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With dozens of large and small cruise lines operating on all the world's oceans, it's difficult to decide which to choose for your boomer cruising experience.

Cruise ships come in all sizes. On the high end there are megaships like Cunard's Queen Mary II, currently the largest cruise ship afloat at more than 150,000 tons and the Royal Caribbean Eagle Class ships at more than 134,000 tons. Carnival and Princess have ships up to 110,000 tons. These floating cities offer all the luxuries of grand hotels, plus the added benefits of more space in which to tuck some pretty amazing diversions. Royal Caribbean's ships have rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, miniature golf and a four story mall which extends almost the entire length of the ship, long enough to hold a Mardi Gras parade. Queen Mary II has luxury on a grand scale with crystal chandeliers and opulent dining including a Todd English Restaurant. QMII even has a planetarium, a first at sea.

If you're looking for spa pampering, and what spoiled "boomer" isn't, cruising is the perfect place. Each of the major lines has a relationship with a spa provider or operates their own facilities. For example, Celebrity Cruise Lines offers an AquaSpa by Elemis, which offers full body swirling massage, and Carnival offers Spa Carnival complete with relaxing massages and pampering beauty treatments.  You'll feel a need to visit the fitness center if you allow yourself to indulge in the never ending dining options on these giant resorts. From elegant dining in the formal dining room, to glistening buffets, pizza and burgers and 24-hour room service, all included, you're sure to find plenty of opportunities to over do it.  

Boomers don't really like to be herded and unfortunately you can sometimes feel that way on the larger ships. For a more intimate cruising experience you might be interested in one of the smaller executive cruise ships. The largest of these is operated by Oceania Cruises. The owners of Oceania purchased ships formerly operated by the now defunct Renaissance Cruise Line, refurbished and remodeled them and are sailing some very interesting itineraries. These beautiful smaller ships accommodate 684 passengers, this contrast with the more than 3,000 passengers aboard the megaships. According to Oceania, "Aboard these ship you will enjoy the intimacy, camaraderie and unrivaled personal service that only a ship of this size provides, without foregoing all the comforts and amenities you expect in a much larger ship. Rich, warm mahogany decor, soft carpeting and a grand, sweeping staircase are sophisticated touches from the days of classic cruising." You can also leave your tuxedo and evening gown at home, because these ships are more casual than some of the more traditional cruise ships.

Another popular form of small ship cruising is "River Cruising." Several operators ply the rivers of Europe, North America and even China. These vessels offer many of the features of small ship cruising, more intimate, closer looks at natural phenomenon including wildlife and native cultures. You can even take a small ship cruise up to an Alaskan glacier or land on one of the Galapagos Islands for a close-up encounter with a giant tortoise. You can enjoy a taste of American history with a sternwheeler from American West Steamboat Co. as you follow the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition up the Columbia River.

If you want a leisurely look at cities along Europe's major waterways you might want to contact Peter Deilmann Cruises. They offer four and five star niche cruising of the great waterways of Europe. River cruise itineraries include voyages through Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and more without the usual inconveniences of packing and unpacking. These cruises are a bit pricey but when you consider that on many of these river cruises the shore-excursions are included, you can appreciate the value. (Click here for a full list of links and synopsis about these special small cruise lines)

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