Project Genesis, new cruise liner on the way

The keel of what will be the world's biggest passenger ship has been laid at a shipyard in Finland. The construction project which is called Project Genesis will result in a cruise liner 360 metres long, having space for 5,400 passengers and a full 40% larger than the present record holder.

The ship has been commissioned by Royal Caribbean International and will enter service in 2009, being based at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Each berth will cost 230,000 dollars to build, making Project Genesis the most expensive cruise ship ever. Facilities aboard the first of two megaliners that RCI are planning to have in service by 2010 include an onboard surf park for wave riders, a climbing wall (already one of their current offerings on Freedom Class liners) and an ice rink.

In 2008, top of the line luxury cruising is showing every sign of making a comeback as a major part of the holiday market. At least six cruise ships are scheduled to be launched, or re-launched after a refit this year. From the UK the 350-berth cruise ship Minerva, will be one of them, returning to cruise itineraries in late spring after a refurbishment by Swan Hellenic. The Minerva is described as ‘a country house at sea’, and combines a stately home/posh hotel approach with visits to many of the exotic destinations that are inaccessible to larger ships. As an example, Minerva’s fifty-five day Grand Voyage to Antarctica leaves Alexandria in October, and ends up at Buenos Aires in December. This leisurely approach, combined with personal attention and a wide and deep programme of onboard events and lectures makes for a low-stress, luxury-filled cruise. Fares, which start from £9,405, include the outward flight to Egypt and the homeward leg from Argentina.

Families in particular could snap up the cheapest summer holidays ever in the next few days, as travel firms continue to slash prices – some even claiming that holidaymakers could save up to £250 per booking. Many operators, including Thomson, are offering free child places to try and win customers away from last minute internet deals. Christmas and New Year is the time when many British travellers look at reserving their summer holiday and healthy bookings now can determine the future of smaller companies. Some experts have been warning for months that the days of the traditional package holiday are numbered because of a change in consumer behaviour and the availability of budget flights – this is likely to lead to more diverse holidays as the top and bottom end of the market and to a shrinking of the traditional package holiday approach. However, the crunch has hit holiday companies hard - Air Travel Trust, a rescue fund set up to help travellers whose holiday firm goes bust, said 25 companies failed in the year to March 2006 – 11 more than the previous year. So when booking a bargain, make sure you have adequate insurance, just in case!