Far East Cruises

Azamara Quest , Azamara Club Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.8) Azarama Quest was the second ship to join Azamara Club Cruises, a new premium brand launched by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in 2007. The ship was built by Renaissance Cruises and originally named R Seven. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Clipper Odyssey, Abercrombie & Kent (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.7) Originally built as a five-star yacht, this ship is newer and more upmarket than Clipper Adventurer, and therefore more expensive. It specialises in adventure travel, cruising mainly in the South Pacific and Australasia. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Costa Allegra, Costa Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 2.1) Built in 1992 and substantially upgraded in 2006, this is a sister ship to Costa Marina. The redecoration features an Italian feel of necolassical design, baroque touches and sumptuous interiors. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Costa Classica, Costa Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 2.8) Costa Classica was built in 1991 in Venice and has since had substantial upgrades in 2001 and 2005. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Costa Romantica, Costa Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 2.8) Costa Romantica was designed by the Italian Pierluigi Cerri, whose work spans architecture, exhibition design and designer stores including Trussardi and Prada. It benefited from a slight refit in 2003, some 10 years after it first embarked. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Diamond Princess, Princess Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 2.4) Although geared to the American market, Princess’ British connection with P&O means that the ambience is slightly less Americanised than on other lines. There are no butlers in the top suites, unlike on some rival ships. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International (Passenger/crew ratio: 2.5) One of the line’s Vision-class ships, Legend of the Seas has floor-to-ceiling windows and a seven-storey atrium with elevators going up the side. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Minerva(S), Swan Hellenic Cruises Ltd (Passenger/crew ratio: 2.2) Minerva sailed for Swan Hellenic originally between 1996 and 2003. After it left Swan, it was renamed a couple of times, ending up as Explorer II in winter, when it was used in Antarctica, and Alexander von Humboldt in summer, when it sailed around Europe. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

MS Europa, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.7) Widely regarded as one of, if not the, most luxurious cruise experience in the world. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

MS Hanseatic, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.3) An immensely stylish and elegant ship, Hanseatic is best-known for operating Antarctic itineraries in luxurious surroundings. Guest lecturers are on board and passengers (the majority of whom are German) are given a logbook at the end of the cruise. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Ocean Village, Ocean Village (Passenger/crew ratio: 3.2) Part of the Carnival UK cruise P&O group, Ocean Village is aimed at the younger market (30-55 years of age), particularly first-timers who don’t fancy the ‘traditional’ image of cruising. (The company’s slogan is: ‘For people who don’t do cruises’). Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Saga Ruby, Saga Holidays (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.7) Previously the Cunard Caronia, this classic-looking ship was built in 1973. It underwent a $17-million refit before becoming Saga’s second ship in 2005. Again, it offers some interesting and unusual itineraries. The European and Filipino staff are friendly and helpful. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Seabourn Pride, Yachts of Seabourn (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.5) Sister ship to Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit is a luxurious cruise ship, offering an upmarket, relaxed experience. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Seabourn Spirit, Yachts of Seabourn (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.5) Sister ship to Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Pride is a luxurious product, favoured by the likes of Bill Gates and other people who want an upmarket, relaxed experience. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Seven Seas Navigator, Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.5) This cruise line is more expensive than others, but is worth the extra money as the product is excellent quality. Most of the 500 passengers on board this ship are American, although it does appeal to other nationalities. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Silver Shadow, Silversea Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.3) Silver Shadow is newer than Silver Cloud and Silver Wind and holds about 100 more passengers. It is an elegant and spacious ship, offering gourmet cuisine, and with no annoying on-board announcements and no hard-sell that often occurs on some of the more mass-market ships. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews

Silver Whisper, Silversea Cruises (Passenger/crew ratio: 1.3) Elegant and spacious, ultra-all inclusive, Silversea offers an upmarket experience that is informal and flexible, rather than stuffy. Sister ship to Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper holds about 100 more passengers the older vessels in the fleet, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind. Cruise Dates & Itineraries :: Reviews