 |
| |
All Cruise Newsletters
CruiseCompete Currents
Cruise News and Information
April 16, 2007
INDUSTRY EXPECTS RECORD EUROPEAN CRUISING SEASON
According to the Cruise Lines International Association, this year's
European cruising season could set records. More ships than ever will be
deployed in the region, with an incredible diversity and breadth of
itineraries and ports planned. Some cruise lines have extended the
European sailing season to a full nine months, while a few are present in
the region year-round. There also are more overnight port stays, enabling
guests to spend more time to visit locales and enjoy shore excursions that
have become increasingly diverse and full of adventure.
The following summarizes the European cruise plans for a number of the
most popular cruise lines:
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Carnival Cruise Lines' new Carnival Freedom sails an inaugural schedule of
12-day voyages featuring the line's first visits to the Greek Isles and
Turkey, and extended calls at a variety of Mediterranean ports March
through October. Featured ports include Livorno, Naples, Messina and
Venice; Barcelona; Cannes; Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey; Athens, Rhodes and
Katakolon, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
From Casablanca to Cornwall, from the Bosporus Strait to the best of
ancient Greece, Celebrity Cruises' European itineraries aboard four ships
take guests to a broad array of romantic, historic and exotic locations.
From Amsterdam, the line will make its first calls on the Norwegian towns
of Molde and Tromso, considered the gateway to the Arctic.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony offers its guests voyages to Western
Europe, the Baltic countries, Russia, the North Cape/Arctic and the
British Isles. Crystal Serenity blankets Western Europe, the
Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Canary Islands. The line also launches
its first-ever roundtrip cruise from France's Toulon with maiden calls at
Sochi, Russia, and Eidfjord, Norway.
CUNARD LINE
Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 visits destinations in England, Norway, France,
Spain, Germany, Portugal and Italy. Queen Elizabeth 2 ports in Italy,
Norway, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Turkey, Greece and
Malta. In December, Queen Victoria is unveiled on a 10-day "Maiden
Christmas Markets Voyage" from Southampton, followed by a 16-day Canary
Islands sailing.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney Cruise Line adds European flair to its itinerary roster,
repositioning a ship in Europe for the first time ever this summer. The
sailings, operating roundtrip from Barcelona and including eight ports of
call, offer families a hassle-free way to experience the beauty and
culture of Europe combined with the fun of a Disney cruise.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
This year marks Holland America Line's longest European season in recent
history with sailings from March through November to Western and Northern
Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Black Sea. Itineraries
range from 10- to 56-days with 136 ports of call, featuring 82 departure
dates. Thirteen maiden ports include Jupivogur, Iceland; Sochi, Russia;
and Koper, Slovenia.
MSC CRUISES
The entire MSC Cruises fleet of eight ships will be positioned in Europe
for the majority of the year, with departures available from Genoa,
Livorno, Naples, Rome, Venice, Bari and Barcelona. Three are positioned in
Northern Europe, up from two in 2006. MSC Orchestra debuts this spring
from Venice on a series of seven-night itineraries.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian Cruise Line deploys Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Jewel on
seven- and 12-day itineraries that explore the Baltic capitals roundtrip
from London; Egypt and Greek Islands sailings between Istanbul and Athens;
and Mediterranean voyages between Istanbul and Barcelona. In October,
Norwegian Gem, the line's newest ship, will offer three exclusive
Mediterranean itineraries from Dover and Barcelona.
PRINCESS CRUISES
In its most dramatic Europe deployment ever, Princess Cruises positions
five ships ranging from 680 to 3,100 passengers on itineraries ranging
from seven to 24 days - and to destinations as varied as Iceland and
Egypt. The line's season runs from April 11 to December 3, featuring 81
departures on 31 itineraries, calling at 110 ports.
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent Seven Seas' Seven Seas Voyager sails Southern, Western and Northern
Europe, while Seven Seas Navigator makes the Mediterranean her home for
more than six months, canvassing nearly the entire region, from the Strait
of Gibraltar to the Greek Isles to the Aegean Sea. Maiden calls include
ports in Croatia, England, Greece, Spain, Slovenia and Montenegro.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Six Royal Caribbean International vessels, including two that carry 3,100
passengers, ply a diverse array of European cruising grounds on
itineraries that run the gamut - from three to 12 nights. Destinations
include the Baltics, the British Isles, the Canary Islands and Spain, the
Greek Isles, Italy, France, Malta, the Netherlands, Russia, and the
Scandinavian countries.
SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
In 2007, Seabourn Cruise Line's fleet of three ships again explore Europe,
from the fjords of Norway to the Crimean coast of the Black Sea, arriving
in the Mediterranean in spring, where Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit
remain through fall. Seabourn Pride departs the Mediterranean in May,
heading northward to summer in Scandinavia, Russia and the Norwegian
fjords.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Silversea Cruises' entire fleet of four ships sail on itineraries of seven
to 17 days, visiting Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe ports.
Highlights include an itinerary that explores the northern regions of
Sweden and Finland around the Gulf of Bothnia; and another that spends six
nights in Valencia during the America's Cup race in June.
| |
|
|
