Is cruising for you? Probably yes - even if you thought not!

Cruising is no longer reserved for honeymooners and the retired, if you're a cruise virgin prepare yourself for a pleasant surprise. The younger generations (single, couples and families) have come to realise what an exciting adventure port hopping can be and in return the cruise organisers have responded by designing vacations based around all these groups individual requirements. As for the more traditional out there, well you already know many liners such as the QE2 still operate, that air of sophistication and the elegance of formal evening dining and entertainment can whisk you away to another world.

Imagine gliding through deep blue water, whilst swimming on the deck pool, bathing on the sundeck or drinking at the poolside bar. The exhilaration at being so close to nature, watching leaping fish, dolphins and whales whilst taking advantage of all the luxury that cruising has to offer. Experiencing the cultures of so many towns and cities, the hustle and bustle of bazaars, visiting mosque's, deserted islands and taking in the stunning scenery. And if that sounds a little tame for you did you know- scuba diving, golf, virtual reality toys, theatre and cinema are just a few of the onboard activities available.

What do so many people enjoy about cruising?

• Unpacking only once, yet visiting so many new places
• Having the choice to do absolutely nothing other than become engrossed in a good book without feeling guilty.
• Not having to study travel guides and plan excursions, the cruise liner has already been there and selected the best options for you to chose from.
• Making friends with so many new people
• Not having to worry about transport, language or money
• Not having to worry about substandard hotels or restaurants in undeveloped countries
• Culinary delights almost 24 hours a day
• Having the choice to participate in a range of activities from gambling to golf, cinema to scuba diving when you want to

There are 3 basic decisions to make when deciding on your cruise; itinerary (which ports you want to stop at), the ship to travel on that suits your character and groups requirements (family, adventure, romance, age profile etc..) and finally which cabin to choose within the ship you choose.

Itinerary - How many ports should you stop at?

It is easy to relax and unwind quickly on board a cruise liner. Your choice of ports will depend on the strength of your desire to get out and do something other than relax! You can chose between more relaxing days at sea to sunbathe or the opportunity to visit a different port each day and experience new cultures and adventures. Does your desire to explore outweigh the luxury of the liner? Your choice of the number and regularity of stops sets the tone on the holiday. Although you don't have to get off the ship at every port.. you can stay aboard. Think back to past holidays and the ratio of soaking up the sun on the beach to the number of times you've hired a car or jumped on the local transport to investigate the local delights.

The Ship of your choice…

Entertainment programmes vary greatly between cruise ships as do the on-board facilities. Look for ships that suit you personally, a crèche if you have youngsters, golf if your husband likes to swing whilst you sunbathe. You'll be amazed at what is actually available. Large liners can carry over 3,000 guests whilst more intimate vessels take as few as 50 with a more personalised service and greater opportunity to scuba dive or snorkel amongst the vast array of fish in many locations.

All cruise ships assign daily dress codes, casual, informal and formal. Check that the ship you choose won't require you to spend a fortune buying a new wardrobe. If you are happiest in casual, choose this type of ship. You will virtually live in your swim wear during the day though if cruising in sunnier climates such as the Caribbean.

Cabin - don't overlook the importance

Cabin choice is often dictated by cost as it is the last major choice to be made after itinerary and ship. Remember this room will be your sanctuary for the entire length of your vacation. Don't think you'll only be sleeping there, breakfast in bed (perhaps for an anniversary), drinks before the evening meal, quiet reflective time alone. Your cabin is your haven. Look at the length of your cruise, a suite on a 3 day cruise will hardly be used but should be fully appreciated on a 2 week honeymoon!

One final tip - mid-ship rooms encounter the least sway, so if you think you may suffer, or you book a reduced rate cruise in potential hurricane season, foregoing a sea view can be a good thing!

Cruises are expensive… or are they? We say not…

In general accommodation, evening entertainment and full board is included. There are no financial surprises on a cruise and very few additional expenses. When compared to a traditional land holiday they really are very good value for money, even going as far to say they are a bargain. One tip- make sure you know whether airfare from England to the port of departure is included, the only costly mistake sometimes made by the first time cruiser.

Prices can vary from £50-£600 per person per night. When comparing prices with a traditional getaway remember all food is included in this cost. Bargains are there for the taking. Early booking can secure discounts of up to 50%, whilst last minute booking gives good discounts without the same choice of cabin.

