The World's Top Ten Cruise Lines

THE ROYAL CRUISING SOCIETY

A subsidiary of Churchill and Turen Ltd.

RATINGS UPDATED June 05, 2009

Our ratings are based on our own independent inspections, reports from the thousands of members of The Royal Cruising Society, and the best quality evaluations from both the consumer and industry trade press. Our standings and scores are updated on a bi-monthly basis to include new ships, on-board policies, and product enhancements. Cruise lines do not know when they are being inspected and we do not accept advertising or compensation in conjunction with our product ratings.

There is a great deal of misleading information offered to the public about the relative merits of various cruise lines. The biggest lines have the biggest advertising budgets and, often, the smaller, higher quality cruise lines are not as well known to the general public. We believe that the Royal Cruising Society list is the best first step to planning a truly memorable cruise vacation.

There are some recent developments and trends that have not been widely reported in the press. This is what the ads won't tell you:

• In order to maintain pricing parity in the Caribbean and elsewhere, the larger, mass markets ships have been under enormous pressure to dramatically increase on-board revenues. This has resulted in nickel and dime pricing for many items previously included in the cruise price such as bottled water wine tasting's, and crew tipping, (Some lines automatically charge $10-$12 per person per day to guests shipboard accounts)
• There is intense pressure to purchase gifts from the gift shops, art works of dubious pedigree, and overpriced shore excursion offerings. Drinks are peddled at every turn.
• Many of the mass market lines are using flash frozen foodstuffs such as shore side prepared frozen submarine sandwich loaves and low quality hamburgers and hot dogs.
• Crewing is one of any cruise line's largest expenditures and we are seeing cost-cutting in this area on many lines. Western European staff are being replaced with less expensive and less experienced Eastern European staff. We are seeing a significant increase in Russian staff aboard most of the mainstream lines.
• Not one of the five largest cruise lines includes drinks. All charge for bottled water and soda.
• Because cruise prices on the major lines and the low and mid-range budget categories have not changed significantly since 1992, we are starting to see the clientele aboard many of these ships change. Some of the same people who used to travel by Greyhound are now traveling on cruise ships. One major line recently told us that when sailings feature promotional pricing, some passengers are requesting that cabin attendants not change their sheets or clean the room "because we didn't bring any tip money". This has caused some crew discontent.
• We are starting to see a myriad of unbundled extra fees for fuel surcharges, security, air taxes etc These extra fees are not added to the cruise prices shown in newspaper and magazine advertising.
• Not one of the mass market lines has made our list of The World's Top Ten Cruise Lines.
• When one looks at the Luxury segment of the cruise industry it is clear that demanding guests will not tolerate cutbacks. In fact, the luxury segment seems to be in a constant state of upgrade in all areas including on-board services, food, and shore excursions. The luxury lines have not yielded to pressures to dramatically increase on-board revenue.
• There are lines, such as Crystal, Cunard, Windstar, and Oceania, that have made our list despite policies that mimic the additional charges of their mainstream, lower-rated competitors. They have made our list because they have maintained a strong on-board product, in all cases low-density and unique, while adhering to a philosophy that each passenger should pay only for what he/she has consumed.
• Our strong recommendation is to take a serious look at sailing on one of the top ten lines at a discounted price rather than risk sailing a mega-ship with substandard service, institutional quality food, and 2,000 fellow passengers. The gap between mediocrity and luxury in the cruise industry is widening.

# 1 - THE WORLD OF RESIDENSEA

The problem for The World is that it has no earthly competition. Not only is it the top-rated ship in the world - it has, quite literally, redefined the genre. This is a ship that competes with the world's best resorts at roughly the same price point for rental guests.

And therein lies the rub. The World, by design, travels the world in silent splender, neverr calling attention to itself or the fact that the owners actually have a rental pool that permits cruisers to board and disembark at virtually any port with an airport. While owners, who have paid from $1.4 to $7.9 million dollars for their leasehold "ownership", have to pay for meals and drinks, renters will find that the price of their cruise includes drinks, all food, and even gratuities. Renters are also spared the current $240,000 annually that owneers pay in annual and service fees.

The ship is literally "sold out" for every voyage for the life of the ship. There is no sales force because the only unjits for sale are offered by current owners. Fewer then two dozen travel firms are favored with selling the World to clients who seek something truly different then mainstream cruising. Word-of-mouth is minimal since no more then 50 or 60 rental guestst are sailing at any one time. About 50% of the owners are from the United States.

The World has earned its designation as The World's Most Luxurious Cruise Exerience. Although it could, by most measures, carry 1500 or so passengers, she generally sails with about 175 total guests. This one-of-a-kind ship sails the world, stopping in interesting ports for extended stays. The food is outstanding. Portraits is the top-rated restaurant on any ship currently sailing. There are trhree-bedroom/three-bath apartments, two-bedroom-two bath apartments, one-bedroom apartments and spacious studios. All feature balconies..

• "There was this Frenchman. He has a hot plate in his cabin, along with computers and all kinds of electronic gear. He runs his company from his cabin/home office. When he gets to Hong Kong he sends one of the ships tender to pick up potential clients for a nice kunch aboard ship. He lives aboard the Residentsea and has his family out for six or seven weeks of the year. He has cocktails each evening and tries to see if there are any interesting "non-owner" guests aboard. If there are not, he quickly goes back to his cabin. I'm home now, but hardly a day goes by that I don;t think about that Frenchman as e travels the world, working, on that gorgeous ship."
• "I've seen them all and this is the ultimate. The design of this ship is like njo otther. Each accommodation is privately owned and custom designed so no two cabins are alike. This is not the rright cruise for those who like bingo, horse racing games, anbd a nightly talent show. The Woild is sophisticated and approachable. Sailing her is most akin to gaining membership to the worlkd's best private club."
• "I expected snobbery - instead all I got was class and comfort. The owners do their own thing but about one-third of them choose to rent out their apartmenbts so guests are treated with respect. But they are not warmly embraced byy the owners. In fact, the few renters aboard, thought the owners were unusually cool."

# 2 - SILVERSEA CRUISE LINE

Silverseas wouild rank as the World's Best Cruise LIne if Residensea did not exist. Worldwide

itineraries tend to Europe, South America and Asia. Picture just a few hundred kindred travelers of the CEO variety. Outstanding food and service though lacking dining options found on some competitors. All inclusive top-end quality. Silversea is cruising’s current “benchmark brand”. Imagine Top-quality “everything.” Worldwide itineraries include a number of shorter, one-week sailings. Evenings tend to be dressy. Per person food expenditures are among the highest in the industry. The Concierge desk can do just about anything in the way of private travel arrangements in port. Much of Silverseas reputation is based on the assumption that 300 passengers is small enough to make guests feel truly pampered and large enough to provide a wider range of amenities then smaller capacity rivals. The Concierge frequently arranges in-port experiences that go far beyond the norm. Culinary programs in small settings are featured on many itineraries. Like each of the top three lines, Silverseas is trying to offer more casual dining options. But this is still the most formal of the top lines. Don't consider Silverseas if you are terminally young, hate dressing up, or are uncomfortable traveling with economic royalty. This is the line of champagne and caviar, of lux dreams realized.

Important Note: In April, 2009, the line's two-top US-based executives were unexpectedly fired by Silversea's overseas owners. Within the week, it was announced that the former head of sales and marketing at Regent Seven Seas was being brought onboard to oversee Silversea's operations in the States. This is seen as an attempt by owners to provide some new approaches to filling Silversea's ships while controlling losses. Clearly, Silverseas will continue to be one of the world's top-ranked cruise lines. Turmoil in the Stateside office does not necessarily translate to services being provided to guests at sea. But we believe that this change in management will also signal some changes in direction. Consumers can expect new discounting strategies and some changes to the onboard product. This has already started to happen with a new, massive discounting program that will include more then 50 sailings at two-for-one rates. In another management shake-up, Silverseas has fired more then twenty employees in a major cost-cuttingh move. Those seeking more stability and owners with deep pockets might look to Seabourn Cruises as a possible alternative.

• "We had dinner the first night with a lovely couple. My husband and I thought he owned a sailboat but by the time dessert arrived we had figured out that he owned a fleet of tankers. That, I suppose, is Silversea."
• Having sailed on each of the top three lines, we have decided that Silversea is best at providing an atmosphere of total luxury with a Concierge staff that really is willing to personalize the cruise experience ashore. We were able to set up a personalized itinerary with a private driver in Monte Carlo on no more then one days notice."
• "The two formal nights on a seven-night sailing out of Istanbul struck us as just about right. We don;t know why this line is always portrayed as sailing with a bunch of primping penguins."
• "What none of the travel books on cruising tells you is that Silversea actually creates its own shore excursions, operates them with smaller groups, and stays away from mass market sightseeing. That alone, is worth the price of admission, along with all of the other things we love about the line."
• "We had a great time on our recent cruise on the Whisper, don;t get me wrong. But we felt that ship was not as elegant as what we had experienced previously on Silversea. The lectures were wonderful. The Chef's lecture series was a great idea but the equipment didn't work so she had to speak without actually demonstrating. The toilets didn't work properly for several hours. We had great difficulty securing reservations at the small, specialty restaurant. It was a great cruise but there were these annoying problems."

# 3 – REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent is the perfect blending of casual sophistication, lots of options, and the largest cabins in its class. The 700 Guest Mariner and Voyager have hit the sweet spot of available space and amenities to match. The Navigator, at 490 guests, is ideal for those seeking a more intimate experience.

• Drinks are included, along with wines. Gratuities are not expected and all of the ships linens have been upgraded. Regent may offer the perfect blend of "not too much formality", "ships large enough to offer amenities yet small enough to be called intimate", and dining choices that create pre-meal excitement.
• The line's Mariner and Voyager offer the industry’s perfect blend of size(700 guests) and amenities, all-balcony cabins of 300 sq. ft.+. These are, hands down, the most comfortable and spacious lower-category categories in the luxury market.
• One of the four restaurants, Signatures, is actually operated by Cordon Bleu. Radisson offers the same quality levels of Silverseas and Seabourn at a lower per diem and in a less formal atmosphere. This winning formula has made it the world’s largest luxury cruise line.
• Radisson's Tahiti program on the French-owned Paul Gauguin is the industry’s best but the ship was recently sold.
• At only 490 guests, the Navigator offers full services ut is surprisingly intimate. Generally inclusive with wine and a no tipping policy,
• Regent is the best choice for those seeking a ship with full amenities. and the luxury sectors best cabins. For those seeking personalized service, the industry's best cabins, and the stability of 50,000 ton vessels, and the amenities that a 700 guest ship can provide, Regent may well be the best overall choice.
• "You should try for additional reservations at Signatures mid-cruise. Some guests feel that the dinners are "too rich" and end up canceling. We thought the dry-cleaning services were way overpriced. All in all, however, our Alaska experience on the Mariner blew away a similar itinerary we took on princess five years ago. The elegance, service, and the way the experience makes you feel about yourself, just can;t be matched by any of the monster ships."
• "Want the truth. I would choose Regent again just for the bathrooms."
• The the best-kept secret for dining is the "almost always available" Terrace restaurant on the upper deck with its floor to ceiling windows, mini-buffet followed by a Mediterranean sit-down menu. We found the guests aboard our three Regent Cruises to be younger then the crowd on Crystal and bit hipper. Since we're in our forties, this made a difference."
• "There was less staff-guest interaction on our recent Voyager sailing then we expected. The staff made very little effort to learn the guest's names. At least that was true of the officers. The Indonesian's in the dining area and around the pool were much friendlier."
• "I really liked the Concierge Desk. We were able to rent a car out of Sorrento and we drove along the coast, stopping at the Hotel San Pietro for a great lunch. One night we were exhausted and we asked to see the dinner menu. That night, as cruised off the coast, we were served dinner in our cabin with the sliding glass doors open and a clear view of the sea. It just doesn't;t get any better or more romantic then that."
• "Our recent Regent Cruise in the Med featured a former Concorde Pilot and one of the nation's top sleep experts. I was fascinated by virtually everything these two gentleman had to say. Someone at Regent is doing a good job lining up guest lecturers. We don;t feel that positive about the evening entertainment. We would have preferred more lectures, feature films, or concert videos then the sorry attempt at singing and dancing. Cole Porter is so yesterday."
• We just returned from a marvelous crossing from Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale on the Voyager. The ship was half empty because most people don;t realize that the two larger Regent ships, at 50,000 tons, are bout as big as the Crystal ships and plenty large enough for a crossing of the Atlantic. This is really a good deal for those who like days at sea. I'm not so sure I'd want to do the crossing on the Navigator but for the prices Regent is offering, I might consider it next year.
• Having done each of the top three lines on your ratings, we have concluded that we are going to become regulars with Regent. The extra 400 passengers enables the ship to offer many more dining options, better entertainment, and more nooks and crannies to hang out. But best of all, we like Regent's more casual atmosphere, particularly as compared with what we experienced on Silverseas. The impression we had was that the Regent guests put up with dressing up once or twice during the cruise while the Silverseas crowd couldn't wait to get in their formalwear. Surprised they didn't;t wear their tux around the pool."
• "There are some problems with the propulsion system on the Mariner. These have not been fixed and the ship is not capable of going full speed. Our sailing was able to do all ports on schedule but there was one afternoon off the Alaskan coast when we hit a bit of rough water and one wondered if the fact that one of the pods was messed up had anything to do with it. We had a wonderful cruise and will sail with Regent again. We won;t hesitate to sail the Mariner. But we wish we had been told prior to boarding."
• "The Paul Gauguin was wonderful but you could alrready feel the presence of the new owners (there was a large seniors group aboard) Don't know what Grand Circle will do with this vessel but it is very sad that Tahiti is loosing the stewardship of the Regent management of this beauitful ship. Anyone considering cruising Tahiti in style should do it before the handover at the end of 09."

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES SOLD:

As reported in this space in late October, Regent Seven Seas, the world's largest-capacity true Luxury Cruise Line, has been sold to a U.S. based private investment firm active in the Cruise and Hospitality industry.

Apollo Management, which owns 50% of NCL and 100% of Oceania Cruise Lines, paid a reputed $1 billion to The Carlson Companies to purchase Regent. The Regent Hotel chain remains in Carlson's hands.

As we have been reporting, other then the obvious purchasing savings, all indications from a variety of sources, point toward little or no change in either the Regent onboard product or staffing. Mark Conroy, the highly-respected President of Regent, will continue to operate the company.

The one unanticipated outcome of the purchase is the formation of a new Apollo corporation, Prestige Cruise Holdings. Former Oceania founder and CEO, Frank Del Rio, will head up Prestige and both Conroy and Bob Binder, the President of Oceania, will report to him.

