Cruise Voyages 2006 will see the launch of a number of new ships. Six of the big cruise lines will offer new ships. Here’s a quick rundown of the six new cruise ships for 2006.
Holland America Cruise Noordam
With a planned release date of February 22, Holland America will offer its new Noordam. Expected to be the last cruise ship in the Vista-class series, Noordam will accommodate 1,848 passengers. The new cruise ship is the first to be designed for Holland America’s “Signature of Excellence” program. A number of design enhancements are included in the public areas and staterooms for the pleasure of cruise travelers. Included is the already very popular Explorations Café’, a coffee shop/internet cafe’, game room, library, all fed by the New York Times. For the first time in recent years, Noordam will spend her inaugural 2006 season sailing winter cruises from New York to the Caribbean.
Pride of Hawaii: NCL America’s New 2006 Cruise
NCL America’s new cruise ship is the Pride of Hawaii. This ship is a sister ship to Norwegian Jewel and is actually the first hull-up new build for the cruise line. With her launch in June, the 2,224-passenger ship is expected to be the next step in her “Freestyle Cruising” concept. The interior decoration should have a Hawaiian theme. Cruise voyages departing weekly on Mondays, Pride of Hawaii will travel around the islands that call Honolulu home.
Freedom of the Seas – Royal Caribbean’s new 2006 cruise ship
Launched in May, the 3,600-passenger, 158,000-ton Freedom of the Seas will actually be 10,000 tons larger than Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and will become the largest cruise ship in 2006. A host of new and improved amenities are expected please the passengers. The most hyped addition is the surf park feature. The eddies are also cantilevered over the side of the new cruiser. H2O Zone is also expected to be a success. Freedom of the Seas is expected to sail 7-day cruises to the Caribbean from Miami.
New Princess Cruises ship Crown Princess
Launched in June, the new cruise ship for 2006, the Crown Princess, will accommodate 3,110 happy cruise passengers. The popular Skywalker nightclub has been redesigned and the Lotus Spa has been expanded. The International Café for pastries and snacks, and the first ever Princess Seafood and Wine Bar have been added. Other expansions and/or changes have been made to the Wheelhouse Bar, Sabatini’s Trattoria and Sterling Steakhouse. With Eastern Caribbean stops in Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Crown Princess will sail round-trip from the Red Hook terminal in New York.
MSC Music
With her launch on July 1, the Italian ship Musica pushes MSC into the ranks of large 2,550-passenger ships. 80% of her 1,275 cabins will be exterior rooms and 65% will have terraces. With a large spa area, various dining options, a three-story-high waterfall and a variety of entertainment venues, Musica will sail the eastern Mediterranean from Venice.
CostaConcordia – The new 2006 cruise from Costa Cruises
Based in Italy and owned by Carnival Corporation, Costa Cruises presents the largest cruise ship in its fleet. The CostaConcordia, which launches on July 14, has a capacity for 3,000 passengers. The interior decoration is inspired by European architecture. Even the names of the rooms have a European orientation: Grand Bar Berlin, Cafeteria Helsinki, and dining rooms Milan and Rome. For those looking for an interesting activity, the ship will have a Formula One driving simulator! The new cruise ship will sail throughout the year in the western Mediterranean towards the port of Civitavecchia in Rome.
With so much to choose from, it can be hard to know which new cruise to try first for your 2006 cruise!
