More and more people catch the cruise bug

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced strong passenger increases in the first quarter. Almost 9% more passengers sailed worldwide versus the first quarter of 2004, and almost 13% more sailed from North America, according to statistics from CLIA's 19 member cruise lines who make up about 98% of the cruise capacity marketed to North Americans.

Slowly but surely, more and more travelers catch the cruise bug every year. The cruise lines are doing their part by constantly raising the bar for their onboard product. After all, five years ago, who had heard of 10 open-seating restaurants onboard a ship? Or rock-climbing walls? Or enormous outdoor movie screens? Or Hawaii inter-island cruises on state-of-the art vessels?

Meanwhile, dedicated cruise enthusiasts like those of us at 02Cruise.com have been working hard to bust out-of-date cruise myths, the biggest one of which is that all cruises are pretty much the same. We don't care if you prefer Las Vegas-style action-packed electricity when you vacation, or white-glove Four Seasons relaxation--either way, we can recommend a cruise line you'll love.