While the summer is typically a slow time for cruise industry news, I’ve managed to come up with a few intriuging tid bits.

__ While most cruise passengers have tried cruise ships’ alternative restaurant, where a more tony dining experience comes with a small surcharge of up to $20, Crystal Cruises has upped the ante quite a bit.  On Crystal Serenity’s Aug. 24, 2008 Mediterranean cruise, a special dinner — “the Ultimate Wine Experience”  — is priced at $13,000 per person.  Limited to 14 people, the dinner will feature several very special wines, including $5,000 per bottle 1989 Petrus and a rare 2000 Chateau Hosanna provided by Decanter Magazine’s “Man of the Year” Christian Moueix.  Three star Michelin chef Heinz Beck of Rome’s La Pergola is collaborating on a menu that features carpaccio of scallops, black corn with giner oil and crepinette of lamb.

__ Cruise West, which operates a fleet of small cruise ships which sail in all corners of the world, is giving participants of its “Mexico’s Sea of Cortes Whales & Wildlife” itineraries the chance to volunteer at the La Paz Children’s home on the March 7, 2009 voyage.  Volunteers on the March 7, 2009 will disembark the 138-passenger Spirit of Yorktown in La Paz to assist in a “work party”, spending two nights in the city and a full day working at the children’s home.  The optional land tour is priced at $225 per person, double occupancy.

__ One of the most enjoyable shipboard activities I’ve had is watching movies on deck under the stars.  Carnival Cruise Lines is expanded its “Carnival Seaside Theater” — jumbo sized LED screens featured poolside — on five ships including the new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor which debuted this month, plus Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory.  The enormous 270-square foot screen displays movies, concerts and sporting events.   In 2009, the 131,000-ton Carnival Dream, scheduled to debut in Sept. 12, will also be outfitted with outdoor movies.