The cruise industry is on pace to set another record year of growth in 2005. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 9.5 million people will choose to take a cruise vacation this year.
New-buildings are proceeding apace, as well. While Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 was undoubtedly the ship introduction event of the year, a dozen more cruise ships are slated to come on line in 2005, as well.
Princess Cruises is the most active line this year, with three new ships scheduled, all in the 100,000-ton-plus size. The three new Princess ships will together represent a total of 342,000 gross tons of new ship, with a total capacity of 8,440 berths.
The 86,000-ton, 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle was introduced in February, and the 110,00-ton Carnival Valor is expected in the fall. Delivery of Norwegian Cruise Line's 2,000-passenger Pride of America has been delayed from its original due date of April due to damage from a storm at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven in January, but is till expected to be delivered in 2005.
Holland America Line introduces the ms Westerdam - third in its Vista-class series - in Venice in April. Royal Caribbean International's 88,000-ton, 2,000-passsenger Jewel of the Seas is due out in June. The 33,000-ton Birka Paradise from Birka Line is to be delivered this fall. Costa Cruise Line's 105,000-ton Costa Magica will be an early Christmas present in November.
In all, approximately $4 billion worth of new tonnage is scheduled to enter the market in 2004, rivaling the pace of the past three years.
Deliveries will begin to fall off in 2006, with just three vessels set for delivery, and 2007 is slated to see delivery of four new ships.