How sad to see that Carnival is pulling Carnival Freedom from the Med next year. All the talk is about the growth of cruising in Europe - and the line is about to launch ex-UK cruises for the first time - yet here's a first sign that the downturn in the economy is taking its toll.
Carnival fills its Med cruises with a majority Americans, but with the strong euro and swingeing airline fuel supplements (and the amount the cruiseline are now charging is not drop in the ocean) there are fears these guys won't be venturing across the Pond next year.
So Freedom will be staying in the Caribbean, which we know from the 9/11 terrorist attacks is the cruiselines' bolt hole when things get tough. Anyone already booked on the 2009 Med cruises can cancel or rebook without penalty before July 10.
The good news is that Carnival Splendor, which is selling well in the British market, is still scheduled to be back for a second season of ex-UK cruises from Dover to the Baltic next year.
Shows when the going gets tough, you can always rely on the Brits.
Jane Archer
