Silversea Cruises

Fine-tuned and genteel, a Silversea cruise caters to guests who won't settle for anything but the best, and nothing seems to have been overlooked. The food and service are the best at sea, and the ships' Italian-style decor is warm and inviting. Tables are set with Christofle silver and Schott-Zwiesel crystal. These are dignified vessels for a dignified crowd that likes to dress for dinner. If you want the VIP treatment 24-7, this is your cruise line.

Pros

Doting service: Gracious and ultraprofessional, the Silversea crew knows how to please well-traveled guests with high expectations.

Truly all-inclusive: Unlimited wines and spirits are included in the rates, as are gratuities.

Excellent cuisine: Rivaling the best restaurants ashore, cuisine is as exquisite as it gets at sea. Each ship has two alternative venues for dinner, buffets are bountiful, and the room-service menu includes jumbo shrimp and other extravagant snacks.

Large staterooms and great bathrooms: Most of the line's suites are larger than Seabourn's and Crystal's, and the huge marble bathrooms are the best at sea (along with those on Regent's Seven Seas Navigator and Voyager).

Cons

Stuffy crowd: Of course, not every guest fits that bill, but expect a good portion of the crowd on any cruise to be . . . reserved.