New Cruise Ships
New ships now cruising:
Celebrity Solstice
Molyneaux review: Stylish new Celebrity Solstice tickles the senses
First sailings in November 2008. A new and larger class of Celebrity ships at 122,000 tons and 2,850 passengers, Solstice is dazzling, a style setter with larger spa, a solarium, three pools, new restaurants and lounges, $6 million of artwork, glass-blowing demonstrations, and a lawn with real grass. Uses new technologies for energy savings. Contact Celebrity
Solstice review by CruiseCritic
Ruby Princess
Molyneaux review: Familiar turf on the Ruby Princess
Inaugural was in November 2008. Similar to Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. Capacity 3,100 passengers at two to a cabin. Right, Ruby Princess arrives in Fort Lauderdale. Contact Princess
Molyneaux review of Emerald Princess
Fantasia
Inaugural cruise in December 2008 in Europe, Fantasia is MSC's largest ship. MSC Cruises, a private company founded in 1990, is the world's fastest growing cruise brand, with eight ships. Fantasia is its second new ship this year, following the Poesia in the spring. The company's motto is "Beautiful. Passionate. Italian." Ships operate in Europe, the Caribbean, South America and South Africa. The Fantasia adds 99-suite VIP area it calls the MSC Yacht Club. Capacity 3,300 passengers at two to a cabin. Contact MSC
Molyneaux blog: Tough economy forces cruise discounts, and opportunity says MSC
Queen Victoria
Molyneaux blog: Classy Queen Victoria sails around the world
Third of the Queens of Cunard, which will become two when the Queen Elizabeth 2 ties up in Dubai as a floating hotel in 2009. Like the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, docked right at Puntarenas in Costa Rica, will sail a mix of cruises, ocean crossings and journeys around the world. Capacity 2,014 passengers. Contact Cunard
Mystery at sea: Case of the missing drawers
A tight fit through the Panama Canal
Queen Victoria sails out of Southampton
Norwegian Gem
Molyneaux blog: Norwegian's newest Gem
NCL's latest gem sails from New York City in winter and spring of 2008-2009, on 7-day Bahamas and Florida itineraries, and on 11-day Caribbean voyages. Leaves New York April 18 on a trans-Atlantic cruise to Barcelona, Spain. Spring and summer trips in the Mediterranean from Barcelona. Capacity 2,384 passengers at two to a cabin. Contact NCL
Molyneaux blog: NCL's trendy gems
Independence of the Seas
Third of the Freedom-class ships, following Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. Ship will cross the Atlantic in November for fall and winter Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale. Capacity 3,600 passengers at two to a cabin, higher when children are aboard in summer and during school holidays. Contact Royal Caribbean
CruiseCritic review of Independence of the Seas
Molyneaux review of sister ship, Liberty of the Seas
Carnival Splendor
Molyneaux review: Carnival Splendor is splendidly pink
Ship was in Europe for the summer of 2008, before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale for fall Caribbean cruises, winter in South American, and spring cruises to Mexico from Long Beach, Calif.
Features a retractable dome over the mid-ship pool, largest Camp Carnival for children, largest Carnival spa and 68 cabins with direct access to the spa. Capacity 3,006 passengers at two to a cabin. Contact Carnival
Eurodam
Molyneaux blog: A mid-sized ship with 2,104 passengers
First of the Signature class features a new restaurant deck and more cabins with balconies. Summer cruising in Northern Europe. In fall, Eurodam will make Quebec its homeport for several sailings, a first for any large ship. HAL says Quebec is highest-rated port experience for passengers. Capacity 2,104 passengers at two to a cabin. Contact Holland America
Queen dedicates Eurodam in Rotterdam
Trimmed by the barber of Eurodam
Naming another dam ship
Eurodam updates on Holland America blog
MSC Poesia
Capacity 2,550 passengers at two to a cabin, 3,000 total. Inaugural was April 2008 in Europe. Third of the Musica class. Contact MSC
New cruise ship report by David Molyneaux, editor of TravelMavens.net, updated 27 December 08
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