In 2011, the cruise industry is charting a global course by deploying a record number of  ships to  Europe and the Middle East.   Add to this, some of the largest ships in the cruise industry will spend a full season cruising in Europe.

In part the push to add ships to more areas outside the Western Hemisphere is based on the belief that the U.S. economy will recover significantly so that cruisers will be willing to pay higher prices than  are typically found in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.  It’s also to move ships away from these supersaturated cruising regions where  there are so many ships that cruise fares remain low.

There are always risks such as creating an over-capacity situation.  For example, in 2005 so many ships were positioned in the Baltic at one time that prices fell dramatically. And, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL are betting that cruisers will select the enormous behemoths carrying up to 4,000 people. While these are popular with Caribbean cruisers it remains to be seen if the same holds true in Europe.

Below is an overview of  cruise lines making the largest increases in 2011.

2011  EUROPE DEPLOYMENT

Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Magic, sister of the 3,690-passenger Carnival Dream, will sail on seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona (the first time Carnival has home ported in this city).  Add to this, Magic will sail a full May to October season.

Disney Cruises is returning to Europe in 2011 with the Disney Magic which sails from Barcelona on 10- and 11-night cruises.

In 2011 Holland America Line will feature seven ships cruising the Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe.   Both ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Noordam will sail the Mediterranean all season. The Nieuw Amsterdam, which debuts on July 4, 2010, will offer 12-day sailings while the Noordam will feature seven- and 10-day cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest vessel, the 4200-passenger Norwegian Epic will sail from Barcelona and Norwegian Sun will sail from Copenhagen during a season of Baltic Cruises.   Norwegian Jade — which sails year-round in Europe — will cruise from home port Venice on Greek Island voyages.  

Oceania Cruises‘ newest ship, Marina, will enter service 2011 and join Insignia and Nautica on a summer season in Europe.    Most of Oceania’s itineraries include an overnight stay in port and, because the ships are significantly smaller in size,  stop at more ports off the beaten path.

Princess Cruises has announced its most extensive Europe season ever for 2011 with a total of seven vessels sailing on 42 itineraries and more than 135 port calls.  New itineraries include Emerald Princess’ 11-day expanded Scandinavia & Russia cruise  stopping in Oslo, Berlin, Stockholm and a two night stay in St. Petersburg.  Ocean Princess sails on seven-day Greek Isles and Mediterranean cruises which may be combined into 14-day voyages without repeating a port.  Pacific Princess sails in the Holy Land, Black Sea and Crimean Coast.

Royal Caribbean will increase its Europe fleet from eight to ten vessels.  While the largest ships normally stay put in the Caribbean, the 3,634-passenger Liberty of the Seas will home port in Barcelona.  The 154,407-ton ship is second only to Oasis of the Seas in size.  Additional itineraries will be announced.

What do YOU think?  Any plans to sail in Europe in 2011?