In 2009, the cruise lines will launch 18 new ships -- eleven ocean-going cruise ships and seven riverboats. The eleven new cruise ships range in size from the significantly refurbished Clelia II with 100 passengers to the brand new Oasis of the Seas, the largest ship ever built, with 5400 passengers. Some of the ships are budget priced for the mass market, others are ultra-luxury for the well-to-do. The new ships will be rolled out starting in early April, with the behemoth Oasis topping off the year in December. Add in the riverboats, and there is bound to be a ship and itinerary to suit every desire and pocketbook.
AIDALuna - AIDA Cruises' AIDALuna
Kraft Angerer/Getty Images
German cruise line AIDA Cruises launched the AIDALuna in early April 2009. AIDA is owned by Italian line Costa Cruises, which in turn is owned by Carnival Corporation. The AIDALuna carries 2050 passengers and cruises the Mediterranean in the spring, northern Europe in the summer, and the Canary Islands in the winter.
The AIDALuna is a sister ship to the AIDADiva and AIDABella, and is geared to young (or young-minded) cruisers with its good spa and many dining options. The AIDALuna exterior, with its huge red lips and bright eyes, is bound to bring a sense of fun to all onboard.
Note: AIDA markets to German-speakers only, and the link to the cruise line's information on the AIDALuna above is in German.
The AIDALuna is a sister ship to the AIDADiva and AIDABella, and is geared to young (or young-minded) cruisers with its good spa and many dining options. The AIDALuna exterior, with its huge red lips and bright eyes, is bound to bring a sense of fun to all onboard.
Note: AIDA markets to German-speakers only, and the link to the cruise line's information on the AIDALuna above is in German.
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Clelia II - Travel Dynamics International Clelia II
Clelia II Courtesy of Travel Dynamics International
The all-suite Clelia II will be launched in April 2009 after extensive refurbishment. The small ship accommodates 100 guests in 50 oceanview suites, each of which measures 215 square feet or more and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, spacious closets, and air conditioning. Other amenities on the Clelia II include:
- Satellite TV, DVD/CD player
- Telephone
- Mini-refrigerator
- Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries and teak floor
- Plush terry robes and slippers
- 24-hour room service
Costa Luminosa - Costa Cruises' Costa Luminosa
Photo Courtesy of Costa Cruises
The Costa Luminosa, Costa's new flagship, was launched in late April and is a new, smaller ship for the cruise line. It can transit the Panama Canal and is a similar style to the new Queen Elizabeth, which will be launched by Cunard in 2010. Given the name, it is not surprising that the Luminosa's interior design uses a lot of creative lighting.
The Costa Luminosa has several interesting features, including a 4-D cinema, covered swimming pool, poolside movie screen, and roller skating track. The ship also features a large Samsara Spa.
The Luminosa sails Northern Europe in the summer, the Mediterranean in the fall and spring, and the Middle East in the winter.
More on the Costa Luminosa
Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica Christening
The Costa Luminosa has several interesting features, including a 4-D cinema, covered swimming pool, poolside movie screen, and roller skating track. The ship also features a large Samsara Spa.
The Luminosa sails Northern Europe in the summer, the Mediterranean in the fall and spring, and the Middle East in the winter.
More on the Costa Luminosa
Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica Christening
Costa Pacifica - Costa Cruises' Costa Pacifica
Photo Courtesy of Costa Cruises
The Costa Pacifica was launched on June 5 and is a sister ship to the Costa Serena and the Costa Concordia. Whereas the theme of the Costa Luminosa is light, the theme of the Costa Pacifica is music. The Pacifica was designed by ship architect Joe Farcus who does all of the Carnival ships, and the decor is very creative. In addition to providing the inspiration for the interior design and works of art on the new ship, music will also be heard, read and "experienced" throughout the liner. The ship has three decks of lounges and public areas, providing many onboard activities.
The Costa Pacifica will cruise the Mediterranean from Rome on 7-day itineraries year-round.
More on the Costa Pacifica
Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica Christening
The Costa Pacifica will cruise the Mediterranean from Rome on 7-day itineraries year-round.
More on the Costa Pacifica
Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica Christening
Seabourn Odyssey - The Yachts of Seabourn - Seabourn Odyssey
Seabourn Odyssey Courtesy of The Yachts of Seabourn
The Seabourn Odyssey will launch in June 2009 and be much larger than its three older Seabourn sisters, with 450 passengers. The luxury ship is very spacious, with cabins forward and public areas aft. The Seabourn Odyssey is almost all-inclusive, with drinks and tips included. Passengers will enjoy four restaurants and the large cabins (the smallest cabin is 295 square feet). All cabins have a separate tub and shower, flat-screen TV with CD and DVD, minibar, vanity desk, and walk-in closet.
The Seabourn Odyssey has a salon for entertainment, cabaret music, movies, and dancing.
The spa spans two decks and is the largest aboard a luxury ship.
The Odyssey will sail world wide itineraries, including Seabourn's first world cruise in January 2010.
The Seabourn Odyssey has a salon for entertainment, cabaret music, movies, and dancing.
The spa spans two decks and is the largest aboard a luxury ship.
The Odyssey will sail world wide itineraries, including Seabourn's first world cruise in January 2010.
MSC Splendida - MSC Cruises' MSC Splendida
MSC Splendida Courtesy of MSC Cruises
The MSC Splendida will be a sister ship to the MSC Fantasia when it is launched in July 2009. The mega-ship will carry 3,300 passengers on 13 decks. The ship is designed to accommodate families, so it includes many play areas, but they are well segregated from the adult areas.
