What's more exciting than planning your next vacation? Starting it aboard a brand-new ship that offers resort amenities, gourmet cuisine, a variety of entertainment, and more – all while sailing to your next port. Read on and discover the highlights of the latest ocean liners sailing the high seas, like half-acre country club-like settings with real grass, spa-centered staterooms, panoramic stateroom views and much more!


Later this year, Carnival will introduce the brand-new Carnival Splendor in Europe, the fleet's second superliner to sail Old World ports. The Carnival Splendor will carry over 3,000 guests, the line's largest spa at 21,000 square feet, and will introduce "spa staterooms" – accommodations centered around the Cloud9 Spa. Passengers in these rooms will receive exclusive spa access, priority spa appointments, unlimited use of the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool, complimentary fitness classes, and more.

Carnival Freedom accommodates up to 3,700 guests and ranks as one of the biggest ships ever to sail Europe or the Caribbean. Admire spectacular vistas from one of 858 oceanview and balcony staterooms or enjoy the value of 557 interior cabins. With four pools (one with a 214-foot waterslide), a 14,500-square-foot fitness center, a huge LED poolside screen that shows movies, 22 lounges, a spa, and Camp Carnival, there's something for every member of your family.

Carnival Liberty was launched in spring 2007, and carries nearly 3,000 passengers to Europe and the Caribbean. Play mini-golf, take a dip in one of several pools, laugh away your cares at a late-night comedy show, and more. Like the Carnival Freedom, this ship boasts a gigantic LED poolside screen that shows movies, concerts, and sports. Find Carnival Cruises Now


Freedom of the Seas first sailed in 2006, and has quickly become a favorite among cruisers. This striking superliner was the largest ship in the world until the addition of sister ship Liberty of the Seas. Every stateroom is equipped with boosted cellular connectivity, flat-screen TVs, and wireless Internet capabilities. Freedom of the Seas also carries the first-ever surf park at sea in addition to other Royal Caribbean features like the peaceful, adults-only Solarium, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf, and the Royal Promenade.

Completed in May of 2007, the incredible Liberty of the Seas alternates between seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, and has all of the amenities and activities that Freedom of the Seas provides.

Independence of the Seas is the third of the Freedom-class ships and will be the largest ship to have a European homeport. Following its May 2008 debut in the United Kingdom, guests can choose from exciting European, Caribbean, and transatlantic voyages. Find Royal Caribbean Cruises Now


The Norwegian Jade was completed in June 2006 and will mostly sail in the Mediterranean after repositioning from the Aloha Islands where it was known as the Pride of Hawaii. It has 12 bars and lounges, twelve restaurants and dining rooms, and Courtyard Villas, which share a private courtyard with pool, hot tub, and cabanas.

Launched in December 2006, the Norwegian Pearl provides a wide variety of international cuisine and the Bliss Ultra Lounge, a combination of sports bar, nightclub, and bowling alley. If you're seeking the ultimate indulgence at sea, check yourself into a Garden Villa suite – each has its own hot tub, garden, courtyard, and pool.

Sister ship the Norwegian Gem sailed its inaugural in December 2007, and now casts off on week-long Florida and Bahamas voyages, as well as ten and eleven-day exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries from New York City. This vessel shares all the amenities of the Pearl, including the Nintendo Wii, a popular choice with every age group. Find Norwegian Cruises Now


Scheduled to enter service from Ft. Lauderdale in December 2008, Celebrity Cruises will introduce the stunning Celebrity Solstice. Guests will experience industry-firsts, such as the Lawn Club, a country club-like atmosphere with half an acre of real grass, and the Hot Glass Show, where they can watch glass-blowing demonstrations and participate in workshops.

The new AquaClass staterooms share a deck with the AquaSpa relaxation room and the Persian Garden, an aromatherapy and steam room. Guests in the AquaClass staterooms will have unlimited access to de-stress in these areas, in addition to a pillow menu, exclusive seating at the specialty restaurant Blu, and more. Find Celebrity Cruises Now


Celebrity Cruises recently presented the newest ultra-premium line at sea, Azamara Cruises. The two-vessel fleet features butler service, flat-screen TVs, European bedding, and wireless Internet in every stateroom. A 2:1 staff to guest ratio, exclusive Elemis bath products, a daily fruit basket, and a "welcome aboard" mimosa are just a few more amenities that guests can look forward to. The Azamara Journey set sail on its maiden voyage to Bermuda in May of 2007. It continues to cast off on itineraries to South America, Europe, and the occasional transatlantic crossing.

Its sister ship, the Azamara Quest, followed suit in October 2007, and largely focuses on Mediterranean itineraries. Due to the more intimate size of these ships, they sail into ports that larger vessels cannot and deliver a higher level of service. Find Azamara Cruises Now


Scheduled to enter service in July 2008, the $450 million dollar Eurodam will be the largest ship in Holland America's fleet, and the first to offer staterooms with curved verandahs. The Eurodam will house an additional deck and 63 more staterooms than Holland America's last Vista-class ship, ten of which will feature a new style of accommodation at sea – wall-to-wall panoramic windows. Passengers can expect the line's signature amenities of flat-screen TVs, DVD players, massaging showerheads, Euro-Top Mariner's Dream beds, and more. Upon its completion, the Eurodam will carry 1,022 staterooms; 86 percent will be outside staterooms, 67 percent of which will have verandahs. Find Holland America Cruises Now


Princess' newest gem, Emerald Princess features specialty eateries like the popular Sabatini's Italian restaurant and Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant. Guests can de-stress with detoxifying facials and wraps in the Lotus Spa, or try a pilates class in the Lotus Fitness Center. Watch films under the stars before retiring to your choice of nearly 900 balcony staterooms.

Coming in November 2008 is the 3,070-passenger Ruby Princess, sister to the Emerald Princess. She'll sail seven-night western Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale and call in Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, Cozumel, and Princess Cays (Princess' private island). The Ruby Princess will also feature Movies Under the Stars, two specialty restaurants, and an adults-only sun deck, aptly named The Sanctuary. Eighty percent of all outside cabins will have balconies overlooking your constantly changing seascape. Find Princess Cruises Now