Big-Ship Cruise Lines

MSC Cruises

6750 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. tel. 800/666-9333. www.msccruises.com.

MSC Cruises, a line with Italian heritage and a subsidiary of shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Co., is one of the fastest-growing cruise lines out there. A few years ago MSC was an up-and-coming player, mixing a fleet of older, classic style ships with mostly midsize vessels. These days the line is adding megaships to its fleet that compete on size and amenities with the biggest cruise companies, has made a big push into the U.S. market, and has firmly established itself in the contemporary cruise market.

The company offers what it calls "classic Italian cruising," focusing on service and playing up its Italian ambience -- Italian actress Sophia Loren is the godmother to four MSC Cruises ships. The line was trying to "Americanize" some aspects of the voyages in order to make the Continental vibe seem more familiar to U.S. passengers, such as offering coffee along with dessert (instead of afterward) and adding more items to the breakfast buffet. Still, the passenger mix is more international than many other lines. Itineraries are port-intensive, and the onboard experience friendly and fun.

The MSC Musica (built in 2006; 2,550 passengers; 89,000 GRTs), is a good example of where MSC Cruises is headed, hardware-wise: It's got room for a minigolf course, a sushi bar, an Internet cafe, a solarium, yoga classes, a wine bar and a children's playroom in addition to all the usual activities you'll find on ships (a casino, gym, sauna, and so on). Nearly 830 of the 1,275 suites and cabins have private balconies.

Itinerary & Rates -- MSC Musica -- Seven-day round-trip cruise from Venice calls at Bari (Italy), Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Corfu, and Dubrovnik (Croatia). Sundays, March 16 through November 2. Rates: from 650€ ($899).

Norwegian Cruise Line

7665 Corporate Center Dr. Miami, FL 33126. tel. 866/625-1166. www.ncl.com.

Many mega-cruise lines operate with dinner seatings at set times and offer an alternative restaurant or two for a change of pace. Not so NCL; this company pushed the envelope a few years ago with a concept called Freestyle Dining: Pick one of several restaurants and make a reservation for dinner or stroll in whenever, just as you would at a shoreside restaurant. NCL started building its ships to take advantage of the Freestyle concept, and the result is a fleet of new ships that offer about 10 restaurant choices. Another difference: No required formal nights.

The Norwegian Jade (built in 2006; 2,400 passengers; 93,500 GRTs) has 10 restaurants, ranging from Japanese teppanyaki to steaks to French fare; plus a collection of themed bars, a karaoke lounge, an observation lounge, and all the other regular goodies of a modern cruise ship. Although NCL operates in the contemporary, big-ship business, it has a couple of surprises when it comes to the very best suites, The Garden Villas: two 4,390-square-foot apartments with three bedrooms, a living/dining room overlooking the pool deck, a private, outdoor courtyard with a hot tub, and a sun deck with loungers.

Itineraries & Rates -- Norwegian Jade -- Twelve-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Izmir (Turkey), Mykonos, Santorini, Iraklion, overnights in Alexandria (Egypt), and calls at Corfu and Katakolon. April 11, September 19, and October 13. Operates the itinerary in reverse order on April 23 and October 1 and 25. Rates: From 1,013€ ($1,399).

Ocean Village

Richmond House, Terminus Terrace, Southampton, U.K. SO14 3PN. tel. +44 845/075-0032. www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk.

Ocean Village's tagline is that it's a cruise line "for people who don't do cruises." It's a vibrant line (from its bright website to its fun-colored cruise ships) for a primarily British audience of vacationers who aren't into the two-dinner-seating-dress-codes-and-formality of a more traditional cruise. Its two ships, the Ocean Village (built in 1989; 1,578 passengers; 63,500 GRTs) and Ocean Village Two (built in 1990; 1,708 passengers; 63,524 GRTs), boast a fun, relaxed atmosphere -- there's no formal dress code, for example. The ships even pack a few mountain bikes onboard for passengers who want to check out the ports on two wheels.

Itineraries & Rates -- Ocean Village -- Seven-night round-trip Iraklion cruise calls at Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Cephalonia, Katakolon, and Athens every other Thursday, from April 17 through October 16. Rates: from £599 ($1,228) Seven-night round-trip Iraklion cruise calls at Limassol (Cyprus), Rhodes, Ephesus (Turkey), Mykonos, and Santorini. Alternating Thursdays from April 24 to October 23. Rates: From £659 ($1,352). A 14-night cruise encompassing both routes starts at £949 ($1,946).

Oceania Cruises

8300 NW 33rd St., Suite 308 Miami, FL 33122. tel. 800/531-5619. www.oceaniacruises.com.

This cruise line has grown quickly since its 2003 debut. It now boasts three ships, and it has orders in for two new 1,260-passenger ships. The current vessels are identical in layout, and their sizes, at 680 passengers each, make them cozy and intimate but able to stock a lot of amenities like multiple restaurants and big spas. Oceania straddles the line between the small luxury players and the larger, though less pricey, premium cruise lines. It tries to offer a reasonably priced yet intimate, casual, upscale experience.

