Thursday, July 14, 2011
BERLITZ CRUISING & CRUISE SHIPS 2011 by Douglas Ward- Thought Leader!
2:06 PM | 
Posted by
LEADERHUNTRESS |
Now in its 26th year, the guide by Douglas Ward is the only cruise book you will ever need. Douglas Ward, the world's foremost authority on cruising and the author of all 26 editions of the 2011 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships —an indispensable book for cruisers that is, Ward proudly says, “totally independent, with no commercial links to any cruise operator.”
In a 45-year career in cruising, he has earned a reputation as "the most feared critic in the business," according to The Times of London. Using an elaborate rating system, he has logged more than 5,600 days at sea on more than 1,000 cruisesThat is because Mr. Ward created a ranking system that enables him to systematically check every possible aspect of hundreds of cruise ships each year.
Equipped with tape measure and flashlight, Ward prowls and inspects each ship like a maritime Sherlock Holmes, thoroughly checking (and critiquing) all aspects of the cruise experience—from the quality (or lack thereof) of the cuisine and the entertainment to the size and comfort level of the cabins and the “hidden costs” that can ensnare the unwary (like paying “extra gratuities”). No element goes unnoticed. Is the height of toilets or the water pressure of showers problematic? Are the bath towels soft enough? Are there proper facilities for the disabled? The kitchens may be clean, but what of the fingernails of the servers—and are they attentive enough? That is Douglas Ward at work...
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In the past ten years, American cruise travel has increased by 6.4%. This year, it is estimated that 14.3 million people will embark on a cruise. Berlitz’s COMPLETE GUIDE TO CRUISING & CRUISE SHIPS 2011 is singularly devoted to provide consumers with every possible detail to help them choose the best possible cruise vacation this year with detailed, candid reviews of over 250 major ships, and Ward’s no-holds-barred assessments on:
In a 45-year career in cruising, he has earned a reputation as "the most feared critic in the business," according to The Times of London. Using an elaborate rating system, he has logged more than 5,600 days at sea on more than 1,000 cruisesThat is because Mr. Ward created a ranking system that enables him to systematically check every possible aspect of hundreds of cruise ships each year.
Equipped with tape measure and flashlight, Ward prowls and inspects each ship like a maritime Sherlock Holmes, thoroughly checking (and critiquing) all aspects of the cruise experience—from the quality (or lack thereof) of the cuisine and the entertainment to the size and comfort level of the cabins and the “hidden costs” that can ensnare the unwary (like paying “extra gratuities”). No element goes unnoticed. Is the height of toilets or the water pressure of showers problematic? Are the bath towels soft enough? Are there proper facilities for the disabled? The kitchens may be clean, but what of the fingernails of the servers—and are they attentive enough? That is Douglas Ward at work...
- Steering clear of some so-called “cruise discounts” that may actually be pricey marketing gimmicks
- Avoiding some cruise-line rip-offs (watch yourself, for example, on currency conversions, paying extra gratuities and the “unacceptably high” cost of transfer buses in some ports)
- At-a-glance charts comparing the major cruise lines for cabin facilities, food, service and tours
- The top cruise lines’ strengths and weaknesses
- Where to find the best spas and entertainment
- Expert advice for singles, honeymooners, families, and the physically-challenged
- Expedition cruises, sailing ships and freighter travel
- Full-color maps of principal cruise destinations