Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

 In 2018, several cruise lines will introduce new cruise ships with features that make them resorts at sea, appealing to the child in all of us. While most cruise ships have been family-friendly for several years, the new ships bring activities  to cruising only seen before in land resorts and amusement parks. 

Here’s a peak at what these new resorts at sea cruise ships will be offering:

Carnival Horizon cruise ship will sail out of Miami to ports in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and feature a Dr. Seuss water park; the Sky Ride where you strap in and zip safely around a suspended two-lane bike course high above the deck of the ship, and an IMAX Theatre .

Celebrity Edge, the latest of the Celebrity cruise ships will sail to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Everglades starting in December 2018. It’s most amazing amenity, the  Magic Carpet, is the world’s first cantilevered, a floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level, so passengers can soar over the open ocean.

ms Nieuw Statendam, the newest member of the Holland America cruise ships will  have a 270 degree LED screen in the theater as well musical themes such as Billboard Onboard, Lincoln Center Stage, and B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Norwegian Bliss,will sail to Alaska and the Caribbean The Observation Lounge will be the perfect spot to watch bald eagles soar over glaciers or dolphins splashing in the Caribbean. The  Bliss will offer the largest race track at sea, and water slides that round the side of the ship.

Symphony of the Seas,  one of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships will be the largest cruise ship ever built when it goes into service in the Spring of 2018. and will accommodate 6,000 guests.  It will feature a 10 story slide, robot bartenders, an ice skating rink, an aqua theater, and have 20 restaurants on board. It will sail to the Caribbean from Miami, Florida after a season in the Mediterranean.

Viking Spirit – Viking’s fifth ocean cruise ship will have an aft infinity pool, thermal suite with snow room (complimentary),and  two story explorer’s lounge. Every stateroom will have a private veranda. Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, thermal suite, laundry room, and 24/7 room service will all be complimentary.

Each of these new cruise ships will feature a number of new amenities in addition to the ones described above, as well as all the family-friendly amenities described in detail in our fist cruise article, “What Makes a Cruise Family-friendly?“