The Future Ships

The future is here, direct from the creative imagination of Knut Closter, shipping magnate (Closter Cruises, Ltd.: Royal Cruise Line, Royal Viking Line and Norwegian Cruise Line). The prototype of international cruise "cities", Phoenix World City will be a premier resort, combining a world-class conference and business center; a forum for corporate, international and educational events and complete entertainment and lodging facilities.

• The Ship of New Millennium: Phoenix World City

Three sister ships are planned, each with three times the capacity of today's ships. These futuristic vessels will look like a Super Liner cruise ship combined with a central city plaza. The Phoenix World City will be nearly a quarter of a mile in length with accommodations for 5,600 guests. Each ship is expected to cost $1 billion and will employ a full staff from captain to cleaning crew. 1,800 to 2,000 jobs will be created.

When you visit the Phoenix World City you'll find international restaurants, boutiques, a 2,000 seat theatre, discos, and a casino. The "City will also have a library, museum, an inter-denominational house of worship, television broadcast center, and a conference/exhibition complex. Shore activities are only a swift boat ride away aboard four 400 passenger vessels which can be deployed from a large marina housed within the stem hull.



Watch your newspapers and news programs for upcoming announcements on this wave of the future. The Phoenix World City home port will be Port Canaveral, Florida. Japanese ship designers are also considering a similar design for deployment in Southeast Asia.

• Cruising's Green Revolution: Working with Mother Nature and Ecotourism

Environmental and soft adventure cruising is one of the fastest growing market segments. In response to worldwide efforts to decrease pollution and preserve our ecosystem, the cruise industry is developing "environmentally friendly" programs. Many cruise lines now require crew to have advanced training in environmental protection, and many ships are installing state-of- the-art waste disposal systems.

Princess Cruises has been honored by Smithsonian Magazine and the American Society of Travel Agents for its Planet Princess Program, which employs a full-time senior manager of environmental health programs.

Majesty Cruise Line's Royal Majesty features environmentally conscious systems: Fully automatic sewage treatment plant and an automatic garbage handling plant. Burnable waste is shredded and food waste is pulverized. Final disposal is achieved through burning in a smoke free incinerator. Inflammable waste, such as glass and metal is stored for recycling ashore.

Club Med I & II employ ecologically conscious, vibration-free, diesel-electric propulsion systems. This technology enables the fleet to bum light, high- grade fuel oil, which is less harmful to the Earth's ozone layer. Solid wastes are incinerated on board; cans and glass are compacted and stored for recycling.

Holland America continues its tradition of excellence with a strong environmental commitment: Seagoing Environmental Awareness program instructs staff and crew on conservation practices; and encourages suppliers to use recycled/recyclable packaging. Holland America's fleet was the first to follow International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution form Ships, MARPOL, standards for garbage processing and disposal.

The ecology-conscious traveler will also enjoy a wider choice of "Ecotourism itineraries." Environmental and soft adventure cruising is one of the fastest growing market segments.

• Hot New Destinations

The 27 new ships slated to sail by the year 2000 create the opportunity to reposition existing ships from traditionally popular markets to low traffic destinations or exotic ports-of-call. Compliance with Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS regulations, which became mandatory in 1997, will accelerate the regional repositioning of older ships.

While the Caribbean remains the most popular itinerary, these areas are attracting new ships, lines and employees: Southeast Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Russia and the Baltic. Job seekers: be alert for new opportunities with theme cruises (entertainment, cruise staff, lecturers, and gentlemen hosts).

• Southeast Asia

The Year of the Dragon (2000), promises prosperity and good fortune for Southeast Asia and Pacific cruise ports. 'Four Tigers', Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are fast-emerging economic powers, making the region a center of global commerce. The islands and archipelagos of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific rank eighth among the 26 most popular cruise routes, according to CLIA.

The region's ports serve Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Sea bourn Cruise Line, Silver sea Cruises, Star Clippers and Windstar

• Europe

New tonnage is headed for the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Greek Isles as perennial European itineraries expand to include the British Isles, Baltic States, Russia and Norway. Two debutantes entered the Mediterranean in 1996; Costa Cruise Lines' Costa Victoria and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' Splendor of the Seas.

To meet the expectations of sophisticated cruise consumers, and convert land-based vacationers to cruising, new European itineraries feature more attractions, shopping opportunities and fun activities.

'Europe's Best Values' include cruises with Bergen Line, Club Med, Costa Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Royal Olympic Cruises, Euro Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Renaissance Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Sea bourn Cruise Line, Silver sea Cruises, Special Expeditions, Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises.

• Cruise History

After W.W.II, the jet-set emerged, and the cruise industry suffered a decrease in passengers. Transoceanic transportation had taken to the skies, leaving behind a sluggish passenger cruise market.

Prominent survivors from the "steamship" era are Chandris Cruises (now Celebrity Cruises and Fantasy Cruises), Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line Ltd., Epirotiki Lines, (Royal Olympic Cruises) Greene Line Steamers (Delta Queen Steamboat Co.) and Princess Cruises (P&O, parent company of Princess).

With the early 1970's began the new age of "floating resorts." A new breed of cruise lines compete for market share and first-time cruisers with high technology, superior ship designs, luxurious accommodations, personal service, exotic destinations, five-star food and entertainment and high-powered advertising.

Compliance with Safety of Life at Sea SOLAS, regulations, which became mandatory in 1997, will bring mergers, repositioning of older ships and a general restructuring of the industry.