Carnival Vista will join the fleet in April this year

Carnival Corporation will launch four new ships in 2016 across four of its global cruise brands.

These additions are part of the 17 ships scheduled for delivery for Carnival Corporation’s ten brands through 2020, creating measured capacity growth over time that enables the company’s global fleet to meet accelerating demand for cruise vacations in every region of the world.

“As we execute our fleet enhancement plan - which includes a long-term strategy for bringing highly efficient, state-of-the-art ships to market and elevating the overall cruise experience, we are excited about seeing these new ships come to life this year,” said Arnold Donald, chief executive, Carnival Corporation.

“With each new ship we introduce, we generate new levels of excitement it creates for our guests and the industry.

“It also supports our goal to provide the best possible vacation experience at a value that land-based vacations cannot match.

“In the end, with our existing and new ships, our focus is for our guests to come away from a cruise vacation having had a great time and looking forward to going on another cruise.”

Donald added: “We also remain focused on managing our fleet capacity in a responsible way by delivering and refurbishing ships that are innovative and efficient, while we phase out some of our existing ships – all designed to reinvigorate the options available to travellers looking to explore the more than 700 destinations we visit around the world.”

The four new ships scheduled to join Carnival Corporation’s industry-leading fleet of 99 ships in 2016 include:

Holland America Line: ms Koningsdam

Official delivery of the ms Koningsdam is expected in April 2016, with the ship currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. 

The 99,500 gross ton Koningsdam represents a new Pinnacle Class of ship for Holland America Line and it is being designed by famed hospitality designer Adam Tihany and architect and designer Bjørn Storbraaten.

The ship will feature Holland America Line’s first purpose-built staterooms for families, in addition to single staterooms that together make up spacious accommodations for the ship’s 2,650 guests.

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Vista

Also expected in April 2016, Carnival Vista will offer everything from unique suspended cycling experience called SkyRide and the innovative Family Harbor staterooms to suites featuring a “family concierge” and cruising’s first IMAX Theater.

After repositioning to New York for a series of voyages in November 2016, Carnival Vista will reposition to Miami to launch year-round Caribbean service later that month.

AIDA Cruises: AIDAprima

Also joining in April 2016, AIDAprima will be the newest flagship for AIDA Cruises.

In addition to being one of the most technologically advanced vessels in the world, it will join its fleet as the most environmentally friendly cruise ship in the world.

A new air lubrication system will pump bubbles below the waterline, reducing friction and lowering fuel consumption by allowing the ship to ride on a cushion of air.

Seabourn: Seabourn Encore

Joining the fleet in December, Seabourn Encore, fashioned by hospitality design icon Adam Tihany, will feature contemporary interiors and modern design elements and innovations consistent with the line’s reputation for understated elegance.

Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line’s award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionised ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011.