Flagships of the Caribbean

Norwegian Cruise Line’s (800-327-7030; www.ncl.com) Norwegian Jewel makes her debut in August 2005. The 92,000-ton, 2,400-guest ship offers NCL’s “Freestyle Cruising,” with 10 restaurants to choose from. A distinctive feature on the Jewel is its courtyard villas, complete with private patios and sun decks. The largest, called the Garden Villa, is 3,350 square feet and includes a living room, dining room and three bedrooms. “Bar Central” will be an area featuring a martini bar, a champagne and wine bar, and a beer and whisky pub. Jewel will also have the Bora Bora Health Spa and Beauty Salon, operated by Mandara Spa. Wi-Fi will be available, along with extensive facilities for kids and teens.  

Oceania Cruises’ (800-822-2841; www.oceaniacruises.com) 30,277-ton 684-passenger Regatta offers the atmosphere one might find at an upscale country club — it even has an Edwardian-style double staircase. Geared toward the sophisticated traveler, Regatta has eight lounges, a 12-piece orchestra and a world-class spa. Menus at the four open-seating restaurants were created by award-winning master chef Jacques Pépin. 

The 50,000-ton Seven Seas Mariner was designed to offer an intimate, upscale cruising experience. She is the world’s first all-suite, all-balcony ship, and the first to offer Le Cordon Bleu dining in Signatures, one of four single, open-seating restaurants. Catering to only 700 guests, Seven Seas Mariner is one of the most spacious cruise ships afloat, and her staff-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.6 provides the highest level of personal service in fitting with the tradition of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (877-505-5370; www.rssc.com). The Mariner also has a Carita Spa & Fitness Center. 

MSC Opera, the new 58,600-ton, 1,756-passenger ship of MSC Cruises (800-666-9333; www.msccruises.com), features a contemporary Italian design and a true sense of grandeur and spaciousness both inside and out. Public areas feature airy, open spaces with walls of windows overlooking decks and a marble reception area. Next to the private spa- treatment rooms there is a relaxation and meditation area (complete with small teak beds) surrounded by ocean-view windows. She has two restaurants, a grill and pizzeria, two pools, two hydro-massages, a beauty center, an Internet café, a pub and piano bar, a casino and disco, a theater and Children’s Club. 

Bringing a classic Italian atmosphere to the region is CostaCruises’ (800-247-7320; www.costacruise.com) 86,000-ton, 2,114-passenger CostaMediterranea, which sails round-trip to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. Designed with 17th- and 18th-century Italian palazzos in mind, her 12 passenger decks evoke the elegance of European style, with touches of Carrara marble and Murano glass. At the heart of the ship is the Maschera d’Argento Atrium, where a soaring sculpture of airborne dancers spans 10 decks. There are also a spa and three swimming pools, one with a magrodome so the pool can be used in any weather.

Caribbean Travel & Life is the magazine for anyone in search of the perfect tropical getaway. Each issue presents expert insider’s advice on where to find the Caribbean’s best beaches and attractions, its finest resorts and spas, liveliest beach bars and activities, and its friendliest people.   

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