Insignia and Nautica (built in 1998-2000; 684 passengers; 30,277 GRTs), are the two ships sailing in Greece. The emphasis is on casual, so you won't need to dress up (or even bring a tie or fancy dress). Many of the outside cabins have nice-size balconies. Public rooms, too, are of the big-but-not-too-big mold, and there are nice touches throughout the ships like teak decks and DVD players in the cabins. Eight private cabanas at the very top of the ship can be reserved for the day or for the whole cruise and come with a dedicated attendant and food and beverage services. Two restaurants, the Polo steakhouse and Toscana Italian trattoria, are fine complements to the main restaurant.

Itinerary & Rates -- Insignia -- Twelve-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Katakolon, Corfu, Sarande (Albania), Dubrovnik (Croatia), and overnights in Athens. August 20. Rates: Two-for-one pricing starts at 2,388€ ($3,299) per person. Fourteen-day Istanbul-to-Venice cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Mitilini, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, Positano (Italy), Taormina (Italy), Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik (Croatia), and overnights in Venice. May 10. Rates: Two-for-one pricing starts at 2,531€ ($3,499) per person.

Nautica -- Twelve-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Katakolon, Corfu, Sarande (Albania), Dubrovnik (Croatia), and overnights in Athens. May 20, July 19, September 5 and 17, and October 25. Rates: Two-for-one pricing starts from 2,170€ to 2,388€ ($2,999-$3,299) per person. Fourteen-day Istanbul-to-Venice cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Mitilini, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, Positano (Italy), Taormina (Italy), Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik (Croatia), and overnights in Venice. September 29. Rates: Two-for-one pricing starts at 2,895€ ($3,999) per person. Twelve-day Istanbul-to-Civitavecchia (Italy) cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Mitilini, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Santorini, Delos, Mykonos, Athens, Positano (Italy), Portofino (Italy), and Livorno (Italy). July 31. Rates: Two-for-one pricing starts at 2,388€ ($3,299) per person. Twelve-day Venice-to-Athens cruise overnights in Venice and calls at Pula (Croatia), Umbria (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia) Kotor (Montenegro), Sarande (Albania), Corfu, Aghios Nikolaos, Santorini, Kusadasi (Turkey), Delos, and Mykonos. October 13. Rates: Two-for-one pricing starts at 2,170€ ($2,999) per person.

Princess Cruises

24844 Ave. Rockefeller, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. tel. 800/PRINCESS. www.princess.com.

Premium U.S. operator Princess hasn't completely shed its "Love Boat" past. Captain Stubing still makes appearances on behalf of the line now and then, but it's grown up into a multi-destination, multi-megaship line that blends California-style casual with elegance and sophistication. Princess has been raising its profile in the Eastern Med; last year it christened one of its biggest ships, the Emerald Princess (built in 2007; 3,080 passengers; 113,000 GRTs), in Athens, and the Emerald will be returning in 2008. The line's Grand-class ships, which are the inspiration for Emerald Princess and her sisters, are fixtures in Europe during the summers. Grand Princess (built in 1998; 2,600 passengers; 109,000 GRTs) also will ply Mediterranean and Greek waters.

You can easily recognize the Grand and her sisters because the stern (the rear of the ship) is straight up and down, and a horizontal bar stretches across the top, like a giant cruise-ship sports-car spoiler. It's the ship's nightclub and the highest perch, affording views all around (and down!). These ships have other features -- as well they should, since they'll be some of the largest cruise ships in Greece in 2008. You can choose between eating at a fixed time each night a la traditional cruise-ship dining, or dining at a different time and table every night. Two good features on the Emerald: The adults-only, shaded relaxation grotto at the top of the ship called the Sanctuary, and a minigolf course (called Princess Links). Throw in good-size kids and teens zones and a plethora of show lounges, bars, and pools, and you've got ships that can keep you busy for a week, never mind the destination.

Itineraries & Rates -- Grand Princess -- Twelve-day Venice-to-Civitavecchia cruise overnights in Venice and calls at Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Katkolon, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Santorini, and Naples (Italy). May 14, September 23, and October 29. Rates: Starting from 1,368€ to 1,548€ ($1,890-$2,140). Twelve-day Civitavecchia-to-Venice cruise calls at Monte Carlo (Monaco), Livorno (Italy), Naples (Italy), Santorini, Kusadasi (Turkey), Mykonos, Athens, Katakolon, and Corfu. May 2, September 11, and October 17. Rates: Starting from 1,368€ to 1,585€ ($1,890-$2,190).

