Meetings at sea continue to gain in popularity with religious meeting planners, and if you are considering bringing a meeting to the water, it's important to be aware of trends in the cruise industry.

Cruising isn't a new experience anymore for many people, so the cruise lines are responding by putting a fresh face on the sailing experience. According to Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor at cruisecritic.com, this is what's happening on the sea:

Mainstream luxury

Ships at even the low price points offer bits of luxury, such as terrific beds and elegant restaurants.

Fitness

The days of packing on the pounds while cruising might be over. Cruise lines now offer packages that include fitness classes, spa treatments, special menus, yoga, Pilates, and private training sessions.

The new Caribbean

Concerned that the typical Caribbean ports of call are becoming stale for travelers, cruise lines are investing in private-island-like experiences at little-known locations such as Costa Maya on Mexico's Riviera Maya.

The new Europe

Cruise lines are spicing up European itineraries, too, adding Northern Africa, the Canary Islands, Azores, and Cape Verde Islands.

The Shipping News

Cruise Update

Carnival Cruise Lines

Miami

The News: The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream — the largest Carnival ship ever constructed by the RCMA associate member organization — is scheduled to debut in September 2009. Currently under construction in Italy, the 3,646-passenger liner will be a new class of vessel for the line. Carnival Dream features include an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; elaborate children's facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and an aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship's beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.

The News: The 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom, which was originally scheduled to operate six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on a seasonal basis, will now operate the program year-round. Carnival Freedom's year-round schedule from Fort Lauderdale begins November 22, with six-day cruises departing Sundays and visiting Key West, Fla.; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, while eight-day voyages departing Saturdays alternate to the eastern and western Caribbean.

The News: The first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore will begin in fall 2009 with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride. The new program will offer two weeklong itineraries: Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas/Florida.

Celebrity Cruises

Miami

The News: In late 2009 aboard the 2,050-guest Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Cruises will offer its first Antarctica sailings. The trips will call at 26 ports in 13 countries; the sailings will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Valparaiso, Chile; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

CruiseClub Holidays

Athens, Greece

The News: RCMA associate member CruiseClub Holidays is offering a variety of Holy Land cruises, all originating in Athens. The journeys include “Steps of Paul and the Glory Bound Journey to the Holy Lands,” “Lands of the Bible,” and “Steps of Paul and the Book of Revelation Alive.”

Disney Cruise Line

Port Canaveral, Fla.

The News: Disney Cruise Line has finalized an agreement with Port Canaveral to extend the company's contract 15 years, through 2022. In addition, as part of its continuing commitment to the Central Florida area, the company will home port its two new ships in Port Canaveral.

As part of the new agreement, The Canaveral Port Authority will expand and modify the Disney Cruise Line port facility. Terminal and dock enlargements are necessary to accommodate the new and larger Disney Cruise Line ships. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the ships will be significantly larger than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Holland America

Rotterdam

The News: In a July ceremony in Rotterdam, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands christened the line's new Signature-class ship, Eurodam. Following its maiden voyage to the Baltic and inaugural Europe season, the 2,104-guest ship will sail its first trans-Atlantic cruise, followed by a series of Canada/New England sailings in the fall before deploying on Caribbean itineraries for the remainder of 2008.

Royal Caribbean

Miami

The News: When launched in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world. It will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests, and feature 2,700 staterooms. The ship will home port in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.