Readers of Conde Nast Traveler ranked SeaDream Yacht Club as one of the top 100 travel experiences worldwide. In fact, SeaDream was the only cruise company to be included in the listing. The other 99 winners were all hotels and resorts.

Additionally, readers voted SeaDream ‘World’s Best Small Passenger Shipping Line,’ and the company achieved the highest overall rating of any cruise company large or small.

How do SeaDream’s twin yachts, both more than 20 years old, outperform all others at least to readers of Conde Nast Traveler?

On two SeaDream sailings over the past three years, I’ve identified ten reasons why SeaDream stands apart.

Reason # 1: SeaDream’s vessels are stylishly small, carrying just 100 guests and able to get into ports that cruise ships cant reach, including some idyllic coves and harbors and uncrowded beaches. The twin yachts are positioned November through April in the Caribbean and May through November in the Mediterranean. Also, most of SeaDream’s Yachting Voyages feature late night stays in port so that you can enjoy the night life.

Reason # 2: Small doesnt mean sacrificing big-ship amenities. SeaDream vessels feature all ocean view staterooms with Bvlgari bath amenities, the SEADREAM Spa with 8 massage therapists and a member of the Thai Spa Association the only one of its kind at sea, sauna, exercise room with the latest equipment and ocean views, beauty salon, casino, piano bar, library, large pool deck, Jacuzzi, boutique, 30 Course golf simulator, Top Of the Yacht Bar with 360 degree views, even a big screen under the stars and much more.

Reason # 3: SeaDream vessels have something most ships dont have. Outdoor dining or al fresco, open seating dining, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dining aboard SeaDream is defined as Cuisine La Minute, made to order with only the freshest ingredients. Even the ice cream is “Yacht Made.”

Reason # 4: SeaDream’s vessels feature an expansive marina at the back of the ship with lots of toys for enjoying the water when the ship is anchored, including:

• 2-man Ocean Kayaks
• Topper Sailboat
• Towable Banana Sled
• Windsurfer
• Wake boards & water skis
• (2) Yamaha Wave Runners
• Island trampoline
• Snorkeling & Swimming

For adventures ashore, SeaDream carries mountain bicycles.

Reason # 5: On SeaDream, you won’t pay extra for alcohol, including fine wines and champagnes. The four bars on board feature select premium brands.

Reason # 6: You can sleep under the stars on SeaDreams signature Balinese Dream Beds. Just make the request and SeaDream staff will provide turn down service and your choice of pillows, Belgian linens and a cozy duvet.

Reason # 7: SeaDream has a high staff-to-guest ratio, with nearly one staff person for each guest. Service is impeccable, with a maximum of 56 couples to 95 crew.

Reason # 8: On board SeaDream, dress is resort casual and relaxed.

Reason # 9: There’s caviar and more caviar. SEADREAM’S Champagne and Caviar Splash is conducted on the beach in the Caribbean and is followed by a beach barbeque served on china and around the Pool Deck in the Mediterranean.

Reason # 10: In essence, SeaDream is yachting not cruising. There is a difference. Good things do come in small packages.

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Most of us understand that you get what you pay for in life. If, for instance, you find something in the bargain bin, you are not entirely surprised if it doesn’t stand up to hard scrutiny or use. Well, times being what they are, we have had to readjust some of our thinking on the values that are now available in the luxury cruise market. We would never equate a vacation with Regent Seven Seas Cruises with a found item from the bargain bin, but we would say that the incentives that Regent is offering are some of the most attractive we’ve ever seen for a luxury cruise.

Regent, which delivers a superb luxury cruise vacation, offers free air and free shore excursions. Regent also has an extensive menu of complimentary services that eliminate many of the niggling expenses that drive cruise passengers nuts — such as for wine, cocktails, bottled water and soft drinks. All of this adds up to an impressive set of savings that makes a Regent cruise much more affordable; those of us who are in position to buy during these lean times can certainly enjoy some fabulous bargains.

Regent Seven Seas’ ships continue to deliver the history- and culture-rich itineraries that luxury guests expect. Varying in length from seven-night cruises in favorite areas such as Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean to an around-the-world Grand Voyage, Regent’s programs continue to offer a diverse collection of luxury cruise options.

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Princess Cruises, which introduced the first of its top-deck Movies Under the Stars screens several years ago, is partnering with film critic Leonard Maltin to create discussion groups based on the movies that are shown during its cruises. Princess will showcase a Maltin-selected movie each month on all ships, and guests who want to participate can join the Leonard Maltin Movie Club to discuss the film. The movie club provides passengers the opportunity to join fellow film buffs to discuss specially selected motion pictures during their cruise. Also, the relationship with Maltin extends further. The new Leonard Maltin Movie Channel will show popular and classic movies in staterooms.

