There are 38 cruise ships on order and under construction (including one option) for deliveries in 2009 through 2012.  With a building value of more than $20 billion, the ships will bring 85,480 new beds into the market for an estimated additional annual passenger capacity of about 4.2 million passengers by 2012. At press time, there were no ship orders for deliveries beyond 2012.

Of the 38 ships, 21 are destined for the North American market, with an estimated annual passenger capacity of 2.3 million, which will be added over the next four years.  According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the North American-based fleet carried an estimated 10.2 million Americans and 3.05 million passengers sourced internationally in 2008.

Seventeen ships are destined for European markets: AIDA for the German market; Cunard and P&O for the UK market; and Costa and MSC for pan-European markets, as they source passengers in Italy, France, Spain and Germany predominantly, but also in other European countries, as well as in North and South America and Asia. Ponant Cruises sources in France, but also in international markets, and plans to charter its new vessels to a North American tour operator.

The North American-based lines are also increasingly sourcing passengers in Europe.

Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2009