For an industry that is constantly in motion, growing rapidly, it’s easy to see the winners in cruise travel and much more difficult to determine any losers. Nonetheless, I’ve selected several of each from 2015 for your consideration below.WinnersFranchise FansOther cruise lines have partnerships with entertainment companies like Royal Caribbean International and its DreamWorks Experience (see the Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop on Quantum of the Seas in China), but only the Disney Cruise Line has in-house synergy and a treasure trove of material to draw from for its ships. Fans of “Frozen” (pictured above), “Star Wars” and “Wreck-It Ralph” won big this year, and Star Wars fans, in particular, are in for far more excitement next year.The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder were “Frozen” over this summer with special theme cruises featuring Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Olaf and the gang onboard for a day of special ship-wide fun, and the newly enhanced Disney Dream saw the addition of “Star Wars”’s Millennium Falcon to the Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats inspired by “Wreck-It Ralph.” Plus, “Star Wars” Day at Sea is headed for the Disney Fantasy in 2016.Internet UsersInternet connections at sea were once as slow as molasses and equally expensive. Well, the light at the end of the tunnel got even brighter this year as Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean International expanded their high-speed services, and luxury lines, Crystal Cruises and Silversea Cruises, made their connections complimentary to all guests, joining Viking Cruises.At this time on other luxury lines, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer free internet to all guests only on 2016-17 winter voyages, and Seabourn Cruise Line still charges based on usage. Upper premium Azamara Club Cruises and Oceania Cruises also provide various amounts of complimentary internet time to suite guests.High-speed (or at least relatively high-speed) internet is now rolling out across more and more Carnival Cruise Line ships, and its WiFi@Sea network is broadening corporately across its other brands and majority of ships into 2016 with reasonably priced packages. Similarly, Royal Caribbean International has launched its Voom service on its Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships when sailing in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Asia, and the Majesty of the Seas will feature the system for free in 2016.Waterslide Aficionados2015 was also the year of the waterslide as more were introduced at sea and announced to be on their way. The Norwegian Escape carried over its popular free-fall varieties from the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway sister ships but also introduced a single new tandem raft slide, replacing the former twister pair.Most surprising, however, is the future
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