CLIA FLEET CONTINUES TO GROW, WITH 12 NEW SHIPS
BRINGING NEW AMENITIES, PROGRAMS IN 2004

Twelve exciting new cruise ships serving the North American vacation market will debut in 2004, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The new entries to the CLIA fleet include the largest ocean liner ever built, the first new American flag cruise ship in 50 years and a bevy of floating resorts, each with its own unique style and personality.

While many of the new ships are large resort-style ships – five are more than 100,000 tons – they join a fleet that prides itself on diversity, from small, intimate vessels to megaships and a range of experiences to suit every vacation style.

“The vessels being introduced in 2004 demonstrate that the cruise industry continues to grow with innovative new ships that set standards not just for cruising but for all vacation travel,” says Bob Sharak, CLIA’s executive director. “The new ships complement those already in the fleet, giving travelers even more choices when it comes to their cruise vacation.”

The following cruise lines have ships slated to enter the CLIA fleet in 2004:

Carnival Cruise Lines introduces the 2,124-guest Carnival Miracle in February and the 2,974-passenger Carnival Valor in December. Carnival Miracle inaugurates cruising from Jacksonville, Fla., with sailings to the Bahamas, Key West and Mexico, and cruises from Baltimore and New York to Florida and the Bahamas. The ship boasts indoor and outdoor promenades, an upscale supper club and a large number of balconied staterooms. The 110,000-ton Carnival Valor has 22 bars, three restaurants, four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long water slide and a 14,500-square-foot spa.

Costa Cruises’ new 105,000-ton Costa Magica enters the fleet in November. The 2,720-guest vessel has 458 staterooms with verandas and features 11 bars, four restaurants, a theater extending over three decks, and three swimming pools.

Cunard Line’s new flagship Queen Mary 2 debuts in January as the largest, longest, and tallest liner ever built. The 2,620-guest vessel sails transatlantic voyages between Southampton and New York and has grand duplex living spaces with private elevators, butlers and staff as well as a Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, a Todd English restaurant, and an Oxford University enrichment series.

Holland America Line’s 1,848-passenger Westerdam debuts in April. The ship, which features a large number of verandah cabins, spends the spring and summer plying the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and visiting the capitals of Europe before moving to Fort Lauderdale in December to offer Caribbean cruises.

MSC Italian Cruises’ 1,760-guest Opera enters the fleet in April. The 60,000-ton vessel, with its 14 decks and six elevators, is the sister ship to the Lirica, which entered service in 2003.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s NCL America brand introduces the first new ocean-going passenger ship in nearly 50 years to sail under the American Flag in July. The 2,146-passenger Pride of America sails seven-night inter-island Hawaii cruises from Honolulu, and boasts eight dining venues, more than 660 balcony staterooms, state-of-the art entertainment lounges, three pools, and the largest dedicated meeting facilities at sea.

Oceania Cruises’ second ship, Insignia, debuts in April. The 30,200-ton, 684-passenger ship’s 10-day inaugural voyage sails from Barcelona to Athens, calling at Marseille, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Taormina and Valletta. It will then sail the Mediterranean in the spring and the British Isles, Norwegian Fjords and North Cape in the summer, the Black Sea, Greek Isles and the Mediterranean in the autumn, and voyages to South America beginning in November.

Princess Cruises adds three ships. The 113,000-ton, 2,670-passenger sister-ships Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess debut in March and June, respectively, with Pacific itineraries including Alaska cruises from Seattle. The main dining rooms are themed to focus on Italian, Asian, and Southwestern cuisine as well as a steakhouse. The line’s largest ship, the 116,000-ton, 3,100-guest Caribbean Princess, debuts in April with year-round Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. It features a poolside movie screen, as well as 900 cabins with balconies.

Royal Caribbean International’s 2,100-passenger, 90,090-ton Jewel of the Seas debuts in April. In addition to the highest percentage of balcony staterooms in the line’s fleet, the ship has a rock-climbing wall, coffee house featuring Seattle’s Best Coffee, Italian restaurant and steakhouse as well as self-leveling pool tables, indoor Solarium, and expansive kids’ facilities.
The ship sails Scandinavia/Russia and British Isles/Norwegian Fjords cruises before sailing to Boston for fall Canada/New England cruises, and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale.