Cruise News
TakeUsCruising.com Looks Ahead to 2009
December 18, 2008
One of the great success stories in travel and tourism, the cruise industry has grown at an average annual rate of 7.5 percent since 1980. By 2012, 123 new ships will have joined the Cruise Lines International Association fleet just since 2000.
“For cruisers this means new ships and itineraries to experience,” states Paul Mermelstein, President of TakeUsCruising.com, “and 2009 promises to be exceptionally full of opportunities for the cruise lines to capture the public’s attention and imagination.”
In 2008, seven new ships came on board. These included MSC’s Poesiaand Fantasia, RCI’s Independence of the Seas, Holland America’sEurodam, the Carnival Splendor, Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princessand the Celebrity Solstice.
In 2009, we will see another 15 new vessels of every imaginable description introduced. Many will feature state-of-the-art technology and innovative environmental advances. As a group, they reflect the complete spectrum of cruise experiences, from small-ship river voyages to a new generation of mega-ships.
Here is a summary:
AMAWATERWAYS will launch the ms Amadolceand the ms Amalyra, two 142 passenger ships that will sail some of the most famous rivers of Europe. They will be joined by two new vessels operated by Uniworld Grand River Cruises, the 160- passenger River Beatrice, and the 84-passenger River Tosca.
Across the Atlantic, AMERICAN CRUISE LINE will introduce the 101-guest Independence, offering coastal cruises of North America and Pearl Seas Cruises is scheduled to bring the 210- passenger Pearl Mistinto service in the Caribbean, Canada, Newfoundland, the Great Lakes and New England. Small ship river and coastal voyages represent one of the fastest growing segments of the cruise industry, another reflection the growing diversity of cruise experiences on offer.
On a decidedly different scale, CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES will introduce the 130,000- ton, 3,652-passenger Carnival Dreamin September for Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, complete with a WaterWorks aqua park, new children’s facilities and family stateroom categories. The 2,850-passenger CELEBRITY Equinox, sailing in the Caribbean and Europe, joins the fleet this summer, offering such features as the Lawn Club, with real grass, and ten dining venues. And, COSTA Cruises will inaugurate two ships in June – the 2,260-passenger Costa Luminosaand the 3,004-passenger Costa Pacifica, which will offer summer seasons in Europe.
MSC CRUISES is also a major player in Europe and elsewhere in the world and will introduce two new ships in the coming year. The 3,300-passenger MSC Splendida arrives in July and the 2,550-guest MSC Magnificabegins sailing in December.
Two luxury lines will also introduce new ships in 2009. SEABOURN Odysseywill debut in Venice in June. The all-suite vessel carries 450 guests and features four dining venues, six bars and lounges and Seabourn’s signature watersports marina. And, SILVERSEA CRUISES will bring another all-suite ship, the 540-guest Silver Spirit, into service in December. The vessel will offer an Asian-themed restaurant, a new supper club concept and an expanded spa facility as well as two Owner’s Suites and six Grand Suites.
In total contrast to UNIWORLD’S 82-passenger River Toscaand other small ships of the CLIA fleet, ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL will introduce the largest cruise ship in the world in December, 2009 – the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas. At 220,000 tons, the ship’s 16 decks feature seven distinct “neighborhoods or themed areas, including Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and others.
In 2009, new ships will continue to shape the direction of the cruise industry with their advancements in onboard facilities – seagoing aqua parks, luxury spas and more - comfort, technology and “green” innovations. But there are other new compelling reasons to cruise that represent selling opportunities for travel agents. The cruise industry continues to globalize its operations and among the many features attracting interest, especially among experienced travelers, are new ports of call around the world. These include ports in China and the Far East, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, South America and Africa. Names like Bonne Bay, Newfoundland; Itajai, Brazil; Batumi, Georgia; and Maputo, Mozambique are suddenly joining the ranks of Monte Carlo, St. Thomas, Hong Kong, Sydney and other better known ports and, in the process, are enticing travelers to take a fresh look at the possibilities of cruising.
Finally, a growing number of domestic home ports provide agents with yet another “value” message. Cruise lines now operate from over 30 ports in North America; Carnival Cruise Lines alone will sail from 17 North American departure points. Cruises depart on a seasonal or year-round basis from ports all along the East, West and Gulf Coasts. It has been estimated that half the population of the United States is within driving distance of a cruise ship. When consumers are looking for every way to stretch their vacation dollar, the ability to drive to the ship and park alongside is not only a matter of convenience – especially for families traveling with young children – but a considerable cost savings.
For more information and reservations contact TakeUsCruising.com at 703-722-6070 or see www.takeuscruising.com.
© 2010, TakeUsCruising.com
