Random cruise ship facts

I would dare say that most people have taken a cruise or at least know someone who has.  It's turned into a viable option for many who want the room, the fun and the food all in one place - the ocean!   I took my first and only cruise back in the 90's and loved it, it's time to book another.   In the meantime, here's some random facts and figures about the cruise industry and the ships that carter to hundreds of thousands each year.

(Carnival's 2003 ship "Glory" in action)

• Nearly 13.5 million travelers worldwide enjoyed a cruise vacation in 2009
• There are over 2,000 ports of call around our planet that cruise ships can visit
• More people cruise to the Caribbean than any other destination in the world
• There are more than 300 sea-going cruise ships in the world at any given time
• The ships can cost a cruise line a half-billion US dollars before the 1st passenger boards
• Almost 90% of cruise tickets are sold through travel agents
• In a week most ships produce 210,000 gallons of human sewage
• Most cruise ships sail around 20 to 25 knots (23-29 mph)

 I'm getting exctied reading about these ships...perhaps we'll be on the sea before you know it.  I'm thinking an Alaskan cruise would be awesome in the fall of 2012, if we survive that whole Mayan calendar thing.  :-)