CAA Magazine....

THE SHIPPING NEWS:
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CRUISE

Your ship will come in. Whether it’s your first sailing or your fifteenth, today's cruise lines offer the perfect vacation tailored to your interests, budget and even your appetite. And planning your trip is simple once you decide where you want to go, how much you want to spend, and which ship fits your lifestyle.

“Today’s floating resorts offer a host of modern conveniences and amenities, along with more embarkation and port-of-call options than ever,” says Micky Arison, chariman and CEO of Carnival Corporation. There’s never been a better time to cruise--with 68 new ships setting sail since 2000, there is a cruise to suit every taste and price range.

Choose an Itinerary

With cruise travel, you see lots of places while unpacking only once. And the range of itineraries is as varied as the cruise lines that offer them. While the Caribbean remains the most popular destination, other interesting options include Europe, Asia, Alaska and northeast North America.

Craving warm weather and outdoor activities? Try a Caribbean route, or to soak up the sun, several cultures and thousands of years of history, considera a glamorous Mediterranean cruise  Many lines travel to these sunny destinations and range in price from super value to ultra luxury.

If you prefer snow to sand, try Alaska. Cruises here offer nonstop scenery and unparalleled opportunities to observe the region's unique wildlife. The state continues to grow as a popular choice for both first-timers and cruise veterans, with many lines now offering Alaska itineraries combined with land tours.

Mirroring Alaska’s growth, northeast North America has become an attractive choice for many, especially during the colorful fall foliage season. Ports of call such as Halifax, Charlottetown, Montreal, Quebec City, Boston and Newport make this region a site-filled choice.

Want something a little more Continental? Europe is one of the industry’s fastest-growing regions. Follow the pathways of the Vikings, see the fjords of Scandinavia or circle the British Isles.

More adventurous cruisers now look even further abroad. With its unique combination of ancient traditions and modern culture, Asia offers a wide range of possibilities for tourists. Another unique choice is Antarctica. The Great White Continent features landscapes and wildlife that simply can't be found elsewhere. Large and small ships alike navigate the waters surrounding the region.

If you love being on the water, a transatlantic voyage may be the way to go. With many days at sea, be sure to choose a line with first-class amenities and fine-dining options. Cabin and deck space should also be considerations when choosing a ship for a longer cruise.

Most destinations feature typical cruise lengths. Expect something in the three- to seven-night range for the Caribbean or seven- to ten-nights in Alaska, northeast North America, and the Mediterranean. Cruises to Europe, Asia, and the Antarctic can run from ten days to more than two weeks.

Pick Your Price

Although there is overlap between lines, each cruise company generally caters to a specific group of passengers of similar age, interests and pricing needs. In the value category, industry pioneer Carnival is joined by Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Royal Caribbean, Windjammer, and Costa in offering the best bang for your cruise buck. Royal Caribbean is especially popular with more adventurous types, offering active onboard amenities such as rock climbing walls, ice rinks and surf simulators. Windjammer goes after the younger set who are in search of sailing the high seas on a low budget, while Costa offers a more traditional value-oriented cruise with an Italian flair.

The luxury possibilities are vast. For upscale European style and service, check out vacations offered by Princess Cruises, Celebrity, Holland America, Oceania or Cruise West In many ways, Princess put cruising on the map with the classic TV series The Love Boat. “We’ve been known to have passengers board our ships and ask, ‘Where is Captain Stubing?’” says Julie Benson, director of public relations at Princess. “The weekly series, which introduced millions of viewers to the concept of the cruise vacation."

If you want to splurge, try  an ultra-luxury line such as Crystal Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Discovery World Cruises, Silversea or Cunard. These lines often feature extras like more spacious cabins with upgraded amenities, butler service, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and practically anything else you could want. Silversea, for instance, distinguishes itself by offering the industry’s only “Personalized Voyages”--you choose when and where you’ll embark and disembark.

Liner Notes

Whatever your interests or vacation style, there's a cruise tailor-made for you:

Focused on fun?
Disney Cruise Line: Disney caters to kids and adults alike. The children's deck features surpervised pools, organized activities and interactive computer games. Grown-ups can enjy adult-tailored evening entertainment--including a comedy club, piano bar, and disco. And everyone can escape to Castaway Cay--Disney's private island with lush greenery, white sand beaches and activities including snorkeling, boating and biking.
Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL created "Freestyle Cruising" for those craving flexibility. Expect a more relaxed dress code and up to 10 different restaurant options aboard each ship, with no fixed table seatings as on traditional cruises. Although they sail to many exotic locales, NCL America’s extensive offerings in Hawaii are incredibly popular.
Princess Cruises: Industry pioneer Princess continues to shine with worldwide itineraries and strong offerings at sea and on land in Alaska. Celebrations are a Princess specialty. Get married, renew your vows or celebrate an anniversary on the high seas. Experienced coordinators arrange every detail to make your event unforgettable.

Looking for Luxury?
Cunard: The Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 are among the most famous ocean liners afloat. Luxury appointments and British-style service define all Cunard ships. At 150,000 tons, the QM2 is the world's largest, tallest and grandest ship sailing today. You'll find first-class dining, 14 decks of sports facilities, pools, lounges, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, casino, disco and even a planetarium.
Holland America Line: This line’s $225 million "Signature of Excellence" initiative includes new beds, flat-screen TVs, enhancements to their private Caribbean island, and the Culinary Arts Center in partnership with Food & Wine Magazine. The Culinary Arts Center program allows guests to participate in demonstrations and seminars conducted by leading chefs and wine experts.
Radisson Seven Seas: Radisson’s mid-size fleet features all-suite accommodations, as well as complimentary wine at dinner and many extras at no cost. Every year, the line offers various Spotlight Cruises, featuring tours, seminars and demonstrations conducted by guest experts. Topics range from winemaking and cooking to antiques--the latter presented by experts from the hit TV series Antiques Roadshow.

Want Something a Little Different?
Quark Expeditions: For those in search of small ship adventures near and far, Quark offers one of the best combinations of destinations, ships, and value-packed pricing. Travel to the Arctic and Antarctic in comfort aboard one of Quark's polar icebreakers. These small ships are able to navigate the most remote corners of the earth while providing top-notch hotel amenities, including indoor pools, spas, libraries, international cuisine and lounges.
Victoria Cruises: A veteran in China, Victoria has the largest "five-star" fleet cruising the Yangtze River. The cruises sail the river through a series of locks, adjacent to China's latest engineering wonder, the Three Gorges Dam. Enjoy daily onboard tai chi classes, history and culture lectures, as well as fashion shows.
Crystal Cruises: From Africa to Australia to Northern Europe and the Panama Canal, Crystal ships travel to every part of the world. The fleet provides passengers with ample cabin space and roomy decks. Caesers Palace at Sea casinos provide constant entertainment, while award-winning restaurants supply delicious dining options.

Star Chefs Hit the High Seas

Dining has always been a big part of the cruise experience. Now you can enjoy fine cuisine at sea from some of the world's top chefs. These collaborations range from one-time sailings and demonstrations to permanent menu consulting and even namesake restaurants.

The star chef-cruise began with Celebrity Cruises and top French chef Michel Roux back in the late-1980s. Roux acts as the culinary and wine consultant across Celebrity's fleet.

Other top chefs and restaurateurs have followed Roux’s lead. Wolfgang Puck, Iron Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Piero Sebaggio work in various capacities aboard Crystal Cruises. Four Oceania ships feature the menus designed by master chef Jacques Pepin, while Georges Blanc developed a line of signature dishes exclusively served aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. Cunard recently entered into a partnership with Todd English, one of America's leading chefs and cooking personalities.

In 2004, English opened his namesake restaurant aboard the Queen Mary 2. The dinner menu at Todd English features dishes created especially for cruise passengers. According to English, “Being involved with Queen Mary 2 is very exciting. While it is a challenge, it is also an honor for me to operate the signature restaurant onboard the greatest luxury liner in the world.”