As somebody who loves to cruise just about anywhere, I'm always eager to hear about how the industry's growing. If nothing else, it means that others are discovering something we were fortunate enough to discover a long time ago.
So when the European Cruise Council and the Cruise Lines International Association compile data that demonstrates a growth pattern, I'm interested. On the other hand, the 
latest news is that cruising is growing in the Arctic…
My husband always says I'm umbilically connected to the temperate zone. I always say who does he think he is, Jimmy Buffett? What he means (my husband, not Jimmy) is at the mention of the word "Arctic" I start shuddering. Umbilical connections melt. Think icebergs.
According to these two organizations that compile such statistics, Arctic cruising is up 37 per cent. Norwegian fjords cruising is up 29 per cent. Northern Europe, from the British Isles to the Baltic Sea, is up between six and 16 per cent. I wouldn't say it's cold there, but has anybody been watching the Olympics? Or, most years, the British Open.
I should warn them…they're going to have to do it without me.
Norwegian Pearl
14 nights
September 28, 2012
Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Puntarenas, Panama Canal, Cartagena, Miami
Inside: $1,129
Cost per day: $80
www.ncl.com