This 2,850-passenger ship was created with the British market in mind and spends half the year cruising from Southampton, England, and the rest of the year in the Caribbean. All of the stunning features of the line's most elegant Solstice class are here, including the half-acre of lawn, the expansive SpaClub (operated by Canyon Ranch), and the jaw-dropping modern art collection. But when the ship is cruising from the U.K., you also get special little touches, such as a tea maker in every cabin.
Thoughtful Design: The main dining room, with a two-story glass wine tower at its center, is one of the most beautiful, contemporary spaces at sea. The bars and lounges are actually trendy — the Quasar disco takes a page from "Austin Powers" with its 1960s-style swinging chairs — and the theater looks and feels like, well, a real theater. But our favorite design aspect, added at the advice of a panel of female travelers, is the shaving bars in stateroom showers. Yeah, baby.
Great Dining Options: You can dine at Sushi on 5, head to the steakhouse, feast on Italian, continental, or Asian fare, or sample the playful (if not always successful) creations at Qsine, where you order on an iPad.
iLounge: This was the first ship to debut as an Authorized Apple Reseller. You can buy a new iPad, laptop, or iPhone on board and, while you have the time, take classes on how to use your new device.
Couples: There is a sexiness about this ship that adults ages 40 and up looking for some downtime together will find appealing.
Kids Will Be Bored: The ship has a kids program and facilities, but they aren't particularly impressive. And family attractions are lacking.
