“The Unofficial Guide to Cruises” is over 700 pages of information covering the best cruise deals and cruise ships from around the globe. The most popular cruise routes are covered extensively, with an impressive 500 ships and 100 cruise lines listed by value and quality of service. For anyone looking for cheap cruises, the “Unofficial Guide” also has some handy tips on how to get the lowest price tickets and free cruising days.

The book has been written by Kay Showker – a highly respected expert on cruises and the islands of the Caribbean – and Bob Sehlinger, who has also written unofficial guides for Disneyworld, Las Vegas as well as Orlando and Central Florida.

However, the majority of the book’s content will not be of benefit to the seasoned cruise-ship traveller. It is more of a guide for newcomers to the world of cruising and the type of advice it gives will normally not be anything new to the experienced cruise traveller – there is no inside knowledge to be gained from reading this book.

That having been said, the easy-to-follow content and clear and comprehensive information has made it widely regarded as a must for novices. The Chicago-Sun Times hailed it as an “A tourist′s best friend!”, while the New York Times described it as “indispensible”.

If you are planning your first cruise holiday, this book is highly recommended.