CRUISE LINES DEBUT NEW

"FLOATING RESORTS"

By LOIS BROWER

Adventures Unlimited Cruise Consultant

Despite a weakening economy and the prospects of a recession, interest in cruising continues to grow and numerous cruise lines are debuting new ships to their fleets. Both 2008 and 2009 are projected to be banner years for increasing the total number of cabins available to the cruising public on these "floating resorts."

An early April christening of MSC Cruise Line's new "Poesia" by actress Sophia Loren in Dover, England launched the 2,550 passenger ship which will be based in Venice, Italy for summer cruises to the eastern Mediterranean. MSC is also debuting the 133,500-ton "Fantasia" in December 2008 with a projected compliment of over 3,800 passengers. Features include a VIP Yacht Club area of 99 expanded suites with access to a special solarium, pool with skydome, two Jacuzzis and personalized concierge service.

The 3,000 passenger CARNIVAL "Splendor" will begin European sailings in July. At 112,000-tons, the ship features a 9-story atrium lobby, twister water slide and a 9-hole golf course. The "Splendor" reportedly will have the largest spa of any Carnival vessel at 21,000 square feet and will initiate northern European itineraries for Carnival. A November trans-Atlantic voyage brings the ship back to Ft. Lauderdale for 2009 sailings in the Western Hemisphere.

Prior to a July 1 st dedication, HOLLAND-AMERICA'S "Eurodam" will take an overnight "cruise to nowhere" from Rotterdam, Netherlands. The 86,700-ton, 2,100 passenger "Eurodam" is the fourteenth ship in the Holland-America fleet. Of its 1,022 staterooms, 86% are outside and 67% feature verandas.

CELEBRITY cruise line's "Solstice" sets sail in December 2008. The 122,000-ton vessel will carry 2,850 cruisers. Among its many features is a Lawn Club, with real grass beneath passengers' feet, where Celebrity plans to conduct a variety of "casual activities in a country club atmosphere". The Corning (N.Y.) Museum of Glass will bring professional glass blowers aboard to create pieces of glass art.

Another Solstice class ship the "Equinox" is projected to join the Celebrity fleet in August 2009. It, too, will carry 2,850 passengers.

Offering nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies, the PRINCESS "Ruby" will make her debut later in 2008. Passengers will enjoy an array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak/seafood location, as well as a piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries along with performing street entertainers. The new ship will also feature a relaxing oasis for adults only called The Sanctuary, movies under the stars, multiple entertainment options and an extensive children and teen center, Princess officials report.

Although not newly built, SILVERSEA Cruises has renamed its newly acquired expedition ship "HSH Prince Albert II" in honor of Monaco's Prince Albert. The ice-rated vessel is purposely built for expedition cruising and is presently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation at a Trieste, Italy shipyard, according to Travel Trade magazine. Refurbishment will include technological enhancements and an upgrade of all guest accommodations and public areas. The ship will carry 132 guests in 66 oceanview cabins, many with verandas. The ship will begin sailing in mid-June from London on polar voyages of 10 to 21 days.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN's "Independence of the Seas" makes its debut this month in the United Kingdom and is the third in the line's Freedom class of ships. With a capacity for 3,634 passengers, the 160,000-ton liner will be the largest ship to be home-ported in Europe. Among features of the "Independence" are an ice skating rink, boxing ring, Flow Rider surfing simulator and a Royal Promenade of shops and restaurants.

As gigantic as many of these ships are, the "grandaddy" of them all is on stream to debut in late 2009. Royal Caribbean's 220,000-ton Project Genesis ship is slated to be the largest cruise ship in the world and will feature a Central Park-themed area in the center of the ship spanning the length of a football field. The park will feature pathways, canopy trees, flower gardens and be open to the sky five decks above.

The vessel will have 16 decks, accommodate 5,400 guests and feature 2,700 staterooms. Overlooking the Central Park area will be 334 staterooms, more than two-thirds of which will feature balconies. The as-yet-unnamed ship will be home-ported in Ft. Lauderdale and will be joined in 2010 by a sister ship of similar dimensions.

On some of these ships, one of the many "new" amenities will be 'spa suites' the utopia of luxury. These suites will either have their own spas, or direct access to the suite spas via private elevator. Complimentary spa products, fresh fruits and many other services are available in these 'spa suites.'

Booking is now open on most of these new ships. This would surely be a dream come true for anyone who enjoys the luxury of cruising on the new "floating resorts."

(The author is a travel consultant for Adventures Unlimited, a travel fixture on the Stuart business scene since 1975. She may be reached at (772) 220-7604 or advunllois@bellsouth.net.)