Articles of category "American Cruise Lines"

Today's vessels are equivalent to small cities in size and what started as small refurbished ferries with little to do onboard have turned into vessels bigger than aircraft carriers. American cruise lines ships have been battling for decades to outclass their competitors' ships by making vessels longer, bigger and full of amenities like mall-size promenades and ice skating rinks. What started as small refurbished ferries with little to do onboard have turned into vessels bigger than aircraft carriers.

There was a time in this country when cruising meant a flight to Miami and a slow boat to the Caribbean, with ho-hum ports of call to buy baskets and conch shells and dumb T-shirts. Cruise lines have known for some time that, to attract new passengers and to get the repeat customers they need, new American cruise lines destinations are needed. The pace of change has only increased since the terror attacks on New York and the Pentagon brought new worries to the traveling public and the businesses that depend on them. The question before the ship operators this year, as the winter and spring cruising season begins is, Will all of these new options keep the passengers coming, and help the cruise industry climb back from the steep drop in passengers that began in 2001?