There is one more shoe to fall in this very real cruise drama. We anticipate an announcement by Regent in the near future that they intend to order at least one new ship for Regent.

Apollo has become a major player in the cruise industry, quickly building the nation's third-largest passenger shipping line. NCL is an entry-level line, Oceania is high-end premium, and Regent is true Luxury. It is an intriguing mix of brands and allows for future expansion of the brand with the best overall economic outlook.

We can report that Regent executives are generally thrilled with the purchase. The brand will remain separate, they are out from under ownership of the world's largest travel agency chain, and they are now part of a group with several billion dollars in investment assets. It is, in many ways, the dream buyout and we anticipate that Regent will make rapid strides in terms of growth.

Update: As of June 2009, Apollo has taken some major financial hits leading to speculation that Regent is not as solid, financially, as first reported. The line's aggressive discounting program in the summer of 09, together with the announcement that most shore excursions will be offered on a complimentary basis on all 2010 itineraries has spurred business and Regent now enjoys the highest occupancy rates in the luxury sector. But yield is down and the long-term effects of the lowering of profits is still to be entertained. At this point, there is absolutely no evidence of cutbacks of any kind. The Mariner and Voyager's new Prime 7 Steakhouse concept has been a major success story.

The question regarding Regent and several of its top-rated competitors is how do you successfully pull back from two-for-one pricing when the consumer has learned to expect it.

# 4 - CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal’s fleet of two large (940 guest) ships has won virtually every “best large ship cruise line” award in the industry. The line features the highest standards of dining service and we rank the specialty Prego Italian restaurant among the finest at sea. Crystal caters to a demanding, largely retired, east andc west coast clientele and features two-seating dining. Gratuities are not included. Entertainment options abound, including sophisticated stage shows and classical acts, as well as a full screen movie theater. Service, food, and entertainment standards are consistent on both ships but the newer Serenity wins highest marks for layout and design. Those who seek personalized; Four Seasons-style service will appreciate the Crystal experience. Those sailing Crystal for the first time are generally amazed at how much better run these vessels are then the mainstream mega-ships. Crystal still sets the standard for larger, two-seating ships. Most worldwide itineraries are in the 10-14-day range. Guests sailing one of the higher-rated lines often report that Crystal food and service matched or surpassed it's smaller, single-seating lux competitors. This is the line that many Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America passengers should have selected for cruises of ten days or longer. It seems clear that, at the moment, Crystal has the most comprehensive and successful staff training program in the entire passenger ship industry.

Our most recent inspection of Crystal has reaffirmed our belief that Crystal is the very best cruise option for the majority of upscale cruisers. We believe that there is one under-reported but critical foundation of the line;s success. Crystal is owned by NYK, the huge Japanese shipping conglomerate. NYK-FIL has established the leading crew training facility in the Philippines. Every onboard Crystal service person must graduate from a rigorous six-month program at Crystal's exclusive training "university". There are other crew training facilities in the Phillippinrs, but none has the respect or the credentials of the NYK/Crystal school. This, we believe, is the secret weapon that allows Crystal to provide its ships with the best trained and most customer-savvy crews in the industry.

No other cruise line comes close to emulating the combination of caring, personalized service, often memorable cuisine, and the full lecture/entertainment options that form a part of the Crystal experience. Choose any other line and you are going to have to sacrifice at least one of these three pillars of excellence. Anyone seeking to sail on a competitor, needs to ask their travel consultant, "If I don't sail Crystal, what am I giving up?"

• "We have been on more then twenty cruises but this was the first time my wife and I ever saw crew members standing by on the gangway to hug and kiss guests goodbye. For many, it was their only toime off during a very hectic ten-day itinerary. Crystal service is truly caring. We will never sail another line. Perfection does exist."
• "As a past cruiser with Celebrity and Princess, I really could not believe the differences between those cdruises and this one. Crystal is worth every penny. The shows are the best we've ever seen, the food and service is European-inspired but this is a truly comfortable, American line for affluent cruisers. It seems like we are back in Boca at our country club instead of out at sea on a large ship. The only thing missing is the golf course."
• "We have sailed them all and I'm telling you, Palo is the best restaurant at sea. Do everything you need to do to get a few reservations."
• "You know its good when the toughest place to get a seat is the office of the person booking future cruises. My wife loved being taken by the arm and escorted to the dinner table. They couldn;t be more caring or accommodating and, quite frankly, you never had the feeling they were doing it for tips."
• "The sushi bar at Nobu's Silk Road was just extraorddinary. Three full-time sushi chefs and some of the finest sushi we've ever had in our lives. And we're from LA. Crystal rules"
• We've been following the reviews on traveltruth and, more or less, working our way down your list of top-rated cruise lines. But that's all over now. We understand that Crystal carries more passengers and has two seating's etc., but they still ought to be #1 on anyone's list. We've found the one line that gives us everything."
• It was a lovely cruise in the Med out of Barcelona. But it felt very Four Seasony and we prefer the smaller lines with their true boutique feel. The food though was very good and Prego is, we agree, our favorite restaurant of any of the ships we have tried."
• "Our traveling companions didn't;t like the tipping but they said the food was far better then what they had on Seabourn. We wonl;t sail anything but Crystal. We started with them, thankfully, and we'll finish with them. It is amazing how the staff remembers you, often by name, from cruise to cruise. We appreciate the honesty of your reviews but we think you make too much of the two seating policy in the dinning room. With the alternative restaurants and the casual option now, for dinner upstairs, we only used the main dining room five times during our cruise. No big deal having two seating's."
• "I am a service trainer and I sat mesmerized every day of our anniversary cruise. I can;t imagine the service feats these folks pull off. This is probabkly the world's best cruise line for anyone who doesn;t want to sit on a tiny ship with nothing to do buit read another mystery.. This is big ship excitement with elegant service and amenities. I just donl;t see us switching. If our travel consultant stops recommending Crystal, we'll be changing consultants."

# 5 - SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

The pride of the Carnival Cruise line stable, these sleek 200 guest ships compete for “Best Cruise Line” honors. There is a high level of excitemrent related to the first new luxury ship launched in the past six years, the Seabourn Odyssey,, The 32,000 vessel will carry 450 guests with four-onboard restaurants and outside cabin/suites ranging from 295 to 1182 square feet. There is significant interest in this ships 108-day Around-the-World Cruise in January 2010. The Odyssey is the ship to beat in the luxury category and a sister ship is already under construction for delivery in 2010.

• Almost gourmet food, well-trained European staff, and a wide assortment of lux product tie-ins give a real sense of comfortable excellence.
• Plusses include a nice variety of one week and longer worldwide itineraries. and truly personalized services.
• Entertainment is of the caberet variety. Little of it is memorable.
• Evening dinner is an event. Drinks and gratuities are included. The “French” balconies provide fresh air but are far too small for sitting outside.
• This is an excellent choice for mid to upper range sophisticated couples seeking the finest food (meets gourmet standards) and service
• .Expect four formal nights on two week cruises but the Veranda Cafe now features casual attire for those so-inclined. The alternative Italian menu in the Veranda has been well received but repeat guests rave about celebrity chef Charlie Palmer's masterful creations in the main dining room.
• Shore excursions go way beyond the norm. Think Cordon Bleu cooking lessons in Tuscany.
• "Our sailing on the spirit with our family was, on the whole, really enjoyable. The service was excellent but there were numerous shortcomings. Here is some of what we observed:

1. The coffee was undrinkable. Then, one day, we noticed a waiter serving coffee out of a French presse. We asked for some and it was delicious. But no one ever told passengers that they had that option.
2. We thought the food was more Marriott then Four Seasons. Chefs semed not to be European and tastes were offr. Meat dishes were fine but seafood preparation really lacked proper flavorings.It reached a point where everyone around us just stopped ordering seafood.
3. There were two washers and dryers and one did not work. Some guests waited for five hours to do their laundry. No one on the ship seemed to make any effort to correct this situation.
4. The front desk staff did not seem to really know the ports well. Their information was not very helpful.
5. Despite the above, we would probably go again but Seabourn really needs to address the problems in the dining room on this ship."

