As three of the world’s newest cruise liners just steamed into New York harbour, the organization representing the world’s cruise lines is expecting a record 2011.

New Yorkers were treated to a fireworks display to celebrate the simultaneous visit of Cunard‘s Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth to the city.

It is only the second time in history that Cunard’s fleet has been in the same place at the same time.

As the ships lined up between Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty, Cunard’s President Peter Shanks said that the event, marking the new Queen Elizabeth’s maiden world voyage, was “a very big day” for the line.

New York’s official tourism marketing body, NYC & Company, chose the occasion to launch a new microsite providing information on the city’s cruise terminals and suggested travel itineraries for pre and post cruise visits to the city.

A survey released at the event showed that the amount being spent in New York by cruise ship visitors is on the up, totalling $144 million in 2010 ($94 million in 2009).

Yesterday’s good news wasn’t just restricted to New York, however — a new study from the body that represents the world’s cruise lines and travel agents, CLIA, suggested that 2011 will see a growth in cruise vacations.

A predicted 16 million passengers will join a cruise this year, said CLIA, up 6.6 percent up on 2010, with “hot” destinations expected to be Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Asia and the Pacific.

Source: AFPrelaxnews