Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation: 2017 Edition: Descriptions of Every Major Cruise Ship, Riverboat and Port of Call Worldwide.

"The extent of detail given . . . is good not only for the novice cruiser finding their way around . . . but also for the veteran cruiser who wants to know the latest about the newest ships" (CyberCruises.com).

"This is the book with which to gain a full and thorough understanding of the wonderful world of cruising. Repeat cruisers and novices alike will gain from the volume of features--menus, daily schedules, photos, as well as details on every cruise ship and port of call throughout the world. This should be the encyclopedia for any cruise aficionado" (World of Cruising).

"People who've never cruised before--or those who have, but find themselves faced with a confusing onslaught of new ships--need to know a great deal, and this book goes a long way in providing it" (Chicago Tribune).

"Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation is one of the most comprehensive authorities and a must-have for both the novice and the seasoned cruiser" (Porthole Magazine).

Steven B. Stern is the ultimate authority on luxury travel, especially cruise vacations. He is also the author of Stern's Guide to European Riverboats and Hotel Barges, Stern's Guide to the Greatest Resorts of the World, and the Indispensable Guide to Foreign Words and Phrases. Whether readers are sailing the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Seas, Alaska, Southeast Asia, or the waterways of Europe, this is the most comprehensive guide available, with details on all aspects of cruise-ship travel. Updated annually, this edition lists descriptive information for all major cruise ships, including each vessel's history; vital statistics; appearance; itineraries; price range; and sport, dining, and medical facilities. Stern evaluates every detail by bestowing overall Star Awards as well as ratings in eleven specific categories. More than two hundred photographs of ships, decks, and interiors are included, along with actual shipboard menus and daily activity programs for each featured cruise line. This valuable guide assists you in selecting the ship best suited to your taste, advises you on how to prepare for your cruise, and explains what to expect once you are onboard. Stern discusses every major port of call worldwide, listing details on attractions, beaches, hotels, restaurants, shopping, sports, and other recreation. He also includes guidelines on how to make the most of an eight-hour stay in port.