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Going on a cruise? These ships rate best, survey finds

Did you cruise the Caribbean last winter? Planning to sail to Alaska this spring? Despite some of the same problems confronting the airlines, cruising is riding a wave of popularity, with 51 new ships launched in the past two years, according to Condé Nast Traveler. The magazine recently released its annual readers' poll of the best cruise ships. The top 10 in the large-ship category in 2003, their respective lines, and capacities:

1. Infinity, Celebrity Cruises 1,950 passengers
2. Sea Princess, Princess Cruises 1,950
3. Mercury, Celebrity 1,870
4. Dawn Princess, Princess 1,950
5. Galaxy, Celebrity 1,870
6. Enchantment of the Seas, Royal Caribbean 2,446
7. Century, Celebrity 1,870
8. Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise Line 2,400
9. Star Princess, Princess 2,600
10. Millennium, Celebrity 1,950