Thursday, August 28, 2014
2015 Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships Publishes in US November 1, 2014;
11:29 PM | 
Posted by
LEADERHUNTRESS |
News Release
2015 Berlitz Cruising and
Cruise Ships Publishes in US November 1, 2014;
30th Anniversary Edition
Features the Influential Author’s 30 Extraordinary Cruise
Experiences
NEW
YORK, N.Y., September 2014— As the popularity of global cruising continues to
surge—22.8 million passengers in 2013, more than half of them Americans—the
choices for veteran cruisers and first timers alike have never been as
plentiful and varied, and even overwhelming.
There are over 30,000 cruises from which to choose, and “picking the
right ship for the right reasons and with the right expectations,” says Ward
“is what this annual guide is and has always been about for the past three
decades.”
This
special anniversary guide (US PUB DATE:
NOV 1, 2014; $25.99), widely considered the most trusted and comprehensive
book on the topic, is also a fascinating and nostalgic study of how cruising
has evolved into “one of the biggest success stories in the travel world.” Ward
also gives the lowdown on his own favorite cruise experiences– a compilation,
he says, “that could serve as a veritable seagoing bucket list for cruisers
seeking memorable trips of a lifetime.”
So
thorough and comprehensive is Douglas Ward’s meticulously painstaking
investigation each year that the Guide sets the internationally recognized
ratings system for almost all cruise ships in the world (270 of them covered in
the book), designating the author as the most feared critic in the
business.
Cruisers,
who are often overwhelmed by the number of vessels and voyages available, would
be advised not to book a cruise vacation without first consulting the guide,
the only completely independent handbook that can identify the cruise and
cruise ship that is best suited to an individual. However, the annual Berlitz
Cruise Guide is not just for vacationers; cruise industry executives, travel
agents, and others in the cruise industry look to it as an invaluable resource
of comparative information.
Its
strength and enduring popularity lie not only in the annually updated,
independent and candid reviews of the cruise ships but the warts-and-all advice
on every possible aspect of cruising, whether budgeting families, singles,
older travelers or honeymooners. For example, readers can check out which
cruise line does what best, how the major cruise lines score on cuisine,
facilities and service, or see how the expedition ships compare in their
adventure offerings. Those planning luxury cruises can compare the crème de la
crème of cruise ships at a glance: find out whether tips are included, which
ships have the biggest and most sumptuous suites and which toiletry brand is
supplied. Confused by the advantages and disadvantages of the different sizes
of ships? No problem. Ward cuts through the hype for a more informed decision.
The guide doesn’t only point readers to the most appropriate cruise for
themselves, but it helps with a variety of choices. For example, some ‘private balconies’, while
expensive, are not so private, and mattress sizes vary enormously, depending
upon whether the cruise ship is British, European or from the US/Canada.
Other highlights of the guide include:
- Tips on getting
the best value for the money
- A list of
extra-cost items onboard to anticipate
- Information that
the brochures just don’t include
- A comparison of
the strengths and weaknesses of the minor cruise lines
- All the new
ships that will debut in 2015
- What to expect
from onboard entertainment and spas
- This year’s star
performers and Top 5 ships in each of 12 “Best in Class” categories
THE WORLD’S TOP
AUTHORITY ON CRUISING AND CRUISE SHIPS
The author has completed over
6,000 days at sea, participated in more than 1,000 cruises, 158 transatlantic
crossings, and countless Panama Canal
transits, shipyard visits, ship-naming ceremonies and maiden voyages. Often
described as a maritime Sherlock Holmes, Ward leaves no stone unturned for up
to 200 sea days each year, from the fluffiness of the towels to the quality of
the china and silverware, and from the welcome aboard to the disembarkation
process.
Fully
updated and revised, Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2015 ($25.99, 704 pages, with hundreds of color
photographs) is published in the U.S. on November 1, 2014. Also forthcoming will be the guide in e-book format
and the 2015 Berlitz Cruise Ships app. For further
information visit www.insightguides.com/berlitz/berlitz-cruising.
###
For those interested
in an interview with the author or a review copy, please contact:
In the US:
Melissa Lande or Alan
Appel, Lande PR
O: 212-706-9003 / M: 646-315-3608
In the UK:
Julia Spence or
Annabel Owen, Julia Spence Public Relations
T: 01491 824524 / M:
07802 443113