Cruises 2007 ... What's New
Several innovative newbuilds are expected this year, along with sister ships in popular classes.
In 2007 cruise lines are offering an array of new ships for cruisers to choose from. While several are the latest in a series - such as Royal Caribbean International's new sister to this year's popular Freedom of the Seas - there are several new entries that are breaking the mold. For example, Cunard is introducing its third queen, a smaller liner than its flagship Queen Mary 2. American Cruise LInes, a Connecticut-based company, is embarking on a period of fast growth and is building little luxury ships that can nose into small U.S. ports and bays. Also of note is Norwegian Coastal Voyage's new adventure vessel Fram, which will explore Greenland.
Here's a summary of the newbuild Class of 2007, in alphabetical order.
American Star
Cruise Line: American Cruise Lines
Delivery Date: June
Length: 215 feet
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 100
Eye-catching features: Staterooms feature large picture windows that open, and many have private balconies. Ship has an elevator to all four decks, four lounges and a spacious observation lounge.
Itineraries: Six, seven and 14-night cruises along the Main coast from June through Oct., on the Hudson River from New York in the fall, and in the U.S. South and Florida in the winter.
Webiste: www.americancruiselines.com
Carnival Freedom
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Delivery Date: March
Gross tonnage: 110,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 2,974
Eye-catching features: The ship will feature bow-to-stern wireless Internet access, cell phone service, a jumbo outdoor movie screen, a twisting waterslide and a 14,500 square foot spa.
Itineraries: The maiden voyage is a nine-day Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise that departs Venice, Italy on March 5. Through Oct. 16 the ship will operate 12-day Med and Greek Isles cruises roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome).
Website: www.carnival.com
Costa Serena
Cruise Line: Costa Cruise Line
Delivery Date: May
Gross tonnage: 112,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 3,000
Eye-catching features: A huge Samsara Spa with adjacent spa accomodations, a Grand Prix driving simulator, and a massive, enclosable pool deck.
Itineraries: The maiden voyage is set to depart Vencie on May 26 and will operate seven-night cruises through November 2007. Ports of call include Bari, Italy; Katakolon, Greece, Izmir and Istanbul Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Website: www.costacruises.com
Emerald Princess
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Delivery Date: April
Gross tonnage: 113,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 3,100
Eye-catching features: Piazza-style atrium with casual dining spots, jumbo poolside movie screen, and traditional or anytime-dining restaurants.
Itineraries: A series of 12-day Med and Greek Isles cruises, many to or from Venice. In the winter, the vessel will relocate to Fort Lauderdale to offer 10-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises.
Website: www.princess.com
Fram
Cruise Line: Norwegian Coastal Voyage
Delivery Date: April
Gross tonnage: 12,700
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 318
Eye-catching features: Original works by artists from Greenland and Scandinavia, wellness center with sauna, room names taken from Inuit language, and glass-screened outdoor whirlpools.
Itineraries: From May to September, will operate eight-day voyages of the Disko Bay region and 15 day cruises of both Disko Bay and Thule in far northern Greenland, the home to the U.S. Armed Forces' northermost installation. In the winter, Fram will sail in Antarctica.
Website: www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us
Liberty of the Seas
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Delivery Date: May
Gross tonnage: 160,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 3,634
Eye-catching features: Shares title of World's Largest Cruise Ship with Freedom of the Seas and also features a surfing simulator, a top-deck water park with whirlpools suspended over the sea, a boxing ring, and a Presidential Family Suite that sleeps up to 14.
Itineraries: Seven-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
Website: www.royalcaribbean.com
MSC Orchestra
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Delivery Date: May
Gross tonnage: 90,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 2,550
Eye-catching features: About 22,500 square feet of public areas, including a fitness/relaxation area, thalassotherapy, sauna, Turkish bath and four hot tubs; restaurants including Italian selections in the main dining room, a pizzeria, a sushi bar and a gelato bar.
Itineraries: Seven-night cruises roundtrip from Venice starting June 2 through late October, calling at bari, Italy; Katakolon Greece, Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. In winter, 11-night cruises to places such as the Greek Isles, Tunisia, the Canary Islands and Egypt.
Website: www.msccruises.com
Norwegian Gem
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Delivery Date: November
Gross tonnage: 93,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 2,400
Eye-catching features: Four-lane bowling alley, family-friendly accommodations, 10 restauratns, 13 bars and lounges.
Itineraries: Seven-day Bahamas and Florida cruises from New York City.
Website: www.ncl.com
Norwegian Pearl
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Delivery Date: December 06 or Jan 07
Gross tonnage: 93,500
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 2,400
Eye-catching features: Four-lane bowling alley, Bliss ultra-lounge, rock-climbing wall, multiple Freestyle Cruising restaurants, owner's suites, courtyard and garden villas.
Itineraries: Five and nine day Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries from Miami
Website: www.ncl.com
Queen Victoria
Cruise Line: Cunard
Delivery Date: December
Gross tonnage: 90,000
Passenger capacity, double occupancy: 2,014
Eye-catching features: Cunard museum, two-story library with 6,000 books, private boxes in theater, outdoor dining for Grill guests, a winter garden with retractable roof, and Todd English restaurant.
Itineraries: The ship will offer a wide variety of ocean voyages and will operate a 105-day World Cruise, departing New York on Jan. 13, 2008.
Website: www.cunard.com