The partnership celebrated the fifth anniversary of Movies Under the Stars, which first debuted on Caribbean Princess. The giant Times Square-style movie screens are now available on most other ships in the Princess fleet. Movies Under the Stars has been popular from the opening credits, and Princess decided to draw more attention to the feature with the Maltin partnership.

The Leonard Maltin Movie Club invites passengers to view a specially selected film on Movies Under the Stars or in the Princess Theater. Each month, a new movie will be featured, with a special video introduction from Mr. Maltin. Soon, films will be announced Princess’ website prior to the sailing, so passengers will know what Movie Club selection will be presented on their cruise.  After the film is shown, the cruise staff will host a gathering for passengers featuring a group discussion of the film, guided by questions and trivia from Mr. Maltin. The one-hour club meeting is open to all passengers.

As part of this new relationship with Princess, Leonard Maltin will be traveling aboard a Princess ship, on a cruise that will be announced later on, to share his movie insights with passengers in a series of onboard presentations, and to host the Movie Club.

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Stepping aboard Nieuw Amsterdam in Venice felt much like stepping aboard Eurodam two years ago in Rotterdam.

With deck plans from either ship, you could easily find your way around the other. Indeed, during an age when other companies are introducing ships with headline-grabbing innovations — grass lawns and restaurant complexes on Celebrity, entertainment megaplexes on Oasis and Epic — Holland America Line continues to steer the course with its Signature-class ships — traditional mid-size vessels with a mix of the tried-and-true. HAL President and CEO Stein Kruse calls it “part of the beauty of Holland America Line, consistency as we build classes of ships.”

The key difference between Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam is largely in the decor. Through art, craftwork and photos, Nieuw Amsterdam reflects the history and spirit of New York City (known, of course, as Nieuw Amsterdam to its Dutch founders.) There’s even a New York City Checker Cab and a hot dog stand (non-functioning) in Club HAL.

That’s not to say there is nothing new on the 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam, the fourth vessel to carry the name for the line. Nieuw Amsterdam debuts a new wine pairing dinner called the Master Chef’s Table. The special evening in a semi-private room in the Pinnacle Grill features seven courses served on signature Versace plates.

A mix of travel agents on board Nieuw Amsterdam referred to the ship in terms of “feels like coming home” and praised Holland America Line’s high standards of service.

Holland America Line executives emphasized the company’s continued investment in its fleet and the exceptional value of a “premium category” cruise on board HAL ships. “After being on this ship for the last week, what I’ve continued to see and experience is that the premium category is where the whole value relationship continues to be extremely strong,” said Rick Meadows, Holland America Line’s Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs. “I look at this ship and reflect back on all the other ships in the fleet. The on-board product and service delivery is just so solid and so strong. In this economy, one would think that the tendency would be to pull back, and that’s just not happening.”

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Cunard Line, and in fact, members of the British Royalty owe a debt of gratitude to Micky Arison.

His company, Carnival Corporation, purchased British-owned Cunard in 1998 and resuscitated the venerable cruise line, founded in 1840 but slowly sinking under the weight of an old fleet.

Soon after purchasing Cunard, Micky and his Carnival Corporation ordered the Queen Mary 2. Cunard’s first purpose-built ship since the 1970′s marked the beginning of a new life for the company, and the line has since taken delivery of two additional ships, Queen Victoria in 2007 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010.

Carnival Corporation’s capital infusion makes Cunard “one of the oldest names in passenger shipping, now operating the youngest fleet in the world,” says the friendly and capable Peter Shanks, Cunard Line’s president.

Simply put, Micky Arison saved Cunard, which should put him in the ranks of British royalty and nobility. So where are his titles and medals?

I, and a group of fellow journalists, ran into Micky aboard the new Queen Elizabeth. We had been talking to Lord Jeffrey Sterling, the Life President of P&O Cruises, and much-bedecked with medals that lined the upper pocket of his jacket and hung from his neck.

When asked, the affable Lord Sterling gave us a brief summary of the meaning of the medals. Turning later to Wikipedia for further explanation, I learned that he had been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1977 and was knighted in the 1985 New Year’s Honours List, for public services and services to industry. He was created a life peer as Baron Sterling of Plaistow, of Pall Mall in the City of Westminster in 1990 peer in Mrs Margaret Thatcher’s resignation honours list. He holds an honorary commission in the Royal Naval Reserve of Rear Admiral and is associated with HMS President.

As we stood there, I informed the others that Micky also had a medal of sorts: the NBA championship ring that he proudly wore.

