As seagoing vacations continue to grow in popularity, cruise lines have introduced new…
As seagoing vacations continue to grow in popularity, cruise lines have introduced new ports of call around the world and next year will be no different. In 2006, travelers will find a portfolio of new cruises to the far reaches of the globe. The 19 cruise line members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) take travelers to 1,800 ports of call on more than 150 ships of varying styles, from yacht-like luxury ships carrying 150 passengers to mega vessels carrying more than 3,000 guests.
In 2006, travelers will find new and enhanced Caribbean itineraries – including more sailings to the deep Caribbean from New York City. CLIA-member lines are also positioning more ships then ever before on the other side of the pond in anticipation of a sizzling hot season in Europe. Some of the industry’s largest ships will cruise the Continent, and itineraries will be available in all shapes and sizes, from seven days to 28 days and longer. Other cruise lines will take guests to remote, lesser-known ports as far north as the Arctic Circle and exclusive, intimate resorts in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean.
New sailings will also include voyages to the world’s southernmost destination, Antarctica. Cruising around Cape Horn via the Drake Passage, the Beagle Channel and the Straits of Magellan, vacationers experience South America’s vibrant ports, from the cosmopolitan flair of Buenos Aires to the trendy beaches and sizzling nightspots and Carnaval flavor of Rio de Janeiro.
“Today’s cruise destinations appeal to first-time travelers in search of new experiences and veteran cruisers pursuing a true wanderlust,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the marketing organization for the cruise industry. “In 2006, travelers are bound to find something that perfectly fits the bill – from shorter Caribbean voyages to extended sailings from Asia to Alaska.”
Following is a sampling of itinerary highlights available on CLIA-member cruise lines in 2006.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines is debuting three six- and eight-day “exotic” Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale aboard Carnival Liberty – the only program of its kind from that port. Six-day cruises will sail on a western route while eight-day voyages alternate between the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ Millennium will embark on a 14-night South America itinerary February 19, which is timed for Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. The roundtrip Buenos Aires itinerary includes an overnight onboard ship in Rio and will call at Brazil’s Porto Belo and Buzios; and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Costa Cruise Lines
In 2006, Costa Cruises will be the only CLIA-member cruise line sailing to Bermuda from Fort Lauderdale. The voyages, which are available at the end of Costa Magica’s inaugural Caribbean season, depart April 21 and 28 and include overnight calls in Hamilton, Bermuda and Nassau.
Crystal Cruises
A highlight of a 14-day Arctic Circle voyage aboard Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, departing Copenhagen on June 26, is a maiden call at Norway’s Spitsbergen, the northernmost port the line has visited and the best port for viewing the Midnight Sun.
Cunard Line
Cunard Line is featuring the Path of Magellan South America voyages aboard the world famous Queen Mary 2. Guests can now embark in Fort Lauderdale on January 17 on the westbound itinerary and disembark in Fort Lauderdale on April 13 for the eastbound voyage.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder will embark on two special 10- and 11-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Southern Caribbean on September 7 and 17, marking the first time the line has offered cruises longer than three or four nights aboard the ship.
Holland America Line
Bookings are picking up steam for Holland America Line’s 10- and 11-day Caribbean cruises out of New York aboard Noordam, which enters service in February. Thirteen sailings will visit the Southern and Eastern Caribbean, beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage in February.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises has added a new dimension to its Panama Canal itineraries by adding Roatan Island, Honduras – with its diverse landscape and extraordinary snorkeling experiences – to MSC Lirica’s 11-night sailings out of Fort Lauderdale. Departures are available from January 13 through April 11.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage
Norwegian Coastal Voyage is introducing a four-night Northern Lights Festival cruise in January aboard MS Trollfjord from Bergen to Tromso, Norway, where passengers can join the Northern Lights Festival to celebrate the sun’s return after the long polar night. Musical performances will be featured throughout Tromso.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel will sail in Europe for six months, featuring seven itineraries, six of which are offered on a one-time only basis. Sixteen seven-day itineraries will sail roundtrip from Barcelona to Messina, Sicily; Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Florence; and Villefranche (Nice), France.
Oceania Cruises
A new 14-day itinerary aboard Oceania Cruises’ Insignia mixes the best of Norway and the British Isles, sailing roundtrip from Dover, England. A highlight of the June cruise is an overnight in Iceland’s Reykjavik. This sailing is also the second-annual reunion cruise for Oceania past passengers.
Princess Cruises
When Crown Princess debuts this summer, the vessel will introduce Princess Cruises’ first-ever roundtrip Caribbean sailings from New York. This inaugural season, beginning June 14, will feature nine-day roundtrip voyages to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean and will include Princess’ return to Bermuda.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises will offer a 10-night itinerary on January 7 aboard Seven Seas Navigator that visits an interesting mix of lesser-known Caribbean and Central American ports. Calls will be made at Key West, a private island in the Bahamas and ports in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
Royal Caribbean International
A new summer itinerary aboard the 3,100-passenger Voyager of the Seas marks the first time Royal Caribbean International will position a ship of this size in European waters. The seven-night itineraries, roundtrip from Barcelona, will call at ports in France, Italy, Malta and Spain.
Seabourn Cruise Line
The luxurious Yachts of Seabourn will offer five departures of its Mediterranean Tapestry itinerary between May and October. The seven-day cruise aboard Seabourn Legend offers a colorful array of the region’s varied cultures, calling at ports in Italy, France and Tunisia.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Shadow will sail on a 14-day across the Bering Sea luxury cruise from Tokyo for Anchorage on May 29. Guests will have ample opportunities for unique adventures – from visits to the imperial palaces of Japan to the remote Russian outpost of Petropavlovsk.
Swan Hellenic
Swan Hellenic will offer a 15-day Myths and Legends cruise in April that focuses on the mythology, culture and history of the Mediterranean, including legendary Troy and the Byzantine city of Istanbul. Minerva II will sail to many lesser-known destinations in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf will sail this winter on new itineraries that explore the far reaches of the Caribbean. Roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados, the cruises will sail deep into the heart of the lower Caribbean, including the Grenadines, St. Barthelemy, Tobago, Bequia, St. Martin and Grenada.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
