A cruise is a complete vacation, so it's important that you choose the one that's right for you. Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call is the most user--friendly, opinionated, and comprehensive guide you can buy before you set sail. We provide in--depth coverage on cruises departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, Mexico and Canada. Unlike rating systems used in other guides, our system is simple. We break down the essential elements of a cruise experience (dining, activities, children's activities, entertainment, service, overall enjoyment, and overall value), and rate them from "poor" to "outstanding." Photos of each ship combine with the text to give a better sense of the very real differences among the various lines. Most important, this is the only cruise guide that provides the real prices people pay for cruises, not just the rack rates. Other guides tell you that a seven--night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas costs 2,099 dollars. You can pay that if you want to, but only Frommer's tells you that the same cruise is selling for 649 dollars. We give both the rack rates and the discount price for every cruise we review. This feature alone makes Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call by far the most valuable trip--planning book among cruise guides. Our authors, noted cruise experts who've personally checked out every ship sailing in and around North America, offer candid and unbiased opinions on them all. They are completely up to date, with all the latest developments and the newest ships. You'll also get complete coverage of the major port destinations, with advice on how to spend your limited time ashore.

Table of Contents

List of Maps. Cruising 2006: 10 Million Cruise Fans Can't Be Wrong. The Best of Cruising. Part 1: Planning, Booking & Preparing for Your Cruise. 1. Choosing Your Ideal Cruise. 2. Booking Your Cruise & Getting the Best Price. 3. Things to Know Before You Go. 4. The Cruise Experience. Part 2: The Cruise Lines & Their Ships. 5. The Ratings & How to Read Them. 6. The Mainstream Lines. 7. The Ultraluxury Lines. 8. Small Ships, Sailing Ships & Adventure Cruises. Part 3: The Ports. 9. The Ports of Embarkation. 10. The Caribbean, The Bahamas & the Panama Canal. 11. Alaska & British Columbia. 12. The Mexican Riviera & Baja. 13. Bermuda. 14. Hawaii. 15. New England & Eastern Canada. 16. U.S. River Cruise Routes. Index.

About the Author

Heidi Sarna is a freelance writer living in New York City with her husband and toddler twin sons. Coauthor of Cruising For Dummies and a contributor to several other guidebooks, she also writes regular travel columns for Frommers.com and Porthole cruise magazine. She's written for many magazines and newspapers, including Gourmet, Conde Nast Traveler, Parenting, Bridal Guide, and Travel Weekly. Matt Hannafin is a freelance writer, editor, and musician based in Brooklyn, New York. Coauthor of the upcoming 1,000 Places in the U.S.A. & Canada to See Before You Die (a sequel to the 2004 bestseller) and Cruising For Dummies, he also writes regular travel columns for Frommers.com, the Boston Herald, and Porthole cruise magazine. He's contributed to dozens of other books, magazines, and websites, including Gourmet and Travel Weekly.