At this time last year, Ambassadors International was not known in the cruise business. This year, it owns seven river ships, has established a cruise division specializing in North American river cruises and as a result posted an enormous year-over-year gain.

Celebrity Cruises is serving up another sizzling “Savor the Caribbean” series featuring some of the nation’s hottest chefs. Celebrity’s fourth annual series will take place on Millennium’s seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings from January 7 through March 4 next year.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will operate a new four-port seven-day “Exotic Eastern Caribbean” itinerary from Miami beginning April 2007 that features a combination of diverse and captivating ports of call.

Cruise pricing and booking trends are improving and demand for Royal Caribbean International is the strongest among the major cruise brands, according to a monthly survey of 450 travel agents conducted by Bank of America leisure analyst Michael Savner.

Carnival, the world’s largest cruise line, will operate all 21 of its “Fun Ships” on holiday cruises this year, offering a variety of three- to eight-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico departing from eleven North American homeports. The ships’ atrium and promenade areas are adorned with colorful Christmas trees, garland, wreaths and mistletoe, along with signage proclaiming traditional holiday greetings.

As Crystal Cruises puts the final touches on its 11th Annual Wine & Food Festival, the award-winning luxury line is serving up the hot new details of its celebrity guest roster for the first half of 2007. In addition to celebrated chefs like Neal Fraser of California’s Grace, Craig Higgins of Botswana’s Mombo Camp Resort and the world-renowned and highly influential winemaker Christian Moueix, the festival features James Beard Award winners like A Voce’s Andrew Carmellini and the legendary André Soltner, along with culinary-themed shoreside excursions.