Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation 2009 by Steven B. Stern

Product Details

Synopsis

"It is well worth adding to your cruise book collection. Steve has sailed on more than 750 ships, so you can be sure he knows what he's talking about." —World of Cruising, UK

"People who've never cruised before—or those who have, but find themselves faced with a confusing onslaught of new ships—need to know a great deal, and this book goes a long way in providing it. "

—Chicago Tribune

"With descriptions of every major cruise ship and every major port of call in the world, this book is indispensable if you are considering your first cruise and equally helpful for the experienced cruise traveler." —Passport Newsletter

Steven B. Stern is the ultimate authority on luxury travel, especially cruise vacations. Whether readers are sailing the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Seas, Alaska, Southeast Asia, or the waterways of Europe, this is the most comprehensive guide available, with details on all aspects of cruise-ship travel.

Updated annually, this edition lists descriptive information for all major cruise ships, including each vessel's history, vital statistics, appearance, itineraries, price range, and sport, dining, and medical facilities. Stern evaluates every detail by bestowing overall Star Awards as well as ratings in eleven specific categories. More than two hundred photographs of ships, decks, and interiors are included, along with actual shipboard menus and daily activity programs for each featured cruise line.

This valuable guide assists you in intelligently selecting the ship best suited to your taste, advises you on how to prepare for your cruise, and explains what to expect once you are onboard.Stern discusses every major port of call worldwide, listing details on attractions, beaches, hotels, restaurants, shopping, sports, and other recreation. He also includes guidelines on how to make the most of an eight-hour stay in port.

Front-cover photograph: Ocean Images, courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Back-cover photographs: Ocean Images, courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Biography

Long-time leader in cruise-ship evaluation, Stern has sailed and inspected virtually every major cruise ship and has visited every major port of call in the world. Retired from his position as president of the law firm Stern and Hellman, Ltd., in Chicago, he now lives in Florida.