NEW SHIPS

NEW SHIPS, ITINERARIES AND SHIPBOARD ACTIVITIES ADD TO AMAZING VARIETY OF CARIBBEAN CRUISES

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. (February 22, 2008) -

From island to island, each with its own beauty and distinctive character, the only thing that does not change in the Caribbean is beautiful weather for year-round vacationing. The same can be said for Caribbean cruises. No two are alike, and with new ships, itineraries, ports and shipboard activities continually adding an element of surprise, travelers this year will be amazed at the variety and diversity offered by Caribbean cruise vacations.  

The Caribbean region remains the worlds’ most popular cruising grounds, hosting nearly half of the worldwide cruise capacity. There are as many reasons the Caribbean is the world’s most popular cruise destination as there are cruises, ports and itineraries to enjoy. The following are some examples of the latest developments and newest additions to an already extensive selection of cruises – short and long, on ships big and small – that journey to every corner of the Caribbean, including  some of the most exclusive destinations and undiscovered hideaways in the region.

AZAMARA CRUISES
One of the world’s newest cruise lines, Azamara is making its Caribbean debut this winter with 14-night roundtrip cruises on the Azamara Quest from Miami. The itineraries feature a combination of lesser known ports on well-known islands, out-of-the-way islands and elegant destinations like St. Barts. At the beginning of 2009, Azamara Journey will offer two 12-night Caribbean itineraries from Miami featuring U.S., French and British flavored islands.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Totally transformed by the line's multi-million dollar "Evolutions of Fun" enhancement program, Carnival Imagination will shift to three-day Bahamas and four-day Western Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning in September. Also in September, Carnival Destiny redeploys to Miami to become the only 100,000-plus-ton cruise ship to offer year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises. Carnival will also increase Caribbean capacity from Jacksonville by 38 percent when Carnival Fascination begins sailing from there this fall.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
When Celebrity Solstice is launched in December and begins seven-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, the ship will feature an industry first: a top deck called The Lawn Club with real, growing grass. In addition to a Sunset Bar, the Lawn Club Shop and a Patio on the Lawn, the area will also feature a glass-blowing studio called the Hot Glass Show in collaboration with the Corning Museum of Glass. Celebrity Solstice joins four other Celebrity ships offering a variety of Caribbean itineraries.

COSTA CRUISES
Joining Costa’s Caribbean fleet for the first time this winter is Costa Fortuna. The 2,716-passenger vessel was inspired by the grand Italian ocean liners that plied the Atlantic before the age of the jet airplane. Throughout the ship, scale models of historic liners are incorporated into the design. In addition, Costa is celebrating its 60th anniversary by giving away a diamond necklace to one lucky passenger at the end of Caribbean cruises until April.

CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal has created a new 12-day cruise itinerary that combines the Caribbean with Bermuda. The voyage begins in New York, with stops in Hamilton, Bermuda; St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles; St. John in Antigua; Willemstad, Curacao and Grand Cayman before arriving in Miami. The cruise joins several other Crystal itineraries that combine the Caribbean with the Panama Canal and, for the winter holidays, feature a roundtrip Holiday Treasures cruise from Miami. The new itinerary will be offered in November, 2009.

CUNARD LINE
Queen Mary 2 is sailing the Caribbean on a series of 10-day Connoisseur’s Caribbean voyages, roundtrip from New York, through April 16.  After the conclusion of her Transatlantic season in November, the ocean liner will return to the Caribbean, departing New York on November 21 on the eight-day Caribbean Adventure when she will call on St. Kitts, Grenada, and Bonaire en route to Ft. Lauderdale.  The ship will sail several roundtrip Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale through January 13, 2009.  Port calls include Tortola, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Thomas, Dominca and Panama.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Look for the all-new “Toy Story-The Musical” stage spectacular on Disney Wonder’s Caribbean sailings beginning this spring. Bringing one of the most popular animated movies to life, the show represents the most extravagant production ever developed for a cruise ship. Larger-than-life props transform the 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre into a toy-sized world of fun and adventure. The musical has a seven-song score, articulated puppets and inflatable costumes, including a 9-foot version of Rex the Dinosaur.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America Line continues to focus on longer, port-intensive Caribbean cruises, offering 121 departures of sailings ranging from seven to 20 days. The company offers the most Caribbean cruises of 10 days or more of any cruise line but it also has select three-day Bahamas Getaways. Highlighting this year's fall/winter Caribbean season will be the arrival of the brand new Eurodam, which will sail one three-day itinerary and then begin seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale.

