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Handling shorter trips to the Caribbean out of its Miami homeport, Carnival Victory's vivid interior design pays homage to the world's oceans and seas, in bold strokes. Although we enjoyed our modestly priced cruise, the overall experience was off in a few key areas. And for anyone who prefers a ship with the latest bells and whistles, we recommend waiting until promised upgrades and renovations are put in place.

Queen Elizabeth is one of the most beautifully designed cruise ships we’ve had the pleasure of sailing. While we can't shake the thought that a certain level of service and amenities were limited only to pricey cabins, what stuck with us well after we returned home was the accessible elegance of the Queen Elizabeth.

Our cruise on Norwegian Jade was a mixed success, but definitely not without its attributes. We snagged a fairly inexpensive cabin visiting several very appealing Mediterranean ports, and looked forward to a sunny experience.

Princess Cruises aims for a consistent if conventional cruise experience. On our voyage aboard Star Princess the cabin was small and the dining unexceptional, but pool areas were expansive and service we received was polished and engaging. We found the ship caters well to the masses, delivering a little something for everyone.

Although Holland America's Veendam seemed overdue for a maintenance overhaul, we didn't encounter operational or sanitation issues and we had some genuinely good meals. If only the theater presented shows that were a bit more contemporary.

On Zaandam, our Interior Cabin was fine—not large, but adequate, and we slept comfortably. But our dining experiences were uneven and, considering the ship’s musical motif, several areas were overdue for cosmetic work to make it a bit more contemporary.

With lots of windows allowing ample natural light into common areas, this mid-size ship is a good bet for both first-time cruisers and veterans alike. But the surcharges added up, and a shortage of waiters in restaurants and hit-and-miss meals were areas where Radiance of the Seas should have been more radiant.

The Celebrity Infinity is contemporary and strikingly designed, for the most part. We were not wowed by the dining experience on Celebrity Infinity, and considering the steep add-on charge the specialty restaurants incur, this shouldn’t have been the case. If all things were equal with itinerary and pricing, we’d opt for a cruise on a Solstice Class ship over Celebrity Infinity.

The Statendam challenges the notion that bigger is better. With restaurant menus promising sophisticated cuisine and elegant art lining the common areas, the ship caters to a slightly older, well-traveled crowd.

A mega-ship in every sense of the term, only two cruise liners are larger than Liberty of the Seas. The ship puts activities and entertainment front and center with a long list of blockbuster attractions, such as a cool surf simulator, a towering climbing wall, a theatre with productions that aspire to touring-show quality, and an ice rink—there’s even a cupcakery offering hands-on baking lessons!

The lap of luxury. A world defined by graces great and small. The Seabourn Sojourn boasts one of the highest passenger-space ratios in the industry and, except for a few meals, never felt remotely crowded, even around the pool on sunny sea days. Considering the excellent food and sumptuous decor, it’s a ship we would happily sail with again.

Disney Cruise Line has emerged as a formidable competitor to the bigger cruise names. On the Wonder, cabins are spacious and mealtimes are usually rewarding. Relative to the competition, it delivered a high-quality, professional cruise experience. Be warned, though, that Uncle Walt can charge a premium for the Disney treatment.