DETAILS: How the Ships Shaped Up

The three ships I sailed (Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky, Carnival's Fascination and Royal Caribbean International's Majesty of the Seas) were as different as snowflakes. Each had its pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. Here is how the trio stacked up in the categories that matter.

· NORWEGIAN SKY (2,002-passenger capacity, 77,104 tons, 853 feet)

Cabin: It was always midnight in my interior stateroom, which had no natural light coming from either a window or beneath the door. In addition, it was as small as a broom closet: I often tied my shoes while sitting on the bed with one foot on the wall, and maneuvering around the bathroom required yoga positions. On a good note, the bed was large and squishy soft.

Dining: With the cruise line's freestyle approach, I thankfully was able to eat whenever and with whomever I wished. The buffet at the Garden Cafe offered a tasty and original mix of dishes from around the globe, including many Indian and Caribbean options. The ship's three restaurants (Il Adagio, Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro) take dining to another level, with such fare as steamed mussels in a Pernod fennel broth. The downside: These spots charge $10 or $15 per visit, depending on the eatery, and require reservations. For no additional cost, you can settle in for a fine-dining meal at the Palace or Crossings.

Activities and Entertainment: Beyond the usual cruise diversions (bingo, shuffleboard tourney, etc.), the ship was not very creative in its offerings. The main events included a comedy act and themed pool parties, such as White Nights and Carnaval -- sadly, no beads provided.

Decor/Pool: The decor was Hawaiian tropical and sunshine bright, but dated. I was waiting for Julie McCoy to pop up and hand me a shuffleboard cue. The two pools were good for cooling off, but during the at-sea day, the area was as crowded as a public pool during an August heat wave.

· FASCINATION (2,052-passenger capacity, 70,367 tons, 855 feet)

Cabin: My stateroom had so much space and light, I could have installed a greenhouse. I loved the window seat near the window, which made for great wave-gazing. The bathroom also was roomy, and I appreciated the basket of toiletries, including a razor and upset-tummy chews.

Dining: Was the buffet inspired by Bennigan's? The Coconut Bar and Grill featured chain-restaurant cuisine, such as fried chicken, loaded potato skins and a salad bar that did not get my green thumbs-up. The "formal" restaurants (set times and tables) were an improvement, with such items as West Indian roasted pumpkin soup and veal parmigiana. Additional dining included a sushi bar, pizza place and sandwich/salad counter.

Activities and Entertainment: The ship never let us have a dull moment. Diversions included a hairy-chest contest, ballroom dancing lessons, variety shows, an animal-towel-folding class, comedians, mini-golf and more. In the evening, bands and DJs performed in various styles in multiple venues; my favorite group was at the Passage to India lounge, where singer Ebony performed as if possessed by the Devil.