Cruise lines plan more new ships

Apparently cruisers can’t get enough of the new. And, consequently, cruise lines don’t plan on stopping the parade of new ships any time soon.

In fact, they are upping the ante.

Last year, 12 new ships and a new cruise brand were launched by the lines affiliated with Cruise Lines International Association.

This year, eight new ships will get champagne broken across their bows.

Between now and 2012, 35 more ships will be launched and, by that time, 122 new ships will have entered service since 2000.

Between 2008 and 2012, more than $21 billion will be invested in these 35 new vessels.

This year’s newbies include:

•Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas holds 3,643 passengers and will launch in May.

•MSC Cruises’ 2,550-passenger Poesia, May.

•Carnival’s 3,006-passenger Splendor, July.

•Holland America’s 2,104-passenger Eurodam, July.

•Pearl Seas Cruises’ unnamed 210-passenger ship, July.

•Princess Cruises’ 3,100-passenger Ruby Princess, November.

•Celebrity’s 2,850-passenger Solstice, December.

•MSC Cruises’ 3,300-passenger Fantasia, December.

Collectively, the eight new vessels will add a total of nearly 21,000 berths. Five will be so broad of beam that they will not fit through the Panama Canal.

While most lines are keeping their latest innovations under wraps until closer to the ships’ debut, Celebrity is bragging about one new twist in cruising: a top deck with real grass and a country club atmosphere.

Celebrity Solstice will be the first ship to sport a half-acre of real, growing grass on a seafaring vessel. The half-acre “Lawn Club” makes it possible to play bocce ball and croquet or practice putting, as well as have a picnic with a basket of wine and cheese.

“We want our guests to experience the unexpected, like the thrill of sinking a putt on a freshly manicured lawn in the middle of the ocean,” says Celebrity President and CEO Dan Hanrahan.