New Ships Galore! Order News from Regent, Oceania, Windstar, Ponant and ACL

If you’re a fan of new ships, well, here’s the scoop! Many new, luxurious vessels will soon sail the high seas or coastal waters.

During this week’s Seatrade Cruise Global conference in South Florida, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) ordered eight new, state-of-the-art ships for its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.

Windstar Cruises also will expand its small-ship luxury fleet with two all-suite motor yachts. One is a sparkling new build, the other is currently chartered by another line. (See the rendering above of one vessel. Photo by Windstar Cruises).

In addition, Ponant is adding an intimate, six-stateroom catamaran. It’s designed for both family/friend private charters and scheduled sailings. And for sailings “close to home,” American Cruise Lines will welcome two more new, 125-passenger coastal ships, American Patriot and American Pioneer, in 2025.

Here’s what we know so far.

8 New Ships for NCL, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas

Fans of each of NCLH’s distinctly different brands — NCL, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas — have something to celebrate with the eight new ships planned for the group. Look for these new ships to arrive between 2026 and 2036.

• Ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises is now awaiting two new, 850-passenger ships. Those 77,000-gross-ton ships will be delivered in 2026 and 2029.
• Building on the success of its Allura-class ships, the last one to be delivered in 2025, Oceania Cruises will take delivery of two new, 1,450-passenger, 86,000-gross-ton ships in 2027 and 2029.
• In addition to delivery of four new Prima-Plus class ships (previously announced) between 2025 and 2028, Norwegian Cruise Line will take delivery of another four 5,000-passenger ships. These 200,000-gross-ton vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036.

Right now, NCLH isn’t releasing any other tidbits. But the cruise company says information about accommodations, dining, activity options, amenities, sustainability and more will be announced in the coming months.

Harry Sommer, NCLH’s president and CEO, did say that this strategic new-ship order “provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth.”

In addition, he believes the new ship order will also help NCLH further leverage its operating scale, enhance fleet efficiency, continue to innovate, and, most importantly, offer guests new products and experiences.

New Great Stirrup Cay Pier

NCLH also announced construction of a $150 million, multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas. Did you know that Great Stirrup Cay is its top-rated Caribbean port of call? That’s a fact. 

Groundbreaking for the new pier will occur this summer. Look for the facility to open in late 2025. Sommer says the pier will support the company’s increased Caribbean capacity and allow multiple ships to call at the island with reliable access.

That means the ships can dock and avoid using their tenders to shuttle people ashore. Tender operations are always subject to weather and sea conditions. 

New Ships: Windstar’s 2025 and 2026 Additions

Windstar Cruises, a boutique luxury cruise line, will expand its small-ship fleet by purchasing two, all-suite motor yachts from Mystic Invest. The new 224-passenger Star Seeker is currently under construction at the WestSea Viana shipyard in Portugal.

For those who follow “maritime moves,” here’s a bit more background. Originally intended for Mystic Invest’s own Atlas Ocean Voyages brand, the new build was initially slated to be called World Seeker. But when the ship is delivered in December 2025, it will instead sail as Windstar’s Star Seeker.

Windstar will also welcome Star Explorer to its fleet in December 2026. Built in 2019, that vessel is currently sailing as World Explorer and was the first built by Mystic in its expedition series. Right now, that ship is chartered on a seasonal basis to Quark Expeditions.

In adding these two ships, “our goal was to ensure these ships are unmistakably Windstar, and a significant amount of effort has gone into achieving this,” says Christopher Prelog, president, Windstar Cruises. “We’re thrilled for this expansion, building on the success of our game-changing Star Class in small-ship cruising.”

At the same time, he said the new ships will offer new experiences. There’s another perk, though, too! The added ships will allow the line to sail to new destinations. Plus, it will gain the fleet “depth” to return one Wind-class (sailing) ship back to Tahiti.

Currently, the line sails in French Polynesia with the motorized Star Breeze. But Windstar promises that both Star Breeze and a Wind-class vessel will sail in Tahiti during 2027.

More About the New Windstar Vessels

Each of the new ships will offer 112 suites with private verandas and infinity windows. Additionally, two new Owner’s Suites with wrap-around balconies have been added aft. So, guests will have the perfect spot for evening cocktails or a private dinner.

With a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:2, the ships will have an intimate aura and personalized service. Guests will also enjoy access to several favorite spots on board. Those will include:

• Windstar’s iconic Watersports Platform with all-new staircase access
• The cozy Yacht Club cafe and lounge
• Two-story spa and fitness facility
• A forward whirlpool on the bow
• Spacious open deck perfect for sunbathing and Windstar’s famous deck barbecues

The re-imagined main dining room, Amphora, will serve a variety of upscale and inventive dishes, including rotating items from James Beard Foundation–affiliated guest chefs.

Al fresco dining will be available at both Amphora and the Star Grill. A no-charge specialty restaurant and 24-hour room service will round out the new ships’ four dining options.

New Windstar Ship Design and Sustainability 

Star Seeker and Star Explorer will feature ice-strengthened hulls. That could unlock access for Windstar’s guests to new destinations.

