Are new ships still launching this year?
Looking back to the beginning of 2020 – those golden pre-pandemic days – some 30 hotly anticipated new ships were scheduled to launch this year. Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor was christened by glamorous godmother Christie Brinkley in February, before covid-19 shut down shipyards and international travel bans restricted cruise ship movements, but many more naming ceremonies and maiden voyages have been postponed.
A notable exception is Silversea’s Silver Origin, which was officially welcomed to the fleet by VIPs from the cruise line and Dutch shipbuilder De Hoop on June 6. The 100-passenger ship, designed to sail the Galapagos Islands year-round, is the luxury line’s first ‘destination-specific’ vessel. She is also the first ship for Silversea since the cruise line became part of the Royal Caribbean Cruises’ family.
At the welcome ceremony, Silversea’s chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio said, “Every element of the ship has been designed with the destination in mind and tailored to enhance the experience for travellers, while fostering a deep sense of respect for this magnificent ecosystem and everything that inhabits it.” The super-luxe Silver Origin will start sailing itineraries in the Galapagos Islands in August 2020 – meanwhile, the August arrival of Silver Muse’s sister ship, the 596-passenger Silver Moon, has been moved to October 2020.
Probably the most hyped new ship on the postponed list is Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, which was slated to set sail in March. In February, a few reporters were allowed onboard the 2770-passenger, adults-only ship to check out her rock-star suites, hip nightspots and features such as the first tattoo parlour at sea, but the inaugural sailing is now set for October 16, 2020.
Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin said on May 21, “We’re focused on being ready to get back on the open ocean with some exciting innovations focused on protecting the well-being of both our Sailors and our incredible Crew — which we’ll update you on soon.” Standing by …
Another brand-new cruise line, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, was due to launch its first uber-luxe boutique motoryacht in February 2020. Originally named Azora, the 289-passenger Evrima (the name means discovery in Greek) is now scheduled to embark on her maiden voyage in April 2021.
Talking of uber-luxe vessels, I was certainly not the only avid cruiser looking forward to the October arrival Down Under of Crystal Cruises’ first expedition ‘megayacht’, Crystal Endeavor. She would have been the most fabulously kitted-out ship to sail in local waters – her many facilities include a mini submarine and onboard helicopters – but sadly Crystal Endeavor’s entire 2020 season has now been cancelled.
Check out my next blog for an update on the inaugural sailings of more high-profile ships.