text:
Overall Score: 94.4
Overall Score:** 93.0
Like her sister ships the Legend and the Spirit, the **Seabourn Pride **has a staff-to-passenger ratio of nearly one to one. Guests stay in 104 suites, ranging from 277 to 575 square feet; 40 percent have balconies, and all have ocean views. Drinks at the four bars and lounges are included in your fare, as are all meals, even when you choose to opt for one of the smaller restaurants over the main dining room; each has a menu created by chef Charlie Palmer. Like her sister ships (which also score in the 90s on the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Survey), the Pride has a private marina, which extends from the rear of the ship, allowing guests to enjoy water sports even at sea. The Pride gets around: In addition to world cruises, she has Baltic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian itineraries.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **96.7
Shore Excursions: 84.2
Crew/Service: 98.3
Cabins: 93.3
Food/Dining: 96.7
Activites/Facilities: 88.3
Design/Layout: 93.3
Passengers: 208
Zodiac boats aren't the only choice aboard Lindblad's National Geographic Endeavour. It also has kayaks, a glass-bottom boat, wet suits, and snorkeling gear for exploring the Galápagos year-round.
Yes, this could be you. Cruising the South Pacific year-round, Paul Gauguin not only offers scuba from the onboard marina but she also provides scuba lessons and even a PADI certification program.
Overall Score: 90.3
Overall Score:** 90.3
Virtually identical to her sister ships the Pride and Spirit (which also score in the 90s on Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Survey), the Seabourn Legend has 104 suites, the smallest of which offer a spacious 277 square feet. Forty percent of staterooms have balconies, and all have ocean views. In-suite bars and refrigerators are stocked according to your preferences prior to arrival. Four restaurants are available, all with menus created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer. Before- and after-dinner options abound, with your choice of four lounges and bars. From spring to fall, the Legend sails itineraries around the Mediterranean, while winter finds her in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **92.5
Shore Excursions: 82.1
Crew/Service: 96.3
Cabins: 90.0
Food/Dining: 98.8
Activites/Facilities: 81.0
Design/Layout: 91.3
Passengers: 208
Overall Score: 90.2
Overall Score:** 90.2
Seabourn's three smaller ships, the Legend, Pride, and Spirit, each with 104 suites, are almost indistinguishable (and all score in the 90s on the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Survey). All have relatively spacious cabins, from 277 to 575 square feet, with in-suite bars and refrigerators stocked according to guests' preferences prior to arrival; bathrooms come with a choice of soaps, including Hermès and L'Occitane. Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer presides over the dining venues, and unlike on some ships, you won't face any surcharge when you decide to skip the main dining room. Seabourn's all-inclusive policy also means that you won't have to worry about running up a steep tab when you visit the four bars and lounges. The Spirit summers in the Mediterranean and Adriatic, while in the winter she can be found in the Caribbean and along the Central American coast.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **96.0
Shore Excursions: 86.3
Crew/Service: 95.2
Cabins: 92.0
Food/Dining: 92.0
Activites/Facilities: 81.6
Design/Layout: 88.0
Passengers: 208
Overall Score: 89.9
Overall Score:** 89.9
Silversea's expedition ship, the Explorer, is a departure from its larger luxury ships. Designed with an ice breaker hull, which enables it to cruise through the waters of arctic, the ship sails with eight Zodiac boats for exploration and a mere 132 passengers, providing an upscale take on nature cruising in Antarctica and the Arctic Circle. Passengers start the day with lectures; they're then provided with parkas, boots, binoculars, and other gear for their Zodiac excursions. In the evenings, your butler can help you shed your (probably wet) layers so you can dress for an evening in the Relais &Chateaux dining room followed by cognac in the cigar bar—an experience more akin to those you'll find on Silversea's other vessels.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **92.6
Shore Excursions: 92.6
Crew/Service: 96.3
Cabins: 88.9
Food/Dining: 88.9
Activites/Facilities: 88.9
Design/Layout: 81.5
Passengers: 132
Overall Score: 89.4
Overall Score:** 89.4
Seabourn's three smaller ships, the Legend, Pride, and Spirit, each with 104 suites, are almost indistinguishable (and all score in the 90s on the _Condé Nast Travele_r Readers' Choice Survey). All have relatively spacious cabins, from 277 to 575 square feet, with in-suite bars and refrigerators stocked according to guests' preferences prior to arrival; bathrooms come with a choice of soaps, including Hermès and L'Occitane. Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer presides over the dining venues, and unlike on some ships, you won't face any surcharge when you decide to skip the main dining room. Seabourn's all-inclusive policy also means that you won't have to worry about running up a steep tab when you visit the four bars and lounges. The Spirit summers in the Mediterranean and Adriatic, while in the winter she can be found in the Caribbean and along the Central American coast.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **94.7
Shore Excursions: 85.9
Crew/Service: 92.1
Cabins: 90.8
Food/Dining: 90.8
Activites/Facilities: 88.0
Design/Layout: 82.9
Passengers: 540
Overall Score: 89.2
Overall Score: 89.2
Unlike Regent's two other ships, the line's smallest vessel, the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator, can't claim to be an "all-balcony" ship, but it's close: 85 percent of its staterooms have them. The Navigator underwent a thorough refurbishment in 2009, which included the addition of a contemporary steak house, Prime 7, complementing the ship's three other dining options. Also in 2009, Canyon Ranch took the helm of the ship's spa and fitness facilities. Since May 2011, all Regent packages have included pre-cruise hotel accommodations and ground transfers to the ship. Summer finds the ship in Alaska; fall, on the east coast of the U.S. and Canada; and in winter and spring, it sails the Caribbean.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **90.6
Shore Excursions: 83.3
Crew/Service: 92.9
Cabins: 94.5
Food/Dining: 90.5
Activites/Facilities: 84.1
Design/Layout: 88.4
Passengers: 490
Overall Score: 89.2
Overall Score:** 89.2
The sister ship of the Silver Shadow, the Silver Whisper underwent significant renovations in 2010 to give it a more contemporary look matching Silversea's newest ship, the Silver Spirit; carpets and curtains in staterooms were replaced and sofas and chairs reupholstered in warmer color palettes. In addition to choosing from a selection of soaps, pillows, and beverages (true on all Silversea ships), passengers can now specify whether they prefer the soft or firm side of their mattresses, all of which were custom-made for the line. The ship has adopted another Silver Spirit innovation: the Grill, where diners are provided with their own heated grills to cook their meals to taste. The Silver Whisper will be spending fall 2011 on the U.S. and Canadian Eastern seaboards, then heading south to the Caribbean and South America. In 2012, it will sail to Brazil, South Africa, the Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia before returning to Europe.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **90.9
Shore Excursions: 82.0
Crew/Service: 93.2
Cabins: 92.4
Food/Dining: 88.6
Activites/Facilities: 86.0
Design/Layout: 90.8
Passengers: 382
Overall Score: 89.1
Overall Score: 89.1
Lindblad Expeditions launched this ship, the Explorer, a joint venture with the National Geographic Society, in 2008. The focus is squarely on nature and education, and the ship sails with a dozen experts (historians and naturalists, as well as photographers affiliated with the Society) and state-of-the art expedition technology (including undersea cameras, video-microscopes and a crow's nest camera). Itineraries are in-depth and often long, including 14- and 24-night Antarctica tours and 16-day routes around Norwegian fjords.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **93.1
Shore Excursions: 93.1
Crew/Service: 96.6
Cabins: 72.4
Food/Dining: 89.7
Activites/Facilities: 92.9
Design/Layout: 86.2
Passengers: 148
Overall Score: 88.7
Overall Score: 88.7
The Silver Cloud was Silversea's first ship, launched in 1994, and it set the tone for the three ships that followed, delivering intimate luxury when much of the industry was headed in the direction of increasingly large vessels with every shop, toy, and sport a ship could hold. Suites range in size from 240 to 1,314 square feet and include a number of personalized amenities: choose your soap (Bulgari or Ferragamo) and pillow (the menu has nine choices), and there's a minibar stocked with your preferences. The main restaurant and Le Champagne have menus created in collaboration with Relais & Châteaux. The Silver Cloud generally spends summers on European itineraries (both North Sea and Mediterranean), and winters in the Caribbean and South America.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **92.6
Shore Excursions: 78.3
Crew/Service: 94.6
Cabins: 91.9
Food/Dining: 91.3
Activites/Facilities: 82.6
Design/Layout: 89.1
Passengers: 296
Overall Score: 87.2
Overall Score: 87.2
The smallest of Celebrity's ships, the 92-passenger Celebrity Xpedition is an adventure vessel that only sails around the Galápagos Islands. Because most vessels in the area are adventure ships, the Xpedition's luxury touches—such as two dining options (a sit-down venue and a buffet), room service, and balconied suites—set it apart. Still, Condé Nast Traveler readers give the ship its highest marks for its crew and itineraries: the Xpedition sails 7- to 11-night trips around the islands spotting blue-footed boobies, sea iguanas, and flightless cormorants. All of its naturalist guides are certified by the Galápagos National Park, and onboard entertainment tends heavily toward wildlife lectures and tour briefings. Drinks are complimentary, but most passengers head to their cabins early and sober to prepare for full days of sightseeing and adventure.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **93.1
Shore Excursions: 91.7
Crew/Service: 94.4
Cabins: 81.9
Food/Dining: 73.6
Activites/Facilities: 87.3
Design/Layout: 88.4
Passengers: 90
Overall Score: 87.2
Overall Score: 87.2
The Silver Shadow, which debuted in 2000, and its sister ship, the Silver Whisper, are slightly larger than Silversea's first ships, with capacity for 382 passengers (approximately 80 more than the Cloud or the Wind). The larger ship also has slightly larger staterooms, with the smallest measuring 287 square feet. The Shadow offers the same customized amenities that other Silversea ships do; passengers are given a choice of soaps and pillows, as well as their choice of beverages in their in-suite bar and refrigerator. Relais & Châteaux collaborated on the menus for the main restaurant and Le Champagne. The Shadow spends its time sailing the waters off Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Itineraries/Schedule: 91.0
Shore Excursions: 75.0
Crew/Service: 93.8
Cabins: 95.2
Food/Dining: 89.7
Activites/Facilities: 77.2
Design/Layout: 88.2
Passengers: 382
Overall Score: 86.6
Overall Score: **86.6
The 298-passenger Silver Wind was Silversea's second ship, launched in 1995, just a year after the Silver Cloud. Like its slightly older sister, the Silver Wind aspires to personalized luxury, giving passengers a choice of amenities, from soaps to pillows. The staterooms are all suites (the smallest is a sizable 240 square feet) and have ocean views. The ship was refurbished in 2008 to update its interiors, but also to add a new Spa at Silversea and an observation lounge complete with a radar screen, astronomical maps, and binoculars. The Silver Wind is in the Mediterranean from late spring to fall, and in the Indian Ocean and along the South African coast the rest of the year.
