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The Alure of Cruise Ships

By Dan Ayala

Since 1980, the North American cruise industry, which makes up the majority of the global cruise market, has experienced an average annual passenger growth rate of 8.1%. Cruise capacity also increased by 450% over the same period, with 225,714 beds available in 2006. Going forward it is predicted that five to ten new luxury liners will be built every year, and with that growth there has been an equally impressive boom in the number of available jobs.

Cruise ships are literally floating cities that provide some of the same services that small cities or towns provide to their citizens. These vessels can carry as many as 3,000 passengers and crew members, and often operate in pristine coastal waters. Because mega cruise ships are homogeneous in so many areas, from their multiple mall-like restaurants to the pre-fab cabins, giant playrooms and sprawling spas,cruise lines strive to differentiate themselves in any way they can.

Big cruise liners can carry up to 5,000 people, including a crew of more than 1,000, which makes them genuine floating cities. With lengths that exceed 300 meters and gross tonnage of more than 100,000 GRT, onboard facilities include swimming pools, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, shops, saunas, tennis courts, photo processing shops, laundries, dry cleaning and everything a passenger could possibly require during their stay in their floating hotel.

Often, they have spacious interiors, ample decks, pools, and excellent meals. Other amenities that some of the cruise ships offer are on-board doctors, shops, libraries, conference rooms, and nightly discos. The ship will be sized to fit through the Panama Canal and feature a new restaurant deck, more verandah staterooms and new entertainment venues. For certain destinations such as the Arctic and Antarctica , cruise ships are very nearly the only way to visit.

New cruise ships are still coming online at the average rate of seven per year, and almost every ship sets sail near full capacity week after week. Close to a million more cruises are taken every year than the one before, and every year ships get bigger and better. The first of the new mega cruise ships is scheduled to come out in February 2008, when Norwegian Cruise Lines launches it’s all inclusive cruise ship the Norwegian Jade. There are nine of these new mega cruise ships scheduled to be launched, each carrying over 2,000 cruise passengers.

How great to meet new people all the time, socialize, have wonderful meals prepared 3 times a day or more; no cleaning duties; different ports of call every day; a way to exercise, walking around boat everyday and tons of activities… what a great way to really relax and enjoy life!

Dan Ayala is passionate about travel and it shows in his writing. For more information about vacation traveling or smart traveler tips, visit The Vacation Traveler at http://www.TheVacationTraveler.com - Here you will find valuable travel information, tips and related stories. Go now and join our free newsletter community at http://www.SmartTravelerTips.com and keep up with current trends in the industry.

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