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Top 5 Small Cruise Lines
Celebrated Living readers adore cruise vacations. More than 11 million Americans took a cruise aboard almost 300 ocean-going cruise ships last year alone. From large resort ships (carrying more than 1,500 passengers) that specialize in multigenerational facilities to smaller ships for expedition-style and luxury cruising, there are more options and dining choices than ever before. Bon voyage! — Douglas Ward
 1. Windstar Cruises
Readers voted Windstar at the top in this category for its laid-back, unstructured lifestyle, and the chic, high-tech surroundings that marry sailing and cruising. The 148-passenger Wind Spirit and Wind Star are being refurbished this year, and the 312-passenger Wind Surf was updated last year. Passengers praise features like hammocks on deck, the calming atmosphere on board, the small number of passengers, and the feeling of exclusivity. The watersports toys (windsurfers, kayaks, sailboats, scuba and snorkeling equipment, and water-ski boat) kick up the excitement a notch on active beach days. (800) 258-7245, www.windstarcruises.com
 2. Crystal Cruises
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony (fresh from a $23 million makeover) have long been favorites of sophisticated travelers who enjoy the finer things in life. You particularly like the sense of space, the walk-around outdoor promenade decks, a high crew-to-passenger ratio, the fine libraries, attention to detail, and being able to really dress up in the evenings. Crystal provides all this in a serene, no-announcement onboard environment.With a focus clearly on wellness, health-conscious passengers are delighted with the excellent spa and fitness facilities as well as special mind-body-spirit themed cruises. Crystal has returned to a season of cruising Asia this year, and plans to explore Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific in 2008. (888) 799-4625, www.crystalcruises.com
 3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Long-distance cruising in spacious surroundings, with a high crew-to-passenger ratio is what makes this line stand out. Also popular: the haute-cuisine in a choice of four dine-at-leisure open-seating restaurants, the line’s Le Cordon Bleu affiliation, and the culinary workshops.Regent also offers individually tailored travel concierge services, themed sailings with enrichment lecturers, dance hosts, and diverse itineraries.New this year: All drinks, including wines and champagnes, are now included, and “iJourneys,” personal iPod walking tours at selected ports, hosted by Emmy-award-winning television producer Elyse Weiner, a foreign news producer whose television credits include Tom Brokaw’s NBC Nightly News and Peter Jennings’ ABC World News Tonight. (800) 285-1835, www.theregentexperience.com
4. Silversea Cruises
Readers enjoy Silversea’s four ships for their oversize suites, gracious European service, gourmet cuisine, inclusive drinks policy, and international passenger mix. The focus on healthy dining options, including fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and low-carb option meals, are also a plus.In 2007 Silversea showcases a series of 11 culinary arts and wine cruises, and debuts state-of-the-art, exclusive Viking cooking theaters. Silversea has linked up with The Leading Hotel Schools of the World to provide some of the most comprehensive education available in hospitality training. The line also continues its association with the gourmet society Relais & Chateaux. Newly announced are special “Privileged Passage” lifestyle cruises which dispense with formal nights and receptions, and both Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper are expanding their spas. (800) 722-9955, www.silversea.com
5. Seabourn Cruise Line
The luxurious intimacy and chic style of Seabourn’s three small ships, each of which carries just over 200 passengers, make this line a favorite of Celebrated Living readers. The new Sky Grill casual outdoor dining spot serves as a wonderful alternative to dinner in the more formal restaurant.The big news is the order for two new Seabourn ships. At 32,000 tons, they will be considerably larger than the present intimate ships, and appear set to become sought-after ships for the baby-boomer crowd. (800) 929-9391, www.seabourn.com
Top 5 Large Cruise Lines
 1. Royal Caribbean International
