What's on Deck? Deals, Luxe Ships, New Ports

Travel agents say other lines are watching Norwegian, which offers choices. "Carnival 15 years ago catered to . . . the steak-and-potato group," and the buffet spread was an easy way to feed cruise groups, says Gary Pollard, owner of Ambassador Tours in San Francisco. These days, options may include a poolside pizza kiosk, cafes and fine dining places -- and not eating on someone else's schedule.

Again, baby boomers drive the trend. "Midlifers and baby boomers want things their way," says Lauraday Kelley, vice president of Vacation.com, an Alexandria marketing group that represents 5,000 independently owned U.S. and Canadian travel agencies. "They've always wanted a more casual atmosphere."

· Theme cruises are booming. Pollard says culinary and wine trips with top-of-their-game chefs have taken off in the past 2 1/2 years: "They're a premium, but people will pay more to hobnob with famous people."

Regent Seven Seas offers cruises on which 16 passengers at a time don aprons to learn French cooking with visiting Le Cordon Bleu chefs. That can add $400 to $500 to the basic cruise cost, Pollard notes, but these extras are in demand. Holland America Culinary Arts Center programs are presented in conjunction with Food & Wine magazine and include demonstrations and classes with celebrity chefs.

Kelley says both culinary and religious cruising are growing. "On Carnival, they're selling out the ship" to religious groups, she says.

"Particularly with baby boomers, I think people want to go back to your roots, your religious heritage, or whatever," Kelley says. "And over the next 18 years . . . those are the people who'll have discretionary dollars."

· Ships are wired. No matter where people cruise, Vacation to Go's Alan Fox says, more of them want to stay connected to the mainland via e-mail and cellphone, and many cruise lines are struggling with how much connectivity to offer.

Most ships have Internet cafes; some have wireless connections in public areas, some in cabins. In 2004, Norwegian became the first to offer fleet-wide cellphone service (roaming rates apply), and others have followed suit. Some lines, including Norwegian and Regent Seven Seas, let you set up a shipboard e-mail account, while Windstar offers the complimentary use of iPod Nanos and rents laptops.

"On a cruise ship, you couldn't even get a phone call 15 years ago," Fox notes, adding that the issue now is whether your cellphone will operate via satellite while at sea.

"I hope they'll restrict cellphones. Being in touch constantly wherever you are in the world on a cruise ship," Fox says, "changes the experience."