Owner of the Miami Heat and a basketball fanatic, Micky told us that he would be heading back to Florida the next day to see his team (literally, his team) play against Moscow (the Heat won 96-85). Standing there with his wife Madeleine, Micky expressed pride in recruiting Lebron James, who he called the “world’s best basketball player.” Clearly, Micky brings equal enthusiasm to basketball and cruising.

I for one would like to see Micky awarded a peerage title for saving Cunard. I don’t know whether such titles require British citizenry. Apparently not. A quick search on the internet reveals that Micky, or anyone for that matter, can acquire a title for the low price of $197 (normally a $397 value!), and according to the advertising copy, buyers can expect a lifetime of privilege.

But alas, Micky Arison is not one for such pomp and circumstance. Somewhat shy by nature, he likely wouldn’t wear medals that would attract additional attention. No, I am quite certain that for Micky Arison a peerage title for saving Cunard isn’t necessary. A simple thank you would do just fine.

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Celebrity Solstice debuted in November 2008 to virtually unanimous raves for its architecture, décor and design. Its nearly-identical-in-every-way sister, Celebrity Equinox, was launched the next summer.

With these ships, I wondered: Could Celebrity deliver its premium level of cruising on a 122,000 ton, 2,850 guest ship (space ratio: 43)? Would the cruise experience match the quality of the ship itself? I found the answers on my summer 2009 Mediterranean cruise on Solstice.

On that cruise, Solstice was sailing at more than 100 percent capacity. With nearly 500 kids under 18 on board, Solstice was carrying 3,047 guests.

About 80 percent were from the United States, with the next two largest groups coming from Canada and Britain. There was a nice mix of other Europeans as well. The guests were served by a crew complement of 1352 (2.3 guest/crew ratio; about average for the category). In all areas that I could tell, it seemed as though there was more than enough staff to take care of all guest needs.

In the casual restaurant, the Oceanview Café, I sat and watched as guests left their tables. Within seconds, plates and silverware were removed, and the table made ready for the next users. A couple of times, there were spills on the floor which were promptly taken care of.

Wherever I went to eat and drink, there was staff ready to make the experience delightful. And they weren’t just prompt, they were friendly and efficient. In many cases, they got to know me and what my personal requests would be. And, that’s no mean feat on a ship this size with so many guests as well as ten restaurants and over a dozen bars.

On the two pool days, with the pool area crowded, there were plenty of servers walking around, and the pool bar service was quite quick. Another nice touch took place the night I had dinner in Tuscan Grille (the Italian Steakhouse). After the first two courses, the headwaiter suggested I relax and take a a break before the main course in order to allow some digestion time. He knew the main course was a big one and the suggestion was perfect.

As were the dinners I had in all three alternative restaurants. Between Tuscan Grille, Murano for contemporary French cuisine and Silk Harvest for Asian food, I do not know if there is a finer triplet of alternative restaurants at sea. The décor and mood in each is perfect. The menu offerings (especially the escargot in Murano and the steak tartare in Tuscan) were sensational. And the service was of an exceptional high quality. At $30 for Murano, $25 for Tuscan and $20 for Silk Harvest, the surcharges are not cheap but they are a good value.

For a couple on a ten-night cruise such as the one I was on, eating in each of the three one time would cost $150, not unreasonable for the experience and the quality and quantity of food. And eating in the alternative restaurants is a nice change from the main restaurant. No matter how pretty the room and extensive the offerings, ten nights in the same restaurant at the same table can get a bit old. So, the alternative restaurants, or the casual nighttime buffet offered in Oceanview Café (maybe the most gorgeous and well laid-out casual restaurant outside of the luxury category) or even room service is a nice change.

Beyond these five places to eat, there are five more: Blu is the restaurant set up for AquaClass guests is gorgeous, and if the service at lunch in dinner is as good as what I experienced when I snuck in for breakfast one day, the folks that get to eat there are sure to enjoy it.

I pooh-poohed the idea of Bistro on Five, the creperie with fresh made food and a variety of salads. With a small surcharge ($5 for unlimited eats), I figured it was superfluous. Wrong! It was the perfect place for lunch on a sea day when the buffet area was crowded. I had the “Cowboy” crepe and Caesar salad – a delicious combo.

The Mast Grill is the small outside venue for hot dogs, burgers and salads. Joseph even made my hot dogs very well done and toasted the bun as well, just the way I like it.

For healthier food than dogs and burgers, there is also the AquaSpa Café for “healthy alternative” breakfasts and lunches. It’s a hidden gem with lovely-to-look-at food. I spent more time eating at the tenth spot, the Gelateria with yummy Italian ice cream (the small surcharge was worth it).

