Crystal Cruise Line

Fine-tuned and fashionable, Crystal's pair of dream ships give passengers pampering service and scrumptious cuisine on ships large enough to offer lots of outdoor deck space, generous fitness facilities, four restaurants, and over half a dozen bars and entertainment venues.

Crystal has the two largest, truly upscale ships in the industry. Carrying 960 passengers, they aren't huge, but they're big enough to offer much more than their high-end peers. You won't feel hemmed in and you likely won't be twiddling your thumbs from lack of stimulation. Service is excellent and the cuisine is very good (on par with Seabourn and Radisson); the line's Asian food is tops. Unlike Seabourn, which tends to be more staid, Crystal's sociable California ethic and larger passenger capacity tend to keep things mingly, chatty, and more active.

Four restaurants. Only the megaships offer as many options--and none so sophisticated. There are two alternative restaurants as well as a formal dining room and a casual restaurant that puts on some of the best theme luncheon buffet spreads around.

Best Asian food at sea. The ships' reservations-only Asian restaurants serve up utterly delicious, authentic, fresh Japanese food, including sushi. At least once per cruise they also hold an Asian-theme buffet lunch that offers an awesome spread.

Fitness choices. There's a nice-size gym, paddle-tennis court, shuffleboard, Ping-Pong, an uninterrupted jogging circuit, golf-driving nets, and a putting green.

Computer learning. No other ship has as much, with over 25 computer stations, complimentary training classes, and Internet and e-mail access.

Formality. If you're not nuts about dressing up nearly every night, think twice about Crystal. Some passengers even get gussied up during the day.