MSC CRUISES
MSC Lirica’s current Deep and Western Caribbean itineraries feature a call at the line’s private island – the popular Cayo Levantado in the Dominican Republic – a prime spot for watching humpback whales. For the 2008-2009 Caribbean season, the company will have two state-of-the-art ships, MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra, offering seven Caribbean itineraries featuring 16 ports, including a maiden call in Bermuda. MSC Orchestra, one of the company’s newest vessels, just debuted last year.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
NCL offers a choice of six Freestyle Cruising ships on a variety of Caribbean itineraries from four homeports - New York, Miami, Charleston and New Orleans.  These unique itineraries include a seven-day Eastern Caribbean on Norwegian Dawn; alternating five-day Western and nine-day Southern Caribbean on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl; and seven-day Western Caribbean on Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Sun.  During these sailings, guests have the opportunity to visit tropical ports such as Tortola, Roátan and NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

OCEANIA CRUISES
Through March 31, select Caribbean sailings on Oceania Cruises include free airfare and two for one pricing. The company offers Caribbean itineraries ranging in length from 12- to 26 days, all roundtrips from Miami. Among the ports featured – depending on itinerary selected – are St. Barts, the Dominican Republic, the British Virgin Islands, the southern Caribbean islands of Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Barbados, the Cayman Islands and, on longer voyages, Panama and Brazil, including Manaus.

PRINCESS CRUISES
Seven Princess ships will sail on 11 itineraries to all corners of the Caribbean this year, including two new itineraries: a Caribbean Collection 14-day voyage on Grand Princess featuring nine ports, including Curacao, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and La Romana in the Dominican Republic; and three special Caribbean Calypso 14-day escapes on Royal Princess to several boutique, less-visited ports. Crown Princess will sail an enhanced seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary and the new Ruby Princess will make her debut on a series of Western Caribbean sailings.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Among its varied Caribbean itineraries from Ft. Lauderdale, Regent Seven Seas this year is featuring a new 14-night Deep Caribbean cruise on Seven Seas Navigator. Offered as a roundtrip cruise, it includes such stops as Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire as well as Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Barts, San Juan and Grand Turk. And, for a limited period, Regent is also offering special 2-for-1 pricing on select Caribbean departures.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
This autumn, Seabourn’s seven-day “The Yachtsman’s Caribbean” itineraries will feature what the line calls the “Uncommon Caribbean” – such ports as Deshaies, Guadeloupe; Trois Ilets, Martinique; Road Town, Tortola; and Mayreau and Bequia in the Grenadines. Offered roundtrip from Barbados on Seabourn Pride, the voyages take passengers well off the beaten path, offering, in addition to beaches and water sports directly from the ship’s private marina, a sampling of exclusive resorts and hideaways.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
SeaDream Yacht Club divides its year almost equally between Europe and the Caribbean, with time to spare for transatlantic crossings. This year’s Caribbean season is highlighted by itineraries featuring several new ports of call. Among them are Lucaya on Grand Bahama; Egg Island, Bahamas; Cockburn Town in the Turks & Caicos; Samana, Dominican Republic; Peter Island, and Trois Ilets in Martinique. In November, SeaDream II calls on Miami for a seven-day trip to the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, St. Barts and Jost van Dyke.

SILVERSEA CRUISES
Silversea Cruises, noted for its voyages that wander throughout the world, is offering a unique itinerary on Silver Wind that combines some the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean with the Cape Verde Islands, Dakar and Canary Islands. The 15-day cruise departs from San Juan on April 19.  Silver Shadow also will explore the Caribbean with departures from Fort Lauderdale and Barbados on three voyages of nine to 14 days in December.

WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar Cruises, whose three luxury ships visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations, is offering 7-day sailings roundtrip from Barbados on Wind Surf. The northbound itinerary features St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Basse-Terre, Iles de Saintes and St. Lucia and the southbound itinerary features Bequia, Roseau, St. Lucia, Mayreau, Grenada and Tobago. Wind Spirit's 7-day sailings roundtrip from St. Thomas include St. John, St. Martin, St. Barts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda. Special Holiday and New Year's Cruises are also available.

The best way to learn more about Caribbean cruises is to seek the counsel of a CLIA travel professional, considered the consumer’s very best resource when planning a cruise vacation. To locate an agency near you, use the travel agent locator on CLIA’s Web site at www.cruising.org.

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About CLIA
The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 24 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.