December has finally rolled around and it’s onto the waves for the MS Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest Cruise ship. The numbers are all very impressive. 225,282 gross tons and 1,188 feet long. With sixteen passenger decks and 6,400 people on board, American definitions would probably quite comfortably call this a city on the waves. It is said that the ‘Allure’ is two inches longer than its twin sister ‘Oasis of the Seas’ due to an ‘engineering anomaly’. But then, it would be rather unfortunate if the latest super-massive ship didn’t have something marketable aspect to it. It’s all very impressive stuff, but we’ve heard it before. And we’ll hear it again.

Cruise ship development long devolved into a rather pointless arms race. There’s something hilariously two-faced about their attempts to broaden their market. On the one hand, there’s Cruise deals that open the experience up to ever more people, which is a massive positive. But then they’re making these floating cities, seemingly in order to keep the ‘real’ experience to an exclusive clientele they’re not keen to let go of. The Wikipedia page for the Allure seems to show the stretch marks best of all. The Allure has the first Britton Store at Sea! The First Dreamworks endorsement! The first Starbucks stand! (presumably they’ve done proper stores before).

In a 1912 poem called The Convergence of the Twain, Thomas Hardy exclaimed of the wreck of the Titanic ‘What does this vaingloriousness down here?’ Upon seeing the Allure of the Seas, his brains would melt and leak out of his ears. The slogan of ‘The Nation of Why Not’ represents an uncounterable position. But honestly, you’d get exact same experience from Silver Seas cruises for more reasonable pricing. Or take the plunge and take something like Luxury nile cruises for an opportunity of a lifetime. Life on board a floating mall is barely a holiday that is challenging your worldview. When the Allure is no longer the biggest cruise ship, will it be anything at all?

New legislation could jeapordise the fragile but recovering cruise ship industry according to Carnival UK boss David Dingle, speaking in Cannes recently. The International Martime Organisation (IMO)’s new laws include the prohibition of fuels that emit more than 0.5% sulphur when burnt, and Dingle is fuming. Dingle considers the move ‘ill-thought out’, and ‘badly researched’.

The IMO’s impositions currently only apply to the Baltic and North Sea, areas sailed by many cruise lines including Oceania cruises. Because the imposition is a hand-me down from EU emissions targets, the Mediterranean is almost certain to become part of the effected zone by 2012. It is also inevitable that North America will tighten emissions controls, particularly with growing concerns over the effects on the fragile ecology of Alaska, which is increasingly seeing cruise business even from smaller lines like Seabourn cruises.

The cruise industry sees widespread use of residual fuels containing far in excess of 0.5% Sulphur. Dingle warns against a move to Diesel, which he thinks is inevitable by 2020. Not only is Diesel currently twice as expensive as these residual fuels, but industry wide adoption would only push prices higher, ‘increasing demand across the world by 20%’. It sounds rather like the last thing the oil industry and the everyday diesel driver needs. But regardless of the fuel situation, the cruise industry is already showing signs of delayed recession: orders for new ship-builds halved this year.

With the cruise industry exploring new markets and expanding in new destinations, the news is particularly worrying. For Nile cruises 2011 has been forecast as a year of improvement for an emerging river cruising sub-industry. But in the Nile and beyond, older ships, usually less fuel-efficient are frequently the life-blood of the fleet. Should the IMO’s rules see effect internationally, the cost could be prohibitive. But fuel prices won’t stop the sun shining on fabulous cruise destinations, and an industry built on opulence will undoubtedly find a way to cope sooner or later.

Everyone has options on a cruise. Your cruise experience will depend on a number of factors, not least of which is the size of the liner you are traveling on. A little research will influence your experience, so look into other people’s cruise encounters.

If you’re looking at a mega-liner, expect a lot of people. They accommodate many people, and have sufficient room for them, but don’t plan to spend much alone time on them. You can expect many things like casinos, activities, dining, pools, and games. A lot of liners have gyms, spas, and beauty facilities. These bigger cruises have non stop activity.

Smaller ships also are available. These ships tend to offer a more elegant, refined atmosphere, with better amenities in terms of decor and service. These will usually have less casual dress codes, but should have spa facilities. There will be more of a neighborly feel. These may be more conducive to a romantic getaway.

No matter which type of cruise ship you opt for, there are several safety tips you should keep in mind while on board. As you should be anywhere, be alert. Use the ship’s safe, and don’t leave valuables in your cabin. Stay out of off limits areas and dark hallways. Be careful of your alcohol intake. It’s tempting to take advantage of the cocktails on the afternoon, but by evening you won’t be able to stand. You’ll get reckless, and might have dire consequences.

Cruises are great vacation experiences. You don’t have to leave the ship to have a great vacation. Diverse eating experiences, plenty of activity, excellent entertainment and generally good service typify most cruise liners. If you book early, you can avoid the super expensive cruise costs, and get up to 50% off. Remember to keep an eye on your spending on board. You will be provided with a C Note Card, which is like a credit card you use on the ship and you will have to pay it off in full before you disembark! Take advantage of the duty free shops on board as well as in any ports you may visit. Enjoy your trip.

About the author: Sheryl Sandidge is an experienced author and currently writes about sunglasses for the Electric Sunglasses site.