Itineraries/Schedule: 94.4
Shore Excursions: 78.1
Crew/Service: 89.7
Cabins: 88.8
Food/Dining: 91.6
Activites/Facilities: 77.4
Design/Layout: 85.8
Passengers: 296
Overall Score: 86.2
Overall Score: 86.2
The **SeaDream II **is indistinguishable from its sister ship, the SeaDream I. Both 112-passenger ships were thoroughly refitted in 2002, and both offer a casual, intimate, and sophisticated take on the cruise experience. A highlight of the all-inclusive sailings is the Champagne and Caviar Splash, a luxe beach barbecue offered on Caribbean and Amazon itineraries, while the water sports marina lets passengers snorkel and sail off the stern of the ship. Like the SeaDream I's itineraries, most are around a week long—although the SeaDream II does have some longer northern European and transatlantic cruises. Also, there are Amazon river cruises that last almost three weeks, sailing between Barbados and Iquitos, a port on the Amazon River in Peru.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.5
Shore Excursions: 77.4
Crew/Service: 98.5
Cabins: 74.2
Food/Dining: 90.9
Activites/Facilities: 78.8
Design/Layout: 87.7
Passengers: 112
Overall Score: 86.1
Overall Score:** 86.1
Windstar's three ships are not floating hotels or malls. They are genuine sailing ships, delivering modern luxuries as well as true nautical experiences, complete with portholes. The Wind Star, like its sister Wind Spirit, is a four-masted schooner, and its compact cabins are built for both comfort and efficient use of finite space. All three Windstar schooners sail in two of the most appealing cruise regions on earth: the Caribbean in winter, and Europe and the Mediterranean in summer. Wind Star favors the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, thence through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean. In April, it repositions east to Europe (returning west in November), where its seven-day itineraries include stops from Lisbon and Barcelona to Rome and Venice, and on to Aegean ports including Athens, Istanbul, and Mykonos in the Cyclades. The six triangular, computer-operated sails are more than decorative, but wind power only supplements the engine power required to meet schedules. All 74 cabins are cozy, yet big enough for queen-size beds and hi-tech toys, as well as daily fresh fruit and flowers. Being a small ship, it has only two restaurants—one formal, one casual, both with open seating—but you can also dine under the stars at the Candles grill.
Itineraries/Schedule:** 94.6
Shore Excursions: 76.5
Crew/Service: 94.1
Cabins: 80.5
Food/Dining: 91.5
Activites/Facilities: 78.6
Design/Layout: 86.2
Passengers: 148
Overall Score: 86.1
Overall Score:** 86.1
Enormous by Windstar standards, the Wind Surf is still small by most cruise ship measures: six decks holding only 156 cabins. The Wind Surf is a sailing yacht, and its seven computer-operated, triangular sails are both decorative and efficient, adding wind power to the engines that keep the ship on schedule. Like all Windstar ships, it sails two of the most popular seas on earth: the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. It winters among several of the larger Lesser Antilles: Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Barts. In spring, it repositions to Europe on a transatlantic cruise from Barbados to Lisbon, and begins itineraries in southern Europe ranging from Barcelona to Nice, Rome, and Venice. It then moves on to the Aegean for stops at Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes, and finally to Istanbul, Kuşadasi, and Bodrum on the Turkish coast. The Wind Surf has multiple eateries and a special emphasis on fitness, with a spa and a fitness center, two pools and two hot tubs, and a water sports platform at the stern from which you can kayak, windsurf, or water-ski.
**Itineraries/Schedule: **92.1
Shore Excursions: 72.3
Crew/Service: 91.4
Cabins: 85.7
Food/Dining: 89.3
Activites/Facilities: 80.4
Design/Layout: 90.6
Passengers: 312
Overall Score: 85.2
Overall Score:** 85.2
The_ Wind Spirit_, like its sister Wind Star, is a true sailing ship, a four-masted schooner that delivers modern luxuries as well as a genuinely nautical experience, complete with portholes instead of picture windows. The compact cabins are built for comfort, but with such efficient use of space that every square inch seems to have its purpose. Being a small ship, it has only two restaurants—one formal, one casual, both with open seating—but you can also dine under the stars at the Candles grill. All 74 cabins are cozy, yet big enough for queen-size beds and hi-tech toys, as well as daily fresh fruit and flowers. Neither a floating hotel nor a seagoing mall, the petite Wind Spirit, with its 14-foot draft, can access shallow seaports used more by ferries than by modern cruise ships, such as Dieppe on the English Channel and Ostend in Belgium. In summer, the Wind Spirit sails a variety of European itineraries, including ports on the Baltic Sea (the only Windstar ship in those waters), the English Channel, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean and Aegean, all the way to Istanbul. In November, it repositions across the Atlantic, with a port call at Tenerife in the Canary Islands, to winter in the Caribbean, where it frequents Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, and the Grenadines.
Itineraries/Schedule: 93.5
Shore Excursions: 77.4
Crew/Service: 93.5
Cabins: 79.0
Food/Dining: 91.9
Activites/Facilities: 77.4
Design/Layout: 83.3
Passengers: 148
Consistently rated among the best ships, the luxurious 535-stateroom Crystal Serenity is like a floating Beverly Hills, with fine boutiques, restaurants, a spa, a theater, pools, lounges, and a great deal more.
Crystal Symphony—like her equally luxurious Crystal Cruises fleetmate, Serenity—will have prominent photographers on 11 of her cruises in 2012 to take your portrait and hold informal seminars for shutterbugs.
The Regatta was Oceania's very first ship, launched in 1998 and refurbished in 2011. It set the tone for the line—a luxury product on mid-sized ships at competitive prices. Like its sister ship the Nautica, the Regatta has 342 staterooms as well as four dining venues under the direction of Jacques Pépin. Also like the other Oceania vessels, it has collaborated with Canyon Ranch since 2009—the spa menu ventures beyond the standard therapeutic offerings to include acupuncture, Ayurveda, and reiki. This year, the Regatta will mark some firsts for the Oceania line when it sails to Alaska in the summer and the coasts of New England and eastern Canada in the fall.
Itineraries/Schedule:** 93.8
Shore Excursions: 65.9
Crew/Service: 95.9
Cabins: 90.7
Food/Dining: 96.6
Activites/Facilities: 77.7
Design/Layout: 93.4
Passengers: 684
Overall Score: 86.6
Overall Score:** 86.6
The Serenade of the Seas and its nearly identical sisters (the Brilliance, Jewel, and Radiance of the Seas) have fewer extreme-adventure options than their larger fleet-mates. There are climbing walls, naturally, as well as a unique onboard innovation: self-leveling pool tables, which are in the Colony Club. More than half of the ship's cabins have balconies, and many of its lounges, bars, and restaurants have floor-to-ceiling windows—the better to gaze out at the clear-blue Caribbean during the ship's sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and at the Mediterranean during its summer sojourns from Barcelona.
Itineraries/Schedule: 92.6
Shore Excursions: 81.7
Crew/Service: 91.8
Cabins: 82.8
Food/Dining: 81.0
Activites/Facilities: 85.2
Design/Layout: 90.9
Passengers: 2,110
Overall Score: 85.7
Overall Score:** 85.7
Considered to be the best new ship for food-lovers, Marina is Oceania's first new build (the rest of the line is made up former ships from the Renaissance cruise line). Instead of being seated in an audience and watching cooking demos projected onto a screen, you'll find a school with 12 stations that each have their own knives and burners; instead of yet-another-bland-Continental-fine dining restaurant, you'll find an impressive French bistro by Jacques Pépin serving everything from rotisserie spit-roasted black foot chicken to Lyonnais sausage from Pépin's signature recipe and cheese trays presented tableside. The hardest reservation to get onboard: a table at Red Ginger, a pan-Asian spot that, by refusing to tone down the strong flavors of the East, has redefined the genre on Western ships.
Itineraries/Schedule: 85.7
Shore Excursions: 53.6
Crew/Service: 91.4
Cabins: 85.7
Food/Dining: 94.3
Activites/Facilities: 88.6
Design/Layout: 94.3
Passengers: 1,250
Overall Score: 85.6
Overall Score:** 85.6
With its first Signature-class ship, Holland America upgraded the onboard sitting-by-the-pool experience by adding private, curtained-off cabanas next to or a level above the main pool; a steward is available to fetch drinks and snacks. (Cabana prices vary from $30 to $75 a day, depending on cabana size and whether the ship's in port or sailing.) The secondary pool, called the Sea View, has the benefit of unimpeded three-directional views off the stern, with a bar and a pizzeria nearby. Dining options range from poolside casual to a pan-Asian restaurant to a specialty for-fee steak house, and to further appeal to the hungry, a Culinary Arts Center holds cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes. _Condé Nast Traveler _readers give Eurodam its highest marks for dining and crew service.
