Selling Cruises: New Ships Sailing in 2007
by John Hawks

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"Carnival Freedom" (Carnival): This 2,974-passenger Destiny-class ship will launch in March for 12-night voyages from Rome through the Greek Isles and Turkey, before moving to Miami in the winter months for alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean trips. The ship will have a "Carnival Seaside Theater" over its large pool for outdoor movie viewing.

"CostaSerena" (Costa): Resembling the "CostaConcordia" that debuted this past summer, the 3,780-passenger "CostaSerena" will feature a Samsara Spa with suites and a Grand Prix simulator on board. There's no word yet on its itinerary plans, but it debuts in April.

"Emerald Princess" (Princess): The 3,100-passenger "Emerald Princess" will also begin service in April. Like its sister ship "Crown Princess," the vessel will have an adults-only area (the "Sanctuary"), a casual wine bar, an international coffee and pastry bar (with pastry chefs on duty), and other mid-range amenities. The "Emerald Princess" will operate in Europe next spring and summer on 12-night Med and Greek Isles sailings before moving to Fort Lauderdale in October for alternating eastern and southern Caribbean cruises.

"Royal Princess" (Princess): When this ship begins service with Princess next April, it won't actually be a new build. It's the refurbished 680-passenger "Minerva II" from Swan Hellenic that was also "R8" in the old Renaissance Cruises days. It will be a perfect choice for your clients who love Princess but don't want the big-ship experience. It will offer sailings in the Med, the Greek Isles, and the Holy Land next summer, followed by 14-night southern Caribbean cruises next winter (with Amazon stops thrown in).

"MSC Orchestra" (MSC Cruises)": Rounding out the launches next May is this 1,600-passenger ship, a perfectly matched sister vessel to the "MSC Musica." It will offer more than 800 verandah cabins for eastern Med cruises roundtrip from Venice next spring and summer.

"Liberty of the Seas" (Royal Caribbean): The twin ship for this year's "Freedom of the Seas," this 3,600-passenger vessel starts service next May with its own FlowRider surfing deck, hot tubs cantilevered over the side of the ship, and a water park called "H2O Zone." It will be based in Miami for seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises.

"Norwegian Gem" (NCL): Next October, this 2,384-passenger Jewel-class vessel will offer the line's Freestyle Cruising signatures, including 10 restaurants, 13 bars, two pools, kids and teen centers, and more. The ship will be based in New York for seven-, 10-, and 11-night sailings to the Caribbean.

"Queen Victoria" (Cunard): In December, Cunard will unveil this effort to return to the elegance of true ocean liners. The 1,850-passenger "Queen Victoria" will feature Queens Grill suites, Cunard's well-known enrichment programs on board, and other luxury touches. Interestingly, the ship will set sail a month after its inaugural on a world cruise, joining the "Queen Elizabeth II" for a special tandem trans-Atlantic crossing (Southampton to New York) at one point.