The largest cruise ship presently on the high seas is Carnival Corp's Cunard Line Queen Mary 2, but on 4 June this year Royal Caribbean is due to launch the Freedom of the Seas with room for 3,634 passengers in double occupancy berths to a maximum 4,370. The Royal Caribbean International masterpiece will come complete with a rock-climbing wall, Royal Promenade and ice-skating rink plus extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones as well as flat-screen TVs in every stateroom.

The Casino Royale will add to the onboard entertainment as the Freedom of the Seas cruises the Caribbean from Miami with ports of call including Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Labadee, Hispaniola. However, Royal Caribbean is not satisfied to stop there – it has now announced plans to build an even larger cruise liner with capacity for nearly twice as many passengers at 6,400. The new ship, yet to be named, goes under the title of Project Genesis and will be a veritable floating city. With a scheduled launch date in 2009, the cost of the project is estimated to be in the region of US$1.2 billion. Described as having bold design, daring innovation and technological advancements, Royal Caribbean is seeking to attract new customers and delight existing ones.

After several years in the doldrums, cruising is once again a popular vacation. This latest project for Royal Caribbean is being seen as having the same impact as the newest Las Vegas casino hotels. Passengers should have the pleasure of a casino that is on a par with anything offered in Las Vegas, but with a different view each time they surface from their gaming tables or slot machines. The Project Genesis ship is being built by Oslo-based Aker Yards in Finland and is the most valuable commercial ship ever ordered. (E-02.07.06)

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