Readers voted RCI tops again this year for its family-friendly fleet of 21 ships (the newest is the 158,000-ton, 3,600-passenger Liberty of the Seas, with a May debut), cruising from Miami. More than 150 destinations are visited by the line’s ships, but the hottest cruise destination this year is Europe, where RCI has six ships. People really like the outdoor sports facilities, including the popular Flow Rider surf park and other water-themed areas. New programs for youth, children, infants, and toddlers have been introduced through partnerships with Fisher-Price and Lowe’s. Kids love the Adventure Ocean program, and Royal Caribbean adds a children’s loyalty program with the debut of Liberty of the Seas. RCI has two more ships on order, one of which (code-named Genesis) will, at 220,000 tons and carrying up to 6,400 passengers, be the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in the fall of 2009. The line returns to Asia in December. (800) 327-6700, www.royalcaribbean.com
 2. Norwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle Cruising — the ability to choose when you want to eat, where, and with whom — is a big hit aboard NCL’s 14 ships. The choice of up to 10 dining venues is perfect for those who want to experience the exotic international eateries. The most popular spots: Le Bistro, the Teppanyaki, the Tapas Bars, and Cagney’s Steakhouse. Passengers enjoy the family-welcome atmosphere and the “trendy city environment” that includes international restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, a health spa, and entertainment venues. Also appreciated are the exclusive Garden and Courtyard Villas, where a limited number of guests share a private courtyard area and a sundeck, complete with hammocks. Norwegian offers the experience of cruising in the islands of Hawaii with all-American crewed ships as well as active shore excursions, like ziplining, for the whole family.With two new 150,000-ton ships on order (for delivery in 2009 and 2010), and Norwegian Gem to be delivered later this year, NCL is poised to have the youngest fleet in the North American cruise industry. (800) 327-7030, www.ncl.com
 3. Celebrity Cruises
The sophisticated environment aboard Celebrity Cruises’ nine ships is suited to well-traveled families. The eclectic artwork, signature Martini Bars, superb food, and fine-tuned European service make Celebrity a strong favorite. The expansive suites and cabins are nice for longer cruises, and the staff ratio of two staff members for each guest is appreciated. LeapFrog SchoolHouse and its interactive learning programs are now installed in all ships for junior cruisers. Also new this year are two mid-size, 710-passenger ships (Celebrity Journey and Celebrity Quest) that will join the fleet for seven-night Bermuda and 12-night Caribbean cruises. With the new 118,000-ton, 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice to debut in 2008, Celebrity Cruises will definitely be in the big league. (800) 437-3111, www.celebritycruises.com
4. Princess Cruises
Known as the “Love Boat” cruise line, Princess recently introduced a Department of Romance, with a Romance by Room Service package, Romance and TV Programming, and an Engagement Under the Stars program for passengers who want to pop the question with a surprise videotaped proposal on a 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars screen.
Readers relish the comfort level, cleanliness, and friendly staff aboard the ships, the ambience that combines American and European tastes, and the Personal Choice dining. Also popular are the wide range of shore excursions, particularly in Alaska, and the colorful shipboard production shows. Princess caters to the kids with its renamed Shockwaves program for ages 8 through 12, and Remix for teens. Also new is a Junior Chef at Sea program. Princess Cruises’ newest ship, the 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess, is set to continue the romantic traditions started by the Love Boats all those years ago, as does a smaller 700-passenger Royal Princess — both debuting in May 2007. (800) 774-6237, www.princess.com
5. Cunard Line
Readers have voted Cunard Line among the top five for the first time. You adore the Britishness of these real ocean liners, as well as the style and history associated with the line. Also noted are the maritime traditions such as the captain’s daily noontime announcement, the new Wedgwood white-glove tea service aboard the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2, and the absolute civility of a North Atlantic crossing.A third queen, Queen Victoria, is set to debut in December 2007, promising the best between traditional ocean liner and contemporary cruise ship interiors and features. Also new for 2007 are more than a dozen 10- to 14-day cruises from New York aboard Queen Mary 2. In 2008, both Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Victoria are set to feature around-the-world cruises, with the ships meeting in Sydney, Australia. (800) 728-6273, www.cunard.com
U.S. | International | Editor's Picks | Cruise Lines
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