Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010 (Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships) [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Berlitz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships | Publication Date: October 15, 2009

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essential reading for anyone booking a cruise" - Choice, Nov 2009. "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.

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Berlitz Travel Guide; Nineteenth Edition, 25th 2010, Anniversary edition (October 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812686657
• ISBN-13: 978-9812686657
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible, October 1, 2009

By 

Mike Miller "Freelance writer" (Juneau, Alaska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010 (Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships) (Paperback)

For years, in fact decades, I have found Douglas Ward's annual "Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships" indispensable in my work as a travel writer specializing in Alaska and Alaska cruising and as Editor/Publisher of the website [...]. There are lots of good cruising guides out there, but I rate this one best of all. It contains literally everything the reader wants and needs to know about cruising, whether he/she is a "newbie" or an "old salt."

In all, Douglas Ward's 692-page opus for 2010 provides 493 pages of vital information about 271 ocean-going cruise vessels. It covers size, passenger capacity, crew count, lifestyle, length, beam, age, ship builder, entertainment, foods and lots of other data. He literally covers the waterfront from small and intimate vessels to the newly commissioned "largest ever" cruiseship Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) which can carry 5,400 passengers in lower berths or a total of 6,296 passengers in the unlikely event that all the upper berths are utilized.

One feature is particularly telling:

In a full-page critique of present-day cruising's weak points - called "What could be improved?" - the author candidly notes, "It's not all perfect. Here are some aspects of cruising in 2010 that the brochures won't mention." Then follows his list of 11 present-day negative aspects. He notes, for example, "In the standard seven-day cruise market, particularly from U.S. ports, disembarkation is mostly an untidy and hostile process..." (Right on, Brother!) The list goes on.

In the parlance of Ward's ship rating standard (1 star through 5) I would have to give this book a solid 5 - count 'em - 5 stars-plus.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best cruise guidebook, July 20, 2010

By 

B.WILLIAM G. BRYANT - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010 (Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships) (Paperback)

We find this guidebook gives great insights into the ship, its food, passenger type ( age, etc.) and inteests ( the destinations versus the ship's pool ). It is wonderful for handicapped passengers giving the number, if any, of handicapped cabins, elevators, etc. If you use a whelchair, you can eliminate aship in seconds.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cruise insight helps to choose right, July 7, 2010

By 

Mrs. J. A. Hill "Jangelli" (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010 (Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships) (Paperback)

The reviews and information in this book are fairly lengthy and detailed. It gives outlines for the ships and then goes into detail about most facets of the product/cruise offered.

It certainly helps to be able to choose a cruise/ship that fits your priorities, e.g. food, entertainment, spa, fitness, accommodations and capacity. The cabins are described in detail and offer information as to whether the balconies are overlooked by other passenger areas or if they are private.

There is information on the formality or lack thereof in the dining areas.

It also discusses the differences between a la carte and banquet style dining.

Each ship is rated on several areas of service/function and therefore makes it easier to select a ship or cruise line to suit your need. I think it is a useful tool for anyone planning or already addicted to cruising.