LEADERHUNTRESS

It's a book:  BERLITZ COMPLETE GUIDE TO CRUISING & CRUISE SHIPS 2012
It's the cruise expert - who has spent most of his life on the water: Douglas Ward
It's the 27th edition: the first 26th were effective.

October 19th --it's here. With an App.

Now in its 27th year, the eagerly awaited guide is the only cruise book you need –while the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2012 App provides easy search among 285 ships

Douglas Ward, as always, provides the industry with the list of highest ranking heavy hitters -- which ships are best in class? And then he goes on to reveal, in practical terms, as he provides guidance to all kinds of people -- families, singles, those seeking culture or just some good times, about how to make the best choice for your cruise vacation.

With an economy as turbulent (and unpredictable) as the waves themselves, it's become clear that a cruise vacation is a first choice for Americans watching their finances.

But it's also a first choice for families who want to enjoy vacation time together without having to slave over a hot stove while missing time at the beach. And... cruising has become a top choice, for adventure and luxury, providing trips through exotic waters (like the Amazon and Gambia Rivers), once-in-a-lifetime excursions; and chefs with many stars.

As Americans book cruises in record numbers, the cruise lines work hard to provide fresh choices in salty water, such as more theme cruises, language-specific ships, family reunion and occasion options, and freestyle dining. There are butlers and suites and the Royal Shakespeare Company, orchestras, rap music, so many kinds of bars and grills, and some lines will even pick up your bags from your home and you can find them in your stateroom when you board in another country.

The Complete Guide, filled with lively, no-holds-barred text and vibrant color photos (including maps of principal cruise destinations), is independent and is in no way subsidized by advertising or sponsorship

Cruising has become a very imaginative business. And with Mr. Ward spending up to 200 days a year on the seas researching first-hand what’s best (and worst) in all aspects of  cruise travel, we always look forward to his book. He's spent a lifetime sniffing out the new and different, and can tell you at the snap of a finger what's improved, where quality has taken a dive, and which ship has the best selection of delicate pastries.

Simply put, Ward says, the guide provides “a wealth of information and evaluations about the ships, life and services aboard them and how to get the most from the cruising experience.”

If your preference is to “cruise for your cruise” digitally, the Berlitz Cruise Ships app (US $9.99), which has enjoyed high ratings in its first year, allows users to instantly search though the array of cruise ships with just a couple of taps. The 2012 version features an enhanced interface, which helps lead the cruise-goer to his/her best possible cruise match-up, and is loaded with every ship review, current background on cruise lines, ship photos and a new design.

Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2012 can be purchased from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Powells.com, independent bookstores and wherever fine books are sold for $24.99. The Berlitz Cruise Ships 2012 App can be purchased on the iTunes App Store for $9.99.

Feel free to write me - and I'll pass it on to Douglas: what is the most memorable detail of a great cruise experience you ever had? (I'll tell you mine and maybe if we're lucky, Douglas will give you some really interesting anecdotes about his adventures.) He has a great one about Antarctica.