Cruise Critic Honors the World’s Best Cruise Lines

PENNINGTON, N.J., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Cruise Critic® (http://www.CruiseCritic.com), the popular independent cruise reviews and news site, reveals the cruise lines and ships that offer the very best in cruising — with the announcement today of the 2009 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards.

The awards honor the world’s top cruise lines, as selected by Cruise Critic’s editors, and highlight the best of the best in 33 categories. Categories reflect the wide range of cruises and ships available to travelers — from fun-packed family ships to more serene luxury vessels — providing a useful guide to the best ships for each type of cruiser and style of cruise.

The Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards evaluate cruise lines and ships according to the types of passengers to whom they cater. Categories include: “Best Family Cruise Line,” awarded to Royal Caribbean; “Best for Romance,” awarded to Princess Cruises; and “Best for First-Timers,” awarded to Carnival Cruise Lines. More specific categories include “Best for Healthy Dining,” awarded to Celebrity, and “Best Spa,” which went to Costa Cruise’s Samsara Spa.

“There’s no ‘one-size fits all’ in cruising but, rather, a whole host of options for every type of cruiser,” explains Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of Cruise Critic. “Choosing the winners is never easy, and each year, cruise lines raise the bar, as new amenities are added, ships are refurbished, and new vessels are launched. Our 2009 picks represent not only the best cruise lines, but also some of the best travel companies in the world.”

    The 2009 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards:
    Cruise Styles
    Best Family Cruise Line              Royal Caribbean
    Best for First Timers                Carnival
    Best for Couples                     Azamara
    Best for Sophisticated Singles       Cunard
    Best Luxury Cruise Line              Crystal
    Best for Romance                     Princess Cruises
    Best for Adventure                   Lindblad
    Best for Kids                        Royal Caribbean (Freedom Class)
    Best for Teens                       Royal Caribbean (Freedom Class)
    Best River Cruise Line               Uniworld
    Best Sailing Ship                    Windstar

    Body and Soul
    Best for Fitness Enthusiasts         Royal Caribbean
    Best Spa                             Costa's Samsara Spa (Costa Concordia,
                                          Serena, Pacifica)

    Weddings and Honeymoons
    Best for Weddings at Sea             Princess Cruises
    Best for a Honeymoon Splurge         SeaDream

    Innovation
    Best New Ship                        Celebrity Solstice and Equinox
                                          (sister-ships)
    Best New Luxury Ship                 Seabourn Odyssey
    Best New River Ship                  Uniworld's River Beatrice
    Best Kept Secret                     MSC's  Fantasia and Splendida

    Food and Dining
    Best Main Dining                     Carnival
    Best Specialty Restaurants           Oceania
    Best for Healthy Dining              Celebrity
    Best Buffet                          Carnival
    Best Luxury Dining                   Seabourn

    Accommodations and Service
    Best for Big-Ship Suites             NCL's Courtyard Villas
    Best for Cabins                      Holland America
    Best Big-Ship Luxury Enclave         MSC's Fantasia and Splendida
    Best Luxury Service                  Crystal
    Best Luxury Staterooms               Regent Seven Seas

    Activities
    Best for Nightlife                   Carnival
    Best for Activities                  Holland America
    Best Sun Deck                        Celebrity Solstice and Equinox
    Best Cruise Line Private Island      Disney's Castaway Cay

For full details regarding the 2009 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks, visit www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks.

About Cruise Critic:

Cruise Critic is an online cruise guide offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruisers. The site features professional reviews and member reviews of over 350 ships, and hosts an active community where travelers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers.

Launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet. The Independent Traveler, Inc. is a subsidiary of TripAdvisor® LLC, which is an operating company of Expedia.

Cruise Critic and The Independent Traveler are either trademarks or registered trademarks of The Independent Traveler, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2009 The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Cruise Critic