9. Nassau, Bahamas
Cruise ships are docked at Nassau in the Bahamas. Bohemian culture, a laidback lifestyle, cruises, sandy beaches and outdoor activities in Nassau keep tourists engaged. With direct short-duration flights from Canada, this is quite a preferred destination. stock.xchng

Even as most airlines fear a setback for the travel industry because of rising fuel costs, the cruise industry is optimistic about 2011 as a year of growth.

CEOs of some of the major cruise lines expressed potential for growth in the cruise industry this year at the 2011 Cruise Shipping Miami conference on Tuesday, in Miami Beach.

According to a report by Reuters, rising fuel prices and political upheaval are creating headwinds for the cruise industry but the global recession has left a few legacies that made cruise company executives optimistic about their future.

The Cruise Lines International Association predicts that about 16 million people will go on a cruise vacation this year, up 6.6 percent from 2010. According to industry experts, cruising makes up about 3 percent of the travel industry in the United States.

To top that, this year will see a few new cruise ships including Disney Dream, the third cruise ship from Disney Cruise Line.