New cruise ship launches for April 2022
Janine Kelso looks at four exciting ship launches taking place this month, including new additions for Celebrity Cruises, Ambassador Cruise Line, Emerald Cruises and Tui River Cruises
April 2022 is abuzz with swanky cruise ship launches, including the highly anticipated Celebrity Beyond and the debut of Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience. Here are four of the best new cruise ships making their maiden voyages this month.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond
Making its long-awaited maiden voyage from Southampton this April, Celebrity Cruises’ latest Edge-class ship, Celebrity Beyond, has plenty to wow passengers seeking a luxury cruise holiday to the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
Celebrity Beyond’s star attractions include its two-storey villas with private plunge pools and its Rooftop Garden featuring two cantilevered float pools.
Passengers can sip cocktails at the Morocco-inspired Sunset Bar, and book a table at Le Voyage, the first fine dining restaurant at sea by Michelin-starred French chef Daniel Boulud.
But the ship’s real showstopper is its Magic Carpet – a bright orange floating platform has a bar the size of a tennis court, which has space for live music and plenty of comfy seats.
Celebrity Beyond will make its maiden voyage on April 27, from Southampton, on a 10-night Western Europe cruise visiting Bordeaux, France; Lisbon, Portugal; Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain.
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience
Brand-new British cruise line Ambassador is making its dazzling debut in April with revamped ship, Ambience. Aimed at the over-50s, the ship will be setting sail on a series of no-fly cruises from London Tilbury to the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, the Black Sea, the Arctic and Caribbean.
Although Ambassador is an adults-only cruise line, it offers two multigenerational cruises during the school summer holidays where children are welcome onboard.
Carrying up to 1,400 guests in 798 cabins, Ambience has a theatre, casino and gym, along with a craft studio and library.
Along with two main restaurants, speciality dining options include steak restaurant Sea & Grass, Indian eatery Saffron, and fine dining at the Chef’s Table.
Ambience is making its maiden voyage on April 20 – two weeks later than originally scheduled – with a four-night cruise from London Tilbury to Hamburg.
Ambience’s atrium. Image courtesy of Ambassador / Lotus PR
Emerald Cruises’ Emerald Luna
The 180-passenger Emerald Luna is the ninth Star-Ship in Emerald Cruises’ European river cruising fleet, sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube.
Like other Emerald river ships, Emerald Luna’s standout feature is its heated infinity pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and retractable roof. As night falls, the pool area is transformed into a cinema, where film fans are treated to popcorn and cocktails.
Away from the pool, passengers can stay active on the ship’s top deck with its walking track and golf putting green, or relax in the wellness area with a slew of spa treatments.
All suites include all-weather balcony systems, allowing passengers to soak up the scenery come rain or shine.
Emerald Luna began its inaugural sailing on April 8, with an eight-day Holland and Belgium in Bloom river cruise.
Emerald Luna. Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises
Tui River Cruises’ Tui Isla
Tui Isla is Tui River Cruises’ third river ship alongside Tui Maya and Tui Skyla. Identical in layout to its sister ships, the adults-only vessel will sail the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube.
With 79 cabins, Tui Isla has an intimate feel with two restaurants: the relaxed pastel-coloured Bistro and fine dining venue Verdastro.
The top deck is a hive of activity at night with stargazing, movies under the stars and silent discos with wireless headphones. During the day, the top deck provides the setting for stretch yoga and pilates classes.
Eco-conscious passengers will favour the ship’s impressive sustainability credentials: cabin carpets are made from recycled fishing nets and there are no single-use plastics on board.
Tui Isla made its inaugural sailing on April 8, with a 14-night European Icons voyage.