Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Build It and They Will Come
by Nancy Norris

As we look back at the new cruise ships that made their debut in 2009 and look ahead to what's in store for 2010, there seems to be no end to new cruise products we can entice our clients to experience. In 2009 the U.S. cruise market saw the introduction of 8 new vessels launched from April to December.

In late April 2009, Costa Luminosa was the first ship to be launched. At 92,700 tons, she is smaller than the rest of the ships in the fleet allowing her to transit the Panama Canal. Costa considers her to be the jewel in the crown of their fleet. Using creative lighting, her interior design is airy and luminescent as her name implies. Highlights include a 4-D cinema, a top deck skating rink, Playstation 3 game consoles in every stateroom, innovative championship golf and Grand Prix simulators and their signature double-deck Samsara Spa.

In June, Costa Cruises launched the Costa Pacifica. Sister ship to the Costa Serena and Costa Concordia, her layout is similar to Carnival's Conquest class and her interior design is another Joe Farcus original. As with all his designs there is a theme, and the Pacifica's theme is music. Unique features include a state-of-the-art recording studio and a “music maestro” allowing guests to learn how to play the piano, guitar or drums while onboard.

June also saw the launch of the Seabourn Odyssey. Larger than her 3 older sisters in the Yachts of Seabourn fleet, the Odyssey carries 450 guests in spacious luxury. Seabourn has taken great care to introduce new contemporary innovations without sacrificing the traditional mainstays passengers have come to expect. New additions include a plunge pool and hot tubs on the aft deck, more dining options and replacing the traditional reception area with Seabourn Square that incorporates a concierge desk, coffee shop, Internet cafe, library and comfortable conversational seating areas. The Odyssey also boasts the largest spa on any luxury ship.

The 3,300 passenger MSC Splendida was launched in July. Following the lead of its sister ship, MSC Fantasia, Splendida offers the new “MSC Yacht Club”, a two-deck VIP area that includes its own pool, private observation lounge, butler service and separate room service galley. Designed to appeal to families, there are many separate play areas segregated from the adult venues. Although the ambiance onboard is still very European, MSC is working hard to expand their customer base to include more English speaking travelers.

July also brought the arrival of Celebrity Equinox. Second in the Solstice Class series, Equinox includes the innovations introduced on her sister ship such as, the top deck Lawn Club with Hot Glass Show, the ice topped Martini Bar, the two-deck shopping arcade, Aqua Class cabins and multitude of alternative restaurants. Just like her predecessor, she is classy, beautifully appointed and is well-designed to provide a feeling of space and unobstructed traffic flow.

Carnival Dream, launched in September, carrying over 3600 passengers, is Carnival Cruise Lines largest ship in their fleet. New features include Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor plaza and live music venue located midship from port to starboard. Off Ocean Plaza are 4 cantilevered whirlpools. As families are a primary target market, Carnival Dream offers a variety of new family friendly stateroom categories, expanded children's play areas and Waterworks aqua-park. Although the interior design is another Joe Farcus original, which translates to mean “eye-popping” glitz and flash, the decor exudes a bit more toned down atmosphere.

In December, the long-anticipated wait for Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was over and the ship was launched amidst much fanfare. Weighing in at 220,000 tons, carrying 5400 passengers and spanning 16 decks, Oasis is the largest ship ever built. With its 7 separate neighborhoods and expansive two-deck promenade, she is a technological and engineering marvel. Loft suites, zip-lining, a hand-carved carousel, an aqua-theater for diving shows and separate comedy club and jazz club venues are just a few of its innovations. There is no question that Oasis raised the bar on what one can find on a cruise ship. Never mind the ports; this ship is definitely a destination by itself.

The year ended with the launch of Silversea's 540 guest Silver Spirit with plans to embark on her first world cruise in January. Largest ship in the Silversea fleet, Silver Spirit also boasts the largest suites in the fleet. More balconies, more dining choices and more amenities await the pampered guests on this first new build for the cruise line since 2001.

