Cruise Travel 2006 will see the launch of a number of new vessels. Six of the large cruise lines will introduce new ships. Here’s a quick rundown of the six new cruise ships for 2006.
Dutch American cruise ship Noordham
With an expected launch date of February 22nd, Holland America will be showcasing the new Nordam. Expected to be the last cruise ship in the Vista-class series, the Noordam will carry 1,848 passengers. The new cruise ship is the first built for Holland America’s “Signature of Excellence” program. A number of design enhancements have been included in the public areas and staterooms for the enjoyment of cruise travelers. Already included is Explorations Café, a café/internet café, game room, and library all powered by the New York Times. For the first time in the past few years, Noordam will spend its 2006 senior season on winter cruises from New York to the Caribbean.
Pride of Hawaii – NCL America’s New Cruise Ship of the Year 2006
NCL America’s new cruise ship is Pride of Hawaii. This ship is a sister ship to the Norwegian Jewel and is in fact the cruise line’s first new hull construction. Starting in June, the 2,224-passenger vessel is expected to be the next step in the “Freestyle Cruising” concept. The interior decoration will have a Hawaiian theme. A cruise departing weekly on Mondays, Pride of Hawaii will travel the islands calling Honolulu home.
Freedom of the Seas – New cruise ship for 2006 from Royal Caribbean
Launching in May, the 3,600-passenger, 158,000-ton Freedom of the Seas is actually 1,000-ton larger than Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and will become the largest cruise ship of 2006. A number of new and improved facilities are expected to please. The buzziest addition is the surf park feature. The vortices are also actually cantilevers on the side of the new cruise ship. The H2O region is expected to be affected as well. Freedom of the Seas is expected to sail 7-day cruises to the Caribbean from Miami.
New Princess Cruises Crown Princess
The new Crown Princess ship for 2006 will be launched in June and will carry 3,110 Happy Cruise passengers. The famous Skywalker disco has been redesigned, and the Lotus Spa has been expanded. The International Sweets and Snacks Café, and the first-ever Princess wine and seafood bar, have been added. Other expansions and/or changes have been made to the Wheelhouse Bar, Sabatini’s Trattoria, and Sterling Steakhouse. With Eastern Caribbean stops in Bermuda and Turks and Caicos, the Crown Princess will sail back and forth from New York’s Red Hook station.
MSC Musica
Launched on July 1, the Italian ship Musica brings MSC firmly into the ranks of large ships with a capacity of 2,550 passengers. Of its 1,275 deluxe rooms, 80% will be exterior, with 65% of them having balconies. Boasting a large spa area, numerous dining options, a three-story-high waterfall, and a variety of entertainment venues, Musica will sail the eastern Mediterranean from Venice.
Costa Concordia – The new cruise ship from Costa Cruises in 2006
Based in Italy and owned by the Carnival Corporation, Costa Cruises offers its largest cruise ship in its fleet. Costa Concordia will be launched on July 14, with a capacity of 3,000 passengers. The interior decoration is inspired by European architecture. Even the names of the rooms have a European orientation – the Grand Bar Berlin, the Helsinki cafeteria, the dining rooms in Milan and Rome. For those who are looking for an interesting activity, the ship will have a Formula One driving simulator! The new cruise ship will sail all year round in the western Mediterranean to the port of Civitavecchia in Rome.
With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know which new cruise ship to try out first on a cruise in 2006!
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