Also helping to make this a true premium experience was the ability to walk around the ship in the late afternoon, early evening before dinner or a show and late night as well and listen to live music. On any given night there were nine or so spots for listening to jazz, or piano, or classical guitar, or an accordionist, a dance band, a string quartet and even an a capella group. Of course there were activities and entertainment options galore, especially on sea days. There were lecturers whose topics included the areas in which we were cruising.

Celebrity has done a very good job of extending their audience. Even on this cruise in Europe, there were many multi-generational groups enjoying the experience. My one gripe would be that many among the nearly 500 under 18 could get a bit rambunctious, and often the parents were overly permissive, putting the cruise line in a tough spot when it came to behavior and appearance. One change I would make in favor of adults would be to limit the solarium pool area to 18 and older rather than the loosely followed 16 and older rule.

Beyond that, this was an exceptional cruise and proved that premium cruising can indeed come in a big package.

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En Route To Prague, The Czech Republic – Recapping events of our seven-day cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, Cordula Deeken, Hotel Manager on AMA Waterways’ Amadagio, proudly proclaimed that we were close to breaking an all-time record: 279 bottles of wine consumed, only 23 bottles shy of a record set last summer. The audience applauded during the cocktail reception on the final night of our cruise. We were sure to surpass the standing record, because dinner and a New Year’s Eve ‘practice’ party still were ahead of us, and on Amadagio corks go popping with great frequency thanks to the ship’s policy of ‘wine and beer included’ with dinner.

Our cruise started in Budapest on Christmas Eve, sailed along the Danube River to visit the Austrian cities of Vienna, Melk, Ybbs, Linz, called on Germany’s Passau and Regensburg, transited the manmade Main-Danube Canal and crossed the Continental Divide (a feat that required locks to lift our ship approximately 1,400 feet above sea level) before ending in Nuremberg.

In each port of call, AMA Waterways included well-organized city tours as well as nominally priced optional tours. At least one tour in each port is included, because the company strives to be as all-inclusive as possible. Also free of charge: the use of bicycles carried on board, bottled water in staterooms, ‘infotainment’ systems in every stateroom equipped with a monitor and keyboard for internet access (wireless internet is available in the Verandah Lounge), TV, movies (approximately $5 per rental, with at least one feature movie free of charge each day), music playlists and a satellite phone with rates of about $1.25 per minute to call home.

Built in 2006, the 150-passenger Amadagio is a sister ship to the Amalegro. Standard staterooms measure 170 square feet, and all but a few feature French balconies, with floor-to-ceiling glass spanning the entire exterior wall. Beds rival those of the finest hotels, with plush European-style down pillows and down duvets. Also in staterooms: terrycloth bathrobes. The ships also feature four Junior Suites, measuring 255 square feet, with bathrooms that feature a bathtub and shower.

Catering primarily to North Americans and Australians, Amadagio has a nonsmoking policy, except on the exterior Sun Deck; presentations and announcements are in English only. The ship’s open-seating dining arrangement has many tables for two. Though meals are tailored toward Americans, regional specialties (and regional wines) are also served.

With four interior public decks, Amadagio also features an elevator and one of the most attractive public rooms we’ve seen on a river cruiser, the Verandah Lounge, situated Aft, with glass doors all around and comfortable furniture for lounging as the banks of the river float past (during drydock, the lounge will be converted to a library). Additionally, Amadagio features a small spa, whirlpool, beauty salon and fitness facility.

Our near-full sailing took place around the Christmas holidays. AMA Waterways, and a few other river cruisers, operate so-called ‘Christmas Markets’ cruises from late November through December. These cruises visit the traditional Christmas Markets in Hungary, Austria and Germany.

Almost all cities and towns on the itineraries have some sort of Christmas activities as well as market stalls set up in a central area. Also available is traditional food (such as Lebkuchen — or Gingerbread) and drink (such as Gluehwein — or mulled warm red wine).

Nuremberg boasts the world’s largest Christmas market, with more than 100 red and white canvas-topped stalls offering an assortment of children’s toys, tinsel angels, dolls, Nutcrackers, dollhouses and more. Our cruise took place the week after Christmas, however, and some of the markets were closed.

One of the highlights of our cruise would take place not on the ship but during the included post-cruise program: two nights in Prague. We were looking forward to spending New Year’s Eve in the city that the German poet Goethe called ‘the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world.’ It seemed to be a perfect and appropriate way not only to end the year and begin a new one but also to conclude what had been a wonderful week floating past some of Europe’s grandest cities.

