Press Release: Cruise Lines International Association
January 10, 2002
NEW YORK, NY -- 2002 will be the biggest year ever for new ship introductions; however, the superlatives won't
stop there.
The 15 ships being launched by the member lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) -- 13 new ships
and two refurbished vessels -- is the largest number in any single year in the association's 26-year history.
``With several ships having left service in 2001, the capacity of these ships will help us satisfy the demands
of the almost 70 million people who have an interest in cruising,'' says James G. Godsman, CLIA president.
From large ships to more intimate environments, the newest additions feature the latest in design and technology,
a greater emphasis on suites and facilities with balconies and verandahs, more dining options and expanded communication
capabilities and spa facilities.
The following CLIA-member cruise lines have ships slated to debut in 2002:
American Cruise Lines: The 49-passenger American Glory departs from Baltimore on July 27 on its seven-night inaugural
cruise throughout the Chesapeake Bay. All 31 staterooms face outside and feature large, opening picture windows.
Meals are served in the glass-enclosed dining room.
Carnival Cruise Lines: The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride launches seven-day alternating eastern and western Caribbean
cruises from Port Canaveral Jan. 12. The 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend inaugurates the line's first European
departures Aug. 24. The 2,976-passenger Carnival Conquest -- the largest ``Fun Ship'' -- begins year-round seven-day
service from New Orleans Dec. 1. All three feature ``resort-style'' amenities and facilities, including multiple
dining and entertainment venues, children's facilities and a large percentage of ocean view and balconied staterooms.
Celebrity Cruises: Beginning in May, the 1,950-guest Constellation will sail a series of European itineraries.
The ship features a conservatory with a botanical environment; 80 percent ocean-view staterooms, 74 percent with
verandas; AquaSpa(SM); COVA Cafe Milano (the seagoing version of Milan's coffeehouse); a specialty restaurant and
other dining venues featuring the cuisine of renowned Master Chef Michel Roux.
Costa Cruises: The 1,494-passenger CostaEuropa (formerly the Westerdam) makes her maiden voyage in April. The ship
will offer a variety of Northern Europe voyages, sailing from Amsterdam to the Fjords/North Cape/Spitzbergen and
Baltic and Russia June through September. CostaEuropa will also sail 11-night voyages from Genoa to the Greek Isles
and Canary Islands in April and September through December.
First European Cruises: The 1,500-passenger European Stars is scheduled to launch in late March, sailing from Barcelona
to Marseilles, Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta and Palma every week through December. It features four restaurants,
132 suites with balconies and a thalassotherapy health spa.
Holland America Line: The 784-passenger Prinsendam (formerly Seabourn Sun) debuts June 3. More than 90 percent
of its staterooms have ocean views, nearly 40 percent with private verandahs. The new Zuiderdam, debuting Dec.
14, features a wide range of verandah staterooms, the largest spa in the company's fleet and exterior sea-view
elevators.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc.: The 643-berth Finnmarken and the 674-berth Trollfjord start service in spring, sailing
year-round along the 1,250-mile west coast of Norway between Bergen and Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle. The
ships have 40 percent more berths and 50 percent more deck space than ships built in the 1990s as well as more
suites and the line's first private balconies and Jacuzzis.
Princess Cruises: Star Princess will sail on the West Coast beginning in March. The 2,600-passenger vessel offers
a 24-hour AOL Internet Cafe, expanded youth center and disco/observation lounge accessible by a glass-enclosed,
moving ``skywalk.'' Coral Princess, with a combination of diesel engines and gas turbines, will debut in December
with a season of 10-day Panama Canal cruises. Ten percent of the staterooms will be inside, with 80 percent of
the outside cabins featuring private balconies.
Royal Caribbean International: The 2,501-passenger Brilliance of the Seas, with more than 70 percent of outside
staterooms offering balconies, debuts in July, with a glass elevator facing the sea, nine-story glass-constructed
centrum and specialty coffeehouse/retail book outlet. The ship will spend the summer in Europe before repositioning
in the fall for 10-night New England/Canada cruises and will spend the winter in the Caribbean.
Royal Olympic Cruises: The 836-passenger Olympia Explorer features spacious rooms and suites, balconies, and a
luxurious spa. Its Fast Monohull technology allows for accelerated speed to reach an increased number of ports,
allowing for more time in each. Weekly roundtrip departures are scheduled May through October from both Venice
and Piraeus.
For more information on the newest ships, visit CLIA's website at http://www.cruising.org.
SOURCE: Cruise Lines International Association