Cruise ships are getting bigger -- and ever-more-interesting. In September 2009 comes the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, carrying 3,646 passengers and boasting expansive children's areas, a massive waterpark and an indoor/outdoor café and live music piazza. In December of that year, Royal Caribbean launches the 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas, with room for 5,400 passengers, an amphitheater, boardwalk and hand-made carousel. Not to be outdone, in 2010 NCL will launch a 150,000-ton ship with a little yin-and-yang for its 4,200 passengers -- both a beach club and an Ice Bar made -- yes -- out of ice.

-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@