Christmas came early for Carnival Corp. this year. The cruise line conglomerate signed a $2 billion, four-ship construction deal with the Fincantieri shipyards in Italy (with an option for two additional vessels). One ship each will go to Carnival Cruise Line (an OSSN supplier member!), Costa, Holland America, and Princess Cruises (with the ship options set for Carnival and Holland America).

Holland America's new 2,044-passenger ship (due in 2008) will become the line's largest vessel. The same holds true for the 3,608-passenger ship planned for Carnival (due in 2009). Meanwhile, Princess will get a 3,100-passenger ship that's a sister to the "Emerald Princess" in 2008, and Costa will get a 3,004-passengers ship in 2009.

In related news, Carnival's chief operating officer told Travel Weekly that plans have been shelved for a 4,000-passenger megaship that would have become the world's largest cruise liner due to "mugh higher" cost estimates than Carnival officials originally expected.

Seabourn says its "Seabourn Pride" will unveil two new itineraries in the summer of 2006: a nine-day "Norwegian Fjords" sailing and a 12-day "Scandinavia & Russia" sailing. Though these trips will be the shortest cruises Seabourn has ever offered in northern Europe, the cruise line says they give cruisers more time in more ports at a lower overall fare (or the trips can be booked back to back for a longer sailing). These cruises start at $9,310 ppdo (with "Grand Voyage" savings).

Holland America Line says Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin will serve as godmother for the "Noordam" (the cruise line's new Vista-class ship). She will christen the ship before its maiden voyage on Feb. 22 from its home port of New York. The "Noordam" will offer southern and eastern Caribbean itineraries.