Emerald Princess -- Twelve-day Civitavecchia-to-Venice cruise calls at Monte Carlo (Monaco), Livorno (Italy), Naples (Italy), Santorini, Kusadasi (Turkey), Mykonos, Athens, Katakolon, and Corfu. June 17 and August 4. Rates: From 1,766€ ($2,440). Twelve-day Venice-to-Civitavecchia cruise overnights in Venice and calls at Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Katakolon, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Santorini, and Naples (Italy). June 5 and July 23. Rates: Starting from 1,730€ to 1,766€ ($2,390-$2,440).

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

1000 Corporate Dr., Suite 500, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334. tel. 800/285-1835. www.rssc.com.

In 1992, Radisson Hotels Worldwide decided to translate its hospitality experience to the cruise industry, offering to manage and market upscale ships for their international owners. Two years ago the company exchanged the name Radisson Seven Seas Cruises for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, but its commitment to luxury cruises has remained the same. The line has gradually downsized over the past few years, but it's left a core fleet of similar, small-to-midsize vessels, including Seven Seas Voyager (built in 2003; 700 passengers; 50,000 GRTs) and Seven Seas Navigator (built in 1999; 490 passengers; 33,000 GRTs).

Seven Seas Voyager is an all-suite, all-balcony luxury vessel. It's both larger and faster than the earlier Regent ships. Decor is muted and sophisticated. The ship's size means it's easy to get around to the different restaurants and bars. Select alcoholic beverages are included in the rates. The four restaurants onboard (five if you count the Pool Grill) include Signatures, operated by Le Cordon Bleu of Paris. Another draw is the cabin configurations: walk-in closets, big bathrooms, lots of space to spread out, and a balcony with every cabin.

Seven Seas Navigator also will be in Greece. Navigator is a smaller, cozier sister to Voyager. All of its cabins have ocean views, and 90% of them have balconies. As on Voyager, the word on interior design is soft and neutral tones.

Itineraries & Rates -- Seven Seas Navigator -- Eleven-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise calls at Kusadasi, Rhodes, overnights in Alexandria (Egypt), and calls at Iraklion, Nafplion, Santorini, and Mykonos. September 9. Rates: From 5,102€ ($7,050). Eleven-day Monte Carlo-to-Athens cruise calls at Civitavecchia (Italy), Sorrento (Italy), Naxos (Italy) Mitilini, Istanbul (Turkey), Kusadasi (Turkey), Mykonos, Nafplion. September 27. Rates: From 4,773€ ($6,595). These rates include economy air; port charges not included.

Seven Seas Voyager -- Seven-day Venice-to-Istanbul voyage calls at Dubrovnik (Croatia), Kotor (Montenegro), Katakolon, Santorini, Kos, Bodrum (Turkey), and Mitilini. September 27. Rates: 4,193€ ($5,795). Seven-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise calls at Mykonos, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Turkey), Santorini, and Nafplion. October 4 and 18. Cruise operates in the reverse order October 11. Rates: From 3,904€ ($5,395). These rates include economy air; port charges not included.

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132. tel. 866/562-7625. www.royalcaribbean.com.

Heard about those megaships carrying the rock-climbing walls? Those are the vessels of Royal Caribbean International, which has made its unusual onboard features -- ice-skating rinks and self-leveling billiards tables, for example -- a benchmark for other companies in the cruise-vacation business. Royal Caribbean sells a reasonably priced, big-ship, American-style experience. And they do it very well: The line's ships are consistent and well run, and there are a lot of things to do onboard, from wine tastings to climbing the ubiquitous rock wall at the rear of the ship. Royal Caribbean cultivates an active, fun image, most typified through advertising that urges would-be cruisers to "get out there."

Royal Caribbean's behemoth Voyager-class ships, with room for 3,114 passengers and 138,000 GRTs will be sailing in Europe this summer, and one of them, the Navigator of the Seas (built in 2002) will be cruising to the Eastern Mediterranean; a few late-summer cruises will touch on ports in Turkey and in Athens and Thessoloniki. The ship that will be in the Ionian sea more often, however, is the Splendour of the Seas (built in 1996; 2,076 passengers; 70,000 GRTs). The vessel has an indoor-outdoor pool in the relaxing Solarium, the nautically themed Schooner Bar, an 18-hole miniature golf course and the Viking Crown Lounge, the observatory and disco perched at the very top of the ship.

Itineraries & Rates -- Splendour of the Seas -- Seven-day round-trip Venice cruises call at Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon, Corfu, and Split (Croatia). May 3, 17, and 31; June 14 and 28; July 26; August 9 and 23; September 6 and 20; October 4 and 18; and November 1 and 15. Rates: From 506€ ($699). Eight-day round-trip Venice cruise calls at Dubrovnik (Croatia), Iraklion, Kusadasi (Turkey), Santorini, and Corfu. July 11. Rates: Start at 868€ ($1,199).