2002 will surely not be counted as “a banner year” for many, if any, industries, particularly not for the leisure and travel niche. The cruise industry survived a tough year, as terrorism, a shakey economy and sickness outbreaks onboard ships grabbed headlines. But it is important to note that the industry did survive. Cruise lines were not as profitable as years past, but last year’s challenges present future opporunities. The end of 2002 closed out with a broken merger agreement between P&O Princess and Miami, Fla.-based Royal Caribbean, which, if completed, would have tallied up to a $6 billion operation. Taking the industry surprise in November 2001, the two companies even managed to keep their trade secret from the industry's powerhouse — Carnival Corp.