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Cruise Lines
All
cruise lines are not created equal, not that they're not
good or bad, just that they tend to cater to different
segments of the travel market. Some are the favorite of
younger cruisers and some appeal to an older crowd.
Following is a list of most of the major cruise lines
with a brief synopsis about what each cruise line has to
offer. You can visit the cruise line's website by
clicking on the links.
MAJOR CRUISE LINES
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Lines has earned its position as the
"Most Popular Cruise Line in the World" by offering more of what
consumers desire in a vacation – a wide variety of on-board choices; a
fun, relaxed atmosphere; outstanding value; and beautiful and exciting
destinations.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is the world's top-rated premium cruise line with a
taste of luxury, appealing to savvy travelers, age 35-55, with a
household income of $75,000+. Celebrity tends to attract experienced
cruisers who appreciate quality and desire a vacation experience that
offers multiple opportunities for rejuvenation, enrichment and
connections with friends, family and fellow guests.
Costa Cruises
Costa, Europe’s #1 cruise line, offers 226 sailings with 67 different
itineraries ranging in length from 3 to 22 nights. Enjoy a true European
experience throughout the Mediterranean, North Cape/Fjords, Baltic &
Russia and Transatlantic. Sail the youngest fleet in Europe aboard 9
Italian-inspired ships - the Costa Allegra, Costa Atlantica, Costa
Europa, Costa Classica, Costa Mediterranea, Costa Romantica, Costa
Tropicale and Costa Victoria. Or cruise the Caribbean Italian Style with
plenty of sun, fun and an Italian week of unforgettable enjoyment.
Indulge in all the magic cruising Italian Style has to offer and
experience the time of your life on Costa. As South America's #1 cruise
line, Costa offers cruises throughout Brazil, Argentina, Chile and
Uruguay.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises is the recipient of many of the travel industry’s
highest awards, including "World's Best Cruise Line" ('96, '97, '98,
'99, '00, '01, '02, and '03) and "Best Large Ship Line" ('96, '97, '98,
'99, '00, '01, '02) in Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler
surveys, respectively. Six-star Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony, and
Crystal Serenity feature elegantly appointed staterooms (most with
private verandahs), an unprecedented array of dining options (Italian
and Asian alternative restaurants as well as casual dining in the
Trident Bar on designated nights), award-winning entertainment, a lavish
Crystal Spa and Salon adhering to Feng Shui principles, extensive
exercise and sports facilities and instruction, and the only Caesars
Palace at Sea casino.
Cunard
Cunard Line proudly continues the tradition of luxury cruising that
began in 1840 with The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World. Queen Mary
2 debuts in 2004 as the new flagship of the Cunard fleet. As the
tallest, longest, largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built, QM2
provides her guests with unprecedented amenities and accommodations at
every turn. Maintaining the tradition of her Cunard and White Star Line
predecessors, QM2 is the only ship offering regularly scheduled
transatlantic service. Queen Elizabeth 2 continues to set the standard
of British elegance with superb White Star Service and gourmet cuisine.
Disney Cruise
Lines
From its inception, Disney Cruise Line was destined to be different. As
the first owned and operated cruise line by the dream makers at Disney,
Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and
activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of
the family. As a result, Disney Cruise Line vacations offer guests an
unbelievable cruise experience not found anywhere else. Disney Cruise
Line offers guests an exciting new way to vacation with Disney.
Holland America
Marking its 130th year in business in 2003, Holland America Line
features 13, five star ships offering premium cruises to more than 250
destinations around the world. With the new Vista class of four ships
set for delivery between 2002 and 2006, Holland America will continue
its leadership in the premium category.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is an international cruise
company and industry innovator operating 10 ships to 140 ports around
the world. NCL is the leader in round-trip seven-day cruising from U.S.
and Canadian ports. Offering its popular Homeland Cruising program
seasonally from Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Los Angeles, New Orleans,
Philadelphia, Orlando (Port Canaveral), San Juan, Seattle and Vancouver,
and year round from New York, Miami, Houston and Honolulu. NCL ushured
in a new era of cruising when it introduced its innovatve Freestyle
Cruising program.
Princess Cruise Line
Princess Cruises, one of the best-known names in North American
cruising, is a global cruise and tour company. It will operate a fleet
of 14 ships in 2004 on nearly 150 different itineraries calling at
nearly 260 ports around the globe. Princess is known for its Personal
Choice Cruising program, a fleet-wide dedication to providing passengers
with a wide variety of options with which to customize their vacations.
