New Cruise ships for 2010

In July Holland America Line will launch the 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam – she’s the second ‘Signature Class’ ship for the line and the fourth to carry this name. She’ll accommodate 2,104 passengers on summer sailings in the Mediterranean and winter ones in Eastern

Caribbean – she’s starting with twelve-day cruises from her home-port of Venice and then in October 2010 she’ll relocate to Fort Lauderdale to offer seven day cruises there.

Celebrity Cruise Line is launching Celebrity Eclipse in April in Southampton – the first time a Celebrity ship has been home-ported there. She’s 122,000-tons and carries 2,850 passengers and for the summer, at least, she’ll have a very British feel with more vegetarian and Indian cuisine options alongside British favourites such as Yorkshire pudding and gravy. There will also, apparently, be a Union Jack party with darts games and the Sky Lounge will become the Sky Pub on selected nights and serve British beers.

In December Allure of the Seas will launch – she’s sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, and that makes her the equal largest cruise ship in the world at 222,000 tons and capable of carrying 5,400 guests and 1,650 crew members. She’ll have the same neighbourhood design as her sister and will be sailing permanently out of Fort Lauderdale offering seven day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.