When the global pandemic brought the world (and sea) to a standstill, it changed cruising forever. But it’s not all bad. The ‘new normal’ has ushered in a new era of luxury cruising: increased safety protocols, personalised experiences and technological innovations that prioritise passenger wellbeing and enjoyment. As the last years have shown, it won’t all be smooth sailing (at least for a while), but rest assured, cruise lines run a tight ship and there’s much to be excited about. This is what’s making waves in 2022.

New safety measures

As cruising resumes, expect significant changes such as strict sanitation, 100 percent testing and vaccination of guests and crew, limited passenger numbers, enhanced ventilation, masks and physical distancing. Pre-boarding rapid antigen tests or PCR tests are also now common. The world’s largest cruise industry association, Cruise Lines International Association Australasia (CLIA), has introduced a raft of strict COVID-19 measures, which all ocean-going vessels with 100-plus capacity are required to implement as a condition of membership. At the time of writing, river cruise operators are subject to different rules, yet many have opted for blanket enforcement of the same CLIA rules.

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New innovations

When it comes to innovation, passenger wellbeing is firmly front-of-mind. Dutch company Bolidt’s new antimicrobial flooring (originally an innovation for the hospital sector) is a revolution for interior floors. LED and sensor-embedded  decking, which can trigger an alarm if too many passengers gather in one place or a passenger enters an out-of-bounds area, is also in the works.

Several cruise lines have expanded the role of existing tech solutions. Royal Caribbean, Disney and MSC Cruises already employed RFID bracelets for purchases, cabin doors and on-board check-ins; which also now act as a touchless track-and-trace system.

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises employs The Medallion. President of Princess Cruises, John Padgett, envisioned the tech while developing Disney’s iconic MagicBand. The wearable device enables everything from touch-free boarding to locating loved ones on-board, to personalised delivery of food and drinks to wherever a guest is on the ship.

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Viking Cruises became the first line to install a full-scale PCR lab, on board the Viking Star in 2020, but didn’t stop there. It’s now equipped ocean and expedition vessels with similar labs, allowing for daily saliva testing for guests and crew.

Boutique cruise line Windstar Cruises partnered with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus epidemiology department on its COVID protocols, investing millions to retrofit its six-ship fleet with hospital-grade HEPA filters and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.

New ships

Between cruise lines globally, there’s more than 100 new ships on order ready to set sail by 2027. Seabourn Venture is the first ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship. Its inaugural season begins in April 2022, with a maiden voyage in the UK. Venture will be joined by sister ship Seabourn Pursuit, slated for delivery in February 2023. Both will carry two custom-built submarines, 24 zodiacs, kayaks and a 26-strong expert expedition team.

NCL’s Norwegian Prima is the first of the line’s six new vessels. It features two infinity pools with ocean views and the Indulge Food Hall: inspired by the world’s best food halls. In 2022 and 2023 there’ll also be new itineraries closer to home, including an inter-island cruise from Honolulu, seven days in the South Pacific and a 12-day Australia/New Zealand trip.

Oceania Cruises’ new ship Vista, due to debut in 2023, is the first of two new 1,200-passenger Allura Class ships. Vista will feature the new ‘Concierge’ category of stateroom, created for solo travellers, along with all-veranda accommodations, a reimagined Martinis bar and the line’s first purpose-built holistic wellness centre.

Luxury cruise line Silversea will debut its Otium wellness program on board the newly unveiled Silver Dawn in spring 2022. Otium – Latin for pleasure or recreation – incorporates tailored sleeping experiences, bespoke bathing, balcony dining and spa experiences, and an in-suite comfort food menu.

If you’re looking to treat yourself, there’s always a super yacht. Somnio, slated to be the largest yacht ever created, will launch in mid-2024. At 222m long, it has plenty of room for the finer things. Namely: 39 luxury apartments, each with a personal kitchen, library, gym and outdoor dining. There’s even a 10,000 bottle wine cellar and tasting room. Naturally, prices are hefty, with apartments starting at $15 million.

Visiting the Greek Islands, Malta, Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula and the Andalucia region on-board the new Scenic Eclipse offers unique access to Europe’s smaller ports. The ‘world’s first discovery yacht’ features new cabanas, fresh dining experiences, a reinvigorated Yacht Club and optional helicopter shore trips.

Ponant has unveiled new Aussie itineraries on board Le Soléal and sister ship Le Lapérouse. Highlights include: 10 days on the Great Barrier Reef and eight days Sydney to Hobart including a Tassie food and wine adventure; 2023 dates for its popular Kimberley expedition are also now out.

Meanwhile, Cunard has tapped Aussie chef, TV host, restauranteur and author Matt Moran for their first dedicated culinary cruise. The 5-night ‘Great Australian Culinary Voyage’, on-board the luxurious Queen Elizabeth, will depart from Sydney on 28 January 2023, taking in three of the country’s culinary and dining hotspots, sailing to Melbourne and Burnie (Tasmania), before arriving back in Sydney on 2 February.

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