A preview of eight new cruise ships for 2012

By Fred Friedrich Dec 6, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Hamburg - Europe is heading for a golden age - at least when it comes to vacationing on the high seas. Eight new water-borne hotels will be setting out to sea next year. The class of 2012 promises to be an interesting one, not least because two legendary vessels will be making a comeback.

The 'Berlin' had sailed across German households' TV sets between 1986 and 1998 as the setting for the popular Traumschiff (dream ship) television series. Now, for the Munich travel group FTI, the Berlin will be plying the Mediterranean Sea. The 139-metre-long ship can accommodate up to 456 passengers.

What was previously known as the 'Columbus' for the Hapag-Lloyd cruise line will be operating as the 'Hamburg' for the Plantours company. Aboard the 144-metre-long vessel, the 400 passengers will be able to enjoy their buffet dinners in a garden of palm trees. During tours of the Antarctic region, passengers can embark on expeditions using special inflatable boats.

Filling the gap in the Hapag-Lloyd lineup will be the 180-metre-long 'Columbus 2,' on which 11 different categories of cabins can accommodate up to 698 passengers. Almost all the cabins are on the outside, and two-thirds of these are outfitted with a teak wood-floored balcony.

Evoking the glamour of the past cruise ship eras is the 'Disney Fantasy,' an Art Deco-styled vessel measuring nearly 340 metres. Mickey Mouse and Co. are naturally to be seen everywhere, among others in the new dinner show called 'Animator's Palate' and in the Aladdin musical. Upwards of 4,000 passengers can travel on Disney Fantasy.

Clearly smaller is the 238-metre-long 'Riviera' of the Oceania Cruises line, carrying 1,258 passengers. It is the sister vessel of the 'Marina.' Whether one's food preferences run to American, Italian, French, Asian or international, the Riviera's nine restaurants promise to suit every taste.

At the Costa cruise line, two premieres are planned. First, the 290-metre-long 'Costa Fascinosa' carrying 3,800 passengers will become the largest Italian-flag cruise ship.

In addition, the Italians are investing some 90 million euros (120 million dollars) in renovating the 'Costa Romantica.' The ship will have 789 cabins - 111 more than before - and a capacity for up to 1,800 passengers. Re-christened as the 'Costa neoRomantica,' the ship will be sailing to the Canary Islands.

Meanwhile the cruise company Aida announced a world premiere for the christening of its 252-metre-long 'Aidamar' ship.

The ninth vessel in Aida's fleet will be launched alongside its sister ships 'Aidaluna,' 'Aidabulu,' and 'Aidasol' at the 823rd Hamburg Harbour Festival on May 12, 2012. On the new ship, up to 2,174 passengers can wine and dine in the seven restaurants and 12 bars.

'La Divina' - the goddess - is what they called screen legend Sophia Loren in Italy. And Sophia Loren herself will preside over the christening of the MSC Divina of the MSC cruise company in Marseilles next May 26.

At 333 metres and with a capacity of 4,363 passengers, the La Divina is larger than its predecessors. The stern area of the vessel has been redesigned with an Infinity pool.

In the 306-metre-long 'Carnival Breeze,' the cabin design combines European style with a bit of tropical flair. Up to 3,646 passengers can pass the time in an aqua park with a corkscrew waterslide or the SportSquare outdoor fitness and adventure area while quenching their thirst in the 'Thirsty Frog' bar with beer from the ship's own brewery.

Larger, wider and higher - this is the slogan of the 315-metre-long 'Celebrity Reflection' that can carry some 3,030 passengers. The number 5 of the quintet of vessels of the Solstice company has one deck more than its predecessors and offers, among other features, 34 AquaClass suites.