• "We just returned from a wonderful sailing on the Legend. There is one story that will, perhaps, best illustrate what Seabourn service is all about. We call this our "Olive Story." Our friend John was sitting on the deck the first afternoon. He ordered a martini with olives stuffed with blue cheese. The bar manager quickly appeared explaining that Seabourn ship do not normally stock olives stuffed with blue cheese. John had no problem with that. The next day, we noticed, to our amazement, that every single bar on that ship now stocked olives stuffed with blue cheese. Someone had stayed up all night hand-stuffing large olives. That alone would bring us back to Seabourn but there were many other examples we could cite."
• We loved the service and the chef was so much better then the one on our prvious cruise. Seabourn monnittors these things carefully and we got the sense that things were constantly being upgraded. I wish I could say the same for some of the carpeting abaord ship. The Spirit is beginning to show small signs of neglect in the form of carpet stains. But we still would not hesitate to go again.
• We were traveling with our post-college age children. One night, the chef walked up to our table and specifically asked my son how he was enjoying the food. He respondeed that evertything was quite good. "But what would you eat if you could have anything" the chef asked. "Thai food", replied my son. Two nights later, a Thai feast was served at our table. That's Seabourn and that's a memory that has no pricetag.

# 6 - SEA DREAM YACHT CLUB

The “world’s best cruise line you’ve never heard of” continues to draw rave reviews from the fewer than 200 guests per week able to sail this lines two 100-passenger ships. Outstanding service and the some of the best food afloat, combined with a casual “no ties-no formal anything” is a winning combination for these former Sea Goddess yachts. Excellent one-week itineraries in Europe and the Caribbean. Ideal for laid-back adventurers seeking one-on-one service. There are no balcony cabins and the bathrooms are small but guests can sleep outdoors on a Balinese bed. This is high-end, casual, all-inclusive relaxation for those who detest a Vegas-like shipboard atmosphere. In fact, Sea Dream is ideal for those who have never wanted to cruise, The line takes it's tag line, "the world's largest yachts" seriously. Often lower-priced than its five-star + competitors. The new Adriatic sailings featuring the ports of Croatia may be Europe's hottest itineraries. No one does the Greek Islands and Turkey better. If Jimmy Buffet ever decides to purchase a cruise line - this is the one he will want. But we must diowwngrade her based on a lack of amenities and small cabins.

• "It was the first day of the cruise and I was lying on one of the large "Balinese" chaise lounges on the upper deck. I had just opened the first page of the new Grisholm novel when a passing waiter stopped, excused himself and mentioned that he had noticed "a spot on your sunglasses." He promptly offered to clean my glasses, producing a small spray bottle. He finished, apologized for interupting me and asked if he could delivfer two drinks so I wouldn't need to be disturbed for a while. That's Sea Dream"
• "The size of the bathfrooms is the thing. If you can get your wife to live with the cramped bathroom you will never cruise anything else."
• "Entertainment? I didn't see any. But folks were actually having conversations and the lounge did have its late-night fans.
• "I experienced the finest entertainment on Sea Dream I have ever witnessed at sea - and I've been on fifteen or so cruises. They showed a Tina Turner Concert film on the large-screen TV in the lounge one night. I loved it. We never missed the jugglers or the "Salute to Broadway."
• "When we pulled up tp the ship in St. Thomas, I thought it looked like a miniature cruise ship with a lot of years behind her. When I got off in St. Thomas, one week later, I had tears in my eyes and couldn't wait to go back."
• "Liked the idea of the water toys and the chance to use a Segway. But i thought the rental fee was a bit much. The evening cocktail party was always a highlight. Loved dining under the stars twice during our cruise. We loved the privacy of breakfast on the back of the ship. The Chef's French Toast made us decide to do another Sea Dream cruise on our second morning out."

Updated June 5, 2009 - Sea Dream's founder and long-time CEO, Larry Pimenthal has left the company amidst reports that he has had disagreements with the line's Norwegian owners. Current reports indicate that the Norwegian company that owns Sea Dream may want to sell these assets. Given the fact that Sea Dream never carries more than 200 guests on its entire fleet at one time, occupancy rates have been above industry averages. But the smallest drop-off has a more profound impact on a 50-cabin vessel that is all-inclusive.

We are still highly recommending Sea Dr team for the remainder of 2009 but we urge consumers to be cautious about bookings made more than six months out.

# 7 – CUNARD LINE

In a short-lived record, the Queen Mary 2 was launched in 2004 as the largest, most expensive liner ever built. Together with her sister ship the Queen Elizabeth 2 which set sail in 1969, QM 2 has redefined the Cunard Line. After operating several poorly conceived cruise ships, Cunard’s owner, the Carnival Corporation, has taken Cunard back to her roots. These ships will spend much of the year doing transatlantic-crossings between New York and Southampton. We think that the new QM 2 is a destination in itself and a far superior experience then her considerably older sister. These are “class” oriented ships, with cabin/suite accommodations defining the dining room and service levels. Our recommendations: Consider the QM 2 for crossings only and don’t consider this ship unless you can afford one of the upper level suites. Believe it or not, standard cabin bathrooms on this $800 million project were designed so poorly that we do not recommend any but the larger category cabins.

08 - - OCEANIA CRUISES

This line’s medium-sized ships (684 guests), the Regatta, Nautica, and the Insignia, operate within an unusual niche between the 5-star luxury and the four-star premium brands. The line competes with the mega ships in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with stronger itineraries and an unusually casual atmosphere. There are no formal nights. Guests select from four restaurant venues. Oceania delivers a solid product at a rate that is significantly below that offered by the luxury category ships. Cabins reflect high standards. Consistency has been a problem and guests may be surprised at extra charges for simple pleasures like an evening cappuccino. Air programs are not always consumer-friendly. Oceania scores extremely well on the value scale. This upstart has designed a winning formula on lovely ships with excellent food, a casual dress policy, and some of the world's most creative itineraries. While many of the mass market lines love days at sea so they can earn ships shop, bar, and spa revenue, (shops and services must be closed while a ship is in port), Oceania virtually eliminates days at sea whenever possible. Service levels have been quite high during the past 24 months. Consistency has been achieved without any sacrifices. Concierge level guests get to make double the number of dinner reservations at the line's specialty restaurants. Early reservations are rewarded at Oceania and it is possible to secure 2-1 pricing AND Free airfare promotions.

Churchill and Turen currently rates Oceania as the Best Cruise Line in the Upper Premium Category. This means that we rate the line above competitors in the non-inclusive Premium segment such as Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Princess. It is important to note that Oceania is not in the Luxury Category and is not, in any way, inclusive.

