua

Following the official handover on 13th March 2025, the 156,300 gross-ton ship has been cruising through the Mediterranean before making stops in Lisbon, Portugal, on 21st March 2025, to welcome travel partners, media, and industry insiders.

Set to debut officially on 16th April 2025, Norwegian Aqua will embark on her first official voyage, a 7-night Caribbean cruise from PortMiami.

The ship boasts several industry-first attractions, including the Glow Court digital sports complex and the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and rollercoaster combination.

Additionally, Norwegian Aqua offers 17 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, including the first Thai specialty restaurant for the cruise line, Sukhothai.

After her inaugural season, Norwegian Aqua will sail to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda from various ports, including Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York.

With her innovative design and exciting features, Norwegian Aqua is poised to offer a new level of cruising excitement.

MSC Cruises celebrates the delivery of MSC World America

On 27th March 2025, MSC Cruises marked a major milestone with the handover of its largest vessel yet, the MSC World America, from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

MSC World America

This 215,863-gross-ton ship will soon embark on her maiden voyage, offering passengers a host of new dining, entertainment, and activity options.

During the handover ceremony, key figures from MSC Cruises, including Captain Gianluigi Aponte and Pierfrancesco Vago, joined Laurent Castaing, General Manager of the shipyard, in celebrating this achievement.

MSC World America stands out not only for her size but also for her eco-friendly features, such as advanced shore power connectivity and an efficient wastewater treatment system.

Designed with sustainability in mind, she holds one of the best energy efficiency ratings according to the International Maritime Organization.

The ship’s first official journey will be a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, departing from PortMiami on 12th April 2025, following a glamorous christening ceremony with her godmother, Drew Barrymore.

MSC World America will offer alternating 7-night sailings in the Caribbean, with a focus on destinations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

Disney Destiny reaches key milestone as she touches water for the first time

Over in Germany, Disney Cruise Line is preparing for the debut of the Disney Destiny, with the ship now one step closer to completion.

Disney Destiny

The latest milestone occurred on 24th March 2025, when the 144,000-gross-ton ship underwent a “float up” process at Meyer Werft shipyard.

Unlike the typical “float out,” where ships are moved into open water, the “float up” involved filling the dry dock with water to lift the ship, preparing her for further construction and testing.

As construction continues, the focus will shift to the ship’s interior, which promises to be just as magical as Disney’s other vessels.

The staterooms will feature designs inspired by Disney heroes like Hercules, Mulan, and The Incredibles.

Disney Destiny is expected to embark on her maiden voyage on 24th November 2025, offering a 4-night Bahamas sailing from Port Everglades, Florida, and calling at Disney’s private islands.

Seven Seas Prestige begins her journey with a keel laying ceremony

Lastly, Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated the keel laying of its upcoming ultra-luxury vessel, Seven Seas Prestige, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, on 27th March 2025.

Seven Seas Prestige Keel Ceremony

This significant event was marked by the placement of three coins in the ship’s keel, a traditional maritime gesture for good luck.

The Seven Seas Prestige will be the first of two new ships in the Prestige-class and will accommodate just 850 guests, offering one of the highest guest-to-space ratios in the industry.

Set to debut in 2026, the ship will introduce new suite categories and enhanced dining venues, setting a new standard for luxury cruising. Seven Seas Prestige will be followed by her sister ship in 2029.

As these four ships near their respective debuts, the cruise industry is eagerly anticipating the experiences they will offer.

Whether it’s Norwegian Aqua’s thrilling new features, MSC World America’s green innovations, Disney Destiny’s whimsical interiors, or Seven Seas Prestige’s ultra-luxury amenities, these vessels are poised to shape the future of cruising.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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