Itineraries/Schedule: 88.7
Shore Excursions: 72.7
Crew/Service: 92.9
Cabins: 87.4
Food/Dining: 89.4
Activites/Facilities: 82.0
Design/Layout: 84.8
Passengers: 2,104
Overall Score: 85.5
Overall Score:** 85.5
The higher-rated of Azamara's two ships, the 694-passenger Quest was launched in 2007. The ship has two specialty restaurants, the Mediterranean Aqualina and a steak house, Prime C, as well as main and casual dining rooms. (Passengers in suites can dine at the specialty restaurants at no additional charge.) While spas and fitness centers are found on many ships, the Quest, like its virtually identical sister ship the Journey, also offers an Acupuncture at Sea program. The Quest is in the Mediterranean in the summer and fall; the rest of the year, she may be found anywhere from East Asia to South America.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.5
Shore Excursions: 73.3
Crew/Service: 93.2
Cabins: 84.2
Food/Dining: 87.1
Activites/Facilities: 77.7
Design/Layout: 86.3
Passengers: 694
Overall Score: 85.2
Overall Score:** 85.2
Itineraries/Schedule: 94.1
Shore Excursions: 67.7
Crew/Service: 92.5
Cabins: 84.6
Food/Dining: 92.5
Activites/Facilities: 74.9
Design/Layout: 89.5
Passengers: 684
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Overall Score: 85.1
Overall Score:** 85.1
The Nautica, launched in 2000 and refurbished in 2010, has 342 staterooms and suites (all but 27 have either ocean views or teak verandas). With dining venues under the direction of Jacques Pépin, passengers can count on his signature French-inspired dishes in the Grand Dining Room. At the other restaurants, Toscana focuses on Italian, Waves serves fish and casual fare, and the Polo Grill was recently renovated, with new leather seating in oxblood and carpeting and drapes in rich, dark hues to give it a traditional steak house ambiance. The ship aims to compete with super-luxury competitors, but at more affordable fares—in part by not including alcohol. The Nautica splits her time between Europe (with Mediterranean, Black, and Baltic seas cruises), Africa, and Asia (Indian Ocean and East Asia cruises).
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.3
Shore Excursions: 67.3
Crew/Service: 91.8
Cabins: 85.8
Food/Dining: 91.1
Activites/Facilities: 76.1
Design/Layout: 87.6
Passengers: 684
Overall Score: 85.1
Overall Score:** 85.1
The petite Prinsendam sails lots of long itineraries, including some that cross into the Arctic Circle during the constant daylight of summer, and another that circumnavigates South America. Condé Nast Traveler readers strongly approve of the itineraries, as well as the Prinsendam's traditional, attentive service and its cabins, many of which have walk-in closets (almost a necessity on a multi-month voyage). Passengers tend to be mature, and there are no kids' facilities (though staff will hustle up activities when children happen to be on board, which occurs mostly during short holiday cruises). The popular ship's library has an extensive book collection, but also games and a coffee shop.
Itineraries/Schedule: 96.1
Shore Excursions: 77.6
Crew/Service: 89.5
Cabins: 84.2
Food/Dining: 88.8
Activites/Facilities: 78.0
Design/Layout: 81.6
Passengers: 835
Overall Score: 84.5
Overall Score:** 84.5
Though it is the smallest of Cunard's three ships, the Queen Victoria still has room for 2,014 passengers. The ship was launched in 2007, and while much of onboard life is similar to that of the other Cunard ships, including a three-tiered suites and dining program, the ship also claims a number of firsts in the cruise world: private boxes in its Royal Court Theatre, a museum dedicated to the Cunard line, a two-story library with 6,000 books, and a fencing program. As with other Cunard ships, Anglophilic guests can head to the Golden Lion Pub for a pint or the Queen's Room for white-gloved afternoon tea. While the Queen Victoria spends much of each year in the Mediterranean, it also travels through the Panama Canal on voyages departing from Fort Lauderdale, and to Hawaii on trips departing from Los Angeles.
Itineraries/Schedule: 90.3
Shore Excursions: 80.0
Crew/Service: 89.3
Cabins: 80.6
Food/Dining: 81.6
Activites/Facilities: 83.2
Design/Layout: 86.4
Passengers: 2,000
Overall Score: 83.9
Overall Score:** 83.9
Azamara Club Cruises' two 694-passenger ships, the_ Journey_ and the Quest, are virtually identical except for their itineraries. Staterooms on both start at 158 square feet, and amenities include fresh fruit and flowers, plasma TVs, and toiletries by Elemis. As a relatively small ship, the Journey is able to call on ports that can't handle mega cruise ships; in adventurous moods, you'll find her sailing up the Amazon. The Journey divides summers between the Mediterranean and itineraries in northern Europe, while in cooler months she can be found in the Caribbean and along the South American coast.
Itineraries/Schedule: 91.6
Shore Excursions: 73.8
Crew/Service: 91.1
Cabins: 80.8
Food/Dining: 88.0
Activites/Facilities: 74.2
Design/Layout: 86.7
Passengers: 694
Overall Score: 83.7
Overall Score:** 83.7
Island Princess is one of the fleet's two Panamax ships (the other is the Coral Princess), meaning it's just small enough to sail through the Panama Canal, which it does all winter. The ship does trips that just poke into the Canal, transiting one lock and then returning to the Caribbean, but it also makes one-way journeys from Florida to the Pacific coast, going through all three locks. More than 70 percent of the ship's cabins have balconies—the better to watch as you squeak through the tight locks—though you'll probably want to head to the bow or a top deck for the best views of the locks filling and emptying. The Island Princess has many of the fleet's signature features, including a poolside movie theater and adults-only deck called, appropriately, The Sanctuary.
Itineraries/Schedule: 91.4
Shore Excursions: 76.7
Crew/Service: 88.1
Cabins: 80.6
Food/Dining: 80.2
Activites/Facilities: 83.0
Design/Layout: 86.0
Passengers: 1,970
Overall Score: 83.3
Overall Score:** 83.3
The art collection on the Celebrity Constellation tends toward the whimsical, with sculptures such as a gorilla near the deck chairs and a large lounging nude by the solarium pool. Entertainment, too, doesn't take itself too seriously. A favorite long-time versatile performer plays piano, sings, and tells jokes in Michael's Bar. Itineraries, on the other hand, aren't frivolous: The ship's Caribbean sailings last two weeks and go as far south as Bonaire, which has perhaps the most pristine coral reefs in the Caribbean. The Constellation sails in Scandinavia and Russia starting in May, making the most of the "white nights" around the summer solstice.
Itineraries/Schedule: 90.6
Shore Excursions: 73.4
Crew/Service: 89.3
Cabins: 84.7
Food/Dining: 80.8
Activites/Facilities: 78.9
Design/Layout: 84.8
Passengers: 2,034
Overall Score: 83.3
Overall Score:** 83.3
Coral Princess is one of the fleet's two Panamax ships (the other is the Island Princess), meaning it's just small enough to sail through the Panama Canal, which it does in the winter. Some trips just poke into the Canal, transit one lock, and then return to the Caribbean, but the ship also makes one-way journeys between Florida and the West Coast that take you through all three locks. Condé Nast Traveler readers give high marks to the Coral Princess's itineraries, which also include Alaska sailings. More than 70 percent of the cabins have balconies—the better to watch the ship squeak through the tight locks—though you'll probably want to head to the prow or a top deck to get a really good look at the locks filling and emptying. The Coral Princess has many of the fleet's signature features, including a poolside movie theater and an adults-only deck, The Sanctuary.
Itineraries/Schedule: 87.9
Shore Excursions: 74.6
Crew/Service: 88.1
Cabins: 86.2
Food/Dining: 80.4
Activites/Facilities: 81.2
Design/Layout: 84.5
Passengers: 1,970
Overall Score: 83.3
Overall Score:** 83.3
The Noordam is one of the fleet's four 1,900-plus-passenger Vista-class ships (along with the Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam). Introduced in 2002, the Vista class embraced some of the features that had become popular among other lines, particularly balconies, which two-thirds of the cabins have, but without compromising the traditional appeal of formal nights, string quartets, and superior service. To attract a more diverse age range, including multigenerational groups, Vista-class ships also have activities like cooking demonstrations and blogging lessons. The Noordam has thoughtfully designed kids' facilities, but because most of its itineraries are ten days or longer (it has only a handful of weeklong trips), the majority of its Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings are unlikely to be overrun by small fry.
Itineraries/Schedule: 89.3
Shore Excursions: 72.4
Crew/Service: 90.4
Cabins: 83.9
Food/Dining: 82.5
Activites/Facilities: 79.0
Design/Layout: 85.1
Passengers: 1,924
Overall Score: 83.1
Overall Score:** 83.1
The Westerdam is one of the fleet's four 1,900-plus-passenger Vista-class ships (along with the Noordam, Oosterdam, and Zuiderdam). Their introduction, starting in 2002, saw Holland America embracing some of the features that had become popular among other lines—particularly balconies, which two-thirds of the cabins have—while maintaining its traditional appeal to passengers who like formal nights, string quartets, and the full wraparound promenade deck for lounging or strolling. These ships also have activities like cooking demonstrations and blogging lessons. The art collection includes a life-size bronze sculpture of dolphins by the main pool and an Indian palace doorway, decorated with silver, that leads into the dining room.
Itineraries/Schedule: 87.8
Shore Excursions: 72.2
Crew/Service: 90.4
Cabins: 86.3
Food/Dining: 82.3
Activites/Facilities: 78.8
Design/Layout: 82.8
Passengers: 1,916
Overall Score: 82.6
Overall Score:** 82.6
The Brilliance of the Seas and its nearly identical sisters (the Jewel, Radiance, and Serenade of the Seas) are some of the fleet's more destination-oriented ships. More than half of the Brilliance's cabins have balconies, and many of its lounges, bars, and restaurants have floor-to-ceiling windows—the better to catch a glimpse of Abu Dhabi's skyscrapers as the ship pulls into port during a seven-day sailing from Dubai. The Radiance-class ships have fewer extreme-adventure options than their larger fleet-mates (though there are climbing walls, naturally), but they can brag about one major innovation: self-leveling pool tables, which are in the Colony Club.