After extensive reviews, inspections, and the experiences of numerous Churchill and Turen clients, we are currently recommending Oceania as a “First Choice” Option in the Premium Category. We feel that the line’s claim that they are “Upper” Premium is justified.

Here is some information that we hope will be helpful as you consider your cruise aboard Oceania:

• Oceania is the first major cruise line to have a “No Formal Nights” dress policy. Formalwear and suits for men are inappropriate.  Many guests choose Oceania for this reason, although we feel there are many better reasons to pick this line.
• Oceania is a destination-oriented cruise line. This means that they try to include as few days at sea as possible. If you are looking for maximum exposure to ports, this may be your cruise line.
• Cabins below the Penthouse level are small but adequate. Some guests will feel that the bathroom is smaller then those on competing lines. A single sink and shower curtain are the norm, even in category A & B balconies. Penthouse A&B Categories provide Butler amenities are offer 327 sq. ft. of space and a bath/shower combination. Fore those not on a budget, this is the accommodation we recommend.
• Category C = 165 sq. ft. and Picture Window. (Extremely tight         quarters)
• Category B= 216 sq. ft. w/ private balcony (Minimum recommended with small bathroom)
• Category A= 216 sq. ft. w/private balcony and Concierge Service (Primary benefits are Priority embarkation and dining reservations at specialty restaurants.)
• Penthouse – 322 sq. ft. with tub/shower combination and Butler Service)
• Your ship will have a Shore Excursion Desk, a Front Desk, and a special Concierge Desk. The Concierge can arrange for special tours, meals ashore, and any special celebrations you might want to plan. Most guests never meet the Concierge. Pity.
• You will be charged for both soft drinks and bottled water. If you attend a wine-tasting, there will be a charge. Certain fitness classes require a fee etc. Oceania charges for nearly every service not normally included in the cruise price.
• Service scores on Oceania have been extremely high. Staff will not, generally, know guests by name. But they will recognize guests. In fact, Oceania scored higher then any other cruise line on our Staff Recognition Tests with the exception of Crystal and Seabourn.
• The Two specialty restaurants, Polo and Toscana, are among the finest restaurants at sea. Guests may generally make one reservation per restaurant per cruise on day one. However, guests booked in Penthouse category, or above, may reserve additional nights. Confirmations of all reservations are placed on the guests outside door on the day of the reservation. It is easier to get 6:30 or 9:00 pm reservations. Polo is a steak house with a surprisingly number of beef options. Lobster, prepared in your choice of ways, is always available. Caesar salad is prepared table side. Appetizers are quite good and might include lump crab cake.  Toscana is better then you would expect, several steps above Olive Garden type Italian. Service levels are quite high and, in many cases, extremely friendly.  When guests discover how good these specialty restaurants are, they try to get additional reservations. This can, at times prove difficult. Do not deal with any staff but the actual Maitre'd’d for the restaurant. They will do their best to accommodate you. Be flexible as to your dining hours.
• The onboard self-service laundry room is totally inadequate to meet the needs of passengers attempting to do their own laundry. To avoid lines and frustration, we recommend using the ships laundry and dry cleaning services.
• Oceania features dark woods and a club-like ambiance. The ships are extremely comfortable and you will likely feel that you have found a vessel that is the perfect size. There are ample seating areas and deck chairs on the lovely pool deck are never a problem.
• Drink prices fall in the “average” range when compared to competitors. Mixed drinks range from $6.00 to $10.00. We thought bottled wine prices were a tad high. Wine is available by the glass. Bar service was generally excellent. We felt service levels at the bars generally approached levels on 5-star ships.
• Oceania is a laid-back experience when compared to some of the more frantic mass market lines. Announcements are kept to a minimum. This makes it important to review the ships newspaper carefully. We have been impressed with the quality of Lecturers employed by Oceania. Most are independent university professors or writers who are selected for their knowledge of the particular itinerary. There are generally three lectures during a 12-Night cruise. Some of the silly games associated with moderately-priced cruises are simply
• We recommend that guests avoid the onboard art auction. This is a very slick sales presentation for “art” that might best be purchased at a local gallery. Some of the techniques used to sell art aboard ships are less than ethical. 
• There are no children’s programs hence virtually no children. If you desire having kiddies running amuck during your vacation, this is not the line for you.
• Shore excursions tend to be history-oriented with guides who are hit or miss. In some ports you may want to consider making independent arrangements. However, private tour arrangements are always going to be considerably more expensive then what the ship offers for a bus of 40 guests. A staff member from Oceania accompanies most shore excursions. This is a safety feature we appreciate.
• Have low expectations regarding onboard entertainment and you may be surprised. Oceania simply is not large enough to justify the level of entertainment found on Crystal.
• Do not expect the best possible routing from Oceania’s air department. The “Free Air” offers usually end up costing about $730 per couple in taxes, fuel surcharges, and handling fees. This is still a wonderful offer when combined with two-for-one or similar pricing, but the air really isn't’t free. If routing is an issue, you may want to take the air credit and do the air independently.
• Oceania's wait-list policy dictates that you will be charged the price and offer in effect that your wait list clears. This can produce serious sticker shock as the better offers may have been removed if your space clears months after your initial reservation. It is important to work with a consultant familiar with Oceania's policies and procedures. Always place a deposit for all wait lists as this will bump you up.

The Bottom Line:

We recommend Oceania as an excellent value. But consumers should be cautious about two-for-one rates that are based on an artificially bloated brochure prices. Onboard food and service are of an extremely high quality. The staff is well-trained and they seem to enjoy working for the company. Oceania was recently purchased by the Apollo Venture Capital Group with assets of over $12 billion. They have immediately announced that they will be building two new 1200 passenger ships.

Update 12.24.07 - Oceania's new owners have also purchased 5-Star regent seven Seas. The former CEO of Oceania is now heading up a holding company that includes both brands and both Presidents will report to him. Look for future synergies between these two lines.

09 - AZAMARA CRUISES

Azamara is the new cruise line created by Royal Caribbean. The new cruise product is based on a two-ship fleet of former Renaissance Cruises ships. From a ship standpoint, the Azamara ships closely resemble the Oceania vessels. In fact, Royal Caribbean is clearly going after the Oceania upper premium niche with this new product.

Azamara is too new to make definitive comments and onboard services are bound to change as execs see what works and what doesn't;t. The report that follows was written by a well-connected industry veteran, with a substantial understanding of the current cruise market.

Azamara Journey

Sailing Date: September 22nd, 2007

Sailing Length: 7 Days

Destination: Bermuda

To / From: Roundtrip Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey

Overall Impression: I was very impressed with the high service levels already attained by the Azamara Journey’s staff – the friendliness and attentiveness were outstanding throughout the week. The ship looked great, and the food in every venue was excellent. Azamara has created a very good product in a short amount of time.  The Journey is a beautiful, small vessel providing a very good cruise experience.

Ship Description: The 694-passenger Azamara Journey is new to Celebrity ownership as of this spring, having finished a stint with Pullmantur in Spain after beginning life in 2000 as a Renaissance vessel. She retains the physical beauty of the R Ship design, with the black and gold iron staircases and paintings on several ceilings creating a unique setting for sailing within this new cruise niche of 'premium plus' or deluxe category.  The public spaces feature pleasant reds, gold's and blues.  There was also a nice array of bars available onboard - there was never a sense of being crowded on this ship, even during sea days.  The library is the most beautiful room on the ship: however, while I’m sure that more books are on order, the pickings were very slim on our sailing! Also: throughout the day recorded music was played in this room. While it’s a unique set-up to have the space double as a piano bar named Michael’s Club in the evenings, the sound of Italian arias was a bit off-putting during library hours.

