--In
case you missed it, ice skating rinks, giant trampolines and rock-climbing
walls on board cruise ships are old news, along with wine cellars
and menus from celebrity chefs. The latest innovations for having
fun in the middle of the ocean include a bowling alley aboard the
Norwegian Pearl, and a Flowrider, which lets you ride an artificial
wave, on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. "They're trying
to outdo each other in terms of innovation," said Celebrity Cruises
President Dan Hanrahan. "We're betting that a roller coaster
is going to be next," say some jokingly in the business. In addition
to an industry-wide emphasis on gee-whiz features, other trends in
the cruise industry include the continued popularity of family cruising
and European ports of call, along with overall growth, with a record
number of guests last year and 30 new cruise ships under construction
through 2010.