Itineraries/Schedule: 89.6
Shore Excursions: 77.5
Crew/Service: 87.1
Cabins: 81.3
Food/Dining: 74.8
Activites/Facilities: 81.4
Design/Layout: 86.4
Passengers: 2,112
Overall Score: 82.6
Overall Score:** 82.6
The Celebrity Summit, one of the fleet's four older Millennium-class ships, remains popular among Condé Nast Traveler readers for its especially attentive crew, particularly in more expensive Concierge-class cabins, where express luggage delivery, pillow menus, and daily fresh fruit are included. The ship's decor pays homage to maritime history by including a statue in the main dining room that came from the fabled Art Deco ocean liner Normandie, which was the French Line's fastest ship at its launch in 1935. The Summit's specialty restaurant is also named after the Normandie, and is fitted with paneling from that liner. Other dining options range from casual buffets to the popular Cova Café, a wine and coffee bar serving tapas in the afternoon.
Itineraries/Schedule: 88.8
Shore Excursions: 74.7
Crew/Service: 88.0
Cabins: 81.4
Food/Dining: 82.3
Activites/Facilities: 77.4
Design/Layout: 84.6
Passengers: 2,034
Overall Score: 82.6
Overall Score:** 82.6
The Rotterdam is one of the fleet's classic smaller ships—it was built in 1997 and carries on the tradition of the five previous Holland America ships to carry the same name since 1872. Its art collection includes maritime pieces such as an 18th-century ship model carved from bone and an ornate clock in the atrium that shows the times around the world. This comes in handy since itineraries, which Condé Nast Traveler readers rate highly, take it on numerous long voyages, including multi-week trips to Latin America, the South Pacific, Hawaii, and Europe. After a makeover in 2009, the Rotterdam got a brand-new cabin category: Lanai staterooms, which have sliding doors that open directly to a walk-around deck rather than a private balcony (the glass is specially treated so passing cruisers can't see inside).
Itineraries/Schedule: 89.8
Shore Excursions: 78.0
Crew/Service: 87.8
Cabins: 81.6
Food/Dining: 83.6
Activites/Facilities: 76.3
Design/Layout: 80.6
Passengers: 1,404
Colorful inside and out, the family-centric Disney Magic sails seven-day itineraries in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico; Disney Wonder does shorter sailings to the Bahamas. Both are based in Fort Lauderdale.
The third ship in Celebrity's stylish, five-ship Solstice class, the **Eclipse **debuted in Southampton, England, in April 2010. She has all the bells and whistles of her sisters, including the Lawn Club (home to the first half-acre patch of grass at sea), a glassblowing show, and a bar that serves "molecular gastronomy" cocktails. At the Eclipse's innovative cybercafe, iLounge, passengers can take web design and digital photography classes and shop at an Apple store. Eclipse launched Qsine, an interactive restaurant with iPad wine lists, decorate-your-own cupcakes, crab dip that cooks at your table on heated lava rocks, and sushi presented as lollipops.
Itineraries/Schedule: 83.2
Shore Excursions: 68.3
Crew/Service: 93.7
Cabins: 96.9
Food/Dining: 90.6
Activites/Facilities: 89.7
Design/Layout: 95.3
Passengers: 2,850
Seattle artist Dale Chihuly created the elaborate chandelier in the lobby area of the Disney Wonder, providing a contemporary take on the ship's art noveau inspired design.
Overall Score: 86.2
Overall Score:** 86.2
The Cunard cruise line was born in 1840, with fortnightly Atlantic crossings from Liverpool to Halifax. The 2,592-passenger Queen Mary 2, which debuted in 2004, remains true to that tradition, with much of its year spent traveling between New York and Southampton, England. As with other Cunard ships, where you dine is based on your suite class in a three-tiered system—from the Queens Grill to Britannia restaurants. All passengers, however, are welcome at six other restaurants, including chef Todd English's outpost overlooking the pool terrace. To fill the many days at sea on transatlantic crossings, the Queen Mary 2 has an extensive speaker program as well as a Juilliard School jazz series.
Itineraries/Schedule: 88.9
Shore Excursions: 77.6
Crew/Service: 88.8
Cabins: 86.5
Food/Dining: 85.0
Activites/Facilities: 86.0
Design/Layout: 88.2
Passengers: 2,620
Overall Score: 86.0
Overall Score:** 86.0
The first of Celebrity's top-end Solstice-class ships, the Celebrity Solstice debuted in 2008, and Condé Nast Traveler readers give high marks to the layout and design, the most remarkable feature of which is a half-acre real-grass lawn on the top deck, where passengers picnic, lounge, and play croquet or bocce. There are more dinner restaurants than you can sample on a week-long voyage. Three of the ten dining venues—the Continental, Asian, and Italian kitchens—promise extra-special food and service for extra fees. The main dining room also serves up drama—it's white and glittering, with a two-story wine rack at the center. Staying in the spa-class cabins gives passengers exclusive access to a Mediterranean restaurant, as well as complimentary use of steam rooms and saunas.
Itineraries/Schedule: 85.3
Shore Excursions: 71.2
Crew/Service: 89.9
Cabins: 91.1
Food/Dining: 86.7
Activites/Facilities: 84.8
Design/Layout: 90.7
Passengers: 2,850
Overall Score: 83.9
Overall Score:** 83.9
Condé Nast Traveler readers give high marks to the Diamond Princess for its itineraries, which take it to Alaska in the summers and on a wide variety of sailings around Asia, Australia, and New Zealand the rest of the year. Princess arranges these trips so that you can either book a small portion—say, 16 days in China and Southeast Asia—or connect separate legs to create a journey of a month or more that starts in Singapore and wends past Bangkok, Hong Kong, Vladivostok, and Sapporo (to name a few), before crossing the northern Pacific to the fjords and glaciers of the Inside Passage. For onboard entertainment during all the sea days (and nights), the ship has a poolside screen for movies (hot popcorn and blankets are distributed), as well as a nightclub on the top deck, which includes panoramic windows and several lounges where musicians play.
Itineraries/Schedule: 90.8
Shore Excursions: 78.4
Crew/Service: 88.9
Cabins: 82.9
Food/Dining: 78.7
Activites/Facilities: 82.5
Design/Layout: 85.1
Passengers: 2,670
Overall Score: 83.7
Overall Score:** 83.7
On this ship, you can surf on artificial waves while sailing on the actual ocean. The 3,634-passenger Independence of the Seas and its nearly identical sisters, the Freedom and Liberty of the Seas, have ice-skating rinks (for passenger use and professional shows), mini-golf courses, and whirlpools that extend beyond the sides of the ships. However, don't choose Independence for a tranquil getaway—it's a mecca for active families, with popular kids' programs (pirates' night, pajama parties, etc.) and a big water park. While the children are occupied, parents can slip off to the adults-only Solarium pool to relax, or take boxing lessons in a full-size ring. The Independence sails out of Southampton, England, all year.
Itineraries/Schedule: 87.9
Shore Excursions: 76.3
Crew/Service: 82.2
Cabins: 85.0
Food/Dining: 77.6
Activites/Facilities: 86.0
Design/Layout: 89.6
Passengers: 3,634
Overall Score: 83.4
Overall Score:** 83.4
The Oasis and its sister ship, the Allure of the Seas, carry 5,400 passengers each (actually more than 6,000 when extra bunks are filled with children and grandmothers, as they tend to be). And when many of these guests want to eat in the buffet, ride the surfing simulators, sit in poolside lounge chairs, watch the diving show, or ride the elevators at the same time, the result is crowds. There are other free and extra-fee venues all over the ship, offering everything from doughnuts and sandwiches to seafood and gourmet cuisine, and you can always take a quiet walk in the park, which has actual trees, or along the Boardwalk, where you'll find an old-fashioned carousel and an ice-cream parlor. You can also book inside cabins with balconies that overlook these man-made wonders rather than the ocean. The Oasis doesn't sail anywhere other than the Caribbean, since only a handful of ports are equipped for the logistics of loading and unloading so many people.
Itineraries/Schedule: 68.1
Shore Excursions: 70.6
Crew/Service: 88.0
Cabins: 84.2
Food/Dining: 83.4
Activites/Facilities: 92.9
Design/Layout: 94.6
Passengers: 5,400
Overall Score: 83.0
Overall Score:** 83.0
Carrying more than 3,000 passengers, the Ruby Princess is one of the fleet's largest ships (along with its sisters, the Crown and Emerald Princesses), and as you would expect, it has all of the line's best-loved features: There's The Sanctuary, a quiet, canvas-shaded, adults-only deck area with plush lounge chairs; Serenity Stewards who tiptoe around with chilled face towels and healthy snacks; and private cabanas where you can get a massage for a fee. In addition, there's a large poolside movie screen showing first-run films, concerts, and sports events, accompanied by hot popcorn and cozy blankets in the evenings. The regular dining rooms are complemented by specialty venues, including a steak house and an Italian restaurant; a popular 24-hour café with pastries, sandwiches, and gelato; and a wine bar serving sushi and tapas. More than half the cabins have balconies, where passengers can enjoy a course-by-course dinner or a champagne brunch.
Itineraries/Schedule: 90.0
Shore Excursions: 79.9
Crew/Service: 87.6
Cabins: 84.5
Food/Dining: 74.2
Activites/Facilities: 78.7
Design/Layout: 85.8
Passengers: 3,080
Overall Score: 83.0
Overall Score:** 83.0
Condé Nast Traveler readers give high marks to the Sapphire Princess's itineraries, which take it to Alaska in the summer, then Hawaii and the South Pacific in the cooler months, on sailings that last up to 28 days. More than half the cabins have balconies, the better to see the fjords and glaciers of the Inside Passage. However, the Sapphire lacks some of the fleet's recent features, such as the poolside movie screen. Its dining system differs as well: The four main dining rooms have different themes and decor, but the same menu from the same kitchen, so that passengers who don't choose traditional set seating times can experience a little environmental variety. A high-tech entertainment lounge called Club Fusion has multiple flat-screen TVs and space for games, performances, and late-night dancing. What it lacks is lower-tech panoramic views, but you'll find those aplenty at the parties in the top-deck Skywalkers lounge.
