Virgin Cruises, which will be based in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area in the United States, is planning to build two ships. Because it takes two to three years from the initial design process to building then launching a large cruise ship, it is unlikely we'll we will see the Virgin Cruise vessels before 2018. However, the addition of another major player to the cruise industry can only be good news for us cruise passengers – more competition should mean better prices and more choice of cruise styles.

"We plan to shake up the cruise industry and deliver a holiday that customers will absolutely love," Branson says. "They'll be sailing on the latest ships offering a great quality, a real sense of fun and many exciting activities all delivered with the famed Virgin service."

Tom McAlpin, former president of Disney Cruise Line and most recently CEO of The World (the only ship in the world that has privately owned apartments on board) will join Virgin Cruises as CEO. He obviously knows his stuff and we eagerly await news of further developments.

Meanwhile, Viking Cruises – famed for its vast Viking River Cruise fleet – is set to launch its first of three ocean ships, the 930-passenger Viking Star, in March. The line's founder, chairman and CEO, Torstein Hagen,  says research plus feedback from Viking River Cruise passengers  shows that many people feel that ocean ships are too big; there is not enough time spent in ports; ocean cruising often involves too many "hidden extras" once  you are  on board; and small ships are often old and outdated.

Viking Cruises is therefore planning to launch three mid-sized ships that are "designed for people of 55-plus years, couples-focused, English-speaking, well-educated, affluent, who have an interest in culture, history and music", Hagen says. The second and third ships are scheduled to launch in 2016, and there are plans for a fourth ship to launch in 2017.

There has been a huge demand for bookings on Viking Star's inaugural season in Scandinavia and the Baltic, and the ship will now sail Mediterranean itineraries during the northern winter season  next year.

Q&A

Meet the crew    

NAME Dessi Kostova, Bulgarian

POSITION Senior maitre d' Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Spirit.

MY JOB: I direct the activities of all food services across the ship to ensure consistency and a high level of service. I also train and schedule 170 wait staff along with the  assistant  maitre d's and room service operators to ensure we exceed our guests' expectations.

MY TYPICAL DAY I start at 7am with my rounds then brief the wait staff and meet dining room staff before opening for breakfast. During the day I do admin work, train the assistant wait staff, open all dining outlets for lunch and supervise service. After lunch is over, I check on afternoon tea service and then take a break before checking room service and the Camp Carnival dinnertime for kids and meeting dining room staff. Dinner is the busiest time for me but it's my favourite time as it gives me the opportunity to meet and talk to all the guests. Also at the end of dinner, when guests are about to have dessert, we have "show time" when I organise the wait staff to sing or dance for the guests - and often with the guests. It's my moment of having fun – Carnival's signature!

FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT: Our repositioning cruise in 2012 from the  US to Sydney was particularly memorable – the anticipation of something new was so exciting.

FAVOURITE CRUISE PORT Sydney, of course, for the reason already mentioned. I am also looking forward to visiting all the new ports we have lined up as I'm sure they will be just as amazing.

TIP FOR PASSENGERS: Book Nouveau restaurant as soon as you come on board to avoid disappointment (and don't miss its Long Lunch).

Tip

Celebrating a special occasion while you're at sea? Most cruise lines offer gifts and party packages that range from a birthday cake to a bottle of bubbles, a romantic dinner for two and full wedding packages. Check with your travel agent or cruise line.

NEWS 

A new Dawn 

Passengers sailing on Pacific Dawn are now enjoying the results of the ship's recent multi-million-dollar makeover. The refurbishments include a new-look pool deck, new poolside water features, lighting enhancements and private seating areas. Pacific Dawn is now the second ship (along with Pacific Jewel) in the P&O Cruises' fleet to feature the P&OEdge Adventure Park, which offers high-adrenaline activities such as flying fox lines, funnel climbs and high-rope swings (charges apply). By the time the Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria join the fleet in November, all five ships will have the unmissable tag-line "Like No Place on Earth" emblazoned on their hulls. pocruises.com.au

Ponant Antarctica brochure

There are often waiting lists for Antarctica voyages so if you are planning to go there next season, it is advisable to book soon. Ponant has released its new Antarctica brochure for sailings between December 2015 and February 2016 and is offering four different itineraries on its four luxury expedition ships, L'Austral, Le Boreal, Le Lyrial and Le Soleal. They range from 11 days to 17 days and include the Antarctic Peninsula; South Georgia and the Falkland Islands; and the Subantarctic Islands of Australia and New Zealand. The brochure is available online at ponant.com (fr.calameo.com/read/00013242389ec7c742966)

Have a Captain Cook at Violet McKenzie

Sydney's Captain Cook Cruises fleet has been joined by a fourth vessel just in time for the festive season. The $2.6 million, 24-metre Rocket catamaran Violet McKenzie joins sister ships Elizabeth Cook, Mary Reibey and Annabelle Rankin and will offer Hop On Hop Off and Whale Watching cruises, host charter events and provide ferry charter services for Harbour City Ferries.  Named after Australia's first female electrical engineer, the two-deck Violet McKenzie has large viewing windows, seating for 166 passengers in the main cabin and 51 on the open upper deck, plus ample viewing space. captaincook.com.au

Deals

OFFER OF THE WEEK

Save more than $7000 per person on ecruising.travel's 38-night fly/stay/cruise package on board Celebrity Equinox, which takes in popular ports in the Mediterranean and Europe. Starting with three nights in Barcelona, the package includes a 32-night cruise and a three-day stopover at Fairmont the Palm, Dubai. From $10,499, departing Barcelona June 2, 2015. Call 1300 369 848, see ecruising.travel.

MORE DEALS

TRAVELMARVEL Book a 15-day Majestic Burma – Irrawaddy cruise from Yangon to Mandalay between January 2016 and April 2017, on board Travelmarvel's new boutique rivership RV Princess Panhwar, and free flights will be included. From $5,795; must be booked by February 28, 2015. Phone 1300 196 420, see travelmarvel.com.au.

CRUISE 1ST has a Valentine's Day special on its 10-night fly/stay/cruise package in Hawaii. Norwegian Cruise Lines' Pride of America departs February 6 and includes stops in Maui, Hawaii and Kauai. The deal includes return flights from Australia and two nights' accommodation in Waikiki. From $2499. Phone 1300 857 345, see cruise1st.com.au.