Cruise Travel in 2009: How is it Looking?

Yes 2009 is here and we are going to see new ships added to the existing fleets. In November this year Royal Caribbean will roll out the long expected “Oasis of the Seas”. This is going to set record as the largest ship in the world.

Can you picture a 220,000 ton 10 story lady which can carry 5400 passengers? In this ship you can find 300 balcony cabins. This ship takes its lifestyle wherever it goes, with themed neighborhoods. Even if the ship does not sail any where you can still have fun onboard. Imagine a bar that is an elevator, and zip-line rides.

Today the ships are getting bigger. Other cruise lines are releasing theirs too because there has to be some competition out there. Celebrity, Carnival, MSC they are all building ships to break their existing fleet records. Even the Luxury lines are in the race not to be outdone. Now it seems as if the bigger the better.

Carnival in September will debut Carnival dream. This is a 3,652 passenger ship, it weighs about 130,000 tons. It will start in Europe and then sail to the Caribbean.
Celebrity launches Celebrity Equinox this fall, a 122,000 ton 2,850 passenger ship. This ship is sister to the famous Celebrity Solstice. It boasts of verandas in 85 percent of its staterooms, real grass field for picnics and a glass blowing studio.

MSC Cruises MSC Splendida will introduce another 133,500 ton 3,274 passenger ship which matches the MSC Fantasia their current line largest ship.

Costa In June will introduce 3,000 passengers 114,300 ton Costa Pacifica., a sister to Concordia and 2260 passenger 92700 ton Luminosa. These are labeled a new kind of ship.
Seabourn Cruise Line expect their first new ultra –luxury cruise ship in six years. They will launch the Seabourn Odyssey a 450 passenger 32,000 ton ship in 2010.

Our question is with the world economy in this shape, are there enough passengers to fill these ships? We see the cruise lines getting more aggressive in their quest to woo travelers on-board. They want your business. Paul Motter editor of cruise Mates puts it this way, “ Cruise lines can’t sell umbrella drinks and spa treatment to empty beds. They are bending down for you to jump on-board. They have suspended fuel surcharge, they are even promoting two sail for the price of one cruises. If the economy gets better the cost of sailing will certainly go up again.

Your best bet if you are in the US is to find ports closer to home and take advantage of these deals going on now. Summer will soon be here and if you can drive to a cruise terminal and eliminate the unpredictable airline fares I think you should take advantage of these sales. How long they will last I can’t guarantee. Will they go much lower than this I cannot honestly tell. Nobody knows. Experience has taught me it is smart to get a good deal than no deal waiting for the best deal.