As 2011 cranks up, it's time for a new edition of Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call, the definitive guidebook to cruises sailing from U.S., Canadian, and regional ports to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda, New England/Canada, and along North America's rivers and coasts.
Here are our top picks and notable mentions for 2011.
Text by Matt Hannafin. Photos courtesy of Frommers.com (unless otherwise noted), where you can plan trips and connect with other travelers.
The biggest cruise ships ever, by far, Royal Caribbean's 282-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas transcend their enormity through a layout that bunches experiences in "neighborhoods" around the vessel, allowing many of the ships' restaurants and entertainment spaces to be surprisingly intimate.
Photo Caption: "Allure of the Seas." Courtesy Royal Caribbean International.
Introduced in 2008, 2009, and 2010, the 122,00-ton 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice, Equinox, and Eclipse are the most flagrantly beautiful mega-ships ever built. Outside, their form is both massive and sleek, while inside a unifying high-end aesthetic ties the many moods and experiences of their public rooms into a satisfying whole.
Photo Caption: Celebrity "Solstice." Courtesy Celebrity Cruises
The first new Seabourn ships since 1992's Seabourn Legend, the 32,000-ton, 450-passenger twins Odyssey and Sojourn represent an updating of the classic Seabourn experience, whose watchwords are calm, relaxing, smooth, and super-professional.
Photo Caption: Seabourn "Sojourn" at sea. Courtesy Yachts of Seabourn
With its exquisite cuisine, roomy suites, over-the-top service, and niceties such as complimentary free-flowing champagne, Silversea sits in the absolute upper echelon of highbrow luxury lines.
(credit:Flickr:JeanbaptisteM)Megaships for Generations X and Y, the 93,000-ton, 2,390-passenger Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl, and Norwegian Gem are some of the most fun big ships at sea today.
Photo Caption: Norwegian "Pearl." Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line
Though she's not the spring chicken she was on her debut in 2004, the 151,400-ton, 2,592-passenger Queen Mary 2 still sits squarely in her very own, personal niche in the cruise world, being the only true, super-tough ocean liner at sea.
Photo Caption: "Queen Mary 2" in New York Harbor. Courtesy Cunard
Though not as flagrantly beautiful or cutting edge as Celebrity's newer Solstice-class ships, its Millennium, Constellation, Infinity, and Summit vessels, all launched between 2000 and 2002, are still mighty fine.
(credit:Flickr:Rennett Stowe)What's not to love about SeaDream I and SeaDream II? Step aboard one of these 4,260-ton, 110-passenger yachts and you're boarding a floating club where everything's included.
(credit:Flickr:lotopspin)NCL's newest ship, the giant, 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, has enough quirky little problems that it doesn't make Frommer's five-star list, but she does still offer the fun, unconventional NCL experience I like.
Photo Caption: Norwegian "Epic" Ice Bar. Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess's huge but cozy Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess are the line's most beautiful ships to date, combining gorgeous exteriors with wood-heavy, old-world lounges and a great covered promenade that lets you walk right to the ship's prow.
Photo Caption: Princess "Crown Princess." Courtesy Princess Cruises
The 312-passenger Wind Surf is a sleek, comfortably sexy, and super-smooth motor-sail ship with an intimate, yacht-like ambience, offering a casual-luxe experience at prices well below the normal luxe standard.
Photo Caption: "Wind Surf"'s Degrees restaurant. Courtesy Windstar Cruises
The Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade, and Jewel of the Seas are the most traditional of the vessels Royal Caribbean has produced over the past decade.
Photo Caption: Summer cruise to Geirangerfjord on "Jewel of the Seas." Photo by Angl/Frommers.com Community
Star Clippers' biggest and poshest ship to date, the square-rigged, 227-passenger Royal Clipper ship is a sight to behold, and boasts more luxurious amenities than the line's older ships.
Photo Caption: Star Clippers' "Royal Clipper" in St. Lucia. Courtesy Star Clippers
Stylish and upbeat, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony provide top-shelf service and cuisine on the only large ships in the luxury category.
(credit:Flickr:Kabacchi)If you insist on luxury but like to keep it quietly elegant, Regent might be your cruise line of choice, offering a relaxed onboard vibe, friendly and absolutely spot-on service, and some of the best cuisine at sea.
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