Seven New Ships due in 2007

Estimated Inaugural: February, 2007
Cruise Line: Carnival Ship Name: Carnival Freedom
Size: GRT: 110,000 Capacity: 2974 (double occupancy)
Builder: Fincantieri - Sestri, Italy
This is an additional Conquest class vessel ordered as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri, two of which ended up going to the Carnival brand. As a Conquest-class, it will not fit through the Panama Canal. Given that there is an almost two-year lag between this ship and the previous one of this class delivered (Carnival Liberty), there will likely be some progressions in the design.

Estimated Inaugural: April, 2007
Cruise Line: MSC Ship Name: MSC Orchestra
Size: GRT: 89,600 Capacity: 2,550 lower berths - 3,000 total & 1,000 crew
Builder: Aker France - St. Nazaire, France
This will be the second of the Musica class.

Estimated Inaugural: May 19, 2007
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Ship Name: Liberty of the Seas
Size: GRT: 160,000 Capacity: 3600 lower berths
Builder: Aker Finnyards - Finland
This will be the second of the “Ultra Voyager-class” When it is delivered the class will still have bragging rights to being the largest passenger ships in the world.

Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2007
Cruise Line: Princess Ship Name: Emerald Princess
Size: GRT: 116,000 Capacity: 3100
Builder: Fincantieri - Monfalcone, Italy
This is an additional Caribbean-class vessel ordered as part of the four-ship order with Fincantieri, the only one in the order designated for Princess. It will be the third in the series. It has not necessarily been designated for the Caribbean as the previous two were, but it will likely have a long life in whichever ocean it starts since it will not fit through the Panama Canal.

Estimated Inaugural: May, 2007
Cruise Line: Costa Ship Name: Costa Serena
Size: GRT: 112,000 Capacity: 3000 (double occupancy), total capacity 3,780
Builder: Fincantieri - Sestri, Italy
This will be the second of Costa’s Concordia class. Deployment is thought to be year round in the Mediterranean.

Estimated Inaugural: October, 2007
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Name: Norwegian Gem
Size: GRT: 92,000 Capacity: 2,384 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany yard)
This will be the third in the Norwegian Jewel series with 540 staterooms and suites with private balconies.

Estimated Inaugural: December 11, 2007
Cruise Line: Cunard Ship Name: Queen Victoria
Size: GRT: 90,000 Capacity: 2000
Builder: Fincantieri - Marghera, Italy
This ship will be similar to HAL’s line of Vista-class vessels, but with Cunard’s own twists in the design and slightly larger. It will be built to Panamax standards, so it can be used in both the Atlantic and Pacific. 86% of the cabins will be outside, 71% of those with private verandahs. In September 2004 the design was enlarged as part of an order of four other ships from Fincantieri. It was originally slated for 88,000 tons and a capacity of 1968. Eleven meters were added to the length raising the tonnage to 90,000 and increasing the capacity to 2000, but the ship will still be able to transit the Panama Canal.
Initial Deployment: The first two voyages will be round trips from Southampton. Cunard says it will be used for a mix of cruises, ocean crossings and world cruises.