Cruise West has announced 26 itineraries for the 2009 season, including four new and one re-introduced cruise. The four new voyages will visit Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, the Danube River, the East Indies and Melanesia. The Vietnam itinerary is being re-introduced by popular demand. The 2009 cruises include stops in 29 countries and 165 ports worldwide.

Carnival Sensation in a January dry dock will embark on its “Evolutions of Fun” upgrade, a multi-million-dollar refurbishment that will result in an expansive water park, an exclusive adults-only area and a tropical-themed mid-ship pool area.

The first vessel to call in Montevideo port, Uruguay, this coming 2008/09 cruise season is Minerva II which will be arriving November 21st, according to an official report from local authorities.

More good news for cruise tourism in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. It has been announced that MSC Cruises, the fastest growing cruise line with the youngest fleet, will have one of its two new ships calling at St. Kitts’ Port Zante during the 2009-2010 cruise ship season. MSC Cruises’ newest ships will join the Caribbean lineup with a series of seven- and 10-night sailings throughout the region.

MSC Cruises has entered into a partnership with Sabre Travel Network, and MSC is offering an agent incentive to celebrate.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), with its member lines and travel agents, is gearing up for the fourth annual “World’s Largest Cruise Night 2008,” the one-day sales initiative, which will take place on October 16. Agents can begin registering August 18.