by Charleen Larson

Created on: December 28, 2008

Savvy devotees of luxe cruises smirk knowingly when they hear companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess or Carnival touted as "luxury." They know from experience that cruise line brochures drip with hyperbole rarely measuring up to the actual experience. And once you're on board and your "luxurious" experience turns out to be waiting in line on the pool deck for stale pizza, there's not much you can do about it.

So what, then, is a luxury cruise line and how do you find one? Skip the fancy overblown adjectives and look at the numbers. There are several metrics you should keep in mind when shopping for a pampered idyll at sea.

First, luxury cruises have a high crew to passenger ratio. Silversea Cruises - motto "Every Wish Granted" - is at the pinnacle of the cruise industry with a 1:1 crew to passenger ratio. Regent's Seven Seas Mariner boasts a ratio of 1:1.6 in its all-suite all-balcony cabins. Crystal Cruises' ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity please guests flawlessly with a ratio of 1:1.7 and the largest per-guest spaces on the seven seas.

On the other hand, the megaliner Carnival Dream, entering the vast Carnival fleet in September 2009, will have a ratio of 1:2.7.

Next, luxury cruises carry fewer passengers so they can offer more personal attention. As Seabourn Legend hosts just 208 guests, it's almost like having your own yacht. Silversea Silver Spirit, the new flagship of the line, will serve 540 passengers in superb all-inclusive comfort when she debuts in 2009. Regent's Seven Seas Navigator carries 700 lucky vacationers in high style.

Contrast this with Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, capacity 3,634. Imagine the lines for the midnight buffet. Or Carnival's Splendor, tipping the scales at 3,006 passengers. An intimate cruise experience it is not.

Last, most true luxury cruise lines offer exquisite alternative dining venues for the evenings you desire a change. Regent gets raves for its Le Cordon Bleu French cuisine. In 2008 Nobu Matsuhisa, rated one of the 10 best chefs in the U.S. by Food and Wine Magazine, introduced to Crystal Symphony guests 2 distinguished Japanese-fusion spaces, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

Mass market lines have picked up on the alternate-venue trend in recent years but be aware: The menu is often just the same tired dining room food presented in an upscale setting.

Whatever line and ship you choose, set your expectations realistically and you'll be sure to have a great time.

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