Worried about the growing piracy issues in the Indian Ocean, the Yachts of Seabourn has decided not to operate a series of cruises in the Indian Ocean aboard Seabourn Legend in late 2010 and early 2011.

Instead, the vessel will reposition back to North America and at the end of its Mediterranean season to cruise in the Caribbean over the winter. Seven-day itineraries will sail between Fort Lauderdale and St. Thomas, or round-trip from St. Thomas.

Seabourn president and ceo Pamela Conover said the decision was “regrettable”, but noted that it was done for passenger safety.

Seabourn had a brush with pirates in 2005 when the Seabourn Spirit fended off a hijacking attempt off the coast of Somalia firing guns and rocket launchers.

Tauck has unveiled its line-up of small ship ocean cruises for 2010 and the company’s offerings for the coming year are highlighted by a new 8-day voyage in Iceland aboard the all-new Le Boreal, a sleek 264-person yacht slated to launch next May.

The new Iceland cruise, “Iceland: Land Of Fire And Ice” (from $5,790 per person, plus air), serves a destination that Tauck’s customers have expressed strong interest in visiting, said company CEO Dan Mahar. “Our guests have been asking us for years to offer a program in Iceland, but until now we couldn’t do it – the country’s hotel infrastructure wouldn’t allow us to provide the level of quality, comfort and amenities that people have come to expect from Tauck,” said Mahar. “However, with the upcoming launch of Le Boreal, we’ll be able to bring the necessary infrastructure along with us.”

“And although this is a new ship and a new destination, our Iceland cruise will still reflect Tauck’s signature style of cruising,” added Mahar, who explained that the most distinguishing characteristic of Tauck cruising is the company’s all-inclusive pricing policy. Included in the price of the new Iceland cruise, for example, are all shore excursions (a $1,355 value, per person), all meals, all gratuities, wine with dinners, nightly cocktail hours, taxes, port charges and much more.

In a few hours I’ll be boarding a United Airlines flight across the pond to check out Celebrity Cruises newest addition – the fabulous Celebrity Equinox. The ship will be christened Wednesday, July 29 in Southampton, England. ExpertCruiser will be among the many press covering the event.

I made no secret last year that Equinox’s sister-ship Celebrity Solstice was the prettiest ship I’ve ever been on. I am optimistic that Equinox will be equal to her big sister.

Guests sailing on Celebrity Equinox enjoy a resort-like experience with amenities and services similar to those found on Celebrity Solstice. Among the most intriguing is the industry’s first Lawn Club, a half-acre country-club atmosphere featuring real grass; there are also 10 dining venues including several created by noted hospitality designer Adam Tihany with menus pairing classic and contemporary selections created by noted chef, restaurateur and Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations Jacques Van Staden.

Stay tuned to live blogs from the ship.

Silversea Cruises’ newest ship, Silver Spirit, has just been “floated out” from dry dock to wet dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Still in its development phase, Silver Spirit’s first connection with the sea was marked by an official ceremony at the shipyard attended by senior management from Silversea and Fincantieri. Over the coming months, the newbuild will undergo its final outfitting works and be ready for delivery in December.

“This is the dawn of a new era of luxury cruising for Silversea and the industry at large”, declared Manfredi Lefebvre, Silversea chairman. “Much planning and collaboration has gone into the design of our newborn, and it is exciting both as a company, and personally, to see Silver Spirit evolve through the final phases of her construction.”

On December 23, the all-suite luxury ship will embark on an 11-day “Holiday Spirit” maiden voyage, sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, followed on January 3 by a 16-day “Maiden Crossing” from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale, where a formal naming ceremony will be held on January 21.

After the event, Silver Spirit will set a course for New York for a “Grand Inaugural Voyage.” During this 91-day “Spirit of South America” journey, guests will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents. Highlights include a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for Carnivale, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, an in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera and a crossing of the Panama Canal.

After completing its inaugural season, Silver Spirit will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and then reposition to the Caribbean for fall and winter cruises.

The 36,000-ton vessel will welcome 540 guests who shall indulge not only in the spaciousness of their suites, the largest in the fleet, 95 percent of which feature a private veranda but also in one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea (namely 6,700 cubic feet of personal space per guest). The décor designed by Italian architect Giacomo Mortola will lend a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public areas, and new wellness and dining venues further enhance the shipboard experience: a new 8,300 square feet (770 square meters) indoor/outdoor spa with a whirlpool (and another three by the pool), and a choice of no less than six restaurants, including an alternative venue for Asian-inspired fusion cuisine and an innovative supper club offering contemporary foods and all-night entertainment.