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Here are Cruise Critic’s top 10 cruise trends for 2010:

Pricing is Rising

In 2010: So far, cruise lines are optimistic about 2010 sales — and that means they’re bringing prices back up. We don’t expect last-minute or shoulder-season deals to disappear, but the record low fares for peak-season sailings will most likely disappear. Plus, exciting new ships like Carnival’s Carnival Dream, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic should command premium pricing that’s higher than average. One fire-sale holdover: Luxury cruise lines are keeping some of the free airfare, two-for-one pricing, on-board credit and free shore excursions policies that they introduced in 2009.

Innovative Onboard Attractions

You’ll still see some exciting new additions to existing cruise ships but they likely won’t be as innovative as features introduced on all-new ship designs. Azamara, for instance, has no plans just now to build new ships — but it is retooling its name and concept, to promote its new destination focus and more inclusive nature. At Windstar, where ships were built in the late 1980′s, its Degrees of Difference program enters its newest phase — which includes the introduction of new spa-focused suites onboard. Carnival continues to revamp its oldest ships with the “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades, which include a new aqua park with waterslide, an adults-only sun deck and redesigned main pool areas. And Celebrity is finally embracing freestyle dining by rolling out an alternative, flexible dining program fleetwide.

Lots of Sister Ships

With the notable exception of NCL’s Norwegian Epic, most of the ships debuting this year are sisters of previous ships. Costa’s Costa Deliziosa, Celebrity’s Celebrity Eclipse, Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam, Seabourn’s Seabourn Sojourn and Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas are all near twins of existing ships (namely, Costa Luminosa, Celebrity Solstice, Eurodam, Seabourn Odyssey and Oasis of the Seas). P&O’s Azura, too, is built on the same general platform as Ventura — though it will be a departure from the family-focused Ventura, geared instead to adults and couples with single cabins, new dining options and an adults-only sun deck.

So the christenings will be a little ho hum — unless the cruise lines pull out all the stops with new programming or big-name godmothers. Again, the one bright spot is Norwegian Epic, the largest-ever NCL ship featuring an aqua park, an array of restaurants but no main dining room, a circus- and acrobatics-themed dinner show, dueling piano bar, ice bar, and New Wave cabins with curved walls and split baths. It’s definitely the ship to watch in 2010.

European River Cruising Enters Luxury Niche

Taking some inspiration from their bigger ship brethren, some river operators are now figuring that even if you can’t make riverboats enormous, why not take the space you have and make it as nice as possible? For the first time, a river cruise can be a luxury cruise experience. AMAWATERWAYS’ Amabella will have an elevator, free wine and beer at meals, free Wi-Fi, a spa-type shower in all cabins, and a small spa. Avalon Waterways’ 2010 new-builds, Avalon Felicity and Avalon Luminary, will have 258-square-foot junior suites, cabins with French balconies and high-quality linens, and a fitness center.

Other luxury touches to look for include Nintendo Wii systems and marble bathrooms on Tauck’s newest ships, museum-quality art collections and swimming pools on Uniworld’s new-builds, and all-balcony cabins and a private restaurant for suite guests on Victoria Cruises’ most modern riverboats.

Snagging Virgin Cruisers

This year, we’ll see cruise lines continue their push to attract the first-time cruiser, whether that be families and young adults, international travelers or just anyone who never thought they’d go on a cruise vacation. New ships like Norwegian Epic and Oasis and Allure of the Seas are mimicking South Beach and Vegas-style attractions with themed nightlife, exclusive sun decks, onboard beach parties, more athletic options, kids’ clubs with the latest video games and Internet consoles, and brand-name shops. Even luxury lines are going after a younger demographic with larger ships, bigger spas, a greater focus on the destination and more inclusive pricing.

It’s a Small (International) World

Just as cruise travel has exploded in popularity among Americans, Canadians and Brits, it’s also increasingly sought after for travelers from disparate places such as Brazil, China and Europe. While there are country-centric cruise lines that market to particular regions or languages (such as the German AIDA, Costa in the Middle East, Royal Caribbean in China, and MSC in Brazil), many mainstream lines, like Princess and Holland America, are reaching out travelers all over the world and your fellow passengers onboard could observe different customs and speak varying languages.

Costa Deliziosa will be christened in Dubai before doing a maiden season of Middle East cruises, Celebrity Eclipse will offer a maiden season out of Southampton and HAL’s Nieuw Amsterdam will take its inaugural cruises in the Mediterranean. Plus, the onboard atmosphere is changing with the need for announcements in more languages, food and activities to reflect more European tastes, and gratuities policies that account for nationalities not accustomed to tipping.

Innovative Cabins Are On the Rise

Norwegian Epic is launching the New Wave cabin concept, featuring curved walls and a new bathroom concept with the shower stall, toilet area and vanity split up into three different entities. New 100-square-foot studios will offer mood lighting and access to an exclusive two-floor lounge, while eight of its spa-oriented accommodations will have in-room whirlpools. P&O’s Azura will have 18 single cabins (a first for the line) and a pair of large suites, ideal for families or friend groups. And looking ahead to 2011, the three owners suites on Oceania’s new Marina, with fabulous Ralph Lauren-decorated schemes and lavish bathrooms, will take onboard indulgence to new heights.

Theme Cruise Options Explode

Theme cruises will continue to get bigger and better. Look for theme cruises being hosted by more big-name stars — like previous headliners John Mayer, the Barenaked Ladies and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They will focus on the hottest trends, like the Twilight Cruise in August 2010 that capitalizes on teens’ obsession with the popular vampire series of books and movies. Finally, be prepared to book early as the hottest theme cruises are guaranteed to sell out far in advance, if not instantly — the 2009 New Kids on the Block cruise sold out in minutes.

The End of Tips?

We predict that 2010 will be the year when outdated tipping policies join the 21st century and the global community. Already, Royal Caribbean is reviewing its gratuities procedures due to pressure from its British and European past passengers. P&O Cruises Australia recently announced that starting with the line’s October 2010 departures, gratuities will no longer be automatically added to passengers’ onboard bill, leaving guests to tip — or not — at their own discretion. On the luxury side, Azamara is abolishing gratuities for housekeeping and dining as part of its more-inclusive policy.

Caribbean’s In, Alaska’s Out, Middle East’s Hot — Suez Canal is Not

Alaska will continue to be on the outs for 2010. Cruise line executives have been complaining about the state’s $50 head tax and have made good on their promises to pull ships from a region that was frankly oversaturated to begin with. Cruise West, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Holland America are all cutting back (though, interestingly, Disney will make its first ever foray to Alaska in 2011).

Beyond offering cheaper cruises, the Caribbean’s a hot spot because it’s getting all the neat new ships. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (as well as sibling Allure of the Seas) will homeport there year-round. Carnival Dream and Norwegian Epic, two of the other most innovative new ships, will also spend their first years in the region.

With Costa’s Luminosa and Deliziosa, its two newest ships, and Royal Caribbean’s contemporary Brilliance of the Seas spending the winter season in Dubai, offering Persian Gulf itineraries, that region — despite the global recession – is seeing a rise in status and popularity. And at the same time, lingering concerns (from all sides, from cruise executives to travelers) over pirates plaguing waterways between the coast of Africa and Yemen, and affecting Suez Canal transits, more ships are actually finding other ways to cross between Europe and Asia.

–by Erica Silverstein, Senior Editor