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Norwegian, Royal Caribbean Unveil Innovations

Rivals Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled the latest details of their top new-ship projects this week in an attempt to drum up excitement about the feature-laden vessels before they begin selling tickets later this year. ''They're all trying to outdo each other and outdo themselves,'' says Stewart Chiron, a Miami cruise expert.

Royal Caribbean will build a Coney Island-style boardwalk with a handmade carousel on the Oasis of the Seas, which will be the world's largest cruise ship when it debuts in December 2009. It will be one of seven ''neighborhoods'' on the 220,000-ton ship, which will carry 5,400 passengers. Other features include the first-ever amphitheater at sea, and two-story loft suites.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 4,200-passenger "F3" ship project, due out in the spring of 2010, will feature an ice bar made of real ice blocks. It also has a beach club and lounges and nightclubs -- some of which will be available only to passengers paying for premium accommodations. Chiron says that Norwegian is attempting to make F3 an ''ultra-hip ship'' to attract younger people.

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