Cruise Ships

Like every other Industry in the Vacation business, cruise lines are filling the pinch from this economic slow down. Bookings appear to be holding but that is only because the cruise lines are discounting rooms to keep the ships full. Once more passengers are not buying on the ships like they once were. The results have been predictable. Most of the cruise lines are breaking even and a few are seeing red.

The great news for vacationers is deals are bountiful and can be had even at the last minute. 2 for 1 specials are common place and free upgrades are all over the place. Just take your time and look around. Carnival is currently offering a $240 cash rebate for Summer bookings. Timing is everything and flexibility is key.

Cruise lines will introduce 14 new ships during 2009, at a total cost of $4.8 billion, adding 5 percent to overall ship capacity. This while over all cruise vacation occupancies have moved slightly down. Some of the ships have fantastic new features such as Royal Carribean’s new Oasis of the Seas. Which will be the largest cruise ship in the water when it sails later this year. It will also have an open area called Central Park which will have tropical plants. The ship will have a capacity of 5400 and is a cruise experience not to be missed.