Cruise-Ships Books

I found the book and DVD very instructional and will incorporate the ideas into my packing for future travel.

The good:

This book is clearly laid out in a "list" style and has short paragraphs for the most part. It is a quick read, unlike some other packing books ( The Packing Book comes to mind, a little too much information there), and is printed on good-quality paper, not newsprint.

The DVD is very informative, even given that it is also an advertisement for the author's luggage and travel accessories line. She presents everything very clearly as far as how she is able to pack all this stuff in a suitcase (I think it would be excellent for someone going off to college, or someone trying to pare down their wardrobe to a manageable amount), and the scarf wearing ideas are great.

The bad:

The author does not travel light by any means. She definitely writes for the cruise ship/organized tour audience, where someone is either handling your luggage for you and/or you are staying in one place for several weeks. Also for people who think other people are keeping track of what they're wearing. No way would you be able to navigate stairs daily (for train stations and other places) with all the stuff she takes. This is not the book to read for tips if you're trying to backpack through Europe (some hostels or train stations will not let you leave your luggage anywhere, not even in lockers, so you have to carry it around all day), or are trying to travel simply with one carry on and maybe a personal bag.

The DVD is not properly chaptered. In fact, when I put it in my computer to view, it looked like it had been dubbed directly from her VCR tape--the title even came up as "DVD Video Recorder". The menu looks just like what you'd get from a home DVD recorder--you can move through the recorder-made "chapters", but they are not titled.

It would have been nice to see how you got 35 outfits from what she had hanging behind her (Smart Packing for Today's Traveler has actual pictures of both clothing types and combinations). A swimsuit with a sarong is okay for around the pool or walking around a beach town (although shorts would be far more useful as you have pockets), but I wouldn't call it an outfit, as (like workout clothing or PJs) it is for a single purpose. A travel outfit needs to be wearable in a variety of places. Also, many people see jackets/sweaters as functional, not decorative--if it is not needed for warmth, it is not worn, as it is just one more thing to drag around or leave behind somewhere.

Bottom line: This is a good book for those who are going on longer trips and the aforementioned child off to a college dorm with limited space. It would be nice to see a new edition where she also covers traveling with just a carry-on and a personal bag.

3.5 stars.

I have been on a few cruises, but not on a wide variety of ships. I was looking for ideas and advice. This book provided it, up to a point. A key idea is that the attitude you bring on board with you will have more of an impact on how happy you are with the cruise than will anything else.

I would have liked to have seen more in the way of comparisons of experiences in different staterooms both on a particular class of ships and across ships. I would like to have seen more about excursions, particularly about making smart choices (e.g., safety) when not on the ship.

The book should be updated periodically. I have used the author's website, but have not found it particularly helpful for the cruise lines in which I am currently interested.

I don't know if there are comparable books available. If not, then I would recommend the book for a person who does not have a lot of cruise experience.

I should have read this before my last cruise, it's very resourceful. If you're looking for a dream vacation also check out, "World Ventures, Marc Accetta".

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (1/07)

Theodore W. Scull's "100 Best Cruise Vacations" is a well-researched and well-organized book on cruising, which should prove valuable to anybody looking for an idea for their next cruise.

The first-time cruisers will undoubtedly find useful the detailed information on itinerary, the ship, passengers, officers, crew, dress codes, cabins, fare and contact info for the cruise line. One of the most useful pieces of information, in my opinion, is what exactly is or is not included in the fare price. This information could be particularly confusing for somebody leaving on their first cruise and the comprehensive info provided by Mr. Scull will help to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The information included in the itinerary section is pretty limited, but will provide necessary basics for somebody trying to decide whether the ports to be visited will be of interest to them.

The cruise veterans will definitely be able to use all of the above mentioned information, but more importantly, some of the cruises listed are on less well-known cruise lines or to not-so-usual destination. So those who have already cruised a lot just might discover a cruise or two that they have never thought of or even never heard of.

The book covers cruises on all seven continents as well as a handful of round-the-world experiences - the dream of most cruise addicts. Detailed descriptions of activities and amenities on each of the ships will definitely make the decision on which to choose considerably easier.

In view of the fact that this latest edition has been published in 2006, I found it slightly disappointing that several of the new itineraries on different cruise lines have not been included. Another useful addition would have been the deck plans or cabin plans for at least a couple of vessels.

Overall I found "100 Best Cruise Vacations" to be a useful resource for anybody trying to decide where to go next - or even for somebody who is still trying to decide whether cruising would be to their liking. Just be warned - most people get addicted after their first cruise - and if they chose the first one well, chances of getting addicted are probably close to 99%...

Very interesting book - lot's of LARGE recipes - would need to make recipes smaller.

This guide is useful for a vacation on a cruise to the caribbean. The reviews of the excursions are very helpful for planning your own excursions. It tells you if it easy or difficult to use ship's excursions versus your own transportation. It also highlights popular atractions in each port.

I enjoy buying and reading travel guides. Most cruise guides are nothing more than a compellation of facts and stats. This guide breaks that mold. I loved the personal approach of the authors who obviously enjoy travelling and cruising. Also, they discuss in great detail, with tons of money saving tips, their exotic cruises to the Greek Isles the Yangtze River and beyond. Chapters cover the worlds most popular cruise destinations. Better yet about eight pages of COLOR photos which most other guides fail to include. Got to love a book that tells readers what to say to snobby fellow passengers who insist on bragging about their upscale outside cabins. Just tell them how much you love 'intimate' inside cabin, especially if there is a collision, when the outside cabins are the first to go!!! And tips abound from the start to finish of the cruise, from planning, to selecting the right cruise, to food, excursions etc. I also enjoyed reading these authors' Cheapskate's Guide to Vacations which covers some of the most exotic and fun land based destinations in the world.

This book was extremely helpfull. I found everything I needed in order to get the job I wanted. It gave things such as exactly how to apply and where to send my resumes. I am actually got the job I wanted thanks to this book.

got this book from the library for my son who has autism and is interested in all things cruise ships. i enjoyed reading this and he liked looking at the colorful pictures. it is very disappointing to know that this book sells for an astronomically high price as i was planning to buy it for his 13th birthday.

Fifth in series of Kim and Marc, young HAMs using their hobby to help others. I give this story 4 stars only because it may frighten young children. In all other aspects, I rate it a 5. In this story, we learn about a search dog, Patches; how the practice drill of Fox and Hounds can be put to excellent use in real life; and how the amateur radio hobby can be useful in serious situations. Cynthia Wall has done it again. Now, I'm looking for her next book!

For those who can't scrape up the price of a cruise round the world on the Queen Elizabeth 2, settle for the next best thing. Read Janet's tale of adventure, wining and dining, dancing, and sightseeing. Her descriptions of shipboard life and of ports of call as varied as Pago Pago, Taipei, Sri Lanka, Mumbai, Athens, Valencia, and Northampton will hold your interest from the time the ship sails out by the Statue of Liberty till it docks in Southampton. And it doesn't end there - she sails back to the U.S. on the newer Queen Mary 2.

You too can live vicariously!