The Berlitz Cruise Guide and Its Ratings
One author, one method, hundreds of ships.
Ask a Cruise ExpertFor decades, the Berlitz cruise guide by Douglas Ward was the reference many travel agents kept on their desks. Its approach is unusual: one author and his team rate hundreds of ships against the same detailed criteria, so a score on a small luxury ship can be compared directly with one on a megaship. The guide now appears as Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships, which its publisher describes as previously known as Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships. The 2025 edition covers 368 ships.
How the Scoring Works
- A 2,000-point scale. Each ship is scored out of a possible 2,000 points.
- Category weighting. The points are spread across areas such as the ship itself, accommodation, food, service, entertainment and the overall cruise experience; food and service carry heavy weight.
- Stars from points. The total translates into a star rating, from basic up to five stars and the rare “five stars plus.”
- Consistency. Because the same method is applied to every ship, the scores are designed for comparison.
Reading a Berlitz Score Sensibly
A guide that rewards fine dining, high staffing levels and space per guest will naturally favor small luxury ships. That is not a bias so much as a definition of quality. If you are choosing between two large family ships, compare their scores with each other rather than with a 300-guest luxury yacht. Look inside the category breakdown too: a ship with a modest total may score strongly on the things you care about.
Good for
Comparing food, service and build quality across many lines with one yardstick.
Less good for
Family facilities, nightlife or value for money, which the scoring is not designed around.
Check the edition
Use the latest edition; refurbishments and new ships change the picture.
Cruise ship ratings from a guidebook pair well with recent passenger feedback. Our page on cruise ship ratings and reviews explains how to combine the two. A sensible routine is to use the guide to pick a level of quality, then read recent passenger comments on the two or three ships that survive the cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Berlitz cruise guide still published?
The guide continues under the Insight Guides name as Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships. The publisher lists a 2025 edition by Douglas Ward covering 368 ships and notes it was previously known as Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships.
How many points can a ship score in the Berlitz guide?
Ships are scored out of a possible 2,000 points across several categories, and the total translates into a star rating. The rare top tier is “five stars plus.”
Should I choose a ship by its Berlitz score?
Use it to compare quality, especially among similar ships. A high score reflects things like food and service; it does not tell you whether the ship suits children, has the itinerary you want, or fits your budget.
Comparing Ships by Score?
Send our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise your shortlist. We will add what the scores leave out.
Ask a Cruise Expert