Small Luxury Ships
Leslie Fambrini, Personalized Travel Consultants, Los Altos, California
Seeking white-glove service from a longtime industry insider? Whatever destination you have in mind, Fambrini will know which ship's design—and which specific stateroom—will afford the best views and the optimal experience. Use her for Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas (650-949-0111; leslie@personalized-travel.com).

Mary Jean Tully, The Cruise Professionals, Toronto
Tully does so much business with the finer lines—especially Crystal, Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Silversea—that she has the muscle to secure the sailing and cabin you want, and she has tricks up her sleeve for getting the most bang for your buck (800-265-3838; maryjean@cruiseprofessionals.com).

Richard Bruce Turen, Churchill & Turen, Naperville, Illinois
Recommended Generalist
Looking for an unflinchingly honest and savvy adviser who knows the pros and cons of each port, can help you choose the optimal route, and will customize your shore excursions to make the very most of your time on land? You need Turen, especially if you're bound for the Mediterranean or the Greek Islands. He has particular pull with Crystal, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Tauck, and we've received countless thank-you letters from readers who say he turned what was to be a mere vacation into the trip of a lifetime (630-717-7777; rturen@traveltruth.com).

World Cruises
Janet Lanterman, Cruise Specialists, Seattle
If you're considering a circumnavigation, Lanterman can provide a longtime industry insider's guidance and clout. Use her for Holland America, Princess, and Regent Seven Seas (800-544-2469; jlanterman@cruisespecialists.com).

Yacht Charters: Caribbean
Ed Hamilton, Ed Hamilton and Co., Wiscasset, Maine
A former sailing instructor and bareboat-company operator who lived in the Caribbean for nine years and still visits thrice annually, Hamilton will match you to the right yacht—and as important, to the right crew—and point you toward hidden-gem experiences such as drift-snorkeling the reefs of the Tobago Cays (800-621-7855; info@ed-hamilton.com).

Yacht Charters: Worldwide
Mary Crowley, Ocean Voyages, Sausalito, California
Crowley, a former Oceanic Society director who has devoted the past 29 years to searching out the world's best boats and crews, spends 2 months a year on the water aboard sailing vessels, motor yachts, and expedition ships. Since not everyone has her enviable sea legs, she'll launch the seasickness-prone in calmer waters such as Tahiti's outer islands, where she can arrange a dive with world-renowned shark experts (415-332-4681; sail@oceanvoyages.com).