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5 SMALL/MID-SIZE SHIPS
CRUISES
This year, the cruise picture is bigger and brighter than ever — and thousands of Celebrated Living readers have weighed in enthusiastically. Blame baby boomers for the increased traffic, if you want. And then credit the booming cruise industry for proving itself ready, willing, and able to meet the challenge. — ROBERT W. BONE
 1 WINDSTAR CRUISES
Along with their elegant white sails, Windstar ships are again flying the blue ribbon in this category. Its fleet of three luxurious but deliberately limited-capacity vessels is famous for exploring lesser-known waters in Europe and the Caribbean. This year, some Windstar ships will be checking out new ports on the Adriatic. Don’t look for balconies and ballrooms, but staterooms and service are first class, and there are plenty of on-board activities. Windstar cruisers will find equipment and opportunities for everything they might want to do on shore or in the water. (877) 827-7245, www.windstarcruises.com
2 CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal Cruises is again setting its own special standard of seaborne elegance. A prominent global presence, its two approximately 1,000-berth ships have nearly doubled their maiden calls, exploring such new ports as Qatar, Albania, and more. One expanded Baltic cruise will reach the Polar Ice Cap this summer. Crystal has also been catering to family travel more than ever, reflecting a growth in that demand. For that reason, too, it has increased its active adventures ashore, along with more varied experiences in wine and food. Two new gourmet restaurants (including Nobu) have just opened to great acclaim aboard the Crystal Symphony. (888) 799-4625, www.crystalcruises.com
 3 REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent has been known for its innovative and seldom-visited ports of call, and it has introduced no fewer than 22 new ports in 2008-2009. The long list includes Russia, Tasmania, and many more. With one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios afloat, Regent concentrates on luxury as much as any of its big sisters. The 700-berth Seven Seas Navigator is proud of its 90 percent stateroom balconies; other Regent ships are 100 percent balconied, and all of their ships are suite-only. Its “Circles of Interest” enrichment program is expected to attract several special groups throughout 2008. (800) 285- 1835, www.theregentexperience.com
4 SILVERSEA CRUISES
This multiple-award-winning deluxe fleet of four is not just floating on its laurels. It recently launched the Viking Cooking School aboard all four vessels. Silversea also has introduced its own new spa concept featuring more personalized experiences, developed in concert with a new wellness program. Its new expedition ship (formerly the World Discoverer II) has been renamed Prince Albert II, for Monaco’s leader. This summer it is heading for adventures in the Arctic Circle, and later will reposition to South America and Antarctica. (800) 722-9955, www.silversea.com
5 SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
Like all these ultra-luxury winners, Seabourn concentrates on make-it-snappy, yet keep-it-friendly service. Also known as the Yachts of Seabourn, the company often springs surprises such as outdoor dining, an open wine bar, and even a complimentary shore excursion. Seabourn may even send you ashore with a car and a personal shopper. Next year, it will unveil its new Seabourn Odyssey, which will become the venue for the cruise line’s first-ever world cruise. (800) 929-9391, www.seabourn.com
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5 LARGE RESORT SHIPS
CRUISES
1 ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Anyone
who has taken a Royal Caribbean cruise can understand why CL cruisers
give RCI top marks for service, comfort, entertainment, and innovation.
And this fleet of 21 glamorous giants is growing all the time — the new
Independence of the Seas this year and two still-unnamed 5,400-berth
vessels in 2009 and 2010. Although known for inspired on-board
activities such as rock-climbing walls and surfing simulators, RCI is
certainly much more than that, and an attractive choice for active
singles, couples, and families. It is also notable for its
complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program and its many shore
excursions. Combination cruise-tour vacations are offered in Alaska,
Europe, South America, Australia, Asia, Western Canada, and New
Zealand. The sun never sets on this global cruise brand, which now
calls at more than 270 ports in over 70 countries. (800) 769-2522, www.royalcaribbean.com
2 NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
This
year marked important changes for NCL, as it transferred two of its
three ships out of the Hawaiian market and redeployed one to satisfy
the increasing demand in Europe. NCL is proud of its brand-new “It
Girl,” Norwegian Gem, described as a hip ship which bears such unusual
diversions as a bowling alley and Wii tournaments. Two new mega ships
will join the fleet in 2010. NCL is famous for its Freestyle Cruising,
with no fixed dining times, up to 10 different restaurants, and an
overall relaxed, informal atmosphere. Many improvements have been
unveiled in dining rooms and staterooms this year. (Balcony and suite
guests have separate check-ins and priority disembarkation.) (866)
234-0292, www.ncl.com
3 CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity
will celebrate the new Celebrity Solstice in December, when it sets
sail replete with a green and growing lawn on the top deck for bocce
ball, croquet, miniature golf, and picnics under the sun and stars.
Meanwhile, the current eight-ship fleet has added Down Under cruises to
its traditional Caribbean, Pacific Coastal, Alaska, Canada/New England,
and European repertoires. (800) 437-3111, www.celebritycruises.com
4 PRINCESS CRUISES
TV’s
famous “Love Boats” just keep on giving unconditional TLC to all aboard
its 17 vessels. That includes this November’s debutante, Ruby Princess,
which follows last year’s coming out of the sparkling new Emerald
Princess. A truly global cruise line, Princess considers the world its
oyster, and more earth-circling cruises are coming up. Several new
itineraries will include vigorous programs in the Caribbean, Alaska,
the Pacific, and especially Europe. New ports on the horizon include
several in Albania, England, Denmark, Scotland, the Azores,
Newfoundland, and others. Princess is as charming, gracious, and yes,
lovable as ever. (800) 774-6237, www.princess.com
5 HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Celebrated
Living welcomes the 14 distinguished ships of history-rich Holland
America to a well-deserved membership on the Platinum List for 2008.
The line is proud of its spacious staterooms, and especially large
balconies, along with its attentive European-style service. The
2,104-berth Eurodam will continue the trend when it goes into service
this summer with new restaurant styles and expanded spa facilities. The
rest of the fleet includes the smaller but especially luxurious
Prinsendam, formerly one of the Seabourn yachts. (877) 724-5425, www.hollandamerica.com
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