1. American Hawaii Cruises' Independence.
This ship is classic (which means old), but is the only ship doing a regular route around the Hawaiian Islands. The ambience is pleasingly casual, and the ship offers island décor and cuisine. But there's no casino or disco. The best cabins are the six large suites, which have outside (but not inside) access, and the owner's suites, which have TVs, VCRs, and bathtubs. There are no cabins with verandahs. Best itinerary: 7-day Hawaiian Islands.

2. Carnival Cruise Lines' Destiny, Triumph, Victory, Paradise and Elation.
Both Brides and Modern Bride magazines have named Carnival the top line for honeymoons. And it's clear the line really knows what it is doing in this regard. Offerings on these glitzy ships include all the resort-style amenities you'd expect with big gyms and spas, lavish casinos, lots of bars and lounges and non-stop entertainment. People come on these affordable, mass market ships to have fun, and fun is what the line delivers. The best cabins are the suites, which have TVs and VCRs, whirlpool tubs and verandahs. The Paradise is the world's first smoke-free cruise ship (smoking is totally banned, and you get fined if you disobey the rules). Best itinerary: 7-day eastern, western or southern Caribbean; 7-day Mexican Riviera.

3. Celebrity Cruises' Century, Galaxy, Mercury and Millennium.
These ships are at the top of the premium class (a few steps above Carnival and slightly above Princess). They feature gorgeous décor with lots of cushy rooms and great art collections; fine cuisine, with a French twist; and a service staff that pays close attention to your needs. And the ships have among the best spas in the industry. All the cabins are decent, but the best are the suites, which come with butler service, TVs and VCRs, verandahs, bathtubs, free use of the ship's thalassotherapy pool, and assorted other extras. If you can afford it, the penthouse suites, among the biggest at sea, also come with hot tubs on the verandahs. Best itinerary: 7-day eastern Caribbean, 7-day western Caribbean, 7-day Bermuda, or 7-day Alaska.

4. Commodore Cruise Line's Enchanted Isle.
Commodore is a budget line, but if you're on a really tight budget, the Enchanted Isle is the ship for you. You can, when the line is offering specials (which it does frequently), book this ship for under $80 bucks per person per night. The ship is an old one and shows some signs of wear and tear, but there are plenty of fun activities and entertainment offerings to keep you well occupied (when you're not in your cabin). The cabins are good-sized, and there are two deluxe cabins with balconies, and four suites that offer bathtubs. Best itinerary: 7-day western Caribbean.

5. Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
These are great ships in the premium class that offer the Disney version of what cruising is all about The ships do not have casinos and the crowd at the ships' adults-only entertainment area is not as party hearty as on, say, the Carnival ships, but what you do get is great Disney show productions, a unique rotation dining system, a great reservations-only Italian restaurant, an adults-only pool, and nice gym and spa facilities. And you get to visit Castaway Cay, Disney's private Bahamas island (where you can get massages at the beach at the adults-only beach area). The ships' cabins are all good-sized and most have a separate compartment for the toilet and bath/shower. Deluxe cabins and suites have verandhas, and the suites, which are huge, also come with concierge service, VCRs, and whirlpool tubs. Best itinerary: 3- or 4-day Bahamas combined with a 3- or 4-day land vacation in Walt Disney World (to make a one-week vacation). Rates including a hotel stay at Walt Disney World and unlimited admission to the Disney parks.

6. Princess Cruises' Dawn Princess, Grand Princess, Ocean Princess (new in 2000), Sea Princess, and Sun Princess.
These are the real life Love Boats (made famous in the TV show) and they are great ships that offer passengers lots of choice in terms of cabins, dining and entertainment offerings. They are all big stylish ships with resort facilities including big gyms and spas and also nice quiet places to cuddle. The Grand Princess, which debuted in 1998, was the largest ship in the world until Royal Caribbean's Voyager. Cabins are decently sized, and Princes offers you chocolates on the pillow at night. A good number of cabins have verandahs, and suites and minisuites also come with whirlpool bathtubs and butler service. Best itinerary: 7-day Southern Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean; 7-day Mexico; or 7-day Alaska.

7. Royal Caribbean International's Enchantment of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas (new in 2000), Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas.
These big modern ships are among the most innovative in the industry. The Voyager of the Seas is the largest ship in the world, and has such unusual features as a full-sized skating rink and a rock-climbing wall. The cruise experience the line offers is mass market, and reasonably priced, with lots of activities and entertainment offerings. The ships have impressive public rooms including gyms and spas and indoor/outdoor pools. The line has its own island Bahamas island, as well as a private beach in Haiti, that offer passengers fun-in-the-sun. Cabins are small but functional, and some have verandahs. Suites have verandahs, bathtubs, and VCRs. Best itinerary: 7-day Eastern Caribbean, Southern or Western Caribbean; 7-day Bermuda; 7-day Alaska; or 7-day Mexico.