AMA Waterways’  ships will appeal to those who prefer familiar foods (but with opportunities to try regional wines and specialities), a familiar language and a near all-inclusive cruise experience.

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Since 2006, I’ve celebrated Christmas with friends and family in an unlikely setting — on the rivers of Europe. It’s a tradition that I have very much enjoyed and one that I plan to continue.

I love the cozy feeling of being on a vessel that transports me, and a hundred or so others, along the main arteries of Europe during this festive time of year. I enjoy bundling up to stroll historic city streets among the Christmas markets and returning to the ship to sip on hot mulled cider or, when the mood strikes, Gluhwein.

If you’re lucky, as I have been on a few Christmas cruises, snow will blanket the villages along the rivers. Last year, I trudged on powder with my family and friends through the uber-charming Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We felt like we were walking in a fairy tale. Christmas trees were decorated with red ribbons and sparkly white lights. Branches were laden with clumps of snow that had fallen from the rooftops. Icicles appeared like mini-stalactites from awnings, and under them, shop windows presented everything from wurst to gingerbread cookies, baked in Old World tradition.

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Cruising to or from Amsterdam? Why not do what the Dutch do and straddle a saddle? Hop on a bike and pedal your way through Amsterdam and the beautiful countryside.

Everyone, from crib to coffin, pedals a bike in Amsterdam. The entire country of the Netherlands is mostly flat and ideal for cycling, but the best part is that cyclists pedal along roads either with no cars at all (with tiny traffic lights for bikes) — or with drivers who actually pay attention to cyclists.

That is why Dutch cyclists are 30 times less likely to be killed than their stateside counterparts, according to Bicycling magazine. And that is why for tourists, cycling is a match made, well, in the Netherlands.

You can pedal in the city center, of course, but the real pleasure comes in getting out in the countryside. During my visit to Amsterdam, the rental agency, Mac Bike, recommended a route called “The Great Waterland Bicycle Tour.”

I followed the route, well described on the map, through Amsterdam, riding past charming canals, beautiful architecture, past pedestrians (and nearly over one or two who stepped in front of the bike) and alongside other cyclists and eventually found my way to the train station and the ferry across to Waterland, north of Amsterdam.

The ferries are free and transit every five minutes or so. A ramp lowers and you push your bike on.

In fact, I don’t think there is any public facility that hasn’t been set up for bikes. Even outdoor stairways, have a steel gutter to accommodate the bike’s wheels.

The ferry transit is only a couple of minutes, and I stood there among a throng of other cyclists waiting to reach the other side.

Once on the other side, I and the others pedaled off. After about an hour of pedaling past attractive countryside, I stopped for lunch in a beautiful seaside village, where I dined on a plate of mussels, french fries, salad, bread, applesauce and cole slaw.

Fortified, I pedaled again. I rode along a dyke through Uitdam and to the charming village of Marken, where the fishermen’s houses were built on poles.

The town is a tourist attraction, where all the homes are painted a dark green with red tile roofs.

During my ride, I learned at least two things about cycling in the Netherlands. The first was how to carry three ice cream cones on a bike. I saw a girl doing just that.

To carry three, she turned one cone upside down on top of the other so that she had only to contend with two cones in one hand. Smart.

I also learned how to carry twins. I saw a woman riding a bike with the front end having two wheels and a cart in between. Up front were the twin girls. I learned that this is quite common in the Netherlands.

I continued to ride to Monnickendam, a charming village, then to Zuiderwoude, where I could see the “Welcome to the town limits” and “You Are Leaving the town limits” signs as I pedaled in. There was a wonderful teahouse there.

I rode along the Amstel, past barges and boats to the small village of Ouderkerk ann de Amstel, older than Amsterdam. I stopped there to have an apple shortcake from a century-old bakery and a Witte beer at a restaurant dating back to 1624.

I picked my way back to the ferry. The complete circuit took more than six hours and was so enjoyable. I hope to do it again one day.

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Round up granny, grandpa and the cousins and head for the Last Frontier, Princess Cruises has announced a 12-night cruisetour option geared to families (who don’t mind taking the kids out of school to do it!), with five departures offered in May, 2012. The cruisetours include family-fun stuff to do, from a sternwheeler boat ride to panning for gold.

“This is really the ultimate family vacation,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family.”

The cruisetour includes a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, one night at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. On sea days, families can also take advantage of Princess’ onboard programs geared to children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.

In addition, special tour extras included in the fare are daily breakfast, Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (from Fairbanks, travel on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try gold panning), ”Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch” (gets families to wilderness lodge faster), Denali Natural History Tour (intimate tour of Denali National Park), and a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Center.

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