Industry giant Royal Caribbean plans a big expansion in Europe in 2011 as demand for cruises in the region continues to grow.

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein reveals this week on his blog that the company will send a record 10 of its 22 ships to the Continent for the 2011 summer season, up from eight in 2009 and 2010.

"Just a few years ago we would not have imagined such a scenario," Goldstein notes.

Goldstein says the line will be releasing details of the expansion, including itineraries for new voyages, over the next 90 days.

Royal Caribbean already said last month it would move one of its largest, most amenity-filled cruise ships, the 154,407-ton Liberty of the Seas, to Barcelona in 2011, setting up a head-to-head confrontation with the equally giant flagship of rival Norwegian Cruise Line, the 153,000-ton Norwegian Epic.

Norwegian Cruise Line already has announced plans to have more capacity in Europe in 2011, as has Holland America.

Europe is gaining cruise capacity in part at the expense of Alaska, where cruise lines have been cutting back due to higher operating costs and lower revenue.