One exciting addition to the Splendida and the Fantasia is the MSC Yacht Club, a "ship-within-a-ship" VIP area spread over two decks that includes butler service, its own pool, private observation lounge, and separate room service galley. It should be an interesting place to get away for those who can afford the extra cost.
MSC Splendida Float Out Ceremony
One exciting addition to the Splendida and the Fantasia is the MSC Yacht Club, a "ship-within-a-ship" VIP area spread over two decks that includes butler service, its own pool, private observation lounge, and separate room service galley. It should be an interesting place to get away for those who can afford the extra cost.
MSC Splendida Float Out Ceremony
Celebrity Equinox - Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Equinox
The Lawn Club Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
Set to sail on July 31, 2009, the 2,850-passenger Celebrity Equinox will be Celebrity's second ship in the Solstice class, following the Celebrity Solstice that was launched in November 2008. Like the Solstice, the Celebrity Equinox will have a beautiful design and many new innovative features, including The Lawn Club on the top deck. The ship will have three swimming pools (one for adults only) and numerous restaurants and lounges.
Most of the cabins are on the outside, and many have balconies. The Equinox will also have AquaClass cabins with easy access to the spa.
Celebrity Equinox will sail a short season in Europe before transitioning to the Caribbean for the rest of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.
Most of the cabins are on the outside, and many have balconies. The Equinox will also have AquaClass cabins with easy access to the spa.
Celebrity Equinox will sail a short season in Europe before transitioning to the Caribbean for the rest of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.
Pearl Mist - Pearl Sea Cruises' Pearl Mist
Pearl Mist Construction Photo Courtesy of Pearl Seas Cruises
Author's Note: Pearl Sea Cruises announced in May 2009 that due to construction issues, the Pearl Mist will not be launched until 2010.
The 210-passenger luxury ship the Pearl Mist will feature 108 suites with private balconies and range in size from 302 to 580 sq. ft.
She is the first ship for Pearl Seas Cruises, which is an outgrowth of American Cruise Lines (ACL) based in Connecticut. However, the Pearl Mist will be a more upscale ship than those of ACL. Pearl Seas Cruises is not connected to Pearl Sea Cruises of Australia.
The Pearl Mist will sail 7-, 10-, 11- and 14-night itineraries to the Caribbean in the winter months, and the Canadian Maritimes, Eastern Canada, Newfoundland, the Great Lakes and New England the rest of the year.
The 210-passenger luxury ship the Pearl Mist will feature 108 suites with private balconies and range in size from 302 to 580 sq. ft.
She is the first ship for Pearl Seas Cruises, which is an outgrowth of American Cruise Lines (ACL) based in Connecticut. However, the Pearl Mist will be a more upscale ship than those of ACL. Pearl Seas Cruises is not connected to Pearl Sea Cruises of Australia.
The Pearl Mist will sail 7-, 10-, 11- and 14-night itineraries to the Caribbean in the winter months, and the Canadian Maritimes, Eastern Canada, Newfoundland, the Great Lakes and New England the rest of the year.
Carnival Dream - Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruises
The Carnival Dream will represent a new class of ship for Carnival Cruises when it is launched in September 2009. At 130,000-tons and carrying over 3600 passengers, the Carnival Dream will be Carnival's largest ship.
As these artist's images of the Carnival Dream show, the new ship will include many interesting new amenities. New features of the Carnival Dream include The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; enhanced children's facilities, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; "scenic whirlpools" that extend over the ship's beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.
More on the Carnival Dream
As these artist's images of the Carnival Dream show, the new ship will include many interesting new amenities. New features of the Carnival Dream include The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; enhanced children's facilities, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; "scenic whirlpools" that extend over the ship's beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.
More on the Carnival Dream
Silver Spirit - Silversea Cruises' Silver Spirit
Silver Spirit Silver Suite Image Courtesy of Silversea Cruises
The Silver Spirit will join Silversea's luxury fleet in December 2009 and sail on her first world cruise in January. The 36,000-ton ship will be larger than her four older siblings, carrying 540 guests in the largest suites in the fleet. The Silver Spirit will have more verandas, more dining choices, and more onboard amenities, but also promises the exceptional level of service Silversea passengers are accustomed to having.
The Silver Spirit inaugural voyage will cover much of the coastal Americas -- 91 days from Fort Lauderdale around the tip of South America, north to Los Angeles, and back through the Panama Canal to New York. Following her world cruise, the Silver Spirit will cruise the Mediterranean.
More on the Silversea Silver Spirit
The Silver Spirit inaugural voyage will cover much of the coastal Americas -- 91 days from Fort Lauderdale around the tip of South America, north to Los Angeles, and back through the Panama Canal to New York. Following her world cruise, the Silver Spirit will cruise the Mediterranean.
More on the Silversea Silver Spirit
Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International Oasis of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas Image Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines
Oasis of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she is launched in December 2009, carrying almost 2000 more passengers than any other ship. That's a whole another ship-full! Royal Caribbean's newest ship will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests, and feature 2,700 staterooms.
In addition to the many onboard activities found on other large RCI ships, the Oasis of the Seas will include numerous innovations, including the use of seven distinct neighborhoods to group entertainment areas.
The Oasis of the Seas will homeport in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and cruise the Caribbean year-round.
Oasis of the Seas Library of Links
More on the Oasis of the Seas from Royal Caribbean
In addition to the many onboard activities found on other large RCI ships, the Oasis of the Seas will include numerous innovations, including the use of seven distinct neighborhoods to group entertainment areas.
The Oasis of the Seas will homeport in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and cruise the Caribbean year-round.
Oasis of the Seas Library of Links
More on the Oasis of the Seas from Royal Caribbean
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