Norwegian Cruise Line released renderings of their newest cruise ships set to hit the water in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and they are… well, don’t scroll down just yet.
Codenamed “Project Leonardo,” each will carry 3,300 passengers and are being built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Specific details about the guest experiences this new class of ship will feature haven’t been announced yet, however, the renderings show these new ships have a striking resemblance to the new MSC Seaside, currently under construction at the same shipyard.
Let’s take a look at MSC Seaside which debuts in Miami later this year…
Notice how the shipbuilders took the superstructure and made it narrower than the hull giving what one would call the promenade deck unobstructed views upward. This area can be used for outdoor cafes, sunning, and as on Seaside, a pool on the aft of the ship.
When MSC Seaside renderings were released, many compared the design of the ship to a “floating Miami condo.” One can say the same for Project Leonardo!
Notice the hull and superstructure are similar to Seaside. Then head to the back of the ship, where more open space is visible where loungers look over the stern.
Both Project Leonardo and Seaside share several design elements, but what is most noticeably different is Leonardo’s bow.
The unique, sleek, look of the bow may make some cruise ship purists gasp, but it does goes well with the overall modern look of the ship.
There’s no doubt Project Leonardo and Seaside are pretty much the same ship – Fincantieri’s Project Mille which was introduced back in 2013. In addition to some slight differences in appearance, MSC Seaside is larger than Leonardo. Seaside weighs in at 160,000 tons while Leonardo is 140,000. Seaside carries 5,100 pax while Leonardo carries 3,300.
Whether you’re a fan of a classically designed cruise ship or one of these modern new ships, one thing is for certain… it appears this is the future of ship design, whether we like it or not.