Frommer's Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call 2003

Book excerpt: A cruise is a complete vacation, so it's important that you choose the one that's right for you. Frommer's Caribbean Cruises & Ports of Call is the most user-friendly, opinionated, and informative guide you can buy before you set sail. Unlike other guides that try to cover cruises around the entire world in one volume, we focus solely on the Caribbean, so we can bring you much more in-depth coverage. Unlike those used in other guides, our rating 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 Celebrity's Mercury costs $1,795. You can pay that if you want to, but only Frommer's tells you that the same cruise is selling for $895. We give both the rack rates and the discount price for every cruise in the Caribbean. This feature alone makes Frommer's Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call by far the most valuable trip-planning book among cruise guides. Our author, a noted cruise expert who has personally checked out every ship sailing the Caribbean, offers candid and unbiased opinions on them all. She's completely up to date, with all the latest developments and the newest ships. You'll also get complete coverage of 34 Caribbean port destinations, with advice on how to spend your limited time ashore.