The most fabulous cruise ships launching in 2023 (including one displaying a Faberge Egg)

Spectacular: Here we offer a round-up of 2023’s most interesting new ocean, river and expedition ships (file photo)

More than 30 new ocean, river and expedition ships launch this year, almost all running on sustainable fuels, hydrogen or electric batteries. Southampton’s Horizon and Mayflower cruise terminals now also offer shoreside power so ships can ‘plug in’ to avoid emissions in port.

Meanwhile, on eco-tours, guests will have the opportunity to meet locals to learn about sustainable farming and traditional customs. So cruising in 2023 offers a positive impact for all — and that’s alongside great music and wacky go-kart racing or days simply lazing by the pool on a fabulous new ship.

Here we offer a round-up of 2023’s most interesting new ones.

JOURNEY IN JEWELS

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship Grandeur - shown in the rendering above - is one of the most opulent ever built

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship Grandeur – shown in the rendering above – is one of the most opulent ever built

Grandeur will house a stunning, one-off Faberge Egg as part of its multi-million-pound floating art collection

Grandeur will house a stunning, one-off Faberge Egg as part of its multi-million-pound floating art collection

A seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Grandeur departs from Miami on December 14, from £4,849pp

A seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Grandeur departs from Miami on December 14, from £4,849pp

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship Grandeur is one of the most opulent ever built and will house a stunning, one-off Fabergé Egg as part of its multi-million-pound floating art collection. As a special event Sarah Fabergé, great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé, will host a sailing in 2024, details to be announced.

Book it: A seven-night Caribbean cruise departs Miami on December 14, from £4,849pp (rssc.com, 023 8082 1390).

SUPER NOVA

Passengers travelling on Silversea Cruises' new ship Silver Nova can enjoy a complimentary tour in each port

Passengers travelling on Silversea Cruises’ new ship Silver Nova can enjoy a complimentary tour in each port

While Silver Nova is moored, its dual-fuel engines emit zero local emissions

While Silver Nova is moored, its dual-fuel engines emit zero local emissions

Each passenger on the 728-guest all-inclusive new ship Silver Nova will enjoy a 24-hour butler service, free wi-fi and a complimentary tour in each port — and while moored, the ship’s dual-fuel engines emit zero local emissions.

Book it: Seven-night maiden Venice round-trip cruise on August 14, from £3,950pp or £5,600pp with door-to-door chauffeur service, flights and transfers (silversea.com, 0844 251 0837).

AMAZON ADVENTURE 

Take a boat along the Guajara River, a tributary of the Amazon, to meet the local caboclos people who work on riverside buffalo farms, during expedition ship Seabourn Pursuit’s debut sailing from Barbados.

Book it: 14-day Wild Guianas To The Amazon Basin departs October 10, from £8,054pp (seabourn.com, 0344 338 8615).

SET SAIL FOR GREENLAND

Guests on board the new ship Viking Saturn can enjoy Viking Cruises’ signature delights, from the elegant winter tea garden to a Nordic wellness spa

Guests on board the new ship Viking Saturn can enjoy Viking Cruises’ signature delights, from the elegant winter tea garden to a Nordic wellness spa

Viking Saturn joins eight identical 930-guest sister ships next month. During her maiden season in Nordic countries, guests can enjoy Viking’s signature delights, from the elegant winter tea garden to a Nordic wellness spa.

Book it: 29-day Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond cruise departs Bergen for New York on May 23, from £10,490pp (vikingcruises.co.uk, 0800 298 97 00).

POLE POSITION

Above is a rendering of a stunning infinity pool on board Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship Norwegian Viva

Above is a rendering of a stunning infinity pool on board Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Viva 

Norwegian Viva's nine-night Italy, Greece and Croatia cruise from Rome departs in August from £2,429pp

Norwegian Viva’s nine-night Italy, Greece and Croatia cruise from Rome departs in August from £2,429pp

Get ready to race friends and family on Norwegian Viva’s three-level go-kart track or go down a gear to stroll round the 3,219-guest ship’s 360-degree Ocean Boulevard.

Book it: Nine-night Italy, Greece and Croatia cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) departs August 26 from £2,429pp (cruisekings.co.uk, 0800 197 8050).

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

MSC Cruises launches luxury brand Explora Journeys this summer. The first of six ships, LNG-powered Explora I, features a Steinway & Sons partnership with performances by rising stars and well-known pianists.

Book it: 15-night Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords departs Southampton for Copenhagen on July 17 from £9,100pp (explorajourneys.com, 0800 031 8935).

HIGH SEAS SOLO

Oceania Cruises is launching its first new ship in a decade this year - the 1,200-guest Vista

Oceania Cruises is launching its first new ship in a decade this year – the 1,200-guest Vista

Vista features staterooms for solo travellers with a private veranda, free laundry service and unlimited use of the spa

Vista features staterooms for solo travellers with a private veranda, free laundry service and unlimited use of the spa

A 12-day Caribbean round-trip aboard Vista departs from Miami on November 19, from £3,739pp

A 12-day Caribbean round-trip aboard Vista departs from Miami on November 19, from £3,739pp

It’s been ten years since Oceania Cruises launched a new ship and 1,200-guest Vista features staterooms for solo travellers with a private veranda, free laundry service and unlimited use of the spa.

Book it: 12-day Caribbean round-trip from Miami, departs November 19, from £3,739pp (oceaniacruises.com, 0345 505 1920).

GREEN DANUBE

Saga’s newest river ship, 190-guest Amadeus Elegant, has a Green Award demonstrating high safety and environmental standards on Europe’s rivers. Her first all-inclusive cruise sails along the Danube.

Book it: 12-night maiden Hidden Treasures of Central Europe cruise to Bratislava and Vienna departs May 26. French Balcony cabins reduced from £3,486pp to £3,186pp including chauffeur service (saga.co.uk/cruises, 0808 239 7512).