For Immediate Release

The Newest Ships for 2012 Showcase Luxury, Longships and a Riverboat Revival

DETROIT (Feb. 21, 2012) – Every year, the cruise lines introduce new ships that showcase the latest technology and the “wow” amenities the cruise industry has to offer. This year is no different, with grand crystal staircases, gourmet restaurants and new riverboats for the U.S. market.

So what do the most recent ships to hit the water have to offer? The experts at CruiseCompete provide details on new ships are and what they will be showcasing.

AIDA is set to launch its new ship, the AIDAmar, during the 823rd Hamburg Port Anniversary celebrations in May. It joins its three sister ships, AIDAluna, AIDAblu and AIDAsol, which serve as godparents to the AIDAmar and will accompany her during a parade of ships in the Port of Hamburg. The AIDAmar is the sixth ship in AIDA’s Project Sphinx series.

American Cruise Lines will be launching the Queen of the Mississippi riverboat in August. This 140-passenger ship, with the look of a traditional riverboat, will be the first new build designed to cruise the Mississippi River in some 20 years. In keeping with tradition, the ship will have an authentic paddlewheel, a steam whistle and a calliope. Guests will enjoy 75 spacious staterooms, six unique lounges, a library, an elegant dining area and elevator service onboard the ship.

Avalon Waterways will introduce two new-builds in the spring, the 164-passenger Avalon Vista and the 128-passenger Avalon Visionary. They will be sister ships to the Avalon Panorama, and mirror its design with 200-square-foot staterooms that have floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows that, when opened, transform the room into an open-air balcony. They will also include a bar and lounge, dining room, hair salon, fitness room, sky-deck hot tub and an open-air bistro. The Avalon Vista will cruise between Prague and Budapest, and the Avalon Visionary will offer eight-day cruises between Basel (Switzerland) and Amsterdam, as well as Christmastime cruises.

Avalon Waterways will also partner with Pandaw Cruises to lease the 32-passenger Avalon Angkor for sailings on Southeast Asia's Mekong River in fall and spring 2013.

Carnival’s 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze launches in June as the third ship in Carnival's Dream class. In keeping with a “fun” theme, there is a new sports and fitness area called SportSquare, a WaterWorks aqua park with a 303-foot-long, a corkscrew waterslide and the Cloud 9 Spa. The ship will also feature a new Caribbean-inspired décor. Carnival Breeze will spend its inaugural season in Europe and then move to the port of Miami where it will offer year-round Caribbean itineraries.

Celebrity Cruises will be premiering the 3,030-passenger Celebrity Reflection in October. Its fifth Solstice-class ship, the Reflection will include the line's first AquaClass Suites, which will have interior space of 251 square feet and an additional 57-square-foot balcony. It will also feature the new two-bedroom “Reflection Suite” (a first for the line), with a bathroom that extends out over the edge of the ship. This huge 1,636-square-foot suite includes butler service and can accommodate up to six guests. The Lawn Club will add the fleet’s only “Lawn Club Grill,” where during the day there will be interactive cooking demonstrations and classes. By night, it will become an eatery where passengers can choose top-quality meats to either grill themselves or have grilled to order.

Costa Cruises launches the Costa Fascinosa in May at Savona, Italy. This 3,800-passenger vessel will also feature five hot tubs, four pools and the famed Samsara Spa. The spa extends over 19,680 square feet and features Samsara cabins and suites with direct spa access. Guests will be able to sample cuisine from five restaurants, enjoy a show in the 4-D cinema, or “seat up” in a Grand Prix simulator.

Costa Cruises will also be launching the Costa neoRomantica in February. This is a completely restyled ship, formerly the Costa Romantica. Its new features will include two new half-decks and more than 100 new cabins (120 already existing cabins and suites will have received new private balconies.) It will also incorporate wine, coffee, and sweets bars, in addition to a new specialty restaurant.

Disney Cruises will be launching the Disney Fantasy in March. The Fantasy is a sister ship to the Disney Dream, and the fourth ship in the company’s fleet. It will include 1,250 staterooms and house 4,000 passengers, and is approximately 40 percent larger than the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. A grand feature of the ship will be the 3-deck atrium lobby, with a cascading chandelier of stained glass and crystal beads, evoking memories of grand ocean liners of the past. The crown jewel of this magnificent space will be the welcoming lobby statue: Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse, cast in bronze and dressed in vintage fashion with steamer luggage at her side.

The Great American Steamboat Company is re-launching the 436-passenger American Queen in April. Built in 1995 for the former Delta Queen Steamboat Co., her rooms display the opulence of the American Victorian era. Glistening woodwork, fresh flowers and antiques adorn her interior space. The ship will feature two alternative restaurants and nightly dancing to swing and big band music. She will sail on both Upper and Lower Mississippi River itineraries as well as on the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.

MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina, which launches in May, is modeled after its sister ships, the MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, but offers some significant improvements. Guests will find a “beach zone” with an Infinity Pool at the ships aft, and an expanded MSC Yacht Club, which takes the luxury “ship within a ship” concept to new levels. The Yacht Club creates a “private club” feel through its own concierge reception, butler service, and exclusive amenities. This 3,478-passenger ship will also feature three main restaurants and the high-tech 1,600-seat Pantheon Theater.

Oceania Cruises premiers its new ship, the Riviera, in April. The Riviera is a sister ship to the Marina, with a “country club casual” atmosphere and a guest capacity of 1,250. Designer touches abound, with an impressive Lalique Grand Staircase and 2,000-square-feet Owner's Suites furnished in Ralph Lauren Home. This ship caters to those who love fine dining and travel experiences, with a total of 10 dining venues (six are open-seating gourmet restaurants with no surcharge). Additional facilities include a Bon Appétit Culinary Center and a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

Viking River Cruises will be launching an astounding six river cruise Viking Longships vessels as part of a $250 million expansion. They include the Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Odin and the Viking Njord which will all launch in succession in late March. Later this summer, the Viking Embla will enter service in July and the Viking Aegir will make its debut in August. These 443-foot-long vessels will have 95 cabins each plus a number or larger suites. These new river ships will not have in-ship spas, but rather the line will offer passengers spa and health club packages at top facilities in key ports of call. They are also forgoing the customary “theater” in favor of a multimedia room, with four large screens and stereo sound in the ships main lounge. The six ships will sail Viking’s most popular European itineraries.

Voyages of Discovery will be premiering a new addition to their fleet, the MV Voyager, in November. Carrying just 550 passengers, the MV Voyager features open seating dining in two venues, plus an intimate pre-bookable restaurant. The ship will also include four bars, an Internet center, swimming pool, hot tubs and a gym. The ship design allows guests to luxuriate in many “large ship” conveniences while still enjoying access to remote ports and inlets.

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