Cruise Class of 2008
Carnival Splendor: Carnival Cruise Lines
Delivery Date: July
Gross Tonnage: 112,000
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 3,006
Best Features: The ship's decor theme is "Splendid Things," a "celebtration of the magnificent, lustrous and elegant." The first of a new class of vessel for Carnival features the 21,000 square foot Cloud 9 Spa, which has 68 spa cabins and suites, a thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome, a Thermal Suite and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. The ships has a two-level, 5,500 square foot children's play area and a water spray park.
Itineraries: Carnival Splendor will launch Carnival's first ever Northern European cruise program July 13 with 12-day cruises from London (Dover) through Aug. 30, followed by 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 17. The ship will then sail a transatlantic crossing departing Rome Oct. 29 and arriving in Fort Lauderdale Nov. 13, positioning the vessel for seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 22. Later, Carnival Splendour will reposition to Long Beach, Calif., to launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises.
Celebtriy Solstice: Celebrity Cruises
Delivery Date: December 2008
Gross Tonnage: 122,000
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 2,850
Best Features: Celebrity Solstice is the first in a class of four 2,850 passenger cessels. Designed by five women, staterooms are 15 percent larger than those in Celebrity's Millennium ships, and bathrooms are 24 percent larger. Interconnecting staterooms have a vestibule with a double set of ddors to muffle sound. Staterooms are roughly 295 to 300 square feet, not including balconies.
Itineraries: Celebrity Solstice will make its maiden voyage Dec. 14, 2008 on a seven night Eastern Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, visiting San Juan, St. Kitts and St. Maarten. The itinerary will be offered on Sundays through April 5, 2009 with an alternating itinerary calling on San Juan, St. Maarten, Tortola and Labadee, Haiti, through April 12, 2009.
Eurodam: Holland America Line
Delivery Date: June
Gross Tonnage: 86,700
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 2,104
Best Features: There are eleven passenger decks, a new topside 144-seat Pan-Asian restaurant and a new 5-seat lounge overlooking the ocean and the Lido pool. Also new are a specialty restaurant offering Italian food and luxury jewelry coutiques. The Eurodam will have 63 more staterooms than the lastest Vista-class ship. Ten will be a new style of stateroom with ceiling to floor panoramic windows.
Itineraries: The Eurodam will spend its inaugural season on alternating 10-day Northern Europe itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Copenhagen, and then will operate three 10-day cruises between New York and Quebec City departing Sept. 1, Sept. 11 and Sept. 21. On Oct. 1 the Eurodam will sail a 14-day itinerary from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean cruises.
Independence of the Seas: Royal Caribbean International
Delivery Date: May
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 3,643
Best Features: Independence of the Seas will share the title of the world's largest cruise ship with her sister ships, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, and will be the largest ship ever to be homeported in Europe. Like its sisters, it will feature the FlowRider surf attraction, H20 Zone water park, a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones, and a nine-hole miniature golf course.
Itineraries: Making its debut in Southampton, England, the ship will sail 10 to 14 night Canary Islands and Mediterranean cruises before crossing the pond to Fort Lauderdale for six night Western Caribbean and eight night Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Queen Victoria: Cunard
Delivery Date: November 2007
Gross Tonnage: 90,000
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 1,970
Best Features: Cunard museum, fencing classes, private boxes in the Royal Court Theater, two-level libraryw ith spiral staircase, update Princess' and Queen's Grill accommodations with butler service and fresh orchids, private Grill-class concierge lounge and courtyard for al fresco dining.
Itineraries: After a 106-night Maiden World Cruise, Queen Victoria will operate 21 voyages highlighted by Cunard's return to Scandinavia and Russia, as well as eight Mediterranean itineraries.
Ruby Priness: Princess Cruises
Delivery Date: November
Gross Tonnage: 113,000
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 3,100
Best Features: A sister ship to the Emerald Princess and the Crown Princess, the new vessel will include a piazza-style atrium featureing small-bite eateries and street entertainers. Personal Choice Dining features traditional or "anytime" seating. Also featured are the Asian-style Lotus Spa with a fitness Center, a children and teen's center, a wedding chapel and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies.
Itineraries: Seven-day Western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the line's private beach call at Princess Cays in the Bahamas.
Unnamed: Pearl Seas Cruises
Delivery Date: August
Gross Tonnage: 6,000
Passenger Capacity, Double Occupancy: 214
Best Features: Pearl Seas is a sister company to American Cruise Lines, but will operate internationally. The staterooms will range in size from 240 to 460 square feet; all will have private balconies.
Itineraries: The ship will begin sailing seven and ten night cruises in the Canadian Maritimes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Great Lakes, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New England. In November 2008, the ship will head south to offer seven to eleven night Caribbean roundtrips from St. Martin.