Cabins: Journey’s standard staterooms are of a decent (though by no means large) size. The 175 square ft. cabin and 40 square ft. balcony of a standard balcony cabin on Journey parallels, for example, the 170-square-ft. cabin and 38-square-ft. balcony of a similar cabin on Celebrity's far-larger Millennium-class ships. Two-thirds of the ship's cabins have balconies.  Standard bathrooms, however, are tiny and plain, and the balconies are small.  All cabins have been fitted with totally new soft furnishings, including the up-to-date bedding also seen on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.  Flat panel TV's have also been installed.

New to Azamara are the Deck 8 Sky Suites. These are a bit small (stateroom is 266 square ft. and balcony is another 60 square ft.) to be called suites, but are very comfortable and well-appointed. The balconies with these cabins are also very narrow with the bathrooms just big enough for a full-size tub. The handful of Royal Suites (rooms are 440 - 501 square ft., balconies 105 - 156 square ft.) and Penthouse Suites (rooms 560 square ft., with 233-square-ft. verandahs) are far larger than the Sky Suites.  Marble-lined bathrooms with big soaking tubs and separate showers are in addition to marble-lined powder rooms in the entry.

We were in a Sky Suite; complimentary amenities in the suite included a bon voyage bottle of champagne, sodas and two Specialty Restaurant meals.  (Non-suite passengers qualify for one complimentary Specialty Restaurant meal). 

Food: There are two main dining venues: Discoveries, the ship's open-seating main restaurant, is a large, dark-paneled room with windows on three sides and is open for three meals a day, while the bright, airy Windows Café offers buffets, and is open 24 hours a day. Both are included in the cruise fare and offered a strong array of different menus and good dining experiences.

The two extra-cost venues are Aqualina, a Mediterranean restaurant decorated in soothing blues, with a $20 surcharge for dinner, and Prime C, a steakhouse with a clubby atmosphere that charges $25.  All passengers get one surcharge-free meal in either restaurant included in the cruise fare (suite passengers receive two complimentary Specialty restaurant meals).  (In comparison Oceania doesn't charge for dining at its alternative restaurants).

Currently, guests in regular cabins get one "free" evening in one of the specialty restaurants. Guests at Suite level can dine twice on a complimentary basis. After that, the normal surcharge fares apply. This is a concept is being closely monitored onboard and is subject to change.

The Specialty Dining experience in both Aqualina and Prime C restaurants was superb - with Prime C a particular favorite.  Virtuoso agents should advise their future passengers on Journey or Quest to make the alternative dining reservations onboard immediately after embarkation as space filled up quickly in both venues.  (Please note that Captains Club members can make these reservations up to 60 days in advance).  Afternoon tea in the Aqualina restaurant was outstanding.

Service: The ship's staff was very friendly throughout the vessel, and always offered warm greetings to passengers.

• Wait staff Service:  Service was excellent in the main Dining Room as well as the Windows Cafe.
• Butler Service: The butler service was attentive overall - we especially enjoyed afternoon tea service brought to the cabin.  (The door-to-door afternoon tea cart is also for suite passengers only).  It would be easy to dismiss the butlers (available for every cabin) as ‘room stewards with fancy jackets’. While that’s an exaggeration, ongoing training is needed to move the service from an ‘on request’ to ‘anticipatory’ level. Leaving our favorite cookies behind on a plate in our cabin whenever we missed the in-cabin tea service was butler service; not re-filling the Diet Cokes and Cokes in our small refrigerator was not. While the butler reviews the suite amenities available on the first day, it would have been helpful to have a laminated reference piece throughout the cruise.

Dress Code: Daytime was very casual, with mostly dressy casual seen in the dining rooms for evening (most men wore jackets in the Specialty restaurants).  There were no formal nights and no need for men to pack ties, however.

Entertainment: Entertainment was an eclectic mix which worked well for this small ship. The 5-person song and dance troupe was very good at presenting a new 'stripped down' themed medley concept unique to Azamara. It was effective both due to the same-level/small stage in the lounge as well as the intimate, cabaret-like experience they conveyed. A traditional production show simply wouldn't have fit this ship. Other acts were more typical of cruise ships - i.e., magician and comedian, which were fine on the small stage. 

Onboard Activities: Our only disappointment was with the Activities Staff, which was a bit disorganized and hard to hear when running events such as Team Trivia - it was impossible to tell what was going on from the audience.   Poolside contests which appealed to the Bermuda audience are unlikely to be popular with the passengers booking the longer and more exotic itineraries.  A post-performance question-and-answer session with the 5 song and dance entertainers lost most of the audience as minutes ticked by before they reappeared from behind the curtain (and they hadn’t changed clothes, so the time gap was inexplicable). The timing of some activities was a bit odd: having Liars Club at 8:45 PM in the Looking Glass lounge while most passengers are finishing up dinner resulted in an empty room. It would have made far more sense to move that event downstairs to the Cabaret as a warm-up to the comedian’s act at 10:15 PM. As with the Celebrity fleet, a Catholic priest onboard celebrated daily Mass - Azamara's website notes that this feature will go away once the ship leaves the Bermuda itinerary, which would be very unfortunate - passenger attendance was high at every Mass.  

Passenger Profile: The clientele onboard for this Bermuda itinerary will not reflect future guest

profiles.  As Azamara Journey (and the new sister ship Azamara Quest) will feature more exotic itineraries of longer length (10- to 18-nights), the crowd on future sailings is likely to be slightly older cruisers who have traveled frequently and are looking for a smaller, low-key ship with interesting ports of call. This audience will be delighted with the Azamara Journey.

Future Deployment:

Azamara Journey: Caribbean / South America & Antarctica / Northern Europe / World Cruise

Azamara Quest (debuting Oct 2007): Caribbean / Panama Canal / Mediterranean / Asia

So, what is our take on this line at this time? Since Dan Hanrahan, the President of Azamara as well as Celebrity Cruise Lines, chose to mention Oceania when Azamara was first announced, we believe that comparisons are unavoidable. At this point, we will advise our readers to sail Oceania rather then a new line with a lot of kinks to work out, that is trying to be as good as Oceania.

10 – WINDSTAR

The three Windstar ships are a category unto themselves – part cruise ship and part computer-controlled sailing yacht. Two of the ships, the Wind Star and Spirit carry 144 guests while the larger sister, the Wind Surf, has suites as well as standard outside cabins and carries 308 guests. The combination of unusually attractive ports, made possible by the ships low draft, and smooth British officers and a happy Indonesian crew combine to make this an attractive alternative to those who prefer small, intimate ships and the feeling that one is sailing a yacht. Windstar often runs both cruise and air specials and discounts in the range of 40% are not unusual. Windstar cruises the lower Caribbean out of St. Thomas and Barbados, as well as the Greek Islands, Central America, and a number of itineraries that include Italy, France, and Croatia. When Windstar's Caribbean rates come down to below $2000 per person, it represents the best value and one of the best experiences in the Caribbean, far better then the floating shopping malls. But there are cautionary notes. These casually elegant vessels were owned by the Carnival Corporation. Now, the line has been sold to Ambassadors International, the holding company that owns Majestic America, an operator of riverboats with no experience that relates to a line like Windstar. For that reason, we are currently placing our recommendation of WindStar on "hold". We do have concerns about the long-term health of this product.

