Don't miss the boats: New cruise ships sailing the high -- and calm -- seas in 2018

   Out to Sea for Feb. 24/18

 

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

    Sun Media newspapers/websites (Postmedia Network)

   That new cruise ship smell will be permeating the oceans as almost every major line rolls out a new build this year.

   Along with the newbies will be the largest at sea, sister ships to existing builds and new innovations and attractions.

   This includes racing a go-cart on the top deck, huge waterparks and a two-level family suite with slide to the living room from the bedroom.

   Here’s a guide to sailing the seven seas and five oceans onboard some of the latest and the greatest.

   Don’t miss the boats

   - Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas: Join 5,200 of your friends on the biggest cruise ship ever built.

Symphony of the Seas has a two-level Ultimate Family Suite with slide.

   The ship, with the innovative two-level Ultimate Family Suite and slide, LEGO wall, air-hockey and pool tables, 3-D movie theatre room, climbing wall, whirlpool and wrap-around balcony, sails March 31 from Barcelona.

   Along with new dining options such as El Loco Fresh Mexican, Hooked Seafood and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, live theatre includes Hairspray and Flight.

   After sailing the Mediterranean, it repositions to Miami in November for seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

   - Carnival Horizon: Sailing her maiden voyage April 2 from Barcelona, this ship carries 3,950 passengers and is similar to sister-ship Carnival Vista.

Enjoying a fun day at sea on a Carnival ship in the Caribbean. (Barbara Fox photo)

   Popular features include a sky ride around the top deck and a water tube attraction with rides on inflatable rafts that’s part of a Dr. Seuss-themed water park.

   Celebrity chef Guy’s (Fieri’s) Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse/Brewhouse is a first and there’s a Bonsai Teppanyaki restaurant.

   After four Mediterranean sailings, it relocates to New York for round-trip Bermuda and Caribbean voyages, and to Miami in the fall.

   - Norwegian Bliss: With its go-kart racetrack on top, this ship sails April 23 from London across the Atlantic Ocean to Miami, then through the Panama Canal for summer in Alaska.

Norwegian Bliss has a go-kart racetrack on its top deck.

   Fall sailings from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera shift to Miami for Caribbean winter voyages.

   Carrying 4,000 guests, its hull art is a pod of whales and there’s a large observation deck at the front of the ship and the exclusive Haven suites.

   - Seabourn Ovation: This is the fifth luxury ship from Seabourn, debuting on May 5 with elegant surroundings for 600 passengers.

   The all-suite ship’s maiden voyage of 11 days is from Venice to Barcelona.

   Fine dining includes The Grill by Thomas Keller that recalls classic American restaurants.

   After sailing in Northern Europe, Norway and the British Isles, it begins 14-day voyages between Hong Kong and Singapore.

   - MSC Seaview and Viking Orion launch in June with the former carrying 5,100 guests and the Orion with 930.

   The Seaview will sail the Mediterranean with her first winter in South America and has Yacht Club suites with private dining, all-inclusive drinks and butler service.

   Viking, largely all-inclusive, spends time in the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, with a 93-day world cruise from Auckland to Vancouver next winter.

   - Nieuw Statendam: This is Holland America’s second Pinnacle Class ship, joining the Koningsdam, and the sixth to carry the name since 1898.

Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam launches in December and is the sixth to carry the name since 1898.

   Launching Dec. 5 and carrying 2,860 guests, the Statendam “combines classic style with contemporary appointments” and its interiors are “inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments.”

   Her premiere voyage is from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale where she will spend the winter in the Caribbean.

   - Celebrity Edge: This 2,900-passenger ship debuts Dec. 16 and initially sails to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale with its innovative Magic Carpet, a cantilevered, floating platform that soars over the ocean.

   There are Infinite Verandas that take cabins “right to the water’s edge,” and a jogging track spanning two decks around the terraced pool area.

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Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com

For more Out to Sea trip tips: http://outtoseatravel.blogspot.ca