How Is COVID-19 Affecting New Cruise Ship Launches?

How Is COVID-19 Affecting New Cruise Ship Launches?

Due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, new ship production has been delayed.
Credit: 2020 Quark Expeditions

This month was supposed to see the launch and naming of Princess Cruises’ newest Enchanted Princess, but the vessel and many others have been delayed due to the ramifications of the current COVID-19 pandemic. As shipyards around the world have had to temporarily close, arrivals of several exciting cruise ships have been pushed back.

So far there is little talk of halting the production of new ships, but any ships that are not already finished or under construction are certainly subject to that. For the time being, though, these are the most noteworthy ships facing delays.

Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex, the sister ship to Celebrity Edge, was finished and ready to set sail in March, but its festivities were pushed back. Now the ship has no voyages scheduled until this coming August. Third, in the Edge class, Celebrity Beyond is still scheduled for a 2021 debut.

Crystal Endeavor, Crystal Cruises
Not as lucky on the delivery front is Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Endeavor. The expedition vessel was originally delayed to November, but the ship has now been pushed back to 2021 due to closures at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany.

Enchanted Princess, Princess Cruises
The ship’s naming ceremony was initially scheduled for June 30 in Southampton, England, but no new launch date has yet been set. In the meantime, all of its cruises have been cancelled through July 31.

Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Last of the small ships for a while, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s new Evrima had already been delayed until June of this year. Then COVID-19 pandemic forced the ship and new line into 2021. According to Cruise Critic, neither will debut until April 22, 2021.

Fridtjof Nansen, Hurtigruten
Like the Silver Origin, Hurtigruten’s latest Fridtjof Nansen — sister ship to the recently launched Roald Amundsen — was supposed to be sailing from March onwards. However, the entire line is currently on hold until June 16.

Le Bellot, Ponant
Even new expedition ships such as Ponant’s Le Bellot, which according to Seatrade Cruise News also already launched in the first quarter, are having to temporarily hold tight. In fact, Ponant and its subsidiary Paul Gauguin Cruises are suspending service until further notice, leaving future sister-ship Le Jacques Cartier up in the air as well.

Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line
Also showing from November onwards is Carnival Cruise Line’s largest ship ever, the new Mardi Gras. The ship was previously delayed by the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland even before COVID-19. At this time, it is unknown if the pandemic will cause any further delays.

National Geographic Endurance, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
The new National Geographic Endurance from Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has not yet had its moment to shine either. The ship successfully finished its sea trials back in February anticipating an April launch, but the line’s operations are now paused until July.

Odyssey of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
Later in the fall, Royal Caribbean International was preparing to launch the Odyssey of the Seas as its second Quantum Ultra-class vessel. It is not entirely clear if the ship will be delayed at all, but for now, it is still on pace to debut in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in November.

Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages
Before the viral outbreak led to widespread sailing suspensions, Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady, was completed and making the rounds in the U.K. Now the ship is anchored off Fort Lauderdale, Fla., awaiting its North American debut, which has now been rescheduled for Oct. 16. The brand-new line’s second ship, Valiant Lady, is still on the calendar for 2021.

Sea Cloud Spirit, Sea Cloud Cruises
Cruise Industry News is reporting that Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud Spirit, which was initially slated for an Aug. 29 maiden voyage, has now been delayed until further notice from the cruise line.

Seven Seas Splendor, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
TravelAge West was scheduled to sail on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ latest Seven Seas Splendor, but the first wave of the pandemic caused the luxury line to postpone the preview voyage. Regent is planning to resume service in August.

Silver Moon, Silversea Cruises
Silversea’s upcoming Silver Moon — sister ship to Silver Muse — was set to debut in August. The luxury line has had to push that back further, though, due to delays at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. All its inaugural sailings have been cancelled until Oct. 2, but that date is subject to change.

Silver Origin, Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises’ new Silver Origin expedition ship set for the Galapagos was supposed to be operating already. Although not yet sailing in its target destination, the shipyard was able to finish building it for delivery to the luxury line this month.

Ultramarine, Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions’ latest Ultramarine has now been pushed back to a 2021 debut as well, but it too is chugging along at the Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia. Just last month the new expedition ship was floated out ahead of final outfitting.