2002 Will Be a Landmark Year For Cruise Industry
NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2002 -- This year will be the biggest year ever for new
ship introductions; however, the superlatives won't stop there.
The 15 ships being launched by the member lines of Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA) -- 13 new ships and two refurbished vessels
-- is the largest number in any single year in the association's 26-year
history.
"With several ships having left service in 2001, the capacity of these ships
will help us satisfy the demands of the almost 70 million people who have an
interest in cruising," says James G. Godsman, CLIA president.
From large ships to more intimate environments, the newest additions feature
the latest in design and technology, a greater emphasis on suites and
facilities with balconies and verandahs, more dining options and expanded
communication capabilities and spa facilities.
The following CLIA-member cruise lines have ships slated to debut in 2002:
American Cruise Lines: The 49-passenger American Glory departs from
Baltimore on July 27 on its seven-night inaugural cruise throughout the
Chesapeake Bay. All 31 staterooms face outside and feature large, opening
picture windows. Meals are served in the glass-enclosed dining room.
Carnival Cruise Lines: The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride launches
seven-day alternating eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port
Canaveral Jan. 12. The 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend inaugurates the
line's first European departures Aug. 24. The 2,976-passenger Carnival
Conquest -- the largest "Fun Ship" -- begins year-round seven-day service from
New Orleans Dec. 1. All three feature "resort-style" amenities and
facilities, including multiple dining and entertainment venues, children's
facilities and a large percentage of ocean view and balconied staterooms.
Celebrity Cruises: Beginning in May, the 1,950-guest Constellation will
sail a series of European itineraries. The ship features a conservatory with
a botanical environment; 80 percent ocean-view staterooms, 74 percent with
verandas; AquaSpa(SM); COVA Cafe Milano (the seagoing version of Milan's
coffeehouse); a specialty restaurant and other dining venues featuring the
cuisine of renowned Master Chef Michel Roux.
Costa Cruises: The 1,494-passenger CostaEuropa (formerly the Westerdam)
makes her maiden voyage in April. The ship will offer a variety of Northern
Europe voyages, sailing from Amsterdam to the Fjords/North Cape/Spitzbergen
and Baltic and Russia June through September. CostaEuropa will also sail
11-night voyages from Genoa to the Greek Isles and Canary Islands in April and
September through December.
First European Cruises: The 1,500-passenger European Stars is scheduled to
launch in late March, sailing from Barcelona to Marseilles, Genoa, Naples,
Messina, Valetta and Palma every week through December. It features four
restaurants, 132 suites with balconies and a thalassotherapy health spa.
Holland America Line: The 784-passenger Prinsendam (formerly Seabourn Sun)
debuts June 3. More than 90 percent of its staterooms have ocean views,
nearly 40 percent with private verandahs. The new Zuiderdam, debuting Dec.
14, features a wide range of verandah staterooms, the largest spa in the
company's fleet and exterior sea-view elevators.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc.: The 643-berth Finnmarken and the 674-berth
Trollfjord start service in spring, sailing year-round along the 1,250-mile
west coast of Norway between Bergen and Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle. The
ships have 40 percent more berths and 50 percent more deck space than ships
built in the 1990s as well as more suites and the line's first private
balconies and Jacuzzis.
Princess Cruises: Star Princess will sail on the West Coast beginning in
March. The 2,600-passenger vessel offers a 24-hour AOL Internet Cafe,
expanded youth center and disco/observation lounge accessible by a
glass-enclosed, moving "skywalk." Coral Princess, with a combination of
diesel engines and gas turbines, will debut in December with a season of
10-day Panama Canal cruises. Ten percent of the staterooms will be inside,
with 80 percent of the outside cabins featuring private balconies.
Royal Caribbean International: The 2,501-passenger Brilliance of the Seas,
with more than 70 percent of outside staterooms offering balconies, debuts in
July, with a glass elevator facing the sea, nine-story glass-constructed
centrum and specialty coffeehouse/retail book outlet. The ship will spend the
summer in Europe before repositioning in the fall for 10-night New
England/Canada cruises and will spend the winter in the Caribbean.
Royal Olympic Cruises: The 836-passenger Olympia Explorer features spacious
rooms and suites, balconies, and a luxurious spa. Its Fast Monohull
technology allows for accelerated speed to reach an increased number of ports,
allowing for more time in each. Weekly roundtrip departures are scheduled May
through October from both Venice and Piraeus.
For more information on the newest ships, visit CLIA's website at
http://www.cruising.org.
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X08221737
/NOTE TO EDITORS: To request the complete "What's New in 2002" press kit,
contact Diana M. Orban Associates at 973-605-2121./
13:11 EST

Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon