Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2013

This is the 28th year that Berlitz has published the guide - the “cruise industry bible” as it’s known by travel specialists - and this fully revised 2013 edition details all the latest trends in what has become an increasingly popular vacation choice.

The book is divided into two main parts: the first helps you define what you are looking for in a cruise vacation and advises you on how to find it. It provides a wealth of information, including a look at life aboard ship and how to get the best from it. Specialist cruises are discussed, too, culminating with that ultimate travel experience: the around-the-world cruise. This unrivaled detail is complemented by a vast number of tables and checklists, color photographs and maps.

The second section profiles almost 300 ocean-going cruise vessels. From large to small, from unabashed luxury and exclusivity to ships for the budget-minded, new and old, they are all here. The ratings and evaluations - using an internationally recognized ratings system - have been made objectively, without bias, partiality, or prejudice and are in no way subsidized by advertising or sponsorship. In almost all instances, the ships have been visited recently by the author or one of his team in order to assess current status. Passenger comments are taken into account in the final evaluations.

If you are thinking about a taking a cruise, this book clearly sets out all the information you need to make the right choice for you.
 

With more than 40 years of experience, encompassing over 1,000 cruises and more than 5,700 days at sea, Douglas Ward spends some 200 days a year aboard cruise ships, evaluating their facilities, inspecting each ship like a maritime Sherlock Holmes. Facilities count, of course but just as important are the standards of food, service, staff and hospitality. In his quest for the truth about cruising, no stone is left unturned, from the fluffiness of the towels to the quality of the china, and from the welcome aboard to the disembarkation process.