Cruise
What's New for 2010?

The cruise industry continues to excel at delivering innovation and luxury. There's a dizzying array of new choices for 2010 with something to please every type of traveller. We can't include everything so, to whet your appetite, here's a summary of another exciting year in cruising.

Exotic New Destinations

Cruise lines continue to expand their itineraries around the globe.

  • Crystal Cruises - Maiden calls in Iran, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on the World Cruise; new cruises to the Sea of Cortez and Hawaii.
  • Holland America Line - ms Amsterdam's new 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruise round-trip from Seattle will include first-time calls for HAL at Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak. Glacier Bay has now been added to this exciting itinerary.
  • Oceania Cruises - 60 new ports of call, including Zakinthos, Greece; Sanary Sur Mer, France; Murmansk, Russia; Kas, Turkey; Tartous, Syria; Cape town, South Africa; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma).
  • Amenities & Activities
  • Extras & Bonus Offers
  • New Ships Entering Service

Amenities & Activities

More variety and choice; this is the direction cruise lines are taking in these departments.

  • Celebrity Select Dining - Celebrity Cruises' new flexible dining program will be available fleetwide by the end of February, 2010. Go online to select a dining time between 6 and 9:30 pm, and if you want to dine alone or with others, for each day of the cruise. Traditional dining in two seatings is also available.
  • Silversea's new pillow menu - Available fleetwide by the end of 2010. Silver Spirit will introduce the lavish selection featuring eight pillow types, from soft down to memory foam, plus a choice of chamomile or lavender aromatherapy pillow covers.
  • Regent Seven Seas' revised dress code - Starting with 2009/2010 New Year's cruises, the evening dress code will be elegant casual with two formal optional evenings on cruises over 16 nights in length.
  • Culinary Programs - Cooking programs continue to grow in popularity with demonstrations included as part of on board entertainment programs. There are also opportunities to cook side-by-side with celebrity chefs!
  • Enriching Theme Cruises - Pursue your special interest at sea on cruises that welcome experts and celebrities on board for a variety of unique events, classes, lectures, Q/A sessions, autograph signings and, on culinary cruises, remarkable dinners. Topics range from Wellness and sports to photography and current affairs. Check out Crystal's Experiences of Discovery, Regent's Spotlight On sailings and MSC's roster of theme cruises.
  • Inspirational Excursions & Cruisetours - The lineup of excursions and cruisetours is increasing with a greater focus on active adventures. Families will love the new Family Fun Cruisetour in Alaska from Princess Cruises. In Europe, Costa Cruises offers 240 special eco-excursions.

Included Extras & Bonus Offers

Cruise lines are adding value to your cruise dollar for 2010 by offering generous bonuses like included shore excursions, shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities and free air. Be sure to contact us for the latest specials.

Enticing, isn't it? Cruising continues to offer outstanding value with so much to entertain, pamper and inspire you while on vacation.

Highlights of the New Ships Entering Service

  • Silver Spirit Silversea Cruises January 21, 2010
    36,000 tons, 540 passengers
    6 dining venues; all-suite with the largest in the Silversea fleet; suites feature marble bathroom, walk-in wardrobes and 95% have a private teak veranda.
  • Costa Deliziosa Costa Cruises February 5, 2010
    92,600 tons, 2,260 passengers
    4 dining venues; 3-level theatre; 4-D cinema; Golf and Grand Prix Simulators; display kitchen; pool deck with glass roof and outdoor mega-screen.
  • MSC Magnifica MSC Cruises March 1, 2010
    93,330 tons, 2,518 passengers
    5 dining venues; 3 swimming pools, 1 with retractable roof; 8 bars & lounges; Balinese Spa with Turkish baths; movie cinema.
  • Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises April 29, 2010
    122,000 tons, 2,850 passengers
    10 dining venues; AquaClassSM staterooms; Lawn Club; Cellar Masters wine bar; glassblowing show and studio; Sister ship of Solstice and Equinox.
  • Seabourn Sojourn The Yachts of Seabourn June 6, 2010
    32,000 tons, 450 passengers
    4 dining venues; course by course dinner service available in your suite; all-suite with walk-in closet, 95% with private veranda; water sports platform.
  • Norwegian Epic Norwegian Cruise Line June 24, 2010
    153,000 tons, 4,200 passengers
    14 dining venues; all outside staterooms have a balcony; 2 bowling alleys; Aqua Park with 3 water slides; unique entertainment by Blue Man Group.
  • Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America Line July 4, 2010
    86,700 tons, 2,106 passengers
    5 dining venues including pan-Asian and Italian; spa staterooms; private cabanas by the pool; culinary arts centre; 270° observation lounge.
  • Queen Elizabeth Cunard Line October 12, 2010
    90,400 tons, 2,092 passengers
    8 dining venues; three-tier Royal Court Theatre with private boxes; Cunard Insights talks by renowned guest speakers.
  • Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean December 12, 2010
    220,000 tons, 5,400 passengers
    Largest cruise ship in the world together with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas 24 dining venues; 3-deck main dining room; 7 distinct neighbourhoods; two-storey loft suites; bar that moves between decks; rock climbing wall; skating rink; 2 surfing pools; Aqua Park; Science Lab.
  • Marina Oceania Cruises 2010 year end
    66,000 tons, 1,258 passengers
    6 dining venues including the new gourmet Jacques and Red Ginger; Bon Appétit Culinary Centre; The Studio enrichment centre.

Article by Susan Milne