Product Description

Berlitz is proud to welcome the 2010, 25th Anniversary Edition, of Cruising and Cruise Ships. Internationally recognised as the definitive cruise guide, this book is written by cruise-guru, Douglas Ward, the world's most highly regarded expert on cruising and is the only source of independent star-rating for ocean-going cruise ships worldwide. Authoritative and unashamedly frank, it has one single aim: to help you identify the cruise that is right for you. Fully revised and updated, it features hard-hitting, ship by ship reviews of 270 cruise ships, including Oasis of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship ever launched, not to mention the 12 brand new ships set to debut in 2010. At-a-glance charts compare the major cruise lines for cabin facilities, food and service. Other practical advice covers what to look for in a ship and crew, along with top tips on how to get the best value for money. So whether you are travelling solo, honeymooners, with children, or require special assistance, this guide will find the perfect ship to suit you. This 2010 edition also has a brand new chapter on environmentally friendly cruising. Full-colour photography throughout will bring the cruise experience to life, before you even step aboard. Whether it is your first or fiftieth cruise, this essential guide will answer all your questions in detail, leaving you more time to enjoy your cruise.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2236 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-24
• Format: Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 688 pages

Review
"Read before cruising" - Daily News, New York. "It's excellent" - Independent on Sunday. "The most feared man on the seven seas has to be Douglas Ward" - The Age, Melbourne. "The Industry bible" - Reader's Digest. "The cruise lines use his reviews as part of their quality control process" - Road & Travel Magazine. --various

About the Author
Douglas Ward, the world's top authority on cruising and cruise ships, is president of the Maritime Evaluations Group, an independent international agency that rates cruise ships worldwide. With more than 40 years of experience, he spends up to 200 days a year aboard cruise ships, inspecting and evaluating their facilities.

Customer Reviews

Just about every cruise ship reviewed.
Considered by many to be the true cruise ship bible this guide continues to impress. Experienced or new to cruising this book cannot fail to add information and ideas from an impartial viewpoint. There is a large first section that gives advice and information on cruising , ships, and lines, followed by the vast section reviewing each of 270 cruise ships, using comparison against several different factors. I have several editions of this guide and I regularly find myself researching or simply browsing through them all.

Indispensable Guide to Cruising
If you've been on cruises before or are considering going on one, this is indispensable. It's hard to imagine a more comprehensive guide, giving details of cruising in general, the main operators, types of cruise and - the major feature - muti-page details of every cruise ship in the world, from the largest (200,000 tonnes plus) to the smallest sailing clipper. Douglas Ward not only knows cruising inside-out, he pulls no punches and makes clear his likes and dislikes - on p.157 he lists "50 Ways in Which Cruise Lines Exasperate Passengers" .

He is also engagingly quirky - on pp.174-175 he outlines "The Oatmeal Factor" for gauging cruise ships by how they provide a bowl of oatmeal. This ranges from Standard to Incomparable, defined as follows: "Hot Scottish (large flakes, hand ground), oatmeal, water, sea salt, tahini and nutmeg (grated at the table). high-quality cold-pressed olive oil and a layer of rare single malt Scotch; served in small production hand made china, with base plate and doily and stirling silver cutlery." Bizarre, or what? But it's that sort of personal stuff that makes the guide what it is.

There's so much detail, so well presented, that this is a guide you can dip into week after week - probably best read at night by the fire as you decide which cruise would be best for you. Although not widely experienced cruisers, my wife and I have found Douglas Ward unerringly accurate on everything we have ever encountered. Indeed, even if you never intend to go on a cruise you could well find this a fascinating insight into another world. Cannot recommend it too highly.

Ocean Cruising
Mr Ward is spot on with his comments on each of 10 ships we have used.