So long fuel surcharges, hello zip-lining!

By Anita Dunham-Potter

Travel columnist

updated 10:59 a.m. ET Dec. 18, 2008

Anita Dunham-Potter Travel columnist • Profile • E-mail

At this time of year, just about everyone devotes a column to predictions for the year ahead. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I can tell you the shape of things to come on the high seas in 2009: no fuel supplements (for now), massive tonnage, new luxury, greener ships, ship makeovers and — would you believe? — zip-lining and a carousel.

Ship class of 2009
Eight new ships will be ready for their close-ups next year, with one being the largest cruise ship ever launched. Here’s a summary for the Class of 2009, in order of the month they debut.

May: Costa Cruises 92,700-ton Costa Luminosa will carry 2,828 guests and will homeport in Amsterdam for the summer of 2009 with sailings to the Baltics. The ship will transition back the Mediterranean for the winter.

June: Costa Cruises is yet again receiving another vessel. The 114,500-ton Costa Pacifica, 3,780-passenger will sail seven-night sailings year-round from Rome (Civitavecchia) in the Mediterranean.

June: Seabourn is launching its first new yacht in eleven years. The ultra-luxury 32,000-ton Seabourn Odyssey will accommodate 450 lucky guests. The yacht’s itineraries will begin with sailings through the Black Sea, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean before it embarks on its 108-day world cruise where it will visit 42 ports in five countries.

MSC Cruises’ 133,500-ton, 3,300-passenger MSC Splendida is the second ‘Fantasia-class’ vessel to enter the fleet. The ship will sail year-round in the Mediterranean.

August: Celebrity Cruises’ 122,000-ton Celebrity Equinox is the line’s second ‘Solstice-class’ ship to be launched. The 2,850-passenger vessel will sail ten-, 11-, and 13-day sailings in the Mediterranean before crossing over in early November to sail 10- and 11-night Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale.

October: The 130,000-ton, 3,652-passenger Carnival Dream is Carnival Cruise Lines biggest “Fun Ship” to date. Carnival Dream will set sail with a few 2009 Mediterranean itineraries and will then cross the Atlantic Ocean to New York, finally making its way to its homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida to sail 8-day Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries.

November: Spanning 16 decks and weighing 220,000 tons, the Oasis of the Seas will be the world’s largest ship to-date. The ship will carry a whopping 5,400 guests at double occupancy and 6,300 maximum capacity when all upper and lower berths are occupied. Oasis of the Seas will sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale offering 7-day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

December: Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises will launch its first newbuild ship in eight years. The 36,000-ton, 540-passenger Silver Spirit will transport guests in the style of 1930s art deco period. The vessel will sail in South America in early 2010 and will return to the Mediterranean for the spring and summer.

Old ships get facelifts
It’s not easy being an older ship in a sea of newbuilds. Many cruise lines are finding they must modernize older vessels to keep pace with the newer ships vast offerings and expanded on-board activities.

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Holland America is sending the Rotterdam and Veendam to dry dock to receive a series of the line’s “Signature of Excellence” enhancements to cabins, pool decks and entertainment options. Carnival’s “Evolutions of Fun” makeover of the line’s Fantasy-class ships continues. The Carnival Paradise, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fascination will get major pool deck upgrades along with stateroom enhancements. Princess Cruises’ is upgrading Caribbean Princess with a Crown Grill steak and seafood venue, adults-only Sanctuary, and adding seven suites. Additionally the Atrium will be transformed into the now-signature Piazza. Sea Princess will receive the new adults-only Sanctuary area.

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Wind and Silver Cloud will receive major upgrades where all suites receive new bathrooms and the vessels will gain a new lounge, enhanced spa, and eight additional suites. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will get an updated look with new casual dining options near the pool. In addition, every area of the ships will be refurbished with new furniture, fabrics and colors, carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures, and drapes.

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