So many changes are happening in the world of travel – between the rising fuel pricing and the US dollar losing ground worldwide maybe some exciting news is needed. There are many new cruise ships making their debut in the next year or so – and some not so new vessels making changes to itineraries.
Port Canaveral has quite a few changes. First is the Sovereign of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) will be leaving in late October and will be replaced by her sister ship the Monarch of the Seas who's repositioning from Los Angeles on November 4 and will start its 3 & 4 day Bahamas on November 10, 2008.
The Mariner of the Seas will be leaving in January 2009 to reposition to Los Angeles. She will not be replaced until the 160,000 ton Freedom of the Seas repositions from Miami to Port Canaveral in May of of 2009. This Freedom class ship sports additional amenities such as a full-sized boxing ring, ice skating rink, Flow Rider surf simulator, and three massive pools with a cantilevered whirlpools along with the rock climbing walls that Royal Caribbean has on all of their ships.
Royal Caribbean has just revealed the names their newest additions the 220,000 ton 'Oasis of the Seas' and the 'Allure of the Seas'. Debuting in 2009 and 2010 respectively. These marvels at sea have so many firsts including a aqua theater, zip line, Central Park, and a tide water bar that floats up and down. Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale the ports that they will be visiting will have been prepared for each of these ships to pull up to the pier including Labadee – RC's private beach in Haiti.
Carnival Glory will be leaving Port Canaveral in September of 2009 and will be replaced by the brand new 130,000 ton Carnival Dream – Carnivals' largest vessel ever built. The Carnival Dream will arrive in December of 2009 just in time for the holiday sailings. She sports a new entertainment concept The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor cafe' and live music venue, one of the largest kids facilities at sea that includes an aqua park, and 'scenic whirlpools' that extend over the ships beam.
Disney Cruise Line will be adding two additional ships to their fleet. The first of the unnamed 122,000 ton vessels will go into service at Port Canaveral sometime in 2011. We'll keep you posted. Port Canaveral is one of the fastest growing ports and is one of the easiest ports to get in an out of. Hopefully with all of the new things happening there it will stay easy to navigate.
Holland America's New Ship the ms Eurodam will debut this summer in Europe. The almost 87,000 ton Euordam will end her European season with a trans-Atlantic cruise. She will then cruise Canada/New England itineraries in the fall. Finishing 2008 with Caribbean sailings. This signature class ship boasts 56 luxury spa accommodations located on the two highest decks and in close proximity to Greenhouse Spa and Salon.
Celebrity Cruises announced that the Celebrity Solstice will be debuting earlier than planned. The original Dec 14th Inaugural sailing has been pushed up to November 23, 2008. The new Solstice will be sailing round trip from Ft. Lauderdale to San Juan, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts on its 7 Night itinerary. The Solstice will have the first ever real grass Lawn on top deck. Guests will be able to play golf, Bocce, and croquet while cruising. She also will have a glassblowing show. What will they think of next?
The first of NCL's newest class of ship F3 (unnamed for now) is due out in 2010. The next generation freestyle cruising offers guests a nightlife they have never seen before on a cruise ship. A little bit of everything has gone into these hot spots. According to NCL “The F3's from
Riviera chic and Ibiza style to Miami trendy and Vegas flair the nightclubs on NCL's new F3 ships will create a never-before-seen experiences at sea and feature multiple uses for day or night, along with exclusive adult only venues.”
MSC cruises has two new ships coming out in 2009 the MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, however both will stay in Europe.. The 92,000 ton MSC Orchestra will be sailing 7 night sailings in the Caribbean starting Dec 2008 with two Big Band themed cruises on its itineraries. The 59,000 ton MSC Lirica will sail 7 and 10 night itineraries into spring 2009. One thing that MSC does on all its sailings is “Kids Sail Free” (17 and under and must pay Gov tax & fees) – great for families.
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