Cruise line Royal Caribbean has cancelled its South American cruise program for winter 2009-2010. As an alternative, the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship will be deployed for an extended season of the Mexican Riviera.

With South America emerging as one of the top destinations for cruises, coupled with the demand for passengers who wish to experience this part of the world in a more intimate and premium fashion, Veendam is set to cruise South America for the fall 2009 and the winter and spring 2010 season.

Many travel agents applauded Carnival Corp. for doing what agents have long asked them to: eliminate fuel surcharges and raise cruise fares to reflect increased operating costs.

The North American cruise industry’s economic impact in the United States grew by more than 6 percent in 2007, creating more than 350,000 jobs while generating $38 billion in total economic output, according to a national study released by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Royal Caribbean’s 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever based in Texas, returns to the Lone Star State in December for its second winter season. Prices have been sharply reduced for the Nov. 29-Dec. 14 trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona.

Azamara Cruises has enhanced its offerings for travel agents who use various electronic systems for booking cruises. Azamara bookings were originally made via Celebrity Cruises’ systems, but Azamara has completed a project to separate Azamara Cruises from Celebrity, simplifying and streamlining its cruise-booking process.