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Five Reasons We Might Actually Take A Cruise In 2009

January 14, 2009 at 3:00 PM | by pbb | 2 Comments

We've recently commenced detente with the cruise industry, mostly because of its ability to churn out celebrity cruises with such alarming facility. But while travel booking websites are quaking with fear and airline bankruptcies seem more common than a free upgrade, the number of people taking cruises is actually growing.

Granted, we're getting those numbers from the Cruise Lines International Association, which has a vested interest in hyping the trend. But the organization also points out some reasons besides bandwagon jumping that might motivate travelers to take a boat-bound trip in 2009.

New Destinations: One of the things that turns us off about cruising is the relatively snoozy ports of call. (Really? Ft. Lauderdale to Cancun? We'll be dozing by the shuffleboard court.) But the CLIA reports lots of action at "emerging ports" like Bahrain, Dubai, Hvar, Ischia, Mumbai and Sihanoukville. Now we're talking.

No More Fuel Supplements: Now that oil prices have plummeted from their summer 2008 highs, cruise lines associated with CLIA report that fuel surcharges are being dropped for many 2009--and even 2010--sailings. Details vary, of course, but lower prices overall is definitely a trend we like.

Slowly Getting Greener: Sailing a 3,000 passenger tub around the Caribbean will never be the most environmentally friendly thing to do, but many cruise lines are making strides to go a bit more green, adding recycling programs, LED lighting and high-efficiency appliances while upgrading wastewater treatment equipment.

New Boats of All Sizes: You probably won't find us on the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas when it hits the water, but many new ships leaving dry docks this year are smaller--in the 100-500 passenger range--allowing for a more intimate on-board experience. The slimmed down vessels also make it possible to navigate smaller waterways and call in those "emerging ports" that are so, so hot.

Celeb Spotting: We're still a bit queasy about the idea of a NKOTB cruise and meeting John Mayer while he's wearing a day-glo banana hammock isn't our idea of a dream trip. But we'd probably wear out our clicking fingers trying to book a Jay-Z hosted cruise, during which we'd do our best to reenact the video for Big Pimpin'.

Related Stories:
· The State of the Cruise Industry in 2009 [CLIA]
· New Kids On The Block Cruise Sets Sail May 15 [Jaunted]
· Work On Your Tan With John Mayer [Jaunted]

[Photo of the still-under-construction Oasis of the Seas: Wikimedia]

2 Comments

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  1. JetSetCD

    Jaunted Member

    finally

    Loved this story! Finally, they're realizing Ischia's potential? I mean that's great since Capri needs a serious break, but now Ischia will be overrun. Being a veteran cruiser myself, I have to say that I was over Cancun even before I went there. The place is like a mini-mall for discount silver and STDs. The greener the ships get, the more I'll also consider hopping on again. The only thing not attracting me back to cruising is the celeb crap. If I don't like NKOTB on land, then I sure won't like them any better on water.
    January 14, 2009 at 5:03 PM
    #Permalink

  1. bobczm

    Jaunted Member

    Cancun

    I totally agree about Cancun--a waste of time. But would add, it is not a cruise port so not sure why it was in the story.
    January 18, 2009 at 4:19 PM
    #Permalink

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