Regent Seven Seas
Cruises
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises offers an incomparable program of
exploration and discovery to over 300 ports on six continents, including
Antarctica. Our luxury vessels are designed for guests numbering in the
hundreds rather than the thousands. The ambiance on board is personal,
individual, accommodating-upscale but not uptight. All ships share
certain distinctions in accommodations, service, dining and amenities
that elevate them to the lofty vantage point of our enviable six stars.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International is a leading, innovative cruise vacation
company. Our guests are active travelers who are looking for new
experiences, a wide array of choices for the whole family, and a great
vacation value. From activities onboard our ships like rock climbing and
ice skating to shoreside adventures like glacier trekking and exploring
Mayan ruins, we provide an experience that lets our guests see and do
more than they ever imagined in places all over the globe. Our brand is
distinguished by the Royal Advantage: Gold Anchor Service, energizing
onboard and shoreside adventures, the most amazing and innovative ships,
and remarkable destinations all over the world. Whether it's a 3-night
getaway, a longer 14-night vacation, or something in between, Royal
Caribbean provides an amazing vacation experience.
SMALL SHIP CRUISE LINES
Hartegruten
Travelers interested in niche
cruising should consider the Norwegian Costal Voyage – “The World’s Most
Beautiful Voyage.” This fleet has traveled the spectacular west coast of
Norway for more than 100 years, carrying passengers as well as freight
and cargo. Passengers will enjoy 1,250 miles of captivating,
fjord-filled landscape. Majestic fjords, snow-capped mountains, sea
eagles and reindeer are all part of the voyages as the ships call on 34
amazing ports each way, from Bergen in the south, across the Arctic
Circle in the north, to Kirkenes near the Russian border or vice versa.
Shore excursions, sightseeing opportunities and land packages are
available in conjunction with the voyage.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is a distinctively different cruise line. Two modern
luxury ships carry just 684 guests. Nearly 70% of all staterooms feature
private verandas and service is provided by an attentive European staff.
At Oceania Cruises, the priority is an extraordinary cruise experience
that will fit varied interests and exceed all expectations. This
includes the finest cuisine at sea, carefully crafted by world-renowned
Master Chef Jacques Pepin. Each ship, Regatta and Insignia, offers the
flexibility of open-seating dining in four unique restaurants.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea is a cruise company reflecting generations of maritime and
travel experience. In the early 1990s, the Lefebvre family of Rome,
former owners of Sitmar Cruises, conceived and organized a unique cruise
company pledging to build and operate the highest-quality ships in the
ultra-luxury segment. The name “Silversea” was chosen because it
connotes quality and luxury as well as capturing the romance and special
sensations of the sea. Silversea’s fleet was purpose-built for the
ultra-luxury market, establishing a new class of smaller, intimate
vessels that could slip into more exotic ports off the beaten path.
Swan Hellenic
Fifty years' experience has made Swan Hellenic the acknowledged leader
in discovery travel. Swan Hellenic has perfected an effortless style of
exploration which delights passengers and encourages many to cruise with
us again. Discovery is a powerful ingredient in our recipe for success.
Together our itineraries encompass the most charismatic places on earth,
visiting a variety of famous and lesser-known destinations and allowing
ample time to experience the full flavor of different cultures, people
and places encountered along the way. Guest speakers present a
captivating range of introductory topics, and our inclusive shore
excursions are led by local guides.
The Yachts of Seabourn
The Yachts of Seabourn provide the ultimate in small-ship ultra-luxury
cruise vacations to the most desirable destinations on earth. The
intimate all-suite Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend each carry a
maximum of 208 guests and nearly the same number of skilled and
dedicated staff, providing a level of personalized service that is
unmatched in the industry. Many suites have balconies. Superb cuisine
created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer is served in an open-seating
restaurant. Alternative casual dining is available in the indoor/outdoor
Veranda Café. Guests may also enjoy dinner served, course by course, in
the privacy of their suites.
Windstar
Cruises
“180° from Ordinary“ describes Windstar's small luxury sail cruises.
Elegantly casual and relaxed atmosphere features no assigned-seat
dining, no ties or jackets required and five-star cuisine. Visiting some
of the world’s small, exotic and most facinating ports in ships
accomodating 148 to 308 pampered guests. Windstar’s target clientele are
around 51, professional, well-educated, and most have cruised on large
ships previously.
Linblad
Expeditions
Linblad offers small shop cruising and expeditions to the far corners of
the world. From the Arctic to the Antarctic. From Alaska to Zimbabwe,
these intimate small group adventures offer a fascinating look at the
natural and pristine world.
American
West Steamboat Co.
Recapture the romance of sternwheeler cruising with an Inside Passage
Cruise or a Columbia River Cruise. Our luxurious paddlewheelers are the
newest and largest to provide small ship cruises in western America. Our
sternwheelers combine the best features of large and small ship cruises.
You get the amenities and spaciousness of a large ship cruise combined
with close-up, casual cruising of a small ship cruise. All Alaska cruise
packages and Lewis and Clark vacations include live showboat
entertainment, fine dining and featured shore tours. Our Alaskan Cruises
also offer optional shore excursions.
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