OCEANIA

identical; two larger ships coming online in the next two years.

Size: 684 passengers, double occupancy; 593.7 feet long; 30,277 tons.

Staff: 400-plus (1 staffer to 1.7 passengers).

Dining: Four restaurants, all included in the cruise fare.

Enrichment programs: Guest lecturers, culinary demonstrations, dance lessons, arts & crafts.

Entertainment: Piano concerts, string quartet, 12-piece orchestra, soft jazz, illusionists, comedy. Facilities: Spa, fitness center, casino; no children's facilities or programs.

Average fares: $275-$300 per person per day, double occupancy; promotional fares cut the price significantly.

Ownership: Prestige Cruise Holdings; also owns Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Information: www.

oceaniacruises.com.

AZAMARA

The ships: Two identical ships, Journey and Quest, each carrying 694 passengers at double occupancy.

Size: 694 passengers at double occupancy; 593 feet long; 30,277 tons.

Staff: Slightly above 2 staffers per passenger.

Dining: Main dining room, two specialty restaurants, casual dining venue and casual buffet; all included in the fare.

Enrichment programs: Guest lecturers (investment tips, etc.).

Entertainment: Vocalists, piano, harp, jazz.

Facilities: Spa, fitness center, casino, spacious library; no children's facilities.

Average fares: Around $200 per person per day.

Ownership: Celebrity Cruises, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Information: www.

azamaracruises.com

HOLLAND AMERICA

The ships: 14 ships ranging from 2,106 passengers (Nieuw Amsterdam) to 793 (Prinsendam).

Size: 669 to 936 feet long; 347,848 to 86,700 tons.

Staff: Ratio of 1 staffer to 2.3 passengers.

Dining: Multiple venues on most ships, including alternative dining options for a fee ($10-$20).

Enrichment programs: Culinary demonstrations, Microsoft digital workshops, mixology, wine tasting.

Entertainment: Large-scale production musical, comedy, illusionists, DJ in nightclub, string quartet, eight-piece orchestra playing rock, vocalists singing Sinatra-era tunes.

Facilities: Spa, fitness center, casino; concierge lounge for deluxe and penthouse suites, children's areas and programs from age 3.

Fares: Discounted fares this year can run as little as $75 per person per day; typical fares can run to $200 per day depending on itinerary.

Ownership: Carnival Corp., which also owns Seabourn, Cunard, Princess, Costa and Carnival.

Information: www.

hollandamerica.com

CELEBRITY

The ships: Nine ships, ranging in capacity from 92 (Celebrity Xpedition) to 2,850 (Celebrity Solstice; most around 2,000.

Size: 77,713 tons to 122,000 tons (Xpedition is 2,842 tons; it sails exclusively in the Galapagos).

Staff: Ratio of 1 staffer to 2 guests.

Dining: Specialty restaurants on five ships, $5-$30.

Enrichment programs: Glass blowing on Solstice; lecturers on history, investments; celebrity speakers have included newsman Walter Cronkite.

Entertainment: DJs, live vocalists, a capella singers, large-scale production musicals, comedy, dance bands.

Facilities: Spa, fitness center, casino, martini bar, cinema, Internet cafe; children's area and programs. On the new Solstice class of ships, hot glass show, lawn club, wine room, various bars and lounges, jazz.

Fares: Discounts as little $100 per person per day; typical fares go to $250.

Ownership: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Information: www.

celebritycruises.com

-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE