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PROFILE 
Anne Campbell's passion in life is helping cruisers have the very best experience possible aboard the ship of their dreams. She is co-founder and past editor-in-chief of America's Online's Cruise Critic. Prior to that, she authored Fielding's Guide To Worldwide Cruises (1994, 1995 editions).
How did someone from Corning, NY, (pop. 12,000) become a cruise expert? Start with a wanderlust for travel and toss in a first job at Cunard Line she got through a blind ad in The New York Times. The glamorous QE 2 really was "The Greatest Ship In the World," she says, and Anne was suddenly meeting celebrities like Salvador Dali and Julie Andrews. She became enraptured with the operations of the then-enormous vessel, hanging out with the ship's hotel manager, chef and surgeon every eleven days when QE 2 docked in New York. "Some of the elderly Cunard reservations agents still referred to passengers as 'souls'," she recalls.
Anne turned to travel advertising, with some freelance writing on the side. After a 10 year stint, the opportunity to write a book about cruises emerged; she took a deep breath and jumped in. Two editions of the Fielding cruise guide later, her vision took her to the world of the internet, where information could be updated instantly. In 1995, she launched Cruise Critic on AOL.
"Writing a book is torture I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy ... well, most of them," she says. "Working online is a dream job. It's wonderful to connect with real cruisers and learn what their biggest interests -- and concerns -- are, especially when I can help steer them toward the cruise experience that fulfills their fantasies," Campbell says.
CruiseMates.com grew out of Campbell's desire to create a more comprehensive site than Cruise Critic. "Bringing together cruise writer colleagues and other talented people brings so much more knowledge than one person can possibly have," she says. In addition, uses of video and other technology only possible on the internet makes CruiseMates.com even more exciting.
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ANNE'S ANSWERS
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAVEL?
I travel a lot more than I care to, averaging around eight trips per year. Since I hate
to fly, getting there is always an ordeal. But I'd never get out of New York City otherwise.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TAKE CRUISES?
Since this is my editorial focus, I spend most of my time exploring all types
of vessels. While I'm personally drawn to the smaller ships cruising on exotic itineraries,
most of the time I'm aboard a mass market vessel -- floating resorts -- which ply the Caribbean.
FAVORITE CRUISE SHIP?
I adore the small, casual ships of Windstar Cruises. Casual attire and laid back atmosphere,
great itineraries and outstanding food and service.
FAVORITE PORT?
Can there ever be a more romantic port than Venice? Entering port, you pass St. Marks
Square and the magic of this ancient city captures your soul. In fact, I probably wouldn't mind
if the ship just stayed in Venice since every other port is an anticlimax.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
I have a hard time keeping up with miles since I take so many different
airlines. Around 40,000
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Business class on flights of six hours or more, economy in the
U.S.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
For business class, Continental Airlines. It's so comfortable and they treat
you so well that sometimes I wish we didn't have to land. For economy, the
airlines are pretty much the same: poor.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
I generally like any aircraft that gets me there in one piece. In economy,
they're all equally uncomfortable.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
The George V in Paris is my idea of sublime. Incredible floral arrangements and antiques
adorn the opulent lobby. The rooms are enormous, decorated in exquisite
pale fabrics. The marble baths are sinfully huge and opulent.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Large marble bathrooms with heated towel racks, tubs so large
you could float on your back. Thick fluffy towels and robes.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
For ease of travel, Newark Airport is my pick for the best in the U.S.
You breeze through Immigrations and Customs when returning from an international
flight.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
If I have to kill time, at least let me shop. Heathrow
has a mile or so of stores and I can always find something
to buy.
FAVORITE CITY?
The best city on earth is my hometown, New York.
The best food, people and cultural institutions are here.
No city on earth stimulates the senses like New York.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
One If By Land in New York's Greenwich Village is cozy romantic with
the best Beef Wellington on earth.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Always a window
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Since I book my own travel online, I normally end up with an eticket
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Since I love researching my own travel options, I'm thoroughly addicted to making my
travel arrangements online. All the options are fascinating.
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Well, since you asked, it's my own website, CruiseMates. We get input from
thousands of cruisers who love to share their own experiences. Reading what
"civilians" have to say keeps it green for me.
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
Ideally, my dog.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
Hopefully I'd get stranded in Tahiti. I can probably while away a few decades if I have
my dog, Mr. Ying; Game Boy (cartons of batteries) and endless books.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
To keep clothes from wrinkling, put individual items on hangar then put a plastic drycleaners bag
over it. Lay flat in suitcase.
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