Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for active onboard amenities such as surfing simulators, rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks and bungee trampolines, announced last week that more than 7,050 guests have received Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Scuba Diver certification while on a Royal Caribbean cruise. PADI Scuba Diver certification is available through the SeaTrek dive shops on all Voyager-class ships (Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas) and will be offered on Freedom of the Seas, which will debut in May 2006.

MSC Cruises pushed itself to the forefront of megaship cruise companies by confirming an order for two 3,300-passenger cruise ships for delivery in 2008 and 2009. The ships, which will have a maximum capacity of 3,887 passengers and 1,300 crew, will be the second-largest cruise ships in terms of capacity, after Royal Caribbean International´s Freedom of the Seas.

Carnival Cruise Lines took the lion´s share of the latest Porthole Magazine´s “Readers Choice Awards”, grabbing more prizes than any other cruise line for the seventh straight year. This time around, Carnival took top honors in eleven different categories, with recognition in areas as diverse as Best Children´s Program and Best Computer Facilities to Best Entertainment and Best Caribbean Itineraries.

European cruise line EasyCruise said it was booked solid for its first winter season in the Caribbean and the majority of its bookings are from what it termed "young and independent-minded vacationers." After completing a successful Mediterranean inaugural summer season, EasyCruiseOne, currently positioned in Bridgetown, Barbados, has now welcomed its first Caribbean winter season passengers.

Residents of Cozumel now have reason to celebrate as they prepare to welcome thousands of cruise ship passengers next week, proving that despite Hurricane Wilma, Cozumel remains a favorite Port of Call in the Caribbean. Twelve luxury passenger cruise ships will anchor offshore and tender passengers to the island throughout the week, Including vessels from such companies as Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

The dance craze is moving from the television screens to the Caribbean seas with cruise lines now offering entertainment for travelers with dance fever. As the popularity of TV reality dance shows surge, cruise lines are offering a variety of entertainment options in this area.