| 2008 is an exciting year for cruising with the | | | | the ship simply providing comfortable |
| addition of 8 new cruise ships to the booming | | | | accommodation. Then came more emphasis on |
| market.o April - P&O's Ventura , MSC | | | | the actual voyage itself, with the onboard |
| Poeisao May - Independence of the Seas (Royal | | | | experience becoming as important as the |
| Caribbean)o July - Carnival Splendor, Ms Eurodam | | | | destination. It seems we may now be facing a |
| (Holland America)o Nov - Ruby Princess, MSC | | | | u-turn, with more and more cruisers wanting to |
| Fantasiao Dec - Celebrity Solstice | | | | explore new, "undiscovered" places which offer a |
| Each ship is being built on the promise that it will | | | | more intimate cruise experience which the mega |
| be bigger and better than its current sailing rivals, | | | | liners just can't offer. |
| with a heavy focus on innovations at sea. Already | | | | In spite of this, the cruise industry seems to be |
| we have ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, F1 | | | | confidently striving forward with their bigger is |
| simulators, self leveling pool tables, boxing rings, | | | | better approach with Royal Caribbean's mind |
| bowling alleys and 4 deck high water slides. So the | | | | blowing Genesis project on the horizon. Building by |
| big question everyone's asking is; what could | | | | far the largest ships at sea, 2009 will see a vessel |
| possibly be coming next? | | | | that has a capacity of over 5000 passengers with |
| Well, the answer is grass. Real growing green | | | | a gross tonnage in excess of 220,000 tonnes, |
| grass. | | | | compared to the current largest, the Queen Mary |
| Celebrity Cruises have proudly announced that | | | | 2 at a mere 160,000 tonnes, it's a pretty |
| their latest fleet addition, the Solstice, will feature | | | | outstanding figure. |
| a grassed lawn area where guests may "enjoy | | | | Surely there must be concerns over the damage |
| bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic | | | | a ship that large may cause. For a long time, |
| with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel | | | | cruise ship damage seems to have been ignored, |
| the grass between their toes, while sailing the | | | | when, in reality, they are one of the world's |
| oceans of the world". And, if all the grass isn't too | | | | largest, uncontrolled sources of air pollution, and |
| much excitement, you can go and watch the hot | | | | surprisingly, more damaging than flying. Sewage, |
| glass show, another industry first. | | | | oil contamination and coral reef damage are all |
| Clever, or just plain dull? | | | | becoming increasing concerns. |
| Is this really the best they can come up with? Or, | | | | Royal Caribbean have recognized this and have |
| are they taking a brave step outside of the | | | | stated that one of the most important priorities |
| current innovation trend box? In reality, the ice | | | | for the new ships is energy efficiency and the |
| skating rinks are a little on the small side, the | | | | minimisation of waste to make the ship as |
| bowling alleys only have 4 lanes, and does anyone | | | | environmentally friendly as possible. |
| really want to go boxing? | | | | What they can't control is annoying |
| It seems the cruise companies are measuring | | | | disembarkation queues, port over crowding and |
| their success on the uniqueness of their ship | | | | inaccessible ports. But, at least there is a boxing |
| innovations, but I wonder if that's what today's | | | | ring to let out all those frustrations, if it's not |
| typical cruise passenger is really looking for. | | | | already been booked up... |
| Pre 1960's cruising was all about the destination, | | | | |