As you may know, the AmaMagna was the IT ship for 2019.  It’s a wonderful ship that sails the Danube River.  I talked a little about this in a podcast last week.  It’s twice the width of the average river ship.  It’s currently sailing on it’s inaugural season and it’s a wonderful ship!

So, what’s new for 2020?

AmaWaterways launched 3 new ships for 2019 including the AmaMagna.  For 2020 they’ll be introducing 1, the AmaSiena in July.  The AmaSiena will sail on the Main, Rhine, and Mosel.  Ama builds their own ships which is not a common practice.  Most river cruise lines lease ships.  Ama builds and owns them so they have all the say in how they want them build.  And they win awards all the time!

Tauck (luxury tour company in operation since 1925, fully all inclusive, and one of the best tour operators and river cruises in the world, these guys do it right).  Tauck is launching a new river ship for the Douro, ms Andorinha.  Very intimate with just 84 guests.  A beautiful ship to sail on Portugal’s river of gold.

Uniworld is going to be super busy in 2020.  They have 4 new ships (well, 3 new and 1 complete renovation).  Uniworld is ultra luxury and has a distinctive interior design that’s classically modern European elegance.

– S.S. La Venezia sails in Italy on the Po River.  This is their former ship, the River Countess.  It’s being completely redone and made into a Super Ship.  Uniworld has been busy refitting some of their older ships.

– S.S. Sao Gabriel will sail on the Douro.  Also intimate with just 84 guests.

– S.S. Sphinx launches on the Nile in Egypt this January 4.

– Mekong Jewel sets sail on the Mekong on January 3.  I did a Mekong river cruise last year and it was one of my favorite trips.  I highly recommend it.

And of course, there’s hardly a year without a new Viking river ship.  Viking has 1 coming in 2020, the Viking Osiris sailing on the Nile.

In the U.S.:

American Queen Steamboat company is introducing the American Countess sailing on the Mississippi.  This is a true paddlewheeler with a classic decor and that brings you back to another time.  It’s not completely new, the hull dates from 1995 but American Queen Steamboat Company is stripping it down to the steel frame, adding a new 60 foot midsection, so it’ll essentially be a new ship.

American Cruise lines has the American Jazz coming in August 2020 and the American Melody soon after.  Both will sail on the Mississippi – contemporary style and modern with a unique opening bow and retractable gangway at the front of the ship.

Feeling a bit more adventurous?  An Amazon River Cruise should be on your bucket list. It’s the wold’s second longest river and more than a third of the world’s animal species live in this vast river basin’s rainforest.

Aqua Expeditions (they sail luxury river cruises and yachts) is introducing the Aqua Nera.  Small ship with no more than 40 guests.  It’s a stunning ship, i’ll link some photos in the show notes.

There are several new mega ships coming out next year.  Virgin Voyages (new cruise line started by Sir Richard Branson) has the Scarlet Lady which is the first of 3 ships coming to Virgin, Celebrity has the Apex (not sure how much I like that name), Princess has the Enchanted Princess, Carnival has the Mardi Gras, MSC has Virtuosa, Royal Caribbean has the Odyssey of the Seas.  And there are another handful of new mega ships already slated for 2021.

But what about the smaller ships.

Hurtigruten has a new hybrid expedition ship coming.  This year they introduced the MS Roald Amundsen and a sister ship joins in 2020, the MS Fridtjof Nansen to sail on all corners of the globe including the polar regions.  Both ships are names after 2 heroes of polar expeditions.

Regent has the Seven Seas Splendor debuting in February.  With 750 guests it’s not exactly small ship but it’s a super luxurious and beautiful ship.

Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection is launching their new yacht line.  The first of 3 ships start sailing in February, called the Azora.  This yacht is amazing.  Under 300 guests.  World class accommodations and amenities.  Michelin starred chef, marina at the back of the ship.  Helicopter.  It’s not a ship, it’s a yacht!

Ponant is introducing 2 new ships – Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier).  They’ll have 6 new yachts since 2018 so they’ve introduced 2 every year the last few.  Ponant is a French luxury cruise line sailing to all corners of the world including the polar regions.  Their ships are named after French explorers.  Ponant’s unique feature to their ships is a multi-sensorial underwater lounge called the Blue Eye lounge.  Located beneath the water line, here you’ll be able to see and hear the passing marine life.  This is a world’s first and it looks totally amazing.  I’ll include a link to see some photos in the show notes and on my website, upclosetravel.com

Scenic is introducing the Scenic Eclipse II.  The Scenic Eclipse I debuted this year.  Scenic is an ultra-luxury river cruise line sailing all over the world.  They’re new to ocean cruising but the ships look magnificent.  They are a 5-star experience.  So, I have no doubts that their ships will be a huge hit.

Silversea will replace its Galapagos island ship with the new Silver Origin.  This new ship will be environmentally conscious while sailing in this delicate region.  But it is Silversea, so you can expect luxury, all suite, butler service, and the best Ecuadorian inspired cuisine.

Crystal Cruises is launching the Crystal Endeavor.  This is Crystals first expedition ship.

Lindblad is building their first new polar ship in its line’s history.  The National Geographic Endurance is coming in early 2020.  Fully stabilized with the highest ice class (PC5 Category A) of any purpose-built passenger vessel.  This means the Endurance will provide access to more polar environments opening previously unexplored opportunities.

Quark is also building a new ship designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, the Ultramarine.  2 twin engine helicopters on board, a robust portfolio of adventure activities – the Ultramarine will sail in Antarctica when it launches in 2020.

Viking Ocean has been on a tear building new ships. They’ve built 6 since 2015.  They have none scheduled for 2020 but starting in 2021 they have 12 scheduled over a 6-year period.

These are some amazing ships!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us anytime at 305-814-8184.

Ready to plan your trip?  You may think that the best place to plan and book your trip is using a site like Priceline, Kayak, Expedia or any of those other online.

I’m here to tell you that you’ve got another option.  A travel advisors.  Yes, we are still out there!   

Many people think that the internet wiped us out.  But it actually made us stronger and better at our jobs! 

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• Speak to a real life human.  We can give you recommendations, other options you may not have thought about, and we can answer questions that you have now, or later on after you’ve booked your trip. 
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• Exceptional service.  Like having your very own travel concierge. 
• A better rate!  Most people think that you’ll get the best rate by booking on those other sites online.  99% if the time, a travel advisor will do better!   
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There’s many more pluses!  Contact me to find out more.  And if you prefer to call someone else, there’s tens of thousands of us all over the country! 

And one more thing, by using a travel advisor, you’re supporting a small business!  I thank you for that!