One of the most beautiful cities in America to sail into, San Francisco has long been a contender as one of the country's best ports. But new efforts to redevelop its waterfront and build a state-of-the-art cruise terminal combined with fantastic sightseeing and easy-to-access air service, put it over the top.
In Carnival's new Alchemy Bar, currently available on Carnival Liberty, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory, you create your own concoction on a "prescription" pad -- and let the bartender do the hard work. Not feeling creative? There's also a standard bar menu with various drinks for different "ailments."
Windstar Cruises' trio of sleek, masted sailing ships with computer-directed sails offers an intriguing balance of sophisticated pampering, exceptional service and luxurious amenities. Yet, it keeps the atmosphere low-key. The ships' itineraries tend toward more offbeat ports in places like Central America, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
Disney invests an enormous amount of time and money in creating unique "port adventures," with tours created specifically for adults (such as a cooking session at a Tuscan villa or a roll-your-own-cigar workshop in Nassau) and families (a Hummer ride through rustic Alaska or making salsa and learning to dance in Cabo San Lucas).
Whether you're on Holland America's newer ships or older ones, its cabins, which are larger than average by industry standards, have received a massive "Signatures of Excellence" upgrade. This includes new bedding, flat-screens with DVD players in all staterooms and, in most cases, bathrooms with tubs -- a perk that's becoming a rarity in new cruise ships.
Disney's Dream and Fantasy offer cruising's only windowless cabins with a view, courtesy of a virtual porthole displaying a variety of different vistas to brighten up a cabin category that typically doesn't see natural light. Designed with families in mind, the cabins also offer a good amount of storage space, combination shower and tub, and Disney's typical attention to detail throughout.
