Aruba was a hit on the high seas in 2006 as the island exceeded expectations and welcomed an eye-opening 314 cruise ships with a total of 591,474 ocean-loving trippers. The notable seven-percent increase of cruise calls over 2005 represents a noteworthy 38,655 additional visitors.

The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to expand its cruise business by adding two new ocean liners. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the ships will more than double the company’s passenger capacity.

As Queen Mary 2 continues to significantly expand her presence in New York, Cunard Line announces an extended series of 12 ten-day voyages to the Caribbean from the Big Apple, as well as two 13-day sailings to Panama and the Caribbean and a 14-day Caribbean Celebration voyage featuring Christmas Day at sea and New Year’s Eve in the port of St. Thomas.

From exciting new routes in the Indian Ocean, to new and expanded spa getaways at sea, Costa continues to make its mark in the cruise industry as an innovation leader in 2008.

Carnival Cruise Lines is expanding its previously announced program of seven-day, four-port “Exotic Eastern Caribbean” voyages from Miami, featuring visits to stunning Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island, and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, on the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxurious 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner sets sail in 2008 for a 60-night circumnavigation of South America.