best cruise ships

The Top 10 coolest bars on cruise ships.

October 25, 2010
The perfect martini -- at sea

There’s never been any shortage of water holes on cruise ships. In fact, most have a dozen or more bars and lounges. But the latest generation of vessels has raised the bar with innovative new spaces, including an authentic, Scandinavian-style ice bar.

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Bars on Cruise Ships:

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Seabourn Odyssey – One of the Top 10 Luxury Cruise Ships.

October 2, 2010
Santorini is a frequent call for Seabourn Odyssey

When Seabourn first announced their plans to built a 450-passenger ship, everyone wondered if they could provide the yacht-like experience the brand promises on that scale. After all, the new Seabourn Odyssey carries twice as many passengers as any of the other Yachts of Seabourn.

Most critics agree that Seabourn pulled it off and that Odyssey offers the best of both worlds — the service and attention to detail found on their smaller ships with more amenities, facilities, and elbow room. Read more…

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Top 10 Cruise Ships for Staying Fit.

July 22, 2010
Ship’s promenade

Not that long ago, the only way to stay in shape on a cruise was to take a brisk walk around the promenade deck. But today. cruise ships offer a staggering array of ways to keep fit, no matter what your level of fitness.

Serious athletes can rappel off rock walls, use the latest Kinesis technology to boost strength and flexibility, or get their heart rate up in a boxing ring, batting box, or current pool. Those who just want to keep the extra pounds at bay can sign up for stretching or yoga classes. Read more…

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Top 10 Cruise Ships for Entertainment and Nightlife.

July 4, 2010
Disney Magic

If you’ve suffered through an awful rendition of We Are Family for the tenth time, or watched a comedian bomb, you know that while entertainment may not be the most important aspect of cruising, when it’s bad, you notice.

A decade ago, most cruise ships had the same thing to offer — a show room with a couple of musical reviews, a cocktail lounge with a pianist playing standards, and room with a dance floor and a band. Throw in a juggler and a comic and you had the formula for almost every ship on the briny. Read more…

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A Brief Guide to Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.

June 29, 2010
RCI’s Crown and Anchor

With 22 cruise ships, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is the second largest cruise line in the world. There are six classes of vessels in their fleet. And all of them introduced exciting new features and amenities that resulted in sleepless nights for their competitors.

Sovereign of the Seas, which launched in 1988, was cruising’s first megaship. And RCI has never looked back. Sovereign’s atrium lobby influenced nearly every cruise ship that followed. And the bragging rights that come with having the biggest ship at sea, more often than not rest with RCI. Read more…

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Top 10 Cruise Ships for Spa Lovers

June 7, 2010
Stairs to the AquaSpa on Celebrity Solstice

Cruise ship spas have come a long way. In fact, some of the best spas at sea can compete head-to-head with land-based competitors and come out on top. That’s because several lines now offer spa staterooms, restaurants, and suites that let passengers extend the spa experience into their living spaces.

From thermal suites and villas with spectacular ocean views to Japanese gardens with cascading waterfalls, cruise ship spa are also some of the most beautiful in the world. And the range of available treatments is truly impressive. Read more…

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Top 10 New Cruise Ships.

May 30, 2010
Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

During the past two decades, cruising has experienced tremendous growth. And prior to the economic downturn, no end was in sight. To keep up with demand, many cruise lines ordered new cruise ships — more than a dozen of which have debuted recently.

While several new ships are virtually identical to other vessels already in the fleet, others introduced exciting innovations and amenities that have never been available before. These next-generation ships provide passengers with unforgettable entertainment, dining, and activities. Read more…

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Top 10 Cruise Ships for Foodies.

May 29, 2010
Crab Cakes at Todd English on the Queen Mary 2

While there’s still plenty of mediocre food at sea, these days, restaurants aboard cruise ships can compete with the finest venues on land. With menus created by chefs like Todd English, Jacques Pepin, and Charlie Palmer, cruise ship dining no longer emphasizes quantity over quality. In fact, many of the ships’ chefs shop the local markets for seasonal ingredients while the ships are in port.

Today, even the smaller ships offer several alternative places to dine, so there’s usually plenty of variety. And virtually every menu has healthy and vegetarian options available. Read more…

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