Zagat has released the results of its first cruise line survey, which was conducted on Zagat.com. The survey covers 22 major cruise lines as voted on by 2,379 regular cruise-goers who had taken an average of 9.5 trips, each averaging nine days. All told, the surveyors had taken a total of 22,700 separate cruises. The top cruise lines, based on their overall scores, are Cunard Line (large), Regent Seven Seas (mid-size) and SeaDream Yacht Club (small). Lines with mid-size ships tended to get the highest overall ratings. Thus, following Regent were Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea, all with a score of 26 out of a possible 30. Following with an overall rating of 25 are Cunard and Disney.

The cruise lines in the survey were categorized as follows: large ships (1,500 or more passengers), mid-size ships (200 to 1,500 passengers) and small ships (less than 200 passengers), based on the average size of the ships in its fleet. Each line was then rated on Zagat's 30-point scale for five aspects of its performance: cabins, service, dining, facilities and shipboard activities, with an overall score based on an average of the five separate ratings.

Based on their ratings, the major category winners are Cunard, which topped the large-ships category for the best rooms, service, dining, facilities and overall score. Disney was rated as the best large cruise line for activities. Regent led the mid-size ship category for best rooms, as well as overall score, while Seabourn rated tops on service and dining, and Crystal rated tops in facilities and activities. Among small ships, SeaDream received top ratings for rooms, service, dining, facilities and overall but was bested by Lindblad Expeditions for activities. When asked to name their personal favorites, the surveyors chose Royal Caribbean (large), Crystal Cruises (mid-size) and Windstar Cruises (small).

When choosing a cruise line, 88 percent of surveyors said that ports of call is their principal consideration, with past experience (81 percent) and ticket price (80 percent) following close behind. Other major issues are cruise duration (72 percent), dates (69 percent) and balcony/deluxe room availability (64 percent). Departure ports are cited by 61 percent of surveyors, with ship size and activities tying at 58 percent.

The three named as "best for budget cruises" are Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, in that order. When asked how the economy has affected their cruising, 47 percent say they're looking for better values, while 23 percent report cruising less. Surveyors report these alternate ways to be cost-conscious: 20 percent are limiting their excursions, 19 percent are choosing cruises that depart closer to home, 15 percent cut back on what's included in their packages, 10 percent choose less expensive rooms and 5 percent take shorter cruises. Eighteen percent say the recession hasn't affected their cruising habits, while 19 percent say they "don't cruise enough to have habits yet."

Top complaints include crowds/lines (23 percent), embarking/disembarking (15 percent), other passengers' behavior (12 percent), bad food (11 percent), poor service (11 percent), room sizes (5 percent), smoking (4 percent) and extra charges (3 percent). Bad weather, motion sickness, ship size and fixed dining times are not serious concerns. Ships also were rated on factors like fitness centers, live entertainment, spa services and excursions. To see the full survey, visit www.zagat.com/cruiselines.

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