It may not even be 2019 yet but, sometimes in the world of cruising, it pays to look further ahead in order to get the best deals or secure your chosen itinerary before it’s sold out. 2020 sailings have been on sale for a while now and the cruising landscape (especially in the UK) is looking like it’s going to be very exciting.

With a raft of cruise lines announcing that their ships will be sailing out of Southampton, new vessels being launched and even brand new cruise lines making their debut, 2020 is already shaping up to be a massive year.

Celebrity Apex and Silhouette

One of the brand new ships that will be launched from the UK’s largest cruise port in 2020 is Celebrity Apex, the much anticipated sister to the recently christened Celebrity Edge. As part of the Edge class, the ship is all about bringing you closer to the sea and passing landscapes. Edge Staterooms offer infinity balconies and the luxurious Edge Villas provide two-storeys of comfort with your own private plunge pool. We’ve also been promised seven brand new speciality restaurants to try when Celebrity Apex comes to town.

Joining Apex in Southampton for the summer will be Celebrity Silhouette, one the line’s most popular ships. The ship features the relaxing Lawn Club, complete with real grass, and a high percentage of balcony staterooms.

Iona

There has been a lot of hype surrounding P&O’s forthcoming ship, especially as one of our own team has been chosen to be an Iona Insider. Even without that, though, the Southampton based launch of this giant ship is going to be exciting. The vessel will feature plenty of glass areas to allow guests better views of the stunning Norwegian fjords and the innovative SkyDome will be a multi-functional entertainment area for all weathers.

Mealtimes will also be great on board Iona thanks to a range of new restaurant concepts. From the food market vibe of The Quays to the open kitchen and dry-aged steak fridge of the Keel and Cow gastropub, there’s enough to make every stomach rumble.

Virgin Voyages

From new ships to an entirely new cruise line. Many of you will have already heard about Virgin Voyages, the Richard Branson-led company looking to make waves in the industry, and 2020 sees the launch of their first ship, Scarlet Lady. So much is still to be revealed but we already know that the vessel will offer a tattoo parlour, a vast spa and wellness area known as Vitamin Sea, and an exclusive top-deck lounge reserved for suite guests only.

Virgin Voyages has gone to great lengths to throw out the traditional cruising rulebook and bring an exciting new experience to the world’s oceans. Passengers are known as ‘sailors’, cruises are actually ‘voyages’ and everything is aimed at adults between the ages of 18 and 35.

Dining is another area that has been revolutionised. Restaurants will offer food from around the world at hours that stretch into the early morning and every single option will be included in your cruise fare. Sorry, voyage fare.

Anthem of the Seas

Since her launch in 2015, Anthem of the Seas has become a fan favourite within the Royal Caribbean fleet, wowing passengers with her range of futuristic features and endless entertainment facilities that mean you’ll never be bored. With a Bionic Bar, FlowRider, iFly skydiving simulator, rock climbing wall, escape room, bumper car arena and more all on board, sea days are sure to be the best days of your holiday.

This all-singing, all-dancing vessel will be sailing out of Southampton during the summer of 2020, giving you the chance to explore Northern Europe, parts of the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. Itineraries have recently gone on sale, so now is the best time to grab an early deal.

Three Princesses

Cosying up to some of the ships mentioned above in the port of Southampton in 2020 will be not one, not two, but three vessels from Princess Cruises. Regal, Island and Crown Princess will all be based here for certain periods of the year, taking guests on Northern Europe, Mediterranean and Norwegian fjords cruises. Regal Princess will also offer a range of British Isles cruises to help you discover those hidden gems closer to home.

And that’s not all. Princess Cruises has also announced that their brand new ship, Enchanted Princess, will be named in Southampton at the end of June 2020. Following the ceremony, she will head off to Rome to start a season of Mediterranean cruises.

So, as you can see, 2020 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years for cruising that we can remember – especially for anyone who loves the convenience of a cruise from the UK. If you would like to know more about the ships and cruise lines above, call our friendly team on 0808 250 7052.