Itineraries/Schedule: 87.0
Shore Excursions: 80.2
Crew/Service: 86.3
Cabins: 82.4
Food/Dining: 80.9
Activites/Facilities: 80.5
Design/Layout: 83.2
Passengers: 2,670
Overall Score: 82.8
Overall Score:** 82.8
On this ship, you can surf on artificial waves while sailing on the actual ocean. The 3,634-passenger Liberty of the Seas and its nearly identical sisters, the Freedom and Independence of the Seas, have ice-skating rinks (for passenger use and professional shows), mini-golf courses, and whirlpools that extend beyond the sides of the ships. Don't choose Liberty for a tranquil getaway—it's a mecca for active families, with popular kids' programs (pirates' night, pajama parties, etc.) and a big water park. While the children are occupied, parents can slip off to the adults-only Solarium pool to relax, or take boxing lessons in a full-size ring. The Liberty sails out of Florida during the winter and does Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona in the summer.
Itineraries/Schedule: 82.1
Shore Excursions: 72.2
Crew/Service: 89.9
Cabins: 83.7
Food/Dining: 77.2
Activites/Facilities: 86.8
Design/Layout: 86.8
Passengers: 3,634
Overall Score: 82.3
Overall Score:** 82.3
Carrying 3,000-plus passengers, more than half of whom have balconied cabins, the Emerald Princess is one of the fleet's largest ships (along with its sisters the Crown and Ruby Princesses), and it has all of the line's best-loved features: The Sanctuary, a quiet, canvas-shaded, adults-only deck with plush lounge chairs, and Serenity Stewards, who ever so quietly fetch chilled face towels and healthy snacks; you can also get a massage, for a fee, in a private cabana. In addition, the Emerald has a large poolside movie screen showing first-run films, concerts, and sports events (the staff hand out hot popcorn and blankets in the evenings). The regular dining rooms are supplemented by specialty venues, including a steak house and an Italian restaurant; a popular 24-hour café with pastries, sandwiches, and gelato; and a wine bar that serves sushi and tapas.
Itineraries/Schedule: 90.8
Shore Excursions: 76.5
Crew/Service: 87.1
Cabins: 83.9
Food/Dining: 75.5
Activites/Facilities: 79.0
Design/Layout: 82.5
Passengers: 3,080
Overall Score: 82.1
Overall Score:** 82.1
This is the ship that introduced the world to the concept of surfing on artificial waves while sailing on the actual ocean. The 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas and its nearly identical sisters, the Independence and Liberty of the Seas, all have ice-skating rinks (for passenger use and professional shows), mini-golf courses, and whirlpools that extend beyond the sides of the ships. Don't choose Freedom for a tranquil getaway—it's a mecca for active families, with popular kids' programs (pirates' night, pajama parties, etc.) and a big water park. While the children are occupied, parents can slip off to the adults-only Solarium pool to relax, or take boxing lessons in a full-size ring. The Freedom sails to the Caribbean out of Port Canaveral, Florida, all year.
Itineraries/Schedule: 84.4
Shore Excursions: 74.7
Crew/Service: 85.8
Cabins: 79.3
Food/Dining: 76.9
Activites/Facilities: 85.8
Design/Layout: 87.5
Passengers: 3,634
Overall Score: 81.3
Overall Score:** 81.3
Boredom would be hard to achieve on the Adventure of the Seas, a 3,114-passenger vessel with a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and indoor streetscape lined with boutiques, bars, and a café. The ship, along with its Voyager-class sisters (the Explorer, Mariner, Navigator, and Voyager of the Seas), debuted at the turn of the century; they have since been outdone in size and scope of activities, but you can easily fill your time on board listening to a calypso band by the pool, watching parades pass through the promenade, playing basketball on a full court, and attending an ice-skating show. The kids' facilities will keep Junior occupied—there are indoor and outdoor play areas, video games, science projects, and parties. If you don't want to spring for an ocean-view cabin, you can get one that has windows looking inside the ship, onto the promenade, so you'll never miss any action. The ship sails out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the winter and Málaga, Spain, during warmer months—so you can practice Spanish with your cruisemates.
Itineraries/Schedule: 88.1
Shore Excursions: 76.2
Crew/Service: 84.5
Cabins: 78.5
Food/Dining: 75.4
Activites/Facilities: 81.7
Design/Layout: 84.3
Passengers: 3,114
Overall Score: 80.7
Overall Score:** 80.7
Boredom would be hard to achieve on the Mariner of the Seas, a 3,114-passenger vessel with a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and indoor streetscape lined with boutiques, bars, and a café. The ship, along with its Voyager-class sisters (the Adventure, Explorer, Navigator, and Voyager of the Seas), debuted at the turn of the century; they have since been outdone in size and scope of activities, but you can easily fill your time on board listening to live music by the pool, watching parades pass through the promenade, playing basketball on a full court, and attending an ice-skating show. The kids' facilities will keep Junior occupied—there are indoor and outdoor play areas, including a colorful water park. If you don't want to spring for an ocean-view cabin, you can get one that has windows looking inside the ship, onto the promenade, so you'll never miss any action. The Mariner sails out of Galveston, Texas, in the winter and Rome in the summer.
Itineraries/Schedule: 80.1
Shore Excursions: 69.9
Crew/Service: 88.2
Cabins: 80.5
Food/Dining: 78.0
Activites/Facilities: 82.6
Design/Layout: 84.5
Passengers: 3,114
Overall Score: 80.5
Overall Score:** 80.5
The Star Princess and its nearly identical sisters, the Grand and Golden Princesses, are slightly smaller than the fleet's more modern ships. They debuted around the turn of the century, but Princess has retrofitted each with popular new features, including a poolside screen showing first-run movies, concerts, and sports events (they hand out popcorn and blankets in the evenings), and an adults-only deck area with massage cabanas. The ship also has four distinct swimming pools: one with the movie screen, one covered, one with a current, and a peaceful aft pool with expansive sea views on deck 12, which is otherwise devoted to cabins. The hard-to-find Oasis bar is worth the hunt for its plunge pool and two hot tubs.
Itineraries/Schedule: 87.4
Shore Excursions: 71.9
Crew/Service: 85.7
Cabins: 79.6
Food/Dining: 78.0
Activites/Facilities: 78.2
Design/Layout: 82.3
Passengers: 2,590
Overall Score: 80.0
Overall Score:** 80.0
For a short time after its launch in 1998, the Grand Princess was the largest cruise ship on the seas, carrying almost 2,600 passengers. Of course, a lot happened in the following decade—the ship and its nearly identical sisters, the _Golden _and Star Princesses, have been dwarfed by ever-more-mega cruise ships. Yet these three sisters have kept up by making room for the fleet's popular new features, including a poolside screen showing first-run movies, concerts, and sports events (they hand out popcorn and blankets in the evenings), and an adults-only deck area with massage cabanas. The ship has four distinct adult swimming pools—one with the movie screen, one covered, one with a current, and a peaceful aft pool with expansive sea views on deck 12, which is otherwise devoted to cabins. The hard-to-find Oasis bar is worth the hunt, if only because it has two hot tubs.
Itineraries/Schedule: 89.1
Shore Excursions: 74.2
Crew/Service: 82.6
Cabins: 77.3
Food/Dining: 77.8
Activites/Facilities: 78.8
Design/Layout: 79.9
Passengers: 2,590
Overall Score: 80.0
Overall Score:** 80.0
The 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas was a game-changer when it debuted in 1999 with a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and indoor streetscape. It's been outdone in size and scope of activities since, but boredom (and, for some cruise traditionalists, tranquility) would be hard to achieve on the Voyager: You can listen to a calypso band by the pool, watch parades pass through the promenade, play basketball on a full court, and attend an ice-skating show. The kids' facilities will keep Junior occupied (there are indoor and outdoor play areas, including a pirate-themed splash pool). If you don't want to spring for an ocean-view cabin, you can get one that has windows looking inside the ship, onto the promenade. The Voyager sails Caribbean itineraries out of New Orleans from November through April.
Itineraries/Schedule: 83.4
Shore Excursions: 71.9
Crew/Service: 84.4
Cabins: 76.9
Food/Dining: 79.1
Activites/Facilities: 80.8
Design/Layout: 82.9
Passengers: 3,114
One of Uniworld's older ships, the River Queen was launched in 1999 and can boast some river cruise ship firsts, including the first elevator and the first ship to be constructed with three decks and a Sun Deck (now common to many Uniworld ships). While the River Queen was refurbished in 2005, it retains its distinct riverboat profile, recalling vintage steamships, while the decor in the common areas plays on Art Deco themes in blue and white. Standard staterooms measure 151 square feet, while suites are approximately 65 square feet larger. Most of the year, the ship sails the "European Jewels" itinerary, from Amsterdam to Budapest along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.
Itineraries/Schedule: 100.0
Shore Excursions: 100.0
Crew/Service: 97.2
Cabins: 87.3
Food/Dining: 94.4
Activites/Facilities: 97.1
Design/Layout: 95.8
Passengers: 132
Airy and elegant, Viking Helvetia cruises the Rhine for Viking River Cruises. Europe's shores are always within view through panoramic windows and large picture windows in staterooms, and from open-air decks.
Overall Score: 91.4
Overall Score:** 91.4
The one thing that distinguishes the 189-passenger Viking Legend (and the Viking Prestige) from Viking River Cruises' other ships won't be obvious when you first step aboard. In 2009, when the Legend joined the Viking fleet, it was outfitted with a propulsion system that increased fuel efficiency by 20 percent (a green first in the industry) and provided for a quieter cruise. The ship has two 310-square-foot suites, while most staterooms measure 155 square feet; those on the upper two (of three) decks have French balconies. Solo travelers may want to consider one of the Legend's five single berths. All cabins are stocked with L'Occitane products and furnished with flat-screen TVs. The Legend sails between Passau and Budapest (or, on a longer trip, between Nuremberg and Budapest) along Europe's most legendary river, the Danube.
