Register | Forgot Password? | Customer Service

Two of the most eagerly awaited new cruise ships will sail into the Caribbean this winter – the Oasis of the Seas and the Carnival Dream. Together, they will add some 9,000 lower berths to the Caribbean cruise market, which was already flush with new ships and can now lay claim to having the largest and most modern fleet in the world.

That’s great news for erstwhile travelers who would like to experience the Caribbean aboard a new ship that’s loaded with elegant public rooms, luxurious amenities and amazing activities like Ziplines, Aqua Parks, and Lawn Clubs. In fact, the scale, scope and design of these new ships are so spectacular that some passengers may never want to go ashore!

So if cruising the Caribbean aboard a new ship sounds appealing, here’s a sample of some of the biggest and best that you can choose from this winter:

* Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) — This 220,000-ton floating mammoth will feature seven unique neighbourhoods including an open-air boardwalk and a large outdoor park surrounded by a revolutionary U-shaped superstructure. The themed areas of the ship will include an old fashioned seaside pier, an aqua theatre, a levitating bar called Rising Tides that spans three decks, and the world’s first onboard Zipline. Launches December 2009 in the Caribbean.

* Carnival Dream (Carnival Cruise Line) — With a two-level miniature golf course, a WaterWorks Aqua Park, a 24,000 sq.-ft. spa, an indoor/outdoor café with live music, and an extensive children’s area, the latest entry from Carnival is a great family ship. The Dream has several new categories of cabins including balcony staterooms located close to the water line as well as whirlpools that sit on the sides of the ship and overlook the ocean. Launched September 2009 in the Mediterranean and debuts in the Caribbean in December 2009.

* Celebrity Solstice (Celebrity Cruises) – This is the ship that helped catapult Celebrity to the top of the charts in the recent Conde Nast Traveler magazine Readers’ Choice Awards (in the mega-ship category).  The Solstice features a half-acre top deck patio with real grass, areas for croquet, bocce and miniature golf, and a hot glass-blowing show. It also has a solarium pool, a gorgeous two-storey dining room, a creperie, three alternative restaurants and cabins that are slightly larger than on most premium-priced ships. Launched in November 2008 and debuts in the Caribbean on a full-time basis in December of 2009.

* Seabourn Odyssey (Yachts of Seabourn) – This small, ultra-deluxe ship has one of the highest space-per-passenger ratios of any ship afloat and features all-suite cabins, 90% with balconies. There are four high-end dining venues aboard the ship, complimentary wines and liquor, Finnish saunas, a luxurious spa, and lots of superb destination lectures and exclusive shore excursions. Launched in June 2009 and will offer Caribbean cruises this November/December.

While these vessels are the latest and greatest to sail the Caribbean, the region also has plenty of ships that have been launched in the last three years. For example, the Norwegian Gem (NCL), which was launched in late 2007, is offering a series of 10-day roundtrip cruises to the Caribbean from New York in January and February of 2010. The Eurodam HAL), which was launched in 2008, is sailing from Ft. Lauderdale on eastern Caribbean itineraries. And the Ruby Princess (Princess), which was launched in 2008, is offering cruises to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale this winter.

There are also a number of great ships sailing the Caribbean that have recently been refurbished including the Crystal Symphony (Crystal Cruises) and the Caribbean Princess (Princess Cruises).

So if you’re in the market for a great-looking cruise ship without too much mileage, there’s definitely no better place to find it this winter than in the Caribbean.