There's a new cruise line going after the small ship luxury niche. Pearl Seas Cruises is a new CLIA member with a fleet consisting of a single, still-unbuilt ship and an ambitious schedule of 7 to 15-day cruises in the Canadian Maritimes and the Caribbean.

The first sailing is scheduled for August of 2008 and they are hoping to lure upscale cruises willing to take a chance on an unproved line with a discount of $600 off staterooms booked in October. The message I received was bit confusing on this point. The large type says they are offering the deal to "clients of CLIA travel agents that make reservations on October 17th, 2007," which coincides with CLIA's "World's Largest Cruise Night" promotion. But an asterisk directs your attention to a footnote that says, "This offer will be valid October 15 – October 30, 2007." Note that this offer is for CLIA agents only, apparently.

$600 seems like a nice sweetener until you notice that the least expensive cabin on the shortest itinerary goes for roughly $8,000. A couple booking the best cabin on the longest itinerary would be getting about 3% off. Seems to me like they could have dug a little deeper and at least come up with a nice round number like $1,000.

The quibbles of a cheapskate aside, this looks like a line with a good bit of upside potential. Here's what their press release (PDF) has to say:
[T]hese ships will offer the intimacy and service expected on a small deluxe cruise ship while also affording all of the modern amenities of a larger cruise ship. . . The ships have been designed with the most innovative advanced designs including state of the art technologies and modern amenities: including a spa, elevators to all six decks, Internet access throughout the ship, and oversized suites all with private verandas and large opening picture windows offering spectacular views. . . The ship is fully stabilized, and meets the newest and most stringent safety and environmental standards. The atmosphere is relaxing and inviting, much like that of a fine private club, offering “Luxury Adventure™” with every cruise experience.

If you have well-heeled clients who like to be the first to sample the "next big thing," you might want to take a look. The maiden voyage is to the Canadian Maritimes. Personally, I'd wait for the Caribbean cruises in the Fall, to give them a chance to work out the kinks. I've heard far too many first voyage horror stories. Still, that maiden voyage mystique has its adherents.