Norwegian Breakaway was among the ships launched

Europe celebrated the christenings of five new cruise ships in the last four months, as international cruise lines took delivery of new vessels built in European shipyards, Cruise Lines International Association announced.

The five new ships, which represent a total investment of over €2 billion and carry a combined total 14,615 passengers, will significantly boost capacity.

According to the CLIA Europe’s 2012 report - entitled ‘The Cruise Industry: Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Economies of Europe’ - European shipyards were currently working on orders for about 20 new ships with a combined capacity of over 60,000 passengers and worth a total of over €10 billion.

Those ships will be delivered to cruise lines around the world over the next three years.

“We are proud to welcome these superb new ships into the world’s cruising fleet, representing the best of European elegance and maritime know how,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA president.

Two spectacular christenings were celebrated during March with festive gatherings in the European ports of Genoa (Italy) for the MSC Preziosa and Warnemünde (Germany) for the AIDAstella.

The past week another magnificent launch took place in Hamburg (Germany) for the luxury ship EUROPA 2 from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The fourth ship, the Norwegian Cruise Lines Breakaway, sailed on its transatlantic voyage from Southampton (UK) to New York City (USA) before travelling across the ocean for an incredible christening ceremony in New York City (USA).

Finally, the fifth ship, The Royal Princess, from Princess Cruises, was named by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge in a spectacular and glamorous naming ceremony in Southampton, UK this past June.

Almost all the world’s new state-of-the-art cruise liners are built in European shipyards.

The new ships christened and launched these past three months themselves range in scale from an elegant luxury ship with new concept of cabins, to incredible ocean-going liners carrying the state of the art in entertainment, cuisine and leisure for several thousand of people.

All of the ships showcase the creativity and ingenuity of Europe’s time-honored and dynamic shipbuilding industry, offering cruise passengers the latest in vacation comfort, convenience, sports, dining experiences, luxury and entertainment.