Cruising is fresher than ever

New ships, new ports, new itineraries and some of the best values we've seen in years.
By Sally Moe

> Celebrity
> Holland America
> Royal Caribbean
> Tauck World Discovery
> Uniworld River Cruises
> Planning your trip

Mmm, vacation. The very word makes you feel better.

You can see those days of freedom looming with promise on the horizon. Standing in the sun with a frosty glass of something yummy in one hand, and an empty lounge chair by the other. How to make the most of it?

Duh. Take a cruise!

"Too expensive," you say? Silly rabbit! Cruising continues to offer the best bang for your vacation buck out there, since onboard meals, accommodations, port-to-port transport and entertainment (and sometimes, more) are already factored into the price.

"Too boring and old-fashioned," you counter? I beg to differ. Cruise lines relentlessly reinvent themselves in this ever-changing market, offering such new features as acupuncture at sea, zip-line rides from nine stories up (yes, really!) and free Web 2.0 networking seminars, just for starters.

"I've already been on a cruise!" Truth is, you could take 20 cruises and have a different wonderful experience on every one of them. Each line has its own ambiance, and the range of destinations spans the planet from Iceland to Northern and Central Europe to the Black Sea, from Patagonia and Antarctica to Africa, India, Asia and the South Pacific.

Still need convincing? Here's the 411.

New ships

Celebrity: For the star treatment

Celebrity pumps up the design volume with its two new ships, the Solstice and the Equinox. These two, the largest and most spacious in Celebrity's fleet, are not your grandmother's cruise ship.

With a monochromatic color scheme and minimalist, mid-century-modern design aesthetic, Solstice immerses 2,850 passengers in a chic, urban-boutique-hotel ambiance. You'll definitely feel like a celebrity in this atmosphere, so bring your Jackie-O sunglasses and keep 'em guessing.

Some highlights of the 122,000-ton Solstice:

  • Larger staterooms with LCD TVs and, for many rooms, a menu of different pillows.


  • AquaClass cabins with unlimited access to the AquaSpa relaxation room, Persian Garden and boutique restaurant Blu.


  • Enclosed solarium with sleek lap pool and basketweave-design waterfall.


  • Three-story library with reading areas and conversation spaces.


  • The Lawn Club, for casual outdoor activities in a country club atmosphere and the delight of grass between your toes.


  • Cellar Masters: Deepen your knowledge of wine and compare different vintages in a warm, inclusive setting.


  • The full spectrum of dining options.


  • The Hot Glass Show, presented by professional glassblowers from the Corning Museum of Glass, offers engaging demonstrations of this very artistic and demanding craft.
Holland America MsEurodam

Holland America: Elegance by design

Consistently placed among the highest-rated cruise lines in the world, Holland America is known for its atmosphere of casual elegance.

Its newest ship, the 2,044-passenger Eurodam, launched from Rotterdam in July 2008. Itineraries visit Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Canada and New England. Highlights include:

  • Spa suites that offer in-room spa menu, organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, and a spa concierge to book treatments.


  • A Culinary Arts Center that presents interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by master chefs or culinary notables.


  • The ultra-posh Greenhouse Spa & Salon.


  • Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows: Free workshops that demonstrate how to share vacation experiences through email, blogging and social networking.


  • Private cabanas: reserve a curtained lounge space at the pool or on the top floor, by the day or by the cruise.
Royal Caribbean: Master innovators

With seven "neighborhoods," 16 decks and 37 categories of staterooms to choose from, Royal Caribbean's newest ship Oasis of the Seas is in great shape to keep 5,400 guests entertained.

Oasis vows to "challenge all limitations" and from the looks of things, that's no exaggeration. More highlights:

  • Loft Suites: two-level staterooms with a sleek, urban loft apartment feel.


  • The first-ever zip line at sea: Woo-HOO! from nine decks up.


  • The highly expansive and versatile AquaTheater.


  • Kinesis, a new form of resistance exercise designed to burn 30% more calories.


  • Beach Pool, with a sloped ocean-like entry.
Tauck World Discovery: Travel that enriches

Picture gliding along the rivers of Europe, past castles and medieval villages, in a floating boutique hotel. Waking up in sumptuous comfort to a different historic port of call every morning. Sounds like a fantasy, right? Nuh-uh. It's one of Tauck's most recent offerings. The newest addition to the veteran travel company's spry fleet of luxury vessels is the MV Swiss Jewel. Highlights:

  • Onboard fitness center and 24/7 whirlpool.


  • Floor-to-ceiling windows and French balconies in most cabins.


  • Pampering La Occitane toiletries in private marble bathrooms.


  • The Lido Bar, boasting live piano music in the evening, sports a fully opening 180-degree glass wall for wonderful views.


  • All shore excursions and onboard meals (with complimentary wine at dinner) are included.
Uniworld River Cruises: Intimate, stylish, sophisticated
Uniworld’s River Tosca on the Nile

Uniworld's newest river-cruising vessel, River Tosca, will launch in 2009 to sail the "Ancient Wonders of Egypt & the Nile" itinerary, as well as the "Splendors of Egypt & the Nile" cruise. Ship features include:

  • Lavishly decorated suites with private bath.


  • Plush lounge with full-service bar, library and elegant restaurant.


  • Fitness center and massage services.


  • Sun deck with cabana-lined pool and rooftop bar.


  • Wireless Internet access.
New itineraries

Azamara Quest, which underwent a $19-million makeover before its 2007 launch, will visit a total of 21 ports during its Asia season, in a total of 13 countries. Three ports will be new: Nagasaki, Phuket and Taipei.

Celebrity Equinox will sail 10- and 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruises round trip out of Fort Lauderdale. The 11-night Ultimate Caribbean itinerary will include a stop at Roatan, Honduras, which Celebrity has not visited since 2007.

St. Petersburg, Russia, has been added as an exciting new stop on the Disney Magic's 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise in June and July 2010. An optional excursion to Moscow also will be available. Also on Disney Magic, Tunisia and the islands of Malta and Corsica have been added to the ship's Mediterranean itinerary.

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas and Legend of the Seas will be visiting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on cruises lasting between seven and 14 nights in 2010. Ports will include Rome, Alexandria, the Suez Canal and Port Said, as well as Bombay, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

For the pre-eminent cruise experience, consider 111 days on the Holland America Line's ms Amsterdam. Launching from Fort Lauderdale, the ship will traverse the Panama Canal, explore Central and South America, cross from Uruguay to Namibia, then on to ports in Africa, India and Asia, finally crossing the International Dateline to disembark in Seattle. This once-in-a-lifetime voyage will depart Jan. 6, 2010.

Wow, right? And if a cruise lasting almost four months doesn't fit your schedule, just take a look around. AAA offers cruise itineraries starting from only a few days, so it's easier than you might think to get away for a taste of the good life at sea.

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