******Itineraries/Schedule: **95.1
Shore Excursions: 94.8
Crew/Service: 95.1
Cabins: 87.1
Food/Dining: 88.6
Activites/Facilities: 87.8
Design/Layout: 91.3
Passengers: 189
Overall Score: 91.1
Overall Score:** 91.1
One of several sister ships, the long, low River Concerto has Grand Circle's signature look: white paint, blue trim, lots of big windows. It surpasses its sisters, however, because three times a year it embarks on Grand Circle's most ambitious European cruise: a 26-day itinerary from Amsterdam to Bucharest via the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube rivers (plus a canal or two). You glide past the shores of nine countries, with stops at ports including Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade. The 70 cabins are designed for comfort (except, perhaps, for the immovable twin beds), with full bathrooms, ample storage, and great views. Some have balconies, but on clear days, passengers gather on the rooftop sundeck for full panoramas of the passing old-world river towns, castles, and farmlands.
Itineraries/Schedule: 97.4
Shore Excursions: 92.3
Crew/Service: 100.0
Cabins: 79.5
Food/Dining: 94.7
Activites/Facilities: 82.1
Design/Layout: 92.1
Passengers: 140
Overall Score: 91.1
Overall Score:** 91.1
The River Countess debuted in 2003 and underwent extensive renovations in 2007. Compared with some other ships in the Uniworld line, fewer of its 67 cabins have French balconies (only the 22 on the Rhine Deck do), but all have water views and also come stocked with L'Occitane products. The ship's Sun Deck includes a shuffleboard court and a life-sized chess set, while bicycles and walking sticks are provided when the ship docks. The ship's itineraries include the "European Serenade," starting in Amsterdam and ending in Vienna; and for those with a full month to travel, the 29-day "Grand European Explorer" begins in Basel, Switzerland, and ends in Bucharest, sailing along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, passing through ten countries.
Itineraries/Schedule: 94.6
Shore Excursions: 94.6
Crew/Service: 98.2
Cabins: 83.9
Food/Dining: 94.6
Activites/Facilities: 82.1
Design/Layout: 89.3
Passengers: 134
Overall Score: 90.8
Overall Score:** 90.8
Like a bateau mouche on steroids, the Avalon Scenery cruises with its open-air top-deck through Burgundy and Provence as well as a "Grand France" route from Normandy to the Côte d'Azur. Along the way, passengers stop for bike tours of Lyon and a red wine tasting in Beaune. Recently, the line started offering guests complimentary L'Occitane products in staterooms and in 2012, they will launch free WiFi across the fleet.
Itineraries/Schedule: 96.4
Shore Excursions: 92.9
Crew/Service: 89.3
Cabins: 89.3
Food/Dining: 89.3
Activites/Facilities: 85.7
Design/Layout: 92.9
Passengers: 138
Overall Score: 90.7
Overall Score:** 90.7
The 150-passenger_** _Viking Neptune** (Viking River Cruises' highest-rated ship in our latest reader poll) has three nearly identical sisters: the Europe, the Pride, and the Spirit. All were launched in 2001, and all of the 75 staterooms on each are outside with river views; the top two categories of staterooms have large picture windows that open. Most rooms are 154 square feet, with only the 12 category E cabins on the lowest deck measuring 120 square feet. As is true of all the ships in the line, excursions are included in the fares. The Neptune sails France's Saône and Rhone rivers, and trips can be combined with itineraries in northern France, aboard the Spirit, to cover the country from the beaches of Normandy to the Mediterranean coast.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.9
Shore Excursions: 95.0
Crew/Service: 96.6
Cabins: 87.5
Food/Dining: 87.5
Activites/Facilities: 80.3
Design/Layout: 92.1
Passengers: 150
Overall Score: 90.5
Overall Score:** 90.5
After first entering the Uniworld line in 2003, the River Duchess underwent extensive renovations in 2009, including the installation of French balconies in the 18 staterooms and four suites on the Rhine Deck. Standard staterooms measure 151 square feet, while suites are 214 square feet. Some features, common to other Uniworld ships, include a 24-hour reception area, a lounge with panoramic windows, and a restaurant with open seating on the Rhine Deck. The ship sails a number of itineraries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, but also a ten-day "Tulips and Windmills" cruise along the canals and waterways of the Netherlands.
Itineraries/Schedule: 91.4
Shore Excursions: 93.1
Crew/Service: 94.9
Cabins: 86.4
Food/Dining: 89.8
Activites/Facilities: 86.2
Design/Layout: 91.5
Passengers: 134
Overall Score: 90.2
Overall Score:** 90.2
Large for a river cruise ship, the River Adagio designed to cruise on the widest downriver stretches of the Danube, from Budapest east to the Black Sea. You'll want to be on the open-air sundeck when the Adagio reaches the famous Iron Gate gorge separating Serbia and Romania. Identical to the Aria, which also cruises the Danube, the Adagio has four decks carrying 164 passengers. All cabins are exterior; none have double beds, but some have balconies and all have big windows that, when you're not on the sundeck, deliver open-air panoramas of the plains and bluffs of southern Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The ship's size allows more generous public spaces and facilities, including a sauna.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.7
Shore Excursions: 91.3
Crew/Service: 92.8
Cabins: 83.8
Food/Dining: 92.6
Activites/Facilities: 86.8
Design/Layout: 88.2
Passengers: 164
Overall Score: 90.0
Overall Score:** 90.0
Launched in 2011, Viking's 256-passenger Yangtze River option, the Emerald, sails through China year-round from Beijing to Shanghai and back, visiting the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta warriors along the way. The tour runs through the Three Gorges region, where a dam constructed just a few years ago has widened the river and allowed easier passage for riverboats; there's also an optional tour of Tibet. Onboard, you can learn tai chi and mah jong. English-speaking tour guides are available from the beginning of your trip to the end. The line has also partnered with Martin Yan to devise Chinese dinner menus that appeal to Western palates.
Itineraries/Schedule: 93.3
Shore Excursions: 93.3
Crew/Service: 93.3
Cabins: 81.7
Food/Dining: 90.0
Activites/Facilities: 88.3
Design/Layout: 90.0
Passengers: 256
Overall Score: 89.7
Overall Score:** 89.7
The 150-passenger Viking Spirit has three identical sisters: the Europe, the Neptune, and the Pride. The 75 staterooms on each ship are outside with river views, while the top two categories of staterooms have large picture windows that open. All rooms measure 170 square feet, except for the 12 in category E, which are 120 square feet. As is true of all Viking ships, excursions on the Spirit, from touring Claude Monet's house at Giverny to a guided walking tour of Rouen, Normandy's historic capital, are included in the fare. The Spirit spends her time sailing the Seine between Paris and Normandy. Itineraries on the ship can be combined with sails on other Viking River Cruises ships to create a 15-day "France's Finest" trip, extending from Avignon in the south to the beaches of Normandy in the north.
Itineraries/Schedule: 96.6
Shore Excursions: 93.9
Crew/Service: 95.1
Cabins: 85.9
Food/Dining: 87.4
Activites/Facilities: 81.3
Design/Layout: 87.4
Passengers: 150
Overall Score: 89.4
Overall Score:** 89.4
Uniworld's 82-passenger Egypt option, the River Tosca, launched in 2009 and a year later was given a two-month makeover. While the line had been sailing the Nile for years, until then they had relied on chartered ships. Cabins (which measure over 300 square feet) have a cool classic look with large mirrors, tufted headboards, heavy drapes, nail-head-lined furniture, and conservative wallpaper, but the lobby and dining rooms are more exuberant with ornate marble floors, busts, and striking carved lanterns. On the top deck, there is an open-air pool for sunning as the ship sails down the Nile on 8- and 12-day itineraries.
Itineraries/Schedule: 92.6
Shore Excursions: 96.3
Crew/Service: 92.6
Cabins: 88.9
Food/Dining: 88.9
Activites/Facilities: 80.8
Design/Layout: 85.2
Passengers: 82
Overall Score: 89.3
Overall Score:** 89.3
You'll want to be on the open-air sundeck when the River Aria reaches the famous Iron Gate gorge separating Serbia and Romania. The Aria was designed to cruise on the widest downriver stretches of the Danube, from Budapest east to the Black Sea. Identical to the Adagio, which also cruises the Danube, the Aria has four decks carrying 164 passengers. All cabins are exterior; none have double beds, but some have balconies and all have big windows that, when you're not on the sundeck, deliver open-air panoramas of the plains and bluffs of southern Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The ship's size allows more generous public spaces and facilities, including a sauna.
Itineraries/Schedule: 98.1
Shore Excursions: 94.2
Crew/Service: 94.2
Cabins: 80.8
Food/Dining: 84.6
Activites/Facilities: 86.5
Design/Layout: 86.5
Passengers: 164
Overall Score: 89.3
Overall Score:** 89.3
The Viking Sky and her sister ship, the_ Viking Danube_, both carry 150 passengers. Staterooms are all outside and range from 145 to 154 square feet; less expensive categories sit on lower decks and have smaller windows that cannot be opened. The ship receives high marks from Condé Nast Traveler readers for service and itineraries. In 2011, she'll sail the Danube on 15-day "Grand European Tours" that pass through five countries; in 2012, she will follow the "Cities of Light" itinerary, starting in Paris, ending in Prague, and including a journey along the Mosel, Rhine, and Main rivers. The ship also receives high scores for her excursions, which include a tour of the Bishops' Residenz in Würzburg and a demonstration of how to build a cuckoo clock in Breisach.
Itineraries/Schedule: 96.1
Shore Excursions: 94.9
Crew/Service: 95.7
Cabins: 79.4
Food/Dining: 89.9
Activites/Facilities: 81.6
Design/Layout: 87.1
Passengers: 150
Overall Score: 89.0
Overall Score:** 89.0
The 150-passenger Viking Pride has three identical sisters: the Europe, the Neptune, and the Spirit. The 75 staterooms on each are outside with river views, while the top two categories also have large picture windows that open. All measure 170 square feet, except for the 12 in category E, which are 120 square feet. As is true of all the ships in the line, excursions, from touring the Dutch Paleis Het Loo to attending an organ recital at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau, are included in the fare. The Pride will be spending 2011 sailing the Danube, including the 15-day Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest; in 2012, she'll be found on the Seine, in Paris and Normandy.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.6
Shore Excursions: 94.6
Crew/Service: 94.8
Cabins: 87.2
Food/Dining: 86.5
Activites/Facilities: 78.9
Design/Layout: 85.3
Passengers: 150
Overall Score: 88.7
Overall Score:** 88.7
The River Princess was inaugurated in 2001 and has the same deck plan and configuration as three other Uniworld ships (the Empress, Countess, and Duchess). As with her sister ships, the cabins are spread over three decks, with French-balconied staterooms on the Rhine Deck and less expensive room categories on the lower Danube and Moselle decks. Most of the onboard activity takes place on the Rhine Deck, with the main lounge in the prow, reception and the library midship, and the restaurant aft. The ship has itineraries from France in the west to Bulgaria in the east, including the new 15-day, eight-country "Imperial Capitals" trip.
