New Cruise Ships in 2008

The Carnival Splendor is 110,000 tons and will carry 3,000 passengers when it is launched in Europe in July 2008. The ship is too large to go through the Panama Canal and looks somewhat similar to the Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom. However, the Carnival Splendor is a new class of ships with the biggest change from these previous ships being the addition of a 21,000 square foot spa and 16 spa suites. This Cloud 9 Spa is Carnival's largest, and passengers in the spa suites and cabins can go directly to the fitness center or spa without passing through any of the public areas.

The Carnival Splendor will also have four swimming pools and an outdoor movie theater.

The Celebrity Solstice is a new class of ship for Celebrity Cruises, the Solstice-class. She will carry 2,850 passengers and is 122,000 tons. At 121 feet wide and over 1000 feet long, the Celebrity Solstice is too big to go through the Panama Canal. The Celebrity Solstice will be launched in December 2008 and will sail the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale through the spring of 2009.

The Eurodam joined the Holland America fleet in July 2008, after construction was completed at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy. The Eurodam will spend its inaugural season on alternating 10-day Northern Europe itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Copenhagen. The new Eurodam is a new class of ships for Holland America, and the largest ever constructed for the cruise line. With an estimated all-in cost of $450 million, the new 86,000-ton Eurodam will carry 2,014 passengers.

The Independence of the Seas is the third ship in the Freedom-class at Royal Caribbean. She will join her two sister ships, the Freedom of the Seas and the Liberty of the Seas, as the largest-ever cruise ships afloat.

The Independence of the Seas is a huge ship, coming in at 160,000 tons and with a 3,600-passenger capacity. She is being constructed at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, and will be home-ported in Europe. The Independence of the Seas will have all the special features found on her sister ships, including the FlowRider surfing pool, cantilevered whirlpools, rock-climbing wall, and ice-skating rink.

The MSC Fantasia will be the largest ship commissioned by a European ship owner to date. At 133,500 tons, 1,093 feet long and 125 feet wide, she has a passenger capacity of 3,300. The MSC Fantasia will be the first MSC ship to have a VIP area, called the MSC Yacht Club, which will have restricted access and butler service. In addition to the butler, the 99 suites in MSC Yacht Club will have a special bar, solarium, two hot tubs, pool with retractable dome, and an observation lounge.

The MSC Fantasia will also have a 4300 square foot children's area with a giant water slide and aquapark.

Adults will enjoy the 5 restaurants, 4 pools, 12 hydro-massage tubs, and over 20 bars.

MSC Poesia, sister ship to MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, will be launched in April 2008. The Poesia is a large ship -- 92,400 tons, 964 feet long, 105 feet wide and 164 feet tall. She will have 1,275 cabins, of which 80 percent are outside cabins with balconies, able to host 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members. A total of more than 236,000 square feet is dedicated to the public areas.

The MSC Poesia is being built by Aker Yards in St. Nazaire, France.

The Ruby Princess is a sister ship of the Emerald Princess and Crown Princess. She will be named in November 2008 and carry over 3,000 passengers. The Ruby Princess will also offer the popular Movies Under the Stars, Personal Choice Dining featuring traditional or Anytime seating, Lotus Spa with fitness center, and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies. The Ruby Princess will be based in Fort Lauderdale and sail the Caribbean.

Silversea Cruises will launch its new expedition ship, the HSH Prince Albert II, in the summer of 2008. The Prince Albert II formerly sailed as Society Expeditions' World Discoverer, and has been undergoing a major refit in Italy since Silversea bought the ship in 2007. The 6000-ton HSH Prince Albert II has a high ice rating, and Silversea plans to send the ship to Antarctica for part of the year.

When the Prince Albert II is not in Antarctica, she will be sailing the Arctic, French Polynesia, or South America.

Pictures of the Silversea Cruises' HSH Prince Albert II

Prince Albert II Sails on Maiden Voyage from London

American Safari Cruises will add the 36-passenger Safari Explorer to its fleet of small ships in May 2008. The Safari Explorer will sail Alaska in the summer and the Hawaiian Islands in the winter. Like her American Safari sister ships, the Safari Explorer will cruise to less-traveled, more intimate destinations. I sailed on the Safari Quest in March 2008 and loved the ship and the adventures we had in the Sea of Cortez. Among the new yacht's features are a wine library for tastings; suites with balconies, master bedrooms and Jacuzzi tubs, and an active spa environment with complimentary massages from a licensed masseuse, sauna, yoga classes, exercise equipment and an on-deck hot tub.

The Ventura is a brand new ship for British cruise line P&O Cruises. Those who have sailed on one of Princess Cruises' Grand-class ships will immediately recognize the same style on the Ventura. The new P&O ship is 116,000 tons and will carry about 3000 passengers. The Ventura is being designed for the British family cruising market, with special children's activities and areas.

The Ventura is being constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, just outside Venice, and she will be launched in April 2008.