Celebrity Cruises has scheduled its largest European deployment ever for 2009 with five ships, including two new vessels. The line will visit 76 ports in 29 countries, five of which are new to Celebrity.

The Cruise Lines International Association has added a membership category for hotel companies, technology providers, destinations and ports.

Royal Caribbean International plans to deploy a record eight ships in Europe for the 2009 summer and fall seasons.

Victoria Cruises, which operates cruises on China’s Yangtze River, is refurbishing the majority of its fleet for the 2008 season.

Value World Tours, a California tour operator specializing in international river cruises, is discounting select “Egypt Explorer” packages by $1,000 per couple. The discount will help introduce the company’s new 2008 Egypt river cruise programs. The discount applies to the July 20, Aug. 31, and Sept. 14 departures.

Costa Cruises will debut two new ships in 2009 and the line is giving travel agents a chance to be part of the celebrations.