Description:
Ross Klein is a cruise fanatic: in 10 years he's taken 30 cruises ranging from budget to ultraluxury. This in and of itself could qualify him to write a book about the world of cruising, but he has another credential that gives his take on the industry a special twist--he's a professor of social work. Death by Chocolate is not, as Klein warns, a guidebook. Rather, it's a behind-the-scenes look at cruises that could just as easily have been titled: "What You See is Not What You Always Get." The book is packed with statistics and facts about the industry, such as the scheming behind advertising, how ships feed more and more people for less, the (poor) treatment of staff and crew, and the industry's not-so-great environmental record. There are also a fair share of amusing anecdotes and horror stories, ranging from irritating treatment by staff to ship groundings. The chapter "You Can Squeeze Money from a Turnip" details the myriad ways the industry tries to get every penny out of its passengers, and includes a section titled "The Art of the Money Grab." Elsewhere, Klein reveals the truth behind celebrity chefs, what is really in that cup of coffee, and the class distinctions that still plague ship society. There's also extensive information on accidents and health-related problems at sea, from delays to fires to sexual assault to E. coli. Klein's motto is "the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know." While it may be more romantic to believe the glossy brochures with their wide-angle photos (essentially doubling the size of tiny cabins), given that cruises are not only costly, but essentially trap you for a substantial length of time, Klein's book makes sense. Ultimately, Klein the social worker reminds you that there will always be unexpected events on a cruise, and it's the way you handle them that determines whether or not you'll have a good vacation. With Death by Chocolate, you will certainly be prepared for the worst. --Lesley Reed
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