Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I wish all of you a safe, happy and healthy year... filled with lots of travel and adventure!

2008 brings a lot of new opportunities in cruise travel. There are a slew of new ships, including the MSC Poesia in April, Independence of the Seas in May, Holland America Eurodam in July which is a whole new class of ship for Holland America, Carnival Splendour in July also a new class of ship featuring a spa class stateroom, Ruby Princess in November, and finally Celebrity Solstice in December - again an entirely new class of ship and featuring spa class cabins. These are just the ships which will directly impact the US market. There are many more which will be sold to the European market exclusively as well.

Trends to watch in 2008 include the spa category on newbuild ships. Both MSC and Costa have been trying this for the past couple years, with huge success. These cabins have direct access to the spa, and exclusive eating areas as well. Watch to see how these do in the US market with the Carnival Splendour and Celebrity Solstice. I expect they'll be a big hit once they start sailing here, as well (and pre-sales bear this out).

More and more lines will be switching to electronic ticketing. NCL and Princess are already exclusively electronic, and RCCL and Celebrity offer this as an option, though I expect it will be entirely electronic before the end of the year. While I mourn the passing of our treasured cruise packets, this actually is a move forward in efficiency.

Watch for the continued expansion of the European-sourced market. You'll see more newbuilds announced for the European brands than for the US market, and more destinations opened with that market in mind. This can be a great opportunity for those in the US who want to explore as well, but it takes a bit more effort to research and book. Do know, however, that I'm able to access and book all these brands.

I'd also expect to see some of the older or even mid-age ships from the US market transferred to their European cousins. As the larger ships come on line here in 2008, they'll move some of their older stock elsewhere to make better economic use of it. This will likely cause a shuffling of ships in the 3, 4 and 5-night markets.

Also this year will see ship retirements, most notably the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2, who has been sold to a Dubai developer and will be docked permanently at his mega-resort. While there are still ocean liners, her retirement is the passing of an era.

Exotic destinations will continue to grow in popularity. As cruising continues to expand, experienced cruisers have "been there, done that" with traditional itineraries in the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera in the winter, Alaska and Europe in the summer. Watch more diverse ports of call being added to itineraries in Europe, including the Southern Med and increasing popularity of Baltic or Norwegian Fjord itineraries for example. While Tahiti is losing her full-time Princess ship, she is gaining a Star Clipper, which joins the Regent Paul Gauguin, making for a wonderful and special trip. As a Tahiti Tiare Specialist, this is one of my favorite places to send my clients as it's one of the most spectacular places on earth.

Australia and New Zealand continue to expand rapidly, with ships now available to the US market there year-round, and more ships there in the traditional winter season (their summer). Asia is expanding as well, with Costa adding itineraries attractive to those from North America, in addition to lines such as Holland America, Princess, Crystal and others which have long sailed those waters.

Finally, South America is exploding in popularity, but not in prices. Both cruise fares and land costs are wonderful for an exotic destination. The air can still be a bit pricey, but the overall value is excellent.

Cruising shows no signs of slowing in popularity - just the opposite! Lots of new options to explore. I look forward to working with you where ever your dreams may take you!

Happy New Year!