In addition, the new ships will be equipped with the latest technology in safety, propulsion, and navigation. That means such elements as pump jet thrusters and forward-facing sonar.

To minimize the ships’ environmental footprint, the ships will have advanced wastewater treatment systems that meet all global standards. They’ll also have tier III NOx-rated Rolls-Royce engines.

The new vessels will also be able to plug into a destination’s electric grid rather than burning fuel in port, thus cutting funnel emissions. That, of course, depends on whether the specific port is appropriately equipped for shore power hook-ups.

It’s still too early to see more details about the Windstar itineraries for these ships. But while waiting for more details from Windstar, it’s a good idea to make your travel advisor aware of your interest.

Windstar says that “full itineraries and booking details for Star Seeker will be announced in late June 2024.” For more information, visit this Windstar website page about the new ships.

Ponant’s Intimate, Six-Stateroom Catamaran

If you’re seeking an intimate, small-ship experience or even a totally private, exclusive way to sail with family members or friends, Ponant has an enticing new option. Just added to the Ponant fleet is the 79-foot-long Spirit of Ponant, a lovely catamaran with six staterooms.

 The Spirit of Ponant will sleep up to 12 guests and four crew. Ponant says that the vessel will have a dedicated chef and spacious staterooms. Plus, guests can enjoy such marine activities as paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and snorkeling.

Built in France, this catamaran will set sail in Corsica in July 2024 before heading to the Seychelles for winter 2024. Interestingly, the vessel will be available for vacationing in two different ways.

New Ships: Two Different Ways to Book

First, the catamaran can be booked as a private charter for week-long voyages. So, why not grab a group of family members and friends and set sail? Talk to your personal travel planner about pricing and itinerary options.

In addition, Spirit of Ponant will also be available on a per-cabin basis on select itineraries — a rarity for sailing yachts of this scale. For example, Ponant says these per-cabin rates will start at $8,250 per person, double occupancy, if guests are booking one cabin on a Corsica scheduled sailing.

Enticing Corsica, Lovely Seychelles

Starting out in Corsica, Spirit of Ponant will cruise roundtrip from Bonifacio, France. The catamaran’s seven-night long voyages are completely customizable. So, the itinerary is based on travelers’ interests, and co-created with the captain’s recommendations.

The vessel will then venture to the Seychelles for the winter 2024 season, offering circumnavigations of Mahe. That’s the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago.  Right now, the full schedule isn’t yet posted, but Ponant says a detailed look at itineraries will be available in a few weeks. 

Founded in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy, Ponant operates 13 small ships across the globe. Among them are the company’s first ship, a three-masted, 16-stateroom sailing yacht Le Ponant, and the world’s only luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot.   

For more information, check out this Ponant website page and contact your personal travel planner.

Setting Sail for American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines will welcome two more new small ships in 2025, American Patriot and American Pioneer. These 125-passenger sister ships represent the fifth and sixth ships in the company’s Project Blue series of 12 new small ships for the U.S. market.

All those ships are being built at the company’s affiliated shipyard, Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. American Patriot will begin sailing in June 2025, and American Pioneer in November 2025.

Look for both new ships to operate U.S. East Coast itineraries. Among them will be a new 15-day “Grand Florida Coast & Keys” itinerary, which will start in 2025. This new longer Florida itinerary follows the successful 2024 launch of eight-day “Florida Gulf Coast & Keys” journeys.

The line’s earlier Project Blue ships now sailing include the 100-passenger “Coastal Cats.” These catamarans are American Eagle and American Glory (launched in 2023) and American Liberty and American Legend (2024).

Two More Coastal Ships: What’s New?

Spanning five decks, American Patriot and American Pioneer will offer 56 staterooms. What’s new? Look for these vessels to have a more traditional bow construction and slightly deeper draft than the first four ships in the series. So, they’ll be called Patriot Coastal Class vessels.

Guests can expect a smooth ride too. Each of the new ships has “full stabilization,” giving them new coastal capabilities. That gives the line better flexibility to offer other new North American itineraries down the road.

Spacious Accommodations

Inside, guests will discover elegant interior design and spacious, all-balcony staterooms, suites and solo cabins. For the ultimate, consumers can look to Deck 4, home to 420- to 620-square-foot suites.

Guests can also expect the following:

• An expansive Main Lounge and Restaurant on Deck 1
• Sitting, dining, and fitness areas on Deck 5 including a 360-degree Skywalk walking track, indoor Sky Lounge, outside Sun Deck, and casual cafe
• A Bow Terrace and Horizon Lounge on Deck 3
• Indoor fitness center on Deck 4

When American Patriot and American Pioneer begin sailing in 2025, American Cruise Lines will operate 21 small ships across the country. To view deck plans and schedules for American Patriot and American Pioneer, check out the Patriot-class coastal ships.

Contact your Pavlus Travel advisor today for more detail. Or use the contact information below to connect with an experienced travel expert for questions, assistance and full handling of all booking arrangements!

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