For new latest cruise ship reports, news, and tips from the Travel Mavens
If you like to spend your vacation in a world that is big, brash and innovative, these are the best of times to vacation at sea. Picking a big ship
New ports, new cruise stops in the Caribbean
Celebrity Silhouette, a podcast from Paul Lasley and Fran Golden.
Disney Fantasy debuts makeovers at Bibbidi, Bobiddi Boutique, and dancing pictures at Animator's Palate.
A turtle, a duck, a rat on Disney's newest Dream.
Luxurious Seabourn Quest cruises with a younger crowd.
New pub, new beer on Carnival Magic.
Oceania Marina is the belle of the ball.
Seabourn Odyssey. HAL's newest Nieuw Amsterdam. In the Med on MSC Splendida. Across the Atlantic on Azamara Journey.
Fun is king on Carnival Dream (above at right, with passengers at port of Cozumel). Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Stylish Celebrity Equinox, CelebritySolstice.
From David Molyneaux's cruise blog and column A new pirate ship bar Half Moon Cay. Oceania debuts Marina. Norwegian Epic leads the revolution of dining choices on cruise ships. Romance on Oasis of the Seas, new cove balcony cabins on Carnival Dream, enchanted art and portholes on Disney Dream, best of the specialty restaurants, upbeat Barcelona is home port to a new armada of ships, Carnival's private Caribbean beach, cell phones and Internet at sea, save money and drive to your cruise.
Royal Cariibean's BIG ships : After you consider cabin choices such as private balconies and suites, take a look at all the shipboard options, some free, some rather pricey, on big new ships such as Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas, right.
Carnival's Steakhouses: For that special occasion, a romantic evening with wine, Carnival Cruise Lines has one of the better deals at sea -- a top-deck steakhouse with a nightly menu of steaks, chops and seafood, personal service and an intimate atmosphere that is the equal of a fine-dining, big-city eatery. Cruising on Carnival.
Bowl, barhop on Norwegian gems: NCL's newer ships sport a rock climbing wall and cruising's first bowling alleys. The trendy Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem are free of structure, with an edgy style.
Exploring European ports on your own:With the Internet and local tourist boards, you can plan your own active tours in ports, hiking in the Shetland Islands, riding a mountain train in Norway, trekking above the French Riviera, biking in Copenhagen
Tips for cruisers:
How to plan a shore excursion on your own. Be careful when booking your own tours. The best way to beat the Euro or any other rising foreign currency is to buy your vacation package ahead of time in U.S. dollars. That's one of the reasons that summer cruises are so popular with Americans traveling to Europe. Germs from your fellow vacationers are out to get you, so Don't forget to wash your hands at sea

At right, Queen Victoria's two-story library.
WORTH CLICKING on the Web:
Cruise news and interactive chat at USA Today.
Peter Knego's cruise ship reviews and news

Stop smoking at sea: Smoking should be forbidden in all passenger areas of all cruise ships, as both a health and a fire hazard. At the least, offer smokers a designated room or a private deck up near the ship's smoke stack, so the rest of us can breath easier. Cruise Critic reports on ship smoking policies.