Once you've cruised

Once you've cruised you'll want to go back again and again, whether you chose a ship that captures the timeless appeal of elegance, ease and indulgence or stem to stern adventure and excitement a cruise is the ideal way to appreciate the beauty of this world and its many cultures. Virgins to cruising, why not test whether you like cruising with a 2-5 day cruise. See if you enjoy the delights as much as so many other people in this world.

Cruise Destinations

Cruising is generally associated with the Caribbean, however there are many places throughout the world to cruise, particularly the Mediterranean and River cruises that do not require such a lengthy flight from the UK. Below you will find Traveldata's guide to the most popular cruise locations and ports of call.

Remember if you have children and are looking for a family friendly ship book as far in advance as you possibly can. Cruise ships that cater for families tend to be fully booked during the school holiday period, especially the summer holidays July to September.

Caribbean

Eastern Caribbean (Antigua, Dominica, St Barts, St Crox, St Kitts, St Thomas, Tortola) Southern Caribbean (Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia, Tobago and Trinidad) and Western Caribbean (George Town, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios)

Limpid waters, movie set beauty, a range of cruise ship sizes and price ranges. This is the home of cruising, if you're new to cruising this is the place to do it in style with people who know how to pamper to your every whim. Well they do it for the American day in, day out!

Sun, sun and more sun. Sometimes referred to as heaven on earth, banana and sugar plantations line the valleys, a warn breeze refreshes the parts other things can't reach, an utterly amazing underworld opens to snorkel's and divers alike. With ports of call such as Tobago, Grenada, Antigua and George Town you can't fail to have a holiday to remember. So many islands of different European settlement the culture and architectural differences from island to island are remarkable and with so many backgrounds the local specialities of food and souvenirs keeps you interested in the market of each port you visit.

Young and old alike love the Caribbean and what better way to experience it than on a cruise ship. Some cruise lines will visit private island retreats, a additional popular port of call with many experienced cruise visitors to the islands of the Caribbean. Pure bliss.

Christmas and New Year always sell out. The peak season for cruising in the Caribbean is from the third week in January through to the Spring / Easter Break, bookings tend to be made by September so to be sure of getting the cabin of your choice book about 6 months in advance for the peak period in the Caribbean.

Bargains are mainly available for cruises in the Caribbean during September- November with the special offers being made late July/ August, and Easter through to June. If cabin choice is not important to you great deals can be picked up during August for pre Xmas tans!.

Autumn if you have a fear of hurricanes or specifically want to visit your chosen ports. However the ships keep in constant touch with the hurricane centre in Miami and divert course if necessary to avoid a hurricane. It is also true that a ship is much safer at sea during a hurricane than in port where it could be pushed against other boats and into shore so there is nothing to worry about.

Meditteranean

Bulgaria (Nessebur and Varna), Cyprus (Limassol), Egypt (Alexandria), Greece (Aghios, Nikolaos, Corfu, Corinth Canal, Delos, Gythion, Heraklion, Itea, Katakolon, Mykonos, Naxos, Patmos, Athens, Rhodes, Santorini and Volos), Romania (Constanta), Turkey ( Antalya, Bodrum, Dikili, Instanbul and Kusadasi), Ukraine (Odessa, Sevastopol and Yalata), Corsica (Ajaccio, Bonifacio and Calvi), Croatia (Dubrovnik), France (Cannes, Marseille, Nice, St Tropez and Villefranche), Gilralter, Italy (Genoa, Messina, Naples, Palermo, Sorrento and Venice), Malta (Valletta), Monaco (Monte Carlo), Sardinia (Alghero), Spain (Almeria, Barcelona, Ibiza, Mahon, Malaga and Palma) and Tunisia (Tunis)

Cruising is a special way to discover the heart of Western Civilisation in style. A plethora of history, fabulous scenery, friendly locals and temperate weather. The port stops in Europe are steeped with history, the markets of Italy laden with fine leather, temples of Tunisia and canals of Venice. There is so much richness to this vast area so close to England yet a world away.

Romance and history combined make The Mediterranean a hotspot for cruise seekers. Winding streets, café's, cathedrals, ruins and markets make for interesting ports of call, otherwise the weather, scenery, beaches and blue water is all that is needed for others.

