The 2016 season will see the launch of several new ships both ocean and river vessels. Here are some to look out for:

Avalon Waterway’s Avalon Passion will cruise the Danube River. She has two decks of Panorama Suites (200 square ft) with wall to wall windows for an open air balcony. On board, Wi-Fi access, complimentary computer use at the Internet Corner, a Fitness Centre, a hair salon, elevator, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games, and the Sky Bistro for light grill fare. 

Avalon Waterway’s Avalon Imagery II will cruise the Rhine. She has the same features as sister ship Avalon Passion.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista will cruise the Mediterranean in April. She will have a SkyRide (suspended open-air cycling track), the world’s first IMAX theatre on a ship and the Kaleid-O-Slide (raft-riding water tube slide). 

Holland America’s Koningsdam will cruise from Civitavecchia (Italy) in April. The largest vessel in the HAL fleet will have a capacity for 2,650 passengers and boasts a theatre with 270 degree LED projection. 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer will cruise from Monte Carlo in July with one of the highest space ratios in the industry. The Regent Suite (3,975 ft) is bigger than the average house. The ship has capacity for 750 passengers and 542 crew. 

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas will cruise from Southampton in May and will be the largest passenger ship in the world with 16 guest decks and accommodations for 5,497 passengers at double occupancy. This is the home to the largest water slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; towering over 150 ft above sea level. 

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas will sail from Southampton in April and move to Asia over the summer. She is equipped with a skydiving simulator, robot bartenders and the North Star (pod attached to an arm, giving 360 degree views of the sea). Jamie’s Italian (Jamie Oliver) is but one of more than a dozen restaurants on board. 

Seabourn’s Encore will cruise from Athens in December. She is a 12 deck vessel with a near one-to-one passenger-staff ratio with 300 suites and an itinerary that includes a 60 day cruise to Sydney. 

Viking Cruises’ Viking Sea will cruise the Mediterranean and Scandinavia with a capacity for 930 passengers. The all-balcony ship will have a snow grotto (artificial snowflakes falling from ceiling) two pools (an infinity pool and one protected by retractable roof) and multiple restaurants including choices for outdoor seating.