Some of our observations about Windstar:

• The Wind Star launch was in 1986, representing the first commercially built sailing ship in more than sixty years.
• The ships do not have “formal” nights. Country Club sportswear is the norm. Some men will wear sports jackets with open shorts to dinner, while ladies can wear slacks and blazer or simple dresses. Daytime dress is casual.
• The cabins have recently been totally refurbished and now feature new beds, soft wear, flat screen TV’s and Bose Ipod decks in all staterooms. Bathrooms are compact with unusually good design and feature a curved shower door rather then the overly friendly shower curtain that is used on some ships. There are portholes rather than windows.
• Many guests prefer the B to the A deck for both the stability of ride and the fact that public space is not on the deck above. However, a supplement is charged for A deck cabins.
• The food is surprisingly good and guests never feel rushed in the dining room. Breakfast and lunch are served in the veranda, dinner in the creatively-named “The Restaurant”.  We like the concept of the breakfast and luncheon buffets which are supplemented by a changing menu of daily specials. Guests always have the choice of dining inside or on the open deck. There really is nothing like having warm croissants and coffee on the open deck, sitting under the sails, as the Windstar ship gently glides into port. Dinner is somewhat more formal and guests are seated on a first-come basis in a manner resembling a restaurant that understands service. There are ranges of dining tomes instead of assigned dining times. Windstar is characterized by assigned nothing. Guests who choose this line are often those who would never enjoy “cruising” as it is popularly defined.
• Windstar has several celebrity tie-ins. Famed LA chef Joachim Splichal has supervised the menu and several of his signature dishes make appearances. For the health conscious, Jeanne Jones from the Canyon Ranch Spa has designed a cadre of healthier dishes. Many Windtsar guests seem intent on not gaining weight on their cruise and Windstar’s menu options make this fairly easy.
• Windstar was the first cruise line to feature an aft waterspouts area. The back deck actually opens to the water and instructors launch a host of water-related toys, zodiacs,  and waterskiing activities, many with an extra charge. This tends to help Windstar attract a somewhat younger crowd then most of the larger ships.
• Entertainment is virtually non-existent, perhaps the most appreciated of all of Windstar’s amenities. In fact, much of Windstar’s appeal lies in what the ships do not have versus what they have. No organizing-crazed cruise directors, annoying photographers, or D-List comedians. Expect two or three musicians, a small casino, and a wonderful library of DVD’s to be brought back to the cabin for viewing. Guests on Windstar actually seem to enjoy conversing with one another, a characteristic of many small-ship connoisseurs.
• This is not an “inclusive” cruise line and guests should expect to be charged for soft drinks as well as some fairly steep prices for liquor.
• The onboard swimming pool is small. It is not a lap pool, more for dunking. But with all of the beach time available on Windstar itineraries, that does not seem to be an issue.
• There is usually a special outdoor, upper-deck barbecue buffet on every cruise. This is a really nice event and guests are advised to arrive about a half hour early to pick out a preferable table.
• Windstar’s often charming British Officers maintain an “Open Bridge” policy. They appreciate late-night visitors and are eager to explain the inner workings of the ship – the first to use Japanese computer technology to maintain an even keel. For this reason, most Windstar guests are surprised at the ships stability in open water.

The following cruise lines are also highly recommended and score well in several important areas:

# 11 - SEA CLOUD CRUISES
# 12 - HEBRIDIAN CRUISES
# 13 - CELEBRITY CRUISES
# 14 - LINDBLAD CRUISES
# 15 - DISNEY CRUISE LINE

You may have noticed that the largest cruise lines have not been rated among the top 15 lines. Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean have huge advertising budgets. But they score significantly lower then the brands listed above in overall quality. They operate large ships with large lines at the institutional buffets. They have spectacular hardware, much like floating Las Vegas resorts. But they lack personal service and they must, as a result of their size, stop at ports designed to handle the mega-ships and the tens of thousands of daily passengers they disgorge.

The Mega-ships are characterized by low initial prices and strong pressure onboard to purchase extra services up to and including bottled water and soft drinks. Gratuities are not included. Sea days are added to itineraries, where possible, to increase onboard alcohol and shop revenue.

Mega-ships can only call at ports that are populated by other mega-ships. Intimate, out-of-the way locations are rarely included on itineraries becasue of the need to have onshore facilities that can serve 3,000 or so guests.

For those on a strict budget, any of these lines can provide an excellent vacation value. Each of these lines has features that are worthy of note. They do, as a group, have better children's programs then any of the lines that are in the Top Ten. Only Disney provides better onboard children's programs then Royal Caribbean.

CRUISE LINES; BUY, SELL OR HOLD?

From time to time, it is helpful to look at cruise lines as though they were stocks. Is this a good time to buy (as in actually book the line), hold (wait for better reviews or news) or sell (not recommended at this time)

Where we do not place a Buy" recommendation on a cruise line, you can assume that we feel that there are better alternatives in the same general price range:

Short generalizations are never completely accurate and we would prefer that you read our full reviews. We do trust, however, that these updated capsules may point you in the right direction.

CRYSTAL CRUISES - STRONG BUY

On paper nothing special - but this line dazzles with its superior, caring service, quality alternative restaurants, and after-dinner entertainment options.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE - BUY

HAL will be doing many more longer cruises in 2008 with its fleet of predominantly spacious, affordable, conservative mid-size ships. The line has young, innovative management despite its reputation for catering to an older clientele.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE - SELL

Precious few Norwegians on board these "all things to all people" liners owned by Star Cruises of Singapre.

OCEANIA - STRONG BUY

Operates a truly unique niche between lux and premium with smaller ships, significantly better itineraries, and food that often rivals that served aboard ships costing twice as much.

PRINCESS - SELL

Despite state-of-the-art hardware, the onboard services are getting more institutional and Princess is starting to feel the heat of competitiors in this sector.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS - STRONG BUY

From newbuilds to bedding, this luxury line is poised to take over cruising's top spot.

SEABOURN - BUY/HOLD

Still one of cruising's best brands but, in truth, they are anxiously waiting for the excitement of their newbuild on the way.

SEA DREAM YACHT CLUB - STRONG BUY

Think 60% yacht, smallish cabins, great ports, no formal dress, only 98 fellow guests, all-inclusive, with some of the best food at sea.

SILVERSEAS - BUY

Not perfect, there have been some crew defections, but still, gross registered ton for ton, The World's Best Cruise Line for those who want to dine with other CEO types.

WINDSTAR CRUISES - HOLD

Still cruising's best overall value but new owners are unproven at this stage so we're waiting.

RATINGS: RIVER CRUISES

Cruises along the interior waterways in Europe are hot. In fact, they now represent the fastest-growing segment of the travel industry. Some of the leading contenders, such as Viking River, Amadeus, Tauck and Peter Deilmann, can't build new boats fast enough. Current shipyard orders are backlogged.

The reasons seem obvious enough. Fewer then 200 passengers. All meals and shore excursions are included so the cost, in dollars, is a real value compared to independent travel relying on the dollar rate against the Euro.

Each of the lines below is capable of providing a superior European River Boat experience. But like all other aspects of travel, there are qualitative differences. Here is how we rate the products available to Americans in 2007/2008..

