Member lines of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) carried 2.66 million passengers during the second quarter of 2005, a 2.3 percent increase over second-quarter 2004. In addition, the number of passengers sourced in North America climbed 6.2 percent, to 2.41 million. CLIA called the growth “robust.” The short-cruise market grew slightly during the first half of the year: 34.8% of the cruises operated by CLIA members during the first six months of 2005 were between one and five days in length, up from 31.2% of cruises last year.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) shifted the Norwegian Sun to Houston, Texas, where it will conduct seven-day cruises through early January. The ship will then relocate to Miami for seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. The ship originally was scheduled to sail out of New Orleans beginning Oct. 16. The Sun´s Panama Canal cruise, departing Los Angeles Sept. 30, will now end in Houston on Oct. 16. The ship will stay in Houston through Jan. 8, sailing a slightly amended itinerary that calls in Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, Mexico; Belize; and Roatan, Honduras. It then repositions to Miami to sail one four-day cruise Jan. 17 before beginning seven-day service through April 16.

Carnival Cruise Lines said the Holiday will resume cruises from Mobile, Alabama, that kicked off with its September 3 cruise. The Holiday was relocated to Tampa, Fla., after Hurricane Katrina blew through the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29. The ship departed Tampa on September 1 and will head to Mobile, Carnival said. The vessel operates four- and five-day cruises from Mobile all year round.

Viking River Cruises, the world´s leading river cruise line, released its 2006 sailing schedule for Europe, Russia and China. In addition to introducing a new ship on the Yangtze River, Viking River Cruises also added new itineraries in China due to high traveler demand. And to provide its passengers with the best deals possible, Viking River Cruises is offering up to $700 savings on all 2006 sailings.

A new passenger ferry service linking Barbados and several other eastern Caribbean islands will be launched next month, a local official said earlier this week. The Star Ferries inter-island service will be based between Barbados and the French territory of Guadeloupe and will make stops in St. Lucia, Dominica and Martinique, said Reynold McClean, CEO of Remac Tours, a Barbadian company that will operate the service.

Travelers who can grab vacation time on short notice can cruise to Mexico for as little as $99 on a Carnival ship transferred temporarily to Galveston after Hurricane Katrina closed the Port of New Orleans. Carnival´s 2,052-passenger Sensation, based in New Orleans, will depart Galveston Thursday on a four-day voyage to Cozumel. The Sensation will again depart Galveston on Monday for a five-day cruise to Calica/Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Interior staterooms on the four-day itinerary are priced at $99 per person, based on double occupancy.