The third edition of William Mayes’ review the world’s current cruise and passenger ship fleets is published against the backdrop of the world recession, which has resulted in a number of companies closing and ships going out of service. Bringing the reader up-to-date with these changes, the author reviews over 650 ships that are operated by more than 200 companies, which include all known ocean-going cruise ships (including those laid-up), together with some European and North American day-cruise and coastal vessels that offer overnight accommodation. In addition to concise histories of the companies and the ships featured, it also contains hundreds of first-rate, pin-sharp colour photographs. There are three indices, a bibliography and a section entitled ‘Late News’, that brings the book’s information right up to date prior to printing. This series, which continues to grow in size and data, is now the industry standard on its subject.