The Cruise Ship Orderbook Explained
Every ship under contract, from order to delivery, and what it means for selling.
Turn Cruise Knowledge Into a CareerThe cruise ship orderbook is the industry’s pipeline: every ship under contract, from the day it is ordered to the day it is handed over. Agents read it to know which new ships clients will be asking about, and when.
How to Read a Cruise Ship Orderbook
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line / brand | The cruise brand that will operate the ship (sometimes the parent group) |
| Ship name | Often “TBA” or a class name until the line announces it |
| Shipyard | The builder; a handful of yards build most large cruise ships |
| Gross tonnage | A measure of internal volume, not weight |
| Berths | Lower-berth capacity, the industry’s standard measure |
| Delivery | Expected handover date, often a month, quarter or year |
Cruise Industry News’ orderbook page is a widely used public reference; trade reports from Seatrade Cruise News and others cover orders and deliveries as they happen.
From Order to Maiden Voyage
- Order or letter of intent. The line and yard agree to build; a letter of intent may come before a firm order.
- Steel cutting. Construction formally begins.
- Keel laying. A first block is placed in the building dock, often with a coin ceremony.
- Float out. The hull floats for the first time.
- Sea trials. The ship is tested at sea.
- Delivery. The yard hands the ship to the line.
- Naming and maiden voyage. The ship is christened and enters service.
Why Delivery Dates Move
Orderbook dates are targets. Yard workloads, supply chains, design changes and the line’s own plans can move a delivery, and a maiden voyage can change with it. Treat any date as provisional until the line confirms sailings, and tell clients booking a new ship’s first sailings that changes are possible.
Using the Orderbook When Selling
- New ships often open for sale long before delivery; early interest helps clients choose cabins.
- Inaugural sailings attract enthusiasts; set expectations about possible schedule changes.
- A ship’s class tells you a lot: sister ships share layouts, so existing deck plans give a preview. See Cruise Ship Deck Plans.
- For a dated list of new ships, our sister site New Cruises keeps track.
Remember too that the orderbook includes ships for every market. Some new ships are built for lines that sell mainly in Europe or Asia, and will rarely appear in a North American client’s search. Read the brand and its source market before you mention a new ship to a client.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cruise ship orderbook?
The list of cruise ships that lines have contracted shipyards to build but that have not yet been delivered, usually shown with the line, yard, size, berths and expected delivery date.
Where can I see the global cruise ship orderbook?
Cruise Industry News publishes an orderbook page and covers new orders as they are announced; Seatrade Cruise News reports shipbuilding news too. Cruise lines announce their own orders and deliveries.
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