9 of the best new cruise ships launching in 2017

 9 top new cruise ships to launch in 2017

Do you long for the open ocean, the breeze in your face and the adventure that awaits you in exotic ports of calls?

Do you have whims that include gourmet cuisine, duty free shopping, high-tech adventures, a water park or go-cart track and a bedroom more luxurious than the one in your own home?

The cruise industry is aware of your desire to travel in luxury.

2017 will see the launch of new ships by many major cruise lines as well as a small fleet of ambitious smaller cruise lines. Each new ship will feature new features, new ports, sustainability initiatives, cultural partnerships, and more -- all in the spirit of providing passengers with a unique travel experience that is far removed from the everyday worries and stresses of life.

These new vessels are expected to enter service in the coming year, so passengers can enjoy the high seas in style.

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn is known for its exotic ports of calls. Seabourn Encore, its fourth vessel in the fleet, is a pioneer of small-ship ocean-going experiences.

The Encore was designed to feel like an elegant yacht. From the ship's intricate lines to the custom carpet and other materials, it embodies luxury.

In Athens, Encore launched its first voyage in December 2016. The Encore traveled from Dubai to Singapore in order to make its way through the Java, Coral, Queensland, and New Zealand waters before returning to Dubai for explorations around other Mediterranean ports.

Adam D. Tihany, a master designer, created the ship. He ensured that 600 guests could be accommodated in 300 luxurious suites featuring mahogany and nautical touches.

Thomas Keller, three-star Michelin chef and head of the Grill's culinary offerings, is also available for guests to enjoy Sushi as an alternate culinary option.

Encore has a pool, casino and whirlpool. It also offers complimentary kayak, pedalboat and windsurfer rentals.

The Retreat offers guests the opportunity to use a top-deck covered space with 15 cabanas for rent. You will also find a bar, a spa cabina, loungers and food and drink service.

Seabourn also partners with UNESCO to promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage sites.

At a ceremony held in Singapore on January 7, 2017, The Encore is officially christened. Sarah Brightman (international recording artist) will officially name the ship. The ship will then set sail on its original inaugural voyage, the 10-day Gems of the Java Sea Cruise, bound for Indonesia.

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Viking Sky, Viking Sun

For the Viking cruise line, destination is everything. The newest additions to their fleet, the Viking Sky (10 decks) and Viking Sun (10 decks), completely deliver.

The luxury liners, which carry 930 passengers, will launch in February 2017 and November 2017. They join their sister ships, Star and Sea.

It doesn't have to sacrifice amenities.

Like the Viking River Cruises' Longships they offer Nordic hospitality through their indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace restaurant rooms, large promenade decks ringing a vessel, and the Explorer's or Sundeck Lounges which offer panoramic observation areas as well as a Sports Deck at top.

A glass-roofed pool is also available, as well as a main restaurant which can transform from an open-air venue into a cozy dining room. The charm of this spa is enhanced by the presence of a firepit, an Armagnac bar and a Finnish sauna.

All staterooms in this range are simple in elegance, yet feature verandas to enjoy the sights. Viking's multicountry trips will take them from the Baltic to Mediterranean to the Baltic.

Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian joy will begin catering to Chinese travellers in 2017 with its home ports of Shanghai (Beijing) and Tianjin(Beijing).

The German-engineered vessel accommodates approximately 4,000 passengers. It can also be used for vacation or cruising.

This liner offers activities that aren't available on other ships. There is an open-air electric-car racing track that can accommodate up to 10 drivers, open-air lazer tag for high-tech gaming and virtual realities, karaoke, and multi-story water slides like the Double Aqua Loop free fall slide.

You can find some peace and quiet in the Serenity Park. This park is open to all. Norwegian calls it the "perfect spot to practice yoga or tai chi."

Norwegian offers the Haven, a ship-withina-ship concept that allows luxury-lovers to go all out. Here, the pampered will have butler service, a dedicated concierge and priority access to specialty food and entertainment. There is also a private restaurant and an enclosed courtyard.

Joy offers nearly 30 Asian-inspired restaurants including Korean, Japanese, and traditional Chinese cuisines.

Sakura & Hibiscus has hot pot and Korean BBQ, while the American Diner is a comfort-food-themed American Diner serves up meatloafs, pot pies and fried chicken. Enjoy a cup of tea in the Grand Tea Room, which offers high-end Chinese loose leaf teas as well as high-quality finger foods.

The Joy offers suites for families, as well as rooms with connecting doors, in an ode to Chinese culture and the tradition of multi-generational family traveling. The Joy will not have any single cabins.

Majestic Princess

China will also be the home of Princess Cruises' brand new Royal Class ship Majestic Princess. It is a 356-passenger vessel that will debut in 2017.

Inspired by sister ships, the Royal Princess and Regal Princess the Majestic Princess will have a multi-story Atrium, which will be bustling with social activities. The adults-only Sanctuary will also be available. SeaWalk, which extends beyond the ship's edges, will provide a breathtaking visual vantage point.

Princess Live! will produce entertainment! Television studio. Other attractions include the Pastry Shop (a bakery), Chef's Tablelumiere (a restaurant that serves food), the Watercolor Fantasy (a fountain of light and music), and enhanced Movies Under the Stars.

There's the Crown GrillSM steakhouse as well as two exclusive specialty restaurants: Harmony, which serves Richard Chen's take on Cantonese classics, and La Mer (an authentic Parisian Bistro). You can also enjoy international flavors at the World Fresh Marketplace.

Silver Muse

Silversea Cruises with its eight-ship fleet ups the luxury cruising ante with its new, largest, and ninth vessel, Silver Muse. It will launch in spring 2017. Silversea's latest, 596-passenger ship marks its move toward "ultraluxury ocean cruise cruising."

You will find seven levels of ocean view suites, ranging from 400 to 1500 square feet at the entry level (Grand Suites) and everything in between.

You will find eight restaurants throughout, including Hot Rocks poolside where you can grill your own seafood and meats. There is also a Jazz Club called Silver Note with live music and tapas.

You will find a variety of recreational amenities such as a spa facility, an aerobics class, a library, a children's area, and a top deck observation lounge. casinos can be your new cruise to the stars