Cruise Buzz

Keep those new ships coming!

Over the last couple of years it seems like if a cruise line was not delivering a new ship, they were putting their girls into dry-dock for some serious work. The end result? An abundance of bedazzled cruise ships offering numerous shipboard enhancements to keep the cruise public happy.

New ships are always fun to sail on

The new-ship-smell, getting to be the first person to spill on the carpet, try out the gym, sleep in the bed, and having the chance to enjoy new onboard programs is always special. 2010 rolled out some great new ships to compliment an already spectacular menu of ships from all the cruise lines.

New Ships- 2010

In order of delivery, here are some of my favorite new ocean-going cruise vessels that launched in 2010.

Costa Cruise Line, Costa Deliziosa

A European power house in the cruise industry, Costa Cruise Line delivers Costa Deliziosa with lots of upgrades and amenities. Gross Registered Tons: 92,000 Capacity 2,826 total berths.

MSC Cruises, MSC Magnifica

Gross Registered Tons: 93,300 carrying 2500 guests.  The fourth Musica-class ship. Families can enjoy one of the eight “magnifica” family-sized suites with balcony.

Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Eclipse – perhaps my favorite ship!

This is the third sister in the Solstice-class series. Eclipse was launched from the UK and then repositioned for a Caribbean season in November 2010.  Innovative features like  a freshly cut lawn on the uppermost deck in an area called The Lawn Club make this the buzz of the town.

Cuisine is creative and upscale. Spa lovers can find their niche. And with numerous bars, lounges and clubs, cruise guests are encouraged to relax in style.

This is a good crossover ship for families that want a toned-down shipboard experience with the award-winning Celebrity X-Club Youth Programs. This ship serves 2850-guests.

Seabourn’s Sojourn – my kind of cruise!

Seabourn Sojourn offers 225 luxury suites, four dining venues, and six bars and lounges. This  luxury cruise-yacht accommodates 450 cruisers in all-suite accommodations. Luxury amenities such as treatments at The Spa at Seabourn, which covers two decks, helps guests unwind in style. There is also a fully-equipped fitness center with state-of-the-art cardio, strength and weight training equipment. Service, champagne, wonderful cuisine and extraordinary itineraries await.

Norwegian Cruise Line,  Norwegian Epic

Gross Registered Tons: 150,000 Capacity: 4,200 lower berths. Freestyle-cruising to the max! Norwegian Epic brought the most innovations to the cruise dance in 2010. This vessel introduced the first  “wave” staterooms, an ice bar, a newly designed villa complex and a huge aqua park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea. Single cruisers finally had a choice. NCL Epic offers cabins called the Studios, which are specifically designed and priced for the solo traveler.

Holland America Line,  Nieuw Amsterdam

This ship, the second in the Signature (Eurodam) class took a great concept and ran with it. I love the design of this ship, the color palette, the art, food, spa, and library.  Holland America Line makes mid-sized ships that are just the right size for me and my family. Measuring 86,700 gross registered tons and with double capacity of 2,106 get onboard this beauty.

Cunard Line, Queen Elizabeth

Although a sister to Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth is not a twin. This 2092-passenger ship allows guests to step back in time to the 1930s and 1940s to enjoy the tradition of ocean liner cruising. The entrance into the Grand Lobby is impressive. The two-tier Library, crowned with a fabulous leaded glass ceiling is amazing.  Opulent materials, luxuriant furnishings and art deco period flourishes await cruisers.

Royal Caribbean International, Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is about 43% larger than RCCL’s Freedom-class. With so much space there is really something for everyone on this mega-giant cruise ship.

Perhaps a bit big for some, this cruise ship carries 5,400-passengers. Especially popular with family cruisers, Allure of the Seas has great amenities for youth, including the Adventure Ocean Theater and Science Lab. The H2O Zone aqua park and full-size carousel keep the little cruisers happy while parents can shop, eat, relax and play all day long.

Allure of the Seas is the world’s biggest cruise ship . Noteworthy amenities on Allure of the Seas include: The ship’s two-story Loft Suites, with up-and-downstairs bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows. A zip line, skating rink, two surf machines,  climbing walls,  a 3-D theater, the first Romero Britto store at sea and two new restaurants, including a Mexican cantina and Brazilian steakhouse. the first Starbucks at sea. Accommodations for 5,400-plus passengers.