2 new cruise ships for the Mediterranean

Three new cruise ships debut worldwide this year and two of them will be in the Mediterranean. The Carnival Liberty is a big ship with 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent with an ocean view and 60 percent of those with private verandas. The maiden voyage, July 20, leaves from Rome (Civitavecchia). 12-day cruises to Mediterranean ports such as Naples, Dubrovnik, Venice, Barcelona and Cannes.

On Aug. 10, Norwegian Cruise Line's 1,400-passenger Norwegian Jewel will sail out of Dover, England, on a 13-day Mediterranean itinerary. The ship will have 10 restaurants and 12 "villas" with private courtyards and butlers.