Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships

This is a very informative book for anyone comtemplating a cruise and I can highly recommend it.

If you have ever taken a cruise you know how frustrating it can be just deciding which cruise to take? There are probably hundreds of books on the topic, not to mention the endless number of newspaper, magazine and Internet articles.Now along comes a guide that probably could be called the bible of ocean cruising information, as its level of detail and rigorous research is unbelievable!The Berlitz Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2004, authored by Douglas Ward, just about answers all of your cruising queries. In other words, don't leave home without it before committing yourself to a cruise.The guide's author is the world's top authority on cruising and cruise ships, and is the president of the Maritime Evaluations Group, an independent international agency that rates cruise ships worldwide.In the introductory chapters Ward gives the reader interesting information as to what to keep in mind before deciding on any one cruise.Readers learn about terrorism and its effects on cruising, quality of cruising today, destinations, history of cruising entertainment, different kinds of cruising, what brochures really mean, selecting the right ship, and how the guide evaluates the ships. There is also a section asking if in fact cruising is for you. After reading these introductory chapters, readers are now prepared to pore over information pertaining to 256 cruise ships that are alphabetically listed.The reviews of these ships reveal vital statistics and information pertaining to the ships' size, age, names of builders, original cost, former names, and what the ship contains insofar as cabins, swimming pools, floors etc.Overview paragraphs indicate the ship's history and the author's comments concerning the honesty of the ship's brochures.How often have we picked up a beautiful brochure and were subsequently very disappointed?Succinct descriptions of the ship's interior, as well as the cabins, dining facilities; dress code, food quality, and transportation to and from the ship are also provided.Questions as to the suitability of the cruise are clearly answered. As an example, some are more suitable for younger couples, others for families or mature individuals.Detailed descriptions concerning accommodations are clearly presented concerning their size, what they include, bathrooms, closet and drawer space, showers, cabin voltage, spaciousness, amenities, special suites, and how they are decorated.Cuisine and dining facilities are analyzed as to their general atmosphere, size, kind of meals served, choice, quality and quantity of the food, wine lists, quality of service and what to expect from the waiters and waitresses. Do they sing and dance during the meals? Some ships offer alternative dining facilities. Generally, these require reservations and there is an extra cost. Here again, the guide goes into detail about ships that offer this alternative and their quality.Always high on the priority list is the question of entertainment. The guide- book provides th

I am fond of this book for giving detailed information on most major cruise ships currently afloat. There is virtually nil on the actual itineraries, but there is an abundance of insight into the technical details of the ships themselves, and more importantly excellent analysis of a ship's ambiance, which is critical for making a good decision on whether to cruise on a specific ship or not (e.g., the differences between a Celebrity ship and a Carnival ship). Before I consider a cruise on a specific ship, I open this wonderful book up and read the entry for that ship, and have never been disappointed with the informative analysis and technical information. I just finished a Bermuda cruise on the Celebrity 'Horizon,' and found the book to be right on target, and the cruise to be perfect.One minor nitpick, that does not really detract from the overall value of the book (but would be nice in future editions) is the general absence of information on the ships that specialize in coastal cruising in Norway (Norwegian Coastal Voyage). I know that is a fairly specialized area, but there are many other specialized ships in here. If you are interested in itinerary details, this book is of limited use, but if you use it in the planning stage, you will greatly increase your chances of a great cruise suitable for you.

I now own the 1995, 2000 and 2003 editions of this guide, and this new edition is, as it claims to be, indeed a > guide to the world of cruising. My previous review of the book seems to have been helpful to 123 readers, so I feel encouraged to rewrite and update my views on this new edition.<br> There are many cruise ship guides on the market, but none as complete and thorough as this one which gives very detailed reviews of no fewer than 254 cruise ships, ranging from the modest <<Funchal>> to the, some would say, immodest <<Voyager of the Seas>>. Certainly there is a very important first section dealing with many aspects of the cruising experience, but thankfully not the huge amount of space that many cruise book writers feel they must devote to descriptions of ports and cruise destinations. There are many other travel books that can give you that information. The major part of the book [around 75%] is devoted to the very detailed descriptions, reviews and ratings of the individual cruise ships, each review giving a general description, accomodation, dining, entertainment, and, very importantly, <<weak points>>. You may not agree with all of Douglas Ward's comments, but he is generally very fair in his criticisms.<br> Some reviewers feel that Mr. Ward is too <<european>> in his viewpoint, but my own view is that although Carnival, Princess or Royal Caribbean are excellent introductions to cruising for first-timers, each with their own particular strengths, however it's sad to see so many cruisers who won't venture past their <<comfort zone>>, and this is where Mr. Ward's expertise comes in. Most cruisers won't have the means, nor perhaps the desire, to travel on his top rated ship <<Europa>>, but his description of life aboard such a superb ship makes a mouth-watering read.<br> One reviewer took Mr. Ward to task for a perceived <<anti-american>> stance, however I can detect no such bias. Rather, his approach is truly international, unlike most cruise ship writers who look at the cruising scene only from the american perspective. The most interesting cruises are those which have a truly international clietele. If the ship were full of only Los Angeleans, or Londoners, or Sydneysiders, it would be a very dull cruise indeed.<br> The inclusion of colour photos and maps in this new edition makes a welcome innovation, as are the descriptions of ships, like the Queen Mary 2, that are yet to be launched. Some may argue that the cruise enthusiast can find all he or she needs to know on the internet, however I would counter that few writers could compete with Ward on completeness or detail in their reviews. The blurb on the back cover claims <<includes simply everything you ever wanted to know about cruise ships>> and I woud have to concur with this judgement. It's a great read, both for the experienced cruiser, and the novice - and I defy any non-cruiser who delves into it to resist after sampling Ward's enthusiastic tome. Good reading - & Go

Douglas Ward returns to a format, in his 2003 edition, that enables the reader to compare similarly-rated ships in a manner that distinguishes between cuisine, service, entertainment, etc. Therefore, his critical eye and high standards combine to provide the reader with the tools to choose a sailing so that, by disembarking, they'll be thinking of their next cruise vacation. Indeed, this thorough analysis is a "must have" for any person selling cruises, contemplating their first cruise, or their fifteenth voyage. Don't leave home without it!