Cruise industry predicts record year for passengers

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Cruise-line officials say they expect the ship to come in for their industry this year.

An estimated 6.5 to 7 million people are expected to take a cruise in 2000, making it a record year, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). By comparison, an estimated 6 million travelers booked passages on cruise ships last year, says CLIA, a trade organization representing 25 lines based in North America.

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In five years, CLIA forecasters say, the potential cruise market, based on expected new-ship construction and filled-to-the-bulkhead bookings, could be worth roughly $50 billion.

So what's the big attraction? Diverse activities and reasonable prices, industry experts say.

Cruises no longer are the regimented vacations of yesteryear, says Peter Ratcliffe, president of Princess Cruises & Tours. "If you were to go back 20 years ago, the ships were trans-Atlantic liners, and people thought they'd be bored or confined on the ship."

Now cruises are more specialized, offering fitness programs, dancing, ice skating and other diversions. Passengers are generally younger and don't always want to move in step with everybody else on board, Ratcliffe says.

"They want to not just have one entertainment -- they want two or three theaters," he says. "They want to be able to eat when they want, so you have lots of alternate dining."

Competitive pricing also is powering the industry. Holland America Line, for example, offers seven-day cruises to Alaska starting about $900. Princess Cruises advertises forays to Europe at around $1,200. And $1,600 will buy you a 14-night cruise to Panama with Celebrity Cruises.

"Cruising is hot," says Bill Panoff, editor-in-chief of Porthole cruise magazine.

First, he says, "People are being turned on to this vacation opportunity because of its affordability. And No. 2 ... it's an all-inclusive package."

The Internet is a good place to find a package that suits you. Sites such as www.cruisecritic.com offer information about ships - and the passengers - that the glossy travel brochures may leave out. And last-minute bargains are available at www.moments-notice.com and www.bid4vacations.com. (See Related Sites below)

CNN Financial News Correspondent Charles Molineaux contributed to this report

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