Travel

With the height of the Caribbean cruise season upon us, legions of would-be vacationers will weigh whether to opt for anchors aweigh. And, with more than 250 ships sailing the seven seas, you can face some daunting decisions, especially if you're a novice cruiser.

To minimize the angst, let's say this at the outset: There's no "best" cruise, or "best" ship or "best" itinerary. The ship or itinerary your sister-in-law loved won't necessarily be the one you'd love. Cruising is personal and the best ship and itinerary will depend on what pleases or interests you most, what kind of experience you're seeking, when you plan to vacation and how much you want to spend.

Bottom line: There is something for everyone.

Here are a few tips to help you figure out which sailing suits you best -- before you lay hard-earned dollars on the cruise line.

How long at sea? First, decide on the duration of your cruise. Trips range from one-day sailings to nowhere (with gambling the main appeal) to 100-day world cruises on any of several laudable lines. In between, you can enjoy a seven-day sun fest, usually in the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera or a fortnight in South America.

Trans-Panama cruises may begin in the Atlantic and end in the Pacific, or the reverse, with a full day spent learning about the technology and history behind the canal and the maritime ambition to slash days or weeks off the treacherous journey around Cape Horn.

European and Mediterranean voyages typically demand 10 or more days, providing enough time to explore several capitals or to soak up the culture of, say, the Greek Islands and historic ports along the Adriatic coast. Cruises lasting two weeks or longer can open up the world to you, from Australia and Vietnam to Antarctica and the Arctic.

Destination or ship? Which is more important to you -- the ship itself or the destination? Sometimes, you can get both. Sometimes, though, your choice of destination could limit the ships available, particularly on small adventure cruises or unique itineraries offered by boutique lines. On adventure cruises, you can nab a fabulous itinerary, but often on a less-than-five-star ship. If, on the other hand, you enjoy creature comforts, you may not want to scrimp on your floating hotel and stick to more commonly plied itineraries.

In addition, each line and ship has its own personality: If you prefer high-tech lectures to sloppy-Joes and wet T-shirt contests, be honest with yourself. It will make a difference in your options.

Themed Cruises With the ubiquity of themed cruises, you can bypass considerations of destination entirely and simply target your interests. We've met passengers who never set foot on land once they boarded the ship. The vessel and the themed cruise were paramount.

If you're an exercise nut, many ships offer alluring spas, well-equipped gyms, and even bowling alleys, rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, boxing rings, artificial surfing and more. For couch potatoes, countless ships will pamper you. For food freaks, most vessels will ply you with gourmet offerings and, on some, you can down your dinners in restaurants ranging from steak houses and French bistros to teppanyaki tables and sushi bars. For the cerebral, enrichment programs run the gamut: from lectures on fashion, food, finance, history, science and art to self-help topics, scrapbooking and quilting.

On many larger lines, Las Vegas-style entertainment is aflutter with feathery million-dollar costumes. On some, you can listen to opera. On others, see plays and performances by professional actors.

Similar services As for accommodations, on all ships except those of Cunard, which essentially operates two-class vessels, you'll enjoy the same services and amenities as every other passenger, no matter which cabin category you select. So your choice boils down to saving money or viewing the sea. In fact, on newer ships, most ocean-view cabins also sport balconies, a luxury unknown a decade ago.

Inside cabins generally are cheaper and, if you plan on spending most of your day sampling ports or the ship's public facilities, springing for the ocean-view cabin might be unnecessary.

Take the kids If you plan to travel with children, many lines offer special programs for toddlers through teens, which means more free time for you and better times for the kids. Cruise ships have everything from kiddie pools, teen discos and game rooms to computer and learning centers. Some even offer shore excursions designed for the younger set.

If you're contemplating your first voyage, your best resource is your travel agent, preferably a cruise specialist. They can be invaluable in helping you pinpoint your preferences and matching them and your pocketbook to the right cruise line and even to the right cabin.

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