Norwegian Cruise Line has standardized its stateroom categories across the fleet starting with new bookings from April 2011. The inventory with new categorization will open for booking during the first quarter of 2010, making it easier for travel agents and guests to locate and book specialty staterooms, including aft-facing balconies and mini-suites, multi-occupancy family accommodations, and those staterooms which allow private courtyard access.

The Costa Group is spending 66 million euros on dry-dock refurbishment for four ships for its Costa and Iberocruceros brands. The most significant investment, worth of about 55 million euros, is being carried out on Iberocruceros’ Grand Holiday in the S. Giorgio shipyards in Genoa from December through April.

Holland America Line announced its Europe and Alaska cruise schedule for summer 2011, which increases sailings from the homeports of Dover, England, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

When Silversea’s elegant new Silver Spirit sets sail this month, it will have an 8,300-square-foot spa, the largest in the fleet. The Spa will feature a beauty salon, fitness center, nine treatment rooms, two sauna rooms and two steam rooms. Of special note is the debut of the ceramic-tiled Thermal Suite, a spa area furnished with heated lounge chairs.

Royal Caribbean International and Dubailand announced a joint product offering for the new cruise itinerary from Dubai. Starting Jan. 18 through April, Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas will operate seven-night sailings around the Arabian Gulf.

Discovery Cruise Line announced that it will continue sailing in 2010 with a new structure and other new developments to be announced in January. “This announcement is being made in response to inquiries about whether Discovery will continue its itinerary next year,” said Hanns J. Hahn, the general manager of Discovery.