Princess Cruises' passengers headed to Asia and Australia have a new opportunity to travel inland. Two shore excursions debuted this past fall: Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat — a Hindu temple complex — and Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City; and northern Australia's Kakadu National Park — both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The multiday tour options are available to passengers aboard SAPPHIRE PRINCESS' Asia and Australia/Asia cruises. Princess offers 16 overland tour options around the world.

NCL Corp. Ltd., Miami, took delivery of the NORWEGIAN PEARL in late November. The 93,530-ton vessel boasts a four-lane, 10-pin bowling alley, a rock-climbing wall, and two deluxe owner's suites, and will accommodate 2,400 guests. This month the ship begins its five- and nine-day Western and Southern Caribbean schedule. The ship then repositions to Seattle, where it sails a seven-day Alaska Inside Passage itinerary. In fall 2007 through spring 2008, the ship returns to the Caribbean. Norwegian Pearl has 10 restaurants, and its full-service spa features 20 treatment rooms, including a thalassotherapy pool. Hawaii-based Mandara Spa operates the facility. The ship also offers a casino and an Internet cafe and photo gallery. Wi-Fi Internet access is available in all suites and throughout public areas. The company is building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October 2007.

NCL Corp. has also confirmed the contracts to build two third-generation Freestyle Cruising ships, with an option for a third, for its NORWEGIAN CRUISE Line brand. The vessels will be delivered in 2009 and 2010, with an optional third sister ship in the first quarter of 2011. The total contract price is approximately $2.8 billion. Each ship will have 4,200 passenger berths; all outside staterooms will have private balconies. In total, each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms and suites. NCL Corp. has 15 ships. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines.

Papeete (Tahiti) will become the new home port of the STAR FLYER, of the Star Clippers line, beginning December 2007. Star Flyer will be the first modern-day tall-ship to sail year-round in French Polynesia. The 170-passenger Star Flyer will operate on a seven-night itinerary that includes visits to Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Rangiroa, and Hiva Oa. The four-masted, square-rigged barquentine can carry up to 170 passengers.

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that the CARNIVAL FREEDOM will return to Europe in 2008 for 12-day voyages in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles. This follows strong response to the inaugural program set to begin this spring. The 2008 season will run from mid-May to late October. Currently nearing the final stages of construction at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, the 2,974-passenger vessel is slated to debut in Europe March 5.

The CARNIVAL FREEDOM will also offer two trans-Atlantic crossings in 2008. A 14-day crossing will depart Miami April 26, 2008; a 16-day voyage will depart Rome (Civitavecchia) November 6, 2008. One of the largest cruise ships at sea, Carnival Freedom will offer a host of innovative facilities and features, including a 270-square-foot LED screen on the Lido deck, “bow-to-stern” wireless Internet access, and cellphone service. Also featured will be a 13,300-square-foot health and fitness center.

After spending $23 million in dry dock, CRYSTAL SYMPHONY has a new nightclub, a redesigned entertainment deck, and a sophisticated, contemporary style. Crystal Symphony's refurbishment, its largest ever, included a complete transformation of all staterooms and bathrooms and the outfitting of Computer University@Sea with new equipment and wireless access. CU@Sea provides e-mail services, Internet access, group and individual instruction on use of a PC, enrichment courses, and digital camera support. The project follows a multimillion-dollar renovation two years ago that debuted a Feng Shui-inspired spa and an expanded CU@Sea. Within the past two years, Crystal Cruises has invested more than $35 million in construction projects on Crystal Symphony.

Crystal Cruises is expanding its travel opportunities to Dubai. For the first time, the luxury line will deploy both its ships in the region in 2007. The 940-guest CRYSTAL SERENITY and the 1,080-guest CRYSTAL SYMPHONY will offer a total of four cruises that begin and end in Dubai. Crystal guests have the option of extending their stays at the plush Grand Hyatt Dubai, a city center resort on 37 acres of landscaped gardens.