Cruiselines are predicting big things for 2008, with passenger numbers set to rise and some spectacular new ships due to launch.
Here’s a rundown of the ships to look out for in the coming year…
MSC Poesia
Cruiseline: MSC Cruises
Launches: April
Size: 89,600 tons, 293.8 metres long, 2,550 passengers, 987 crew. Space ratio: 35
Facilities: Two main dining rooms, wine-tasting bar, à la carte restaurant, sushi bar, spa and gym
Sails: Seven-night eastern Mediterranean cruises from Venice. Prices from £698 per person including flights and transfers
More: Official MSC Poesia page
Ventura
Cruiseline: P&O Cruises
Launches: April
Size: 115,000 tons, 290 metres long, 3,100 passengers, 800 crew. Space ratio: 37
Facilities: The White Room restaurant by Marco Pierre White and the Ramblas Tapas restaurant, Rock School for teens, Tate Talks by experts from Tate Modern, Circus School, Noddy, Scalextric at Sea
Sails: Various-length Mediterranean and northern Europe cruises from Southampton. Prices from £709 per person for a seven-night Iberian Adventure
More: Official Ventura page
Independence of the Seas
Cruiseline: Royal Caribbean International
Launches: May
Size: 160,000 tons, 339 metres long, 237 feet high, 3,634 passengers, 1,360 crew. Space ratio: 44
Facilities: Three-tier dining room, speciality restaurants, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, H2O water zone, ice rink, Royal Promenade shopping, dining and entertainment area
Sails: 14-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Southampton. Prices from £1,141 per person cruise-only
More:Official Independence of the Seas page
Eurodam
Cruiseline: Holland America Line
Launches: June
Size: 86,000 tons, 284 metres long, 2,044 passengers, 800 crew. Space ratio: 42
Facilities: Expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon, speciality restaurant, DVD players in all staterooms, Culinary Arts Centre, Internet centre
Sales: 10-night Baltic and Norwegian fjords cruises from Copenhagen. Prices from £1,779 per person with flights and transfers
More: Official Eurodam page
Carnival Splendor
Cruiseline: Carnival Cruise Line
Launches: July
Size: 112,000 tons, 290 metres long, 3,006 passengers, 1,150 crew. Space ratio: 37
Facilities: Spa with winter garden and tea house, sports deck, sushi bar, kids’ water park
Sails: 12-night Baltic cruises from Dover. Prices from £1,069 per person cruise-only
More: Official Carnival Splendor page
Ruby Princess
Cruiseline: Princess Cruises
Launches: November
Size: 113,000 tons, 290 metres long, 3,110 passengers, 1,200 crew. Space ratio: 36.3
Facilities: Sabatini’s trattoria and Crown Grill, flexible dining, The Sanctuary adults’ zone, atrium with street performers, Movies under the Stars poolside screen
Sails: Nine-night Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Prices from £882 per person including flights and transfers
More:Official Ruby Princess page
MSC Fantasia
Cruiseline: MSC Cruises
Launches: November
Size: 133,000 tons, 333 metres long, 3,971 passengers, 1,313 crew. Space ratio: 33.4
Facilities: Private Club with concierge and swimming pool, spa, Tex Mex restaurant
Sails: Seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Genoa with overnight stay in Palma. Prices are not yet available
Celebrity Solstice
Cruiseline: Celebrity Cruises
Launches: December
Size: 122,000 tons, 315 metres long, 2,852 passengers, 1,250 crew. Space ratio: 42.7
Facilities: 130 AquaClass cabins with unlimited access to spa facilities and complimentary dining
Sails: Seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Prices start at £1,184 per person including flights and transfers
More: Official Celebrity Solstice page
Find more cruise content on the Cruise Month page
