For 2017, Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships

We've had a first look at author and cruise expert Douglas Ward's latest annual cruise travel guide, Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 and we're happy to say we aren't disappointed.

Ward has spent over 6,070 days at sea, beginning when he worked for Cunard Line in 1965 aboard Queen Elizabeth 2, and has taken over 1,070 cruises and completed 158 transatlantic crossings. However, his sailings aren't the usual cruiser's experience. Cruise Diva has traveled on several voyages where Ward was busy at work and he seldom relaxes. His sharp eye catches nearly every detail, like accessibility for the disabled, the softness of towels and linens, the temperature of the buffet food, and even the proper height of toilets for comfort.

The Berlitz guidebook is divided into two main sections. The first combines Ward's authoritative text with some never before seen color photographs to illustrate the cruise experience and help readers make their decisions about what style of cruise, cruise line, and ship size is most appealing for them. Included is practical information from subjects such as booking and what things cost to safety and environmental concerns. The second section contains reviews of every major cruise ship, from the smallest yacht-like vessels to the world's largest, from ships for budget minded travelers to the most luxurious and expensive. Details include specifications on size, number of cabins, passengers, and crewmembers, as well as an overview of what features to expect on board. Finally, a Ship Ratings Index puts Ward's ratings at your fingertips for quick comparison. New in this edition are full-color images for each of the 295 ships reviewed.

In addition to revealing his favorite cruise experiences of the past 32 years, Ward shares impartial information that you just don't get anywhere else and compares the strengths and weaknesses of the minor cruise lines. There is also an expanded frequently-asked-questions section, information about themed sailings, a look at the industry's star performers and Ward's selection of the top five ships in eleven "Best in Class" categories, as well as a preview at new ships set to debut in 2017. Also included is an updated chart of World Cruises departing in 2017.

Widely known as "the cruise industry Bible" for its candid description of every ocean-going cruise vessel at sea, Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2016 is available to order on Amazon.com (at that link) and there is even a Kindle edition.