Itineraries/Schedule: 97.4
Shore Excursions: 97.4
Crew/Service: 97.4
Cabins: 84.2
Food/Dining: 89.5
Activites/Facilities: 75.7
Design/Layout: 78.9
Passengers: 132
Overall Score: 88.7
Overall Score:** 88.7
The Viking Danube and its sister ship, the Viking Sky, each carry 150 passengers. Staterooms are all outside and measure 154 square feet, and the principal differences between categories are only that less expensive cabins sit on lower decks and have smaller windows that cannot be opened. Viking River Cruises emphasizes culture and cuisine, and the Danube offers wine tastings and art seminars, not rock-climbing walls. The ship receives especially high marks from Condé Nast Traveler readers for service and itineraries, including 15-day "Grand European Tours" that pass through five countries as the Danube sails from Amsterdam to Budapest, and ten-day "Tulips and Windmills" tours through Belgium and the Netherlands.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.4
Shore Excursions: 94.5
Crew/Service: 97.6
Cabins: 78.7
Food/Dining: 87.2
Activites/Facilities: 83.0
Design/Layout: 84.5
Passengers: 150
Overall Score: 88.7
Overall Score:** 88.7
The 150-passenger Viking Europe and its three identical sisters, the Neptune, the Pride, and the Spirit, were launched in 2001. Each of the ship's 75 staterooms is outside and has a river view; the top two categories have large picture windows that open. Almost all are 154 square feet, with only the 12 category-E cabins on the lowest deck measuring 120 square feet. Like many of the Viking River Cruises ships, wireless Internet is free. In 2011, the Europe will be sailing the "Grand European" itineraries from Amsterdam to Budapest, and the "Tulips and Windmills" tours through Belgium and the Netherlands; in 2012, she'll be sailing itineraries in France.
Itineraries/Schedule: 93.6
Shore Excursions: 91.1
Crew/Service: 95.7
Cabins: 85.4
Food/Dining: 86.4
Activites/Facilities: 81.2
Design/Layout: 87.5
Passengers: 150
** Overall Score: 88.1**
Overall Score:** 88.1
The 67 cabins on the River Empress (inaugurated in 2001) are spread over three decks, with the 22 on the Rhine Deck having French balconies. The ship's life is also concentrated on the Rhine Deck, with the main lounge at the prow and the restaurant aft. Free laundry and daily newspapers have been offered since 2010 as extra amenities to passengers in the four suites; all cabins have flat-screen TVs and L'Occitane products. The ship spends most of the year sailing its 15-day "European Jewels" itinerary, from Amsterdam to Budapest, with spring sailings along the Rhine and December sailings on the Danube that stop at five of Europe's most famous Christmas markets.
Itineraries/Schedule: 91.7
Shore Excursions: 93.1
Crew/Service: 93.1
Cabins: 81.9
Food/Dining: 84.7
Activites/Facilities: 85.9
Design/Layout: 86.1
Passengers: 134
Overall Score: 87.6
Overall Score:** 87.6
The bikes available to you on the AmaDagio may surprise you (snorkeling gear being more common on ships), but what better way to explore the bicycle-friendly towns of Europe? The highest-rated ship in the AMA Waterways fleet (which has more than a dozen riverboats), the AmaDagio debuted in 2006 as the line's first custom-built ship. While there are no full balconies, more than 80 percent of the cabins have "French balconies" (French doors that open to a railing). Enhanced by local wines, gratis, the ship's meals get high scores, as does the crew and, perhaps most important among travelers, the itineraries. Next spring, you'll find the AmaDagio on the 15-day "Provence & Spain" package, the heart of which is the six-night voyage on the Rhône from Lyon to Arles (thence by land to Barcelona).
Itineraries/Schedule: 89.2
Shore Excursions: 86.5
Crew/Service: 94.6
Cabins: 91.9
Food/Dining: 86.5
Activites/Facilities: 75.7
Design/Layout: 88.9
Passengers: 148
Overall Score: 87.6
Overall Score:** 87.6
The smallest of Grand Circle's vessels with only 27 cabins (like its younger sister, the Provence), the Chardonnay was launched in 1999. It was built to navigate shallow waterways and afford views. All cabins are exterior, and include twin beds that convert to sofas but not to double beds. The Chardonnay has made its reputation on epicurean journeys through the great wine regions of France. Starting in Mâcon, it plies the narrow Saône River down to its confluence with the Rhône in Lyon, where you'll need to loosen your belt: globally famous for its food, Lyon had 11 Michelin-starred restaurants as we reported this, and it's doubtful that will change significantly any time soon. From there, glide south via Tournon-sur-Rhône to Avignon and Arles in Provence.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.2
Shore Excursions: 90.5
Crew/Service: 95.2
Cabins: 90.5
Food/Dining: 81.0
Activites/Facilities: 78.9
Design/Layout: 81.0
Passengers: 46
Overall Score: 87.5
Overall Score:** 87.5
The River Baroness was launched in 1994 and most recently renovated in 2011. New amenities provided in the 60 cabins (divided into 56 staterooms and four suites) include flat-screen TVs with DVD players and a daily plate of fruit and cookies. Cabins are divided onto two decks, with those on the higher, Normandy Deck having French balconies. Activity during the day revolves around the lounge, also on the Normandy Deck, and the Sun Deck above. The ship travels along the Seine, with ports of call including Paris, Giverny, and Rouen.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.3
Shore Excursions: 92.9
Crew/Service: 95.3
Cabins: 71.4
Food/Dining: 91.8
Activites/Facilities: 78.6
Design/Layout: 87.1
Passengers: 120
Overall Score: 87.1
Overall Score:** 87.1
One of two sister ships (along with the Viking Helvetia) that sail the Rhine, the 198-passenger _Viking Sun _has 99 staterooms; all have river views and are stocked with L'Occitane products, and the 37 on the upper deck have French balconies with sliding glass doors. Five-course dinners are served in the white-linen restaurant on Villeroy & Boch china, with single-seating but unassigned tables. Since the Sun is a small ship, the onboard evening activities are largely limited to lectures and live music—no casino or Broadway-style revues—but that satisfies the Viking Rivers clientele. The Sun offers an eight-day cruise that ends in Amsterdam, a 15-day trip that ends in Antwerp, and two Rhine cruises, both of which start in Basel, Switzerland.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.4
Shore Excursions: 92.8
Crew/Service: 93.4
Cabins: 83.5
Food/Dining: 83.8
Activites/Facilities: 76.5
Design/Layout: 83.8
Passengers: 198
Overall Score: 87.0
Overall Score:** 87.0
Avalon Waterways launched the 140-passenger Avalon Creativity in 2009, and today the Creativity sails out of Paris on the Seine to Normandy and the Côte D'Azure. The vessel's highlight—a whirlpool on the top deck—offers passengers the opportunity to see the bridges of Paris from a unique vantage. The ship also sails Impressionism theme cruises. In 2011, the line began offering regional dishes every night as well as meals made from sustainable local ingredients on all of their French cruises.
Itineraries/Schedule: 85.7
Shore Excursions: 90.5
Crew/Service: 95.2
Cabins: 85.7
Food/Dining: 85.7
Activites/Facilities: 80.0
Design/Layout: 85.7
Passengers: 140
Overall Score: 87.0
Overall Score:** 87.0
The River Ambassador was the first ship built by the Uniworld line (it debuted in 1993) and was most recently refurbished in 2011. All staterooms face the water and are divided over two decks, with 30 rooms on each. During the day, life on board the ship revolves around the main lounge with panoramic windows, on the Rhine Deck, while meals are served below, on the Moselle Deck. Included in the fare is Wi-Fi Internet access, as well as bicycles and walking sticks in port. The ship travels principally through Germany, with much of the year devoted to the new ten-day "Treasures of Prague, the Rhine and Main" itineraries. (The ship itself, however, doesn't travel to Prague; instead, passengers travel by bus to and from nearby Nuremburg.)
Itineraries/Schedule: 92.9
Shore Excursions: 90.5
Crew/Service: 95.2
Cabins: 73.8
Food/Dining: 85.7
Activites/Facilities: 85.4
Design/Layout: 85.7
Passengers: 120
** Overall Score: 86.7**
Overall Score:** 86.7
The Avalon Tranquility covers the length of Europe, from Holland's North Sea coast down to Bulgaria's Black Sea shoreline, sailing the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers along the way. Built in 2007, she doesn't have the flashier features of her younger sisters, but the design places both the lounge and dining room in the bow to allow for better views and a "Silent Drive" system that separates the engines from the staterooms for a quieter ride.
Itineraries/Schedule: 93.3
Shore Excursions: 86.7
Crew/Service: 90.0
Cabins: 86.7
Food/Dining: 93.3
Activites/Facilities: 76.7
Design/Layout: 80.0
Passengers: 170
Overall Score: 86.0
Overall Score:** 86.0
The long and low Bizet has just three decks, culminating in a broad Sun Deck up top, so passengers can see the many twists and turns on its one and only—and understandably popular—itinerary: along the Seine from Honfleur, through Rouen and Giverny to Paris. In inclement weather, the forward lounge on the middle Soprano Deck has panoramic windows and a bar. All 60 cabins are exterior, and include twin beds that convert to sofas but not to double beds. _Condé Nast Traveler _readers give high marks to the French itinerary, of course, but also to the crew for the level of service.