# 1 - Tauck World Discovery

The Swiss Emerald is the best riverboat on the Danube. The new 118 guest Tauck Riverboat will be ready in time for the 2008 season on the Danube. Luxury Suite cabins are just over 300 square feet. Wines are included and Tauck offers the most comprehensive and best-managed sightseeing programs. Four Tauck Directors accompany each sailing. Pre and post hotel stays are part of the package. Tauck costs a bit more but they are the best on the waterways at the current time.

• "We thought the Tauck differences were evident in nearly every aspect of the ships operation. We met cruisers from one or two of Tauck's major competitors and they simpky were not receiving the services that we were. The Tauck escorts made a world of difference. The other lines seem just to use local guides."

# 2 - AMAwaterways

AMA is one of the most talked-about companies on the rivers of Europe. In a relatively short time, the line has emerged as one of the leaders in the upscale category with four modern ships to be joined by the Amalyra in April. Two new vessels will be delivered in 2010.

There are several features and inclusions that mark the AMA difference. These include:

• One of the youngest fleets afloat with a decidedly modern look and flair.
• 82% of the fleet's cabins feature French balconies
• AMA has invested in hotel-quality bedding.
• Food is better then that found on many competitors including wine, beer, and sodas with all dinners, complimentary espressos and cappuccino's, and daily champagne at breakfast,
• Complimentary bicycles for guests with all excursions included in the fare.

AMA has designed Free Air programs and early booking incentives to help fuel its growth and launch of new ships. The line does the traditional Danube schedules but has also pioneered more creative itineraries such as Portugal and Spain and the Douro River Valley.

The line is also pioneering a ned itinerary on the new 92-Guest La Marguerite, currently under construction inn Vietnam. In September, Ama will launch a series of two-week cruises between Ho Chi Minh City and Tonie Sap in Cambodia. This unique Mekong River itinerary will enable guests to see Vietnam as well as the "must see" Anghor Watt in Cambodia. Air from the west coast as well as pre and post hotel nights will be included in the package.

# 3 - Peter Deilmann Cruises

This is a highly-respected German company that operates nine river boats ranging in quality from 3 to 5 stars. The Mozart has long been a favorite of those seeking al elegant vessel with a largely German and Austrian clientele. Announcements are in German and meals, particular dinners, tend to be a bit more formal then they are on boats catering to Americans. This line cruises the Elbe, the Main, the Rhine, and the Danube. Its vesseles also cruise in Provence and the Midi. This is an excellent choice for German-speaking Americans and those seeking a continental experience.

# 4 - Avalon Waterways

This is the riverboat firm owned by giant mainstream tour operater Globus. Their newest boats are the Tranquility and the tough-to-pronounce Imagery. Avalon is a well-managed company that has grown by 50% in the last 24 months. The line claims that its new Silent Drive System makes for a significantly quieter ride for guests. Early reports indicate that the system is quieter. Routes include all of the main central European waterways with emphasis on packaging pre and post night tour stays. Avalon is not five-star but it is four and a half plus and the line is backed by one of the industry's largest and most stable brands.

# 5 - Viking River Cruises

The largest European River Boat company, Viking offers a mainstream product throughout western and eastern European Capitals. They also operate in Russia and they have two new boats offering comprehensive programs in China on the Yangtze. Viking River is reliable but customer service standards are not up to some ofd their major competitors. . Air schedules can be less then desirable so guests may want to consi8der doing their own air. The onboard product is definitely upper class but those who have sailed on any of the top ten cruise lines in our traveltruth ratings are likely to be disappointed with both services and amenities. . The major criticism of Viking River is the pace. Guests who do the line's China program will need a vacation when they return. But if daily sightseeing in Europe is your thing,, Viking represents the best cruise for the money provided you book early enough to take advantage of early booking discounts. the China program is more upscale then the line's cruises within Europe.

• "Deluxe cabins are well laid out but let's face it, you can;t throw a frisbee with only 154 square feet."
• "We loved the fact that shore excursions were included but that Euro 4.50 bottle of water for sale next to the ice bucket was insulting."
• "The bathroom generally worked but the shower is quite tight. Best to bring your own toiletries"
• "When boats are full main dining room tables seem close together. The observation lounge gets a bit claustrophobic in the evening when nearly everyone shows up for the port talk on the next port. Arrive early for best seats."
• "Food was fine but never really memorable. Breakfast and lunch buffets plus menu slections.Chil led sparking wine for morning mimosas is provided but bar drinks start at about four euros. We really liked the coffee and tea served aboard ship. The luncheon salad bar changed a bit each day, something we appreciated."
• "Those considering Viking should be advised that, unless the boat is not operating at full capacity, it is difficult to get a table for two."
• "Dinner service was quite good and you can find, and stay with, a waiter team when you find a good one. Dinner begins at 7:00pm and the crowds form early. You get a choice of appetizers, soup, usually of the cream variety, salad, and a choice of two main courses. There are also two desserts to choose from. We were pleasantly surprised to find that one of the two entree options was always fish, the second rotated between beef or chicken. Several guests were complaining that the beef was undercooked. They are happy to take things back and cook them a bit more."
• "We thought was quite good given the cost of the cruise. Some complained about limited choices and small portions, but for us it was just perfect.
• Dinner menus are hit or miss with no no particuylar rhhyme or reason. Far too manyy Eastern European dishes.
• We absolutely loved the included walking tours. They were always led by colorful ocals who really knew how to give us their take on both history and local politics.
• The coffee service was non-exisitent int he evening. These waiters are so poorly trained that they have no idea how to serve coffee with dessert.
• A great cruise for the unitiated, unsophisticated, and those who want to be treated like children.
• We absolutely loved our Viking River cruis ein China. I couldn;t imagione seeing as much any other way and the boat was truly beautiful. Good service and was loved their versions of Chinese food. Highly recommended.

# 6 - Amadeus Waterways

Often confused with rival Avalon, Amadeus is particularly strong in central and Eastern Europe. A large ownership is percentage is held by General Tours, a long-standing tour firm that made its name by bringing mass tourism to Russia. The line operates the refurbished Tolstoy on Russian waterway programs. Two new ships, the Amalegro and the Amadagip joined the fleet in the past twelve months and they are among the finest riverboats in Europe. The Amadante joins the fleet in 2008. Amadeus does market within Europe..

THE BIRTH OF 5-STAR RIVER CRUISING?

A new, all-suite, River Cruising Company headed up by Albert Peter, the former CEO of Silverseas, the world's top-rated cruise line, is causing more than the usual amount of industry buzz.

Jewel River cruises will debut in 2008 with six existing ships under three brand names. Jewel will be the luxury brand, Emerald River Journeys will be 4-star, and Princess River Journeys will be contemporary. Each of the five ships in the premium and contemporary category are chartered to European operators so all of the attention is being focused on the single ship Jewel line.

The real story is that two new-builds are already committed for delivery in 2009 and 2010. Peter and his team clearly intend to "own" the luxury River segment, a gap that is waiting to be filled in the fastest growing segment of the travel industry.What travelers ,can expect, at this point is an on-board Spa, several dining options, large cabins , and a new onboard approach to destination enrichment.

One of the other key executives is Ulrich Baur who helped launch Viking River Cruises. The third major player is a well-known Swiss financial player.

The Jewel Imperial Blue, previously known as the Hispania is going through a $3.5 million refurbishment and will sail, part of the year, round-trip from Paris.