Oct. 21, 2009 (PR Newswire) --
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
