The Top Cruise Advisors

Goldilocks had a simple predicament: choosing the right bed and bowl. When booking a cruise you need to consider, in addition to ship size (Small? Medium? Large? And what’s the difference?), a slew of other factors that will affect your experience: the itinerary, the ship’s amenities and culinary cred, the excursions, the cabin types and locations. The advisers below focus on cruising. They know the cruise lines and all their ships. They know deck plans in detail. (Yes, every ship has bad cabins—you do not, for example, want to be over the stern thrusters.) They know the ships’ different vibes, and will also, importantly, make sure that they understand your likes, dislikes, and interests. Think of them as matchmakers who will also help with logistics: private drivers and guides in ports of call (who wants to be on a bus?), pre- and post-cruise hotels, and the thicket of travel regulations. I have known and worked with all three for years, and they are also on travel guru Wendy Perrin's WOW List of trusted travel experts, where you can read consumer reviews.