Carnival Cruise Lines will expand its short cruise offerings from Miami with the 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination and 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny operating new itineraries beginning next fall.

Crystal Cruises has published its 2008 Europe Crystal Collection brochure several months ahead of schedule, due to earlier booking patterns. The 57-page color catalogue details the 29 European itineraries to 84 ports and 30 countries aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity from late April through November 2008.

Carnival Corp. said it has finalized an agreement with the government of St. Maarten and the Port of St. Maarten to provide $34.5 million in funding for the construction of a new two-berth cruise ship pier on the Caribbean island.

Carnival Cruise Lines casinos now allow instant underwriting of credit through the Arriva, the first credit card designed specifically for use in casinos. Carnival casinos can arrange for Arriva Cards to be issued instantly for vacationers seeking casino credit card cash advances.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ has shown a record-breaking 2007 Caribbean cruise season and will carry an unprecedented 2.9 million passengers within the region, the most in its 35-year history.

Holland America Line will have its largest presence ever in the Caribbean in the 2008-2009 season, buoyed by the addition of its upcoming vessel, the 2,104-passenger Eurodam, which will launch service there in late 2008.