Royal Caribbean International today announced its largest deployment in Europe with seven ships visiting
the continent in 2008.
Europe will be on its up this year as the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) member lines will deploy a number of ships in the region, with diversity and breadth of itineraries and ports, and an unprecedented number of passengers who recognize the incredible value European cruises offer.
Cruise prices in the Caribbean appear to be stabilizing, prices in Alaska are falling and Europe continues to be strong, according to a report from investment firm A.G. Edwards.
In a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Carnival Cruise Lines took delivery of the new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom -the 22nd vessel in the “Fun Ship” fleet.
Royal Caribbean International announced plans to deploy Independence of the Seas -the third in its new Freedom class of ships- in the United Kingdom, when she debuts in May 2008.
Carnival will resume its calls to the Costa Rican port of Limon on its March 8 voyage after deciding to temporarily stop calling there following a February 21 incident in which an assailant was killed by a passenger.