Itineraries/Schedule: 92.5
Shore Excursions: 87.5
Crew/Service: 92.5
Cabins: 77.5
Food/Dining: 85.0
Activites/Facilities: 80.0
Design/Layout: 87.2
Passengers: 120
Overall Score: 85.1
Overall Score:** 85.1
The Viking Primadonna stands out from the rest of the Viking fleet with its unusual catamaran-style design. As one of the line's oldest ships, the Viking Primadonna (built in 1998) doesn't boast all the latest amenities but what it does offer is floor-to-ceiling windows and private verandas, features that were way ahead of their time when this long, low-slung, vessel was constructed. Among the 78 outside staterooms are 8 for single passengers. In 2012, the ship is sailing itineraries between Budapest and Bucharest.
Itineraries/Schedule: 97.7
Shore Excursions: 90.9
Crew/Service: 95.5
Cabins: 68.2
Food/Dining: 88.6
Activites/Facilities: 77.3
Design/Layout: 77.3
Passengers: 148
Overall Score: 85.0
Overall Score:** 85.0
One of several sister ships, the long, low River Harmony has Grand Circle's signature look: white paint, blue trim, lots of big windows. The 70 cabins are designed for comfort (except, perhaps, for the immovable twin beds), with full bathrooms, ample storage, and great views. Some have balconies, but on clear days, passengers gather on the rooftop sundeck for full panoramas of the passing old-world river towns, castles, and farmlands that characterize Germany and the Low Countries—the primary region of the Harmony. Depending on the itinerary (Danube, Rhine, Main, Mosel), stops may include Cologne, Strasbourg, and Amsterdam, among others. Because the Harmony and her identical musical sisters mainly sail the same routes, and all the crews get high marks, you can choose your cruise based more on your availability than a preference for a particular ship.
Itineraries/Schedule: 93.5
Shore Excursions: 91.3
Crew/Service: 93.5
Cabins: 69.6
Food/Dining: 82.6
Activites/Facilities: 82.6
Design/Layout: 82.2
Passengers: 140
Overall Score: 83.3
Overall Score:** 83.3
Built in 2006, this is the oldest and most modest member of the Avalon fleet. The Tapestry focuses on the Danube, sailing from Vienna or Prague to Budapest, and offers either unusually short tours (a mere four days) or longer, fuller itineraries (for 13 days). On the longer sailings, the vessel docks in Prague for three days, allowing passengers a more thorough visit.
Itineraries/Schedule: 86.7
Shore Excursions: 86.2
Crew/Service: 90.0
Cabins: 83.3
Food/Dining: 83.3
Activites/Facilities: 76.7
Design/Layout: 76.7
Passengers: 164
Overall Score: 83.1
Overall Score:** 83.1
Originally built in 1987, the Viking Truvor was fully refurbished in 2009. The ship, along with its sister the Viking Helgi, has long been among the most highly rated river ships sailing in Russia. The Truvor has two spacious suites measuring 290 square feet, but even most staterooms are a relatively generous 161 square feet (solo travelers who don't suffer from claustrophobia may want to consider the two 75-square-foot category CS cabins). There is open seating at the ship's restaurant, and passengers can count on Russian specialties appearing on menus during the course of a sail. The Truvor sails between Moscow and St. Petersburg, stopping at "Golden Ring" cities, including Uglich and Yaroslavl, as well as Kizhi, with its famous open-air museum of wooden architecture.
Itineraries/Schedule: 96.1
Shore Excursions: 88.2
Crew/Service: 90.8
Cabins: 75.0
Food/Dining: 76.3
Activites/Facilities: 74.7
Design/Layout: 80.3
Passengers: 210
Overall Score: 82.4
Overall Score:** 82.4
The 110-passenger Viking Fontane, designed to cruise some of Europe's smaller rivers, completed a full refurbishment in time for the 2010 season. Like her almost identical sister, the Viking Schumann, the ship now has eight new deluxe staterooms, measuring 180 square feet each, with French balconies. The remaining 47 staterooms are 120 square feet, and both deluxe and standard rooms have river views; all cabins are stocked with L'Occitane bath products. The Fontane spends much of her time cruising between Trier and Würzburg, both in Germany, on the Mosel, Rhine, and Main rivers. In 2012, she'll also be on the Elbe, sailing between Magdeburg, Germany, and Mĕlnik, in the Czech Republic.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.3
Shore Excursions: 94.6
Crew/Service: 95.3
Cabins: 56.6
Food/Dining: 87.6
Activites/Facilities: 78.9
Design/Layout: 68.2
Passengers: 112
Overall Score: 81.5
Overall Score:** 81.5
One of several sister ships that sail Germany and the Low Countries, the long, low River Rhapsody has Grand Circle's signature look: boxy build, white paint, blue trim, lots of big windows. The 70 cabins are designed for comfort (except, perhaps, for the immovable twin beds), with full bathrooms, ample storage, and great big windows. Some cabins have balconies, but on clear days, passengers gather up top on the sundeck for full panoramas of the passing old-world river towns, castles, and farmlands. Depending on the itinerary (Danube, Rhine, Main, Mosel), stops may include Cologne, Strasbourg, and Amsterdam, among others. Because the Rhapsody and her musical sisters mainly sail the same routes, and all their crews get high marks, you can choose your cruise based more on your availability than a preference for a particular ship.
Itineraries/Schedule: 88.9
Shore Excursions: 86.7
Crew/Service: 88.9
Cabins: 60.0
Food/Dining: 82.2
Activites/Facilities: 79.5
Design/Layout: 84.1
Passengers: 140
Overall Score: 79.6
Overall Score:** 79.6
From the shores of the Nile, the Sun Boat IV seems to be constructed primarily of windows; views are, indeed, extraordinary from this ship—inside and out. The decor keeps your destination front-of-mind even if you're not marveling at falcon-headed gods at Edfu or the Great Hypostyle Hall at Luxor. Dynastic statues decorate the Royal Suite—even the swimming pool on the roof (the Sun Deck) is edged with an Egyptian motif. Itineraries and shore excursions gain high ratings from Condé Nast Traveler readers, who appreciate A&K's private docks at Aswan and Luxor, the feluccas exclusive to them, and the accompanying Egyptologists. The Sun Boat IV has only 40 staterooms on four decks, carrying passengers on 7-, 8-, and 11-night voyages down the Nile from Aswan to Luxor.
Itineraries/Schedule: 87.5
Shore Excursions: 83.3
Crew/Service: 83.3
Cabins: 70.8
Food/Dining: 83.3
Activites/Facilities: 69.6
Design/Layout: 79.2
Passengers: 80
Overall Score: 79.6
Overall Score:** 79.6
The 110-passenger Viking Schumann, designed to cruise some of Europe's smaller rivers, completed a full refurbishment in time for the 2011 season. Like her almost identical sister, the Viking Fontane, the ship now has eight new deluxe staterooms, measuring 200 square feet each, with French balconies; the remaining 47 staterooms are 135 square feet. Their modest size likely explains the somewhat lower scores that Condé Nast Traveler readers give to the ship's cabins, though both deluxe and standard rooms are all outside with river views. The Schumann cruises the Elbe in the former East Germany—her ten-day itineraries begin in Berlin and end in Prague, though the portion of the trip aboard the Schumann is between Magdeburg, Germany, and Mĕlnik, in the Czech Republic.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.9
Shore Excursions: 94.3
Crew/Service: 93.5
Cabins: 44.7
Food/Dining: 89.4
Activites/Facilities: 77.8
Design/Layout: 61.8
Passengers: 112
Overall Score: 79.2
Overall Score:** 79.2
Originally built in 1984, the Viking Helgi was the first of Viking River Cruises' Russian ships to be refurbished, in 2008. Along with her sisters the Kirov and Pakhomov, the Helgi has long been among the most highly rated river ships sailing in that country. The Surkov has two spacious suites measuring 290 square feet, but even most staterooms, while smaller, are still a relatively generous 161 square feet. (There are also two single cabins, measuring 75 square feet each.) There is open seating at the ship's restaurant, and passengers can count on Russian specialties appearing on menus during the course of a sail. The Surkov sails the same "Waterways of the Czars" itinerary as the_Kirov_, traveling between Moscow and St. Petersburg from May to October.
Itineraries/Schedule: 84.6
Shore Excursions: 87.7
Crew/Service: 86.2
Cabins: 63.1
Food/Dining: 75.4
Activites/Facilities: 79.4
Design/Layout: 78.1
Passengers: 210
Overall Score: 78.3
Overall Score:** 78.3
When AmaLegro joined the AMA Waterways' fleet in 2007, the line only sailed in Europe. Although AMA now operates cruises in Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and several countries in Africa, the AmaLegro remains in Europe, the heart of the line's operations. Dinner onboard is continental, and often served with local wines. Since 82 percent of the cabins have French balconies (a newer design feature on vessels in this region)—and Europe's rivers tend to be fairly narrow—you can watch for castles from your cabin as the vessel sails through the locks on the Danube, Rhine, or Mosel.
Itineraries/Schedule: 83.3
Shore Excursions: 83.3
Crew/Service: 87.5
Cabins: 79.2
Food/Dining: 75.0
Activites/Facilities: 68.2
Design/Layout: 70.8
Passengers: 148
Overall Score: 76.7
Overall Score:** 76.7
AMA Waterways went into operation as a European river cruise operator in 2002 and in 2008 it launched identical new builds, the 148-passenger AmaCello and AmaDante. While most cruise lines bill themselves as all-inclusive, AMA Waterways goes further including guided tours; unlimited house red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks with dinner; bottled water and coffee drinks all day long; free WiFi in public spaces; and rental bikes. In addition, gratuities aren't billed automatically to your stateroom (as they are on ocean-going cruises)—they're just a suggestion.
Itineraries/Schedule: 95.2
Shore Excursions: 85.7
Crew/Service: 90.5
Cabins: 71.4
Food/Dining: 57.1
Activites/Facilities: 60.0
Design/Layout: 76.2
Passengers: 148