Saying good-bye to one decade and embarking on the new year, 2010 promises to be another year of exciting new entries into the U.S. cruise market with 8 new vessels on the horizon:

Costa DeLiziosa: Sister ship to the Costa Luminosa launched last April, Costa DeLiziosa is scheduled for its inaugural sailing from Dubai February 23. Artist Arnold Pomodoro's masterpiece in the Atrium sets the standard for the avant-garde design, and the stunning interior found throughout the ship. Innovative features, similar to those found on her sister ship, include the 4-D cinema, a top deck skating rink, Playstation 3 game consoles in every stateroom, the latest generation championship golf and Grand Prix simulators and their signature double-deck Samsara Spa.

MSC Magnifica: Fourth vessel in the “Musica” family of ships, this magnificent super-liner will set sail in March. Magnifica will feature a large number of balcony cabins, a 16,000 square-foot spa with a state-of-the-art fitness center, 3 outside pools and 2 inside, a three-deck theater and a central foyer with three-deck high waterfall.

Celebrity Eclipse: With its inaugural sailing scheduled for April 29, 2010, the Eclipse is third of the Solstice Class ships. The same luxury and spectacular design that can be found on her sister ships will be the mainstays of the Eclipse. The unique Lawn Club, Aqua Class staterooms, Cellar Masters and Celebrity Central venues along with the elegant alternative restaurants will be found on this floating masterpiece.

NCL Epic: Redefining entertainment at sea, Norwegian Cruise Lines will usher in the new generation of freestyle cruising in June when the Epic commences her inaugural voyage. Largest and trendiest ship ever designed by NCL, the Epic promises to provide revolutionary new concepts in cruise travel. The ship will sport 14 restaurants, a nightclub with bowling alley, unique “new wave” stateroom designs, an Aqua Park and a multi-use Sports Deck. Cirque Dreams and Dinner, the Blue Man Group and a comedy club showcasing The Second City improv troupe will be exclusive entertainment options.

Seabourn Sojourn: The Sojourn is second in the Yachts of Seabourn's newest Odyssey class. When she sets sail in June, the Sojourn will be identical in design and luxury to her sister, the Seabourn Odyssey. Redefining elegance at sea, guests can choose from 225 ocean view suites measuring 295 to 1,682 square feet.

HAL Nieuw Amsterdam: Set to be launched in July, the 86,000 ton Nieuw Amsterdam cruise ship interior design and art collection reflects the glamour and history of New York City. Similar in design to its sister ship, the Eurodam, the latest addition to its signature class fleet of ships will feature the Pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant, the exotic Silk Den Lounge, Caneletto, a casual Italian diner, a premium wine-tasting lounge and a luxury jewelry boutique.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth: The arrival of Cunard's newest liner in October will further enhance the lines illustrious reputation of exquisite ocean travel. Scheduled to debut in October, sister ship to the Queen Victoria will have 1,046 staterooms 85% of which will be ocean view and 12% will be Queens/Princess Grill cabins.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas: Second of the Oasis class vessels, Allure of the Seas will join her sister ship in December sailing on alternate eastern and western Caribbean cruises. While the Oasis will depart on 7 night cruises each Saturday, Allure is slated to cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale every Sunday. For more details see the Oasis of the Seas entry above.

Based on the growth of these products, it would appear the cruise industry is recession-proof. Of course, all of these new ships were commissioned at a time when the economy was much different. The law of supply and demand would suggest that the consumer will benefit from all this growth as they continue to see bargain pricing. However, in light of the precariousness of our economy and the vast number of additional new berths added to the market we must consider the potential impact on the industry. So, as we look ahead to the future of our cruise sales, not to mention the fiscal health of the cruise lines, it seems prudent rather than considering the mantra made famous by the Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams we (along with the cruise industry executives) should ask, “If they build it, WILL they come?”.