Sunday, October 5, 2008

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.

Decor/Pool: The black-and-gold interior was dark, creepy and better suited to a seedy gentlemen's club. The two pools were a tight fit, and although the giant slide was fun, it wasn't such a blast if you were on the receiving end. Better was the underused pool on the bow.

· MAJESTY OF THE SEAS (2,744-passenger capacity, 73,941 tons, 880 feet)

Cabin: Though I could not twirl around the room, it was hardly claustrophobic, with a large bed, desk and small table, and a porthole with waves nipping at the glass. There was some elbow-knocking in the bathroom, but no serious injuries.

Dining: The buffet at the Windjammer Market was filling and fresh, with a nice array of salads and hot/cold stations (pasta, Asian, crepes, etc.). The dining rooms lived up to their white tablecloths, thanks to a phalanx of attentive waiters, a roving string trio and high-minded dishes such as scallop risotto and strawberry bisque. Other dining spots included Johnny Rockets ($3.95 cover charge), a pizza parlor and a deli.

Activities and Entertainment: For sports, the climbing wall on the top deck rocked. Otherwise, daily activities were a bit on the light side; during our at-sea day, for example, the belly-flop contest was the highlight. Evening distractions included a singer who did impressions (Bill Clinton performing "Brick House," for example), a rousing disco and a midnight buffet with ice sculptures carved by a culinary Rodin. A pianist and an acoustic guitarist led singalongs at the Schooner Bar, and the 14th-floor Viking Crown Lounge let cocktailers nearly touch the sky.

Decor/Pool: The boat is still in the throes of last year's $40 million renovation. Ergo, the vanilla carpeting is still clean. The tasteful teak trim around the pool helped me forget that I could not raise an arm without hitting another swimmer.

-- A.S.