Megaships, excursions offer passengers of new millennium more o

Packing for a Caribbean cruise? Dont forget your ice skates. Youll need them if you're sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's three Voyager Class ships, which the cruise line says offer the only ice skating rinks at sea.

On the other hand, if you're crossing the Atlantic on Queen Elizabeth 2, you might want to bring Rover or Mittens along for the ride. Cunard, operators of the fabled vessel, proclaim that it is the only one with an on-board kennel.

In the new millennium, cruise passengers have more choices and options than ever before. From shiny new megaships to thrill-seeking shore excursions, here's what's new in the cruise industry for 2002:

Carnival Cruise Line: The launch of three new "Fun Ships," including the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed, highlight Carnival Cruise Lines' 2002 season.

The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride became the newest and largest cruise ship to operate year-round from Port Canaveral, Fla., when it launched in January. It sails on alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

Carnival will enter the European cruise market in 2002 with the debut of the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend. Itineraries include a 12-day Northern Europe cruise London (Harwich) Aug. 24 through Sept. 5, and a 15-day Transatlantic voyage, departing London on Sept. 5 and arriving in New York on Sept. 20.

'Fun Ship' unveiled

On Dec. 1, the largest "Fun Ship" ever built, the new 2,976-passenger Carnival Conquest will begin year-round, seven-day service from New Orleans.

The smoke-free ship Paradise offers four options for stalwart nonsmokers in 2002: the 2,052- passenger vessel adds 10- and 11-day Caribbean cruises to its schedule of 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises.

Carnival ships return to Bermuda for the first time in nearly three years with a series of voyages aboard the Carnival Triumph May 29, June 5 and 12, and aboard the Carnival Legend Oct. 23 and 30.

Carnival recently announced it has extended its Vacation Guarantee, which provides pro-rated refunds and airfare reimbursement to those not completely satisfied with their cruise experience, through Dec. Details: visit http://www.carnival.com or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.

Cunard: In 2002, passengers sailing on a trans-Atlantic crossing of Queen Elizabeth 2 will have the option of traveling in one direction via British Airways supersonic Concorde. Passengers can purchase the upgrade to Concorde service for an additional $1,995, a savings of more than $4,000 per person.

A six-day QE2 trans-Atlantic crossing between New York and Southampton is priced from $1,349 per person, double occupancy, including all meals, entertainment, port charges and one-way Economy Class air (either to or from the ship). Business Class air is included for upper-level staterooms. Under Cunard's new Concorde deal, every passenger can upgrade to a supersonic air journey for just $1,995 per person. Additionally, passengers can schedule their Concorde flight on any day they choose, providing flexibility in staying overnight in either New York or London.

'Meet the Stars'

Under Cunards new Spotlight Series, every trans-Atlantic crossing offers special-interest workshops, events and autograph signings with noted authorities. Depending on individual artists, a popular "Meet the Stars" reception allows passengers to chat with the celebrity informally. Additionally, the lines Illuminations enrichment program features guest luminaries from the fields of journalism, literature, academia, the military and the diplomatic corps.

The QE2's distinctly British amenities include the only Harrods at sea, the only kennel at sea, and a childrens center staffed by British nannies. The cruise lines' Gentlemen Hosts program ensures that women traveling alone will have dance partners whenever they wish. Details: Call 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit the Web site http://www.cunard.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line: This cruise line recently took delivery of the new 2,200-passenger Norwegian Star, which was custom-designed to cruise the Hawaiian Islands. The ship, which NCL calls the fastest and largest in the line, will sail year-round to four main islands in Hawaii, plus a call at Fanning Island in Micronesia.

Norwegian Star is the newest addition to NCLs line of "Freestyle Cruising" concept ships. Ten different on-board restaurants enable guests to dine whenever, wherever, and with whomever they wish. Choices include Asian, French, Polynesian, Spanish, Italian, American and fusion cuisine. Shore excursion options in Hawaii and Fanning Island include mountain biking, sailing, scuba diving, and skiing on a volcano.

Catering to families with children, Norwegian Sun's childrens center has a playroom, outdoor pool, movie theatre, computer rooms, teen center, video arcade, a nursery and a nap room for toddlers. The buffet restaurant has a special childrens area with kid-sized tables and chairs and a low-level serving counter.

NCL is currently building the Star's sister ship, the 2,200 passenger Norwegian Dawn, which is slated for delivery in December 2002. Details: http://www.ncl.com or call toll free, (800) 327-7030.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises: In September 2002, the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator inaugurates a new 68-night "Circle South Pacific" itinerary. The cruise departs Sept. 15 from San Francisco, ending in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The price per person starts at $17,921 and includes round-trip first class air fare from 82 North American gateway cities, wine with dinner and shipboard gratuities. The cruise line is also selling segments of 12 to 56 nights.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises is now taking reservations for the 700-passenger Seven Seas Voyager, scheduled to debut in March 2003. The ship will depart on her maiden voyage on April1, 2003 in Western Europe and the Baltic region. Details: http://www.rssc.com.

Royal Caribbean International: Brilliance of the Seas, debuting in July 2002, will spend the summer sailing 12-night Scandinavia-Russia and British Island-Norwegian Fjords cruises. In the fall, she repositions for 10-night New England-Canada cruises before spending the winter sailing the Caribbean.

Ice rinks on the water

The cruise line's Voyager Class vessels -- Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas -- will sail on 7-night Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries year-round. On-board amenities such as a rock climbing wall, scuba diving lessons, tracks for in-line skating, and the only ice skating rinks at sea make these ships good choices for active people.

Three Royal Caribbean ships -- Vision of the Seas, Legend of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas -- call in Alaska this summer. The cruise line has upgraded its shore excursion rail packages, using domed cars that offer 360-degree viewing of the Alaskan wilderness. Train passengers can take advantage of onboard dining, outdoor viewing platforms and wheelchair accessibility, a first for the industry. Shore excursion packages for the adventure-minded include dog sledding, sea kayaking, and glacier trekking.

Details: http://www.royalcaribbean.com.