All the ingredients for a fantastic cruise virtually on our doorstep. Personally a cruise in the Mediterranean beats a 12 hour flight before setting off on a cruise round The Caribbean any day.

Bookings are primarily made in January when the whole of Europe, fed up with our weather after Christmas decides when and where they are going on holiday! As a result prime cabins are snapped up quickly during December and January. The weather in Europe dictates that the prime cruising season is July/ August, also falling in with the children summer holiday. The best deals can be found for cruises in Europe during April, May, September and October.

A few cruise operators operate cruises throughout the year in the Mediterranean, although this is not the normal and you may not get the ship of your choice.

July and August if you are looking for a 'cooler' holiday. Don't forget that the weather all over Europe can climb as high as 120 degrees, we tend to think that Europe isn't as hot as tropical islands. Wrong.

North and Western Europe

Northern Europe - Estonia (Tallinn), Germany (Hamburg, Kiel Canal and Bremerahven), Netherlands (Amsterdam and Rotterdam), Poland (Gdansk and Gdynia), Denmark (Copenahgen, Ronne and Torshavn), Finland (Helsinki), Iceland (Akureyri), Norway (Bergen, Flam, Kristinsand, Molde, Olden, Oslo, Tromson and Ulvik), Sweden (Gethengurg, Kalmar, Stockholm and Visby) and Russia (St Petersburg)

Western Europe - Belgium (Zeebrugge), France (Cherbourg, La Rochelle, Le Havre and St Malo), Madeira (Funchal), Portugal (Lisbon, Oporto and Portimao) and Spain (Cadiz, La Coruna and Vigo)

Cruising in Europe is unique in the respect that it can take you directly to the cultural areas because so many of them were built specifically on waterways. Most European Cruises are over 12 days long, however you can find shorter cruises and these are becoming more common as the popularity of cruising with Europeans themselves increases.

So much to discover, so much to see and do. Where do to start, call in and stop is the only question. Whether you visit the icy fjords of Norway or the warmer waters of Portugal the common link is always the easy access cruising offers to the history, art and culture of each country and its ports. There are many landmarks to be spotted on European cruises.

The scenery of course is very different from a Caribbean or Hawaiian cruise, Europe is enriched with magnificent yet diverse scenery, forget beaches and think about history, and culture with a dash of shopping thrown into the equation!

Summer is the ideal time to cruise owing to the weather in northern and western Europe. The winters as we all know can be bitterly cold.

South America

Argentina (Buenos Aires and Ushuaia), Brazil (Belem, Manaus, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador), Chile (Arica, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Santiago and Valparaiso), Colombia (Cartagena), Falkland Islands (Port Stanley and Westport Isle), French Guiana (Devil's Island), Peru (Callao), Uruguay (Montevideo), Mexico (Acapulco, Ensenada, Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and PuertoVallarta) and Venezuela (La Guaira)

Native people that welcome you to their shores, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, they all manage to combine that wonderful mix of native tradition and modern luxury. In fact the whole of South America brings visions of sunsets, fiestas and siestas. The unspoilt rainforests, sandy beaches and colourful Mestizo culture stir the soul.

However the cultures are very different in each country and if you choose your cruise carefully you could find yourself experiencing many continents cultures in a short space of time without having to catch a plane, pack and unpack constantly or even worry about getting there. Argentina is full of European sophistication; Mexico, Spanish; Brazil is brightest Africa in Salvador.

January to April is the summer for this area of the world; school holidays July to August are fairly busy

September to November is monsoon / hurricane season, avoid unless you enjoy a good downpour!

Hawaii

Hawaii (Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Kona), Kauai (Kahului and Nawiliwili), Maui (Lahaina) and Oahu (Honolulu

Hawaii, now where to start; so few islands with such a range of exciting and adventurous activities/ sights to see. The scenery is always a great place to start so lets begin there; Hawaii has it all, rainforests, waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes, groves of orchids and pineapples. Natural beauty sums it up well and a diverse beauty at that, you will never cease to be amazed at the scenery just round the corner of individual islands not to mention the variety between the islands, the rainforest to the East of Maui on the road to Kana to the plains on the Big Island and the volcano overlooking Honolulu/ Pearl Harbour.

Hawaii is home to whales during December through March and what better way to observe them in their natural habitat than on a cruise ship. Hawaii is the home of the hula, world class golf, extreme surfing conditions and many orchids that are used to make the famous leis worn around the neck.

Although steeped in history the ports of call are modern, with fine restaurants and hotels to complement the islands cultural history. A must on the itinerary of a sun seeking cruiser.

Hawaii is a special cruise destination all year round, peak times fall during the school holidays purely from the demand and supply of economics.

Indian Ocean

Comoros (Mayotte), India (Cochin, Marmagao and Bombay), Madagascar (Nosy Be), Maldives (Male), Mauritius (Port Louis), Seychelles (Praslin and Victoria) and Sri Lanka (Colombo)

In one word, you'll find beauty beyond your dreams. Lush tropical islands surrounded by clear blue-green water. Lagoons that turn the least romantic, quixotic and magical. Open people who welcome you to their paradise with open arms. It all sounds far too good to be true. Well it's not.

Snorkelling off coral reefs, magnificent sunsets, vibrant markets, seafood restaurants that make your mouth salivate simply looking at the menu. Escape to paradise on a cruise to the South Pacific for an insight into this mesmerising culture of people and scenery

This area of the world is hot all year round, most cruise ships visit between February and May, however you will find cruises all year round.

Asia and the Orient

China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wuhan and Xingang), Japan (Yokohama) Indonesia (Bali, Komodo, Palopo and Semarang), Malaysia (Penang and Port Kelang), Philippines (Manila), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok, Ko Samui and Phuket) and Vietnam (Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau)

Culture and tradition are Asia and The Orient. A mystical land that draws thousands of people to visit each and every year to a place of wonder and great historical importance. The mixture of temples and ancient architecture, and modern Asia stand side by side in this

Many of the cruise ships that travel Asia and The Orient are at the higher end of the market, you can therefore expect and receive the ultimate travel in style, luxury and comfort. Contrasting this with the busy streets of many of the ports of call, rickshaws and rattling buses transporting people from A to B.

An exciting place to explore and a place of contract, the natural beauty of the rainforest, beaches and terraced rice fields, with the temples and modern way of everyday life. A must for the more adventurous amongst you. Those looking for more than a beach holiday, although remember you don't have to leave the cruise ship at port so if one half of you wants to sunbathe you can both satisfy your holiday requirements. A great place to get those unbeatable shopping bargains.

The majority of ships, cruise the Orient and Asia Between April and November. Most cruises last between 1-3 weeks, however there are also a large number of world cruises passing through these destinations on 1-3 month cruises.

Avoid cruises in The Orient and Asia if you are not keen on high temperatures. During the normal cruise season of April to November the temperatures are normally in 70-80' range! So if you're going don't forget to take the sun-cream, you'll need it, but won't that tan look great.

River Cruises

Austria (Durnstein, Melk and Vienna), Belgium (Antwerp and Ghent), Canada (Kingston, Montreal, Ottowa and Quebec), Egypt (Suez Canal), France (Arles, Avignon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Hornfleur, Lyon, Paris and Rouen), Yugoslavia (Belgrade), Germany (Cochem, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Kelheim, Koblenz, Passau, Regensburg, Rudesheim and Speyer), Hungary (Budapest, Esztergom and Kalocsa), Russia (Moscow) and the USA (Cincinnati, Dover, Greenville, Hannibal, Houston, Louisville, Madison, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Portland, St Paul and Vicksburg)

A cruise ranging in length from 3-14 nights generally. Slow and relaxing travel with like minded people. The majority of river cruise passengers are looking for an easy way to see towns and cities throughout the world, couples in 50's plus make up the majority of passengers.

Imagine a meandering barge travelling up the Seine or the Danube, stopping to visit and sample wine at the local Chateaux. Sample local delicacies whilst window shopping in Vienna or simply sit back and observe the countryside as you glide through beautiful scenery. The great thing about a River cruise is the speed. Speed in general that is, these are not huge liners with 9 hole putting greens on board, life in general slows down on a river cruise and can be the most relaxing holiday that you've ever had AND you'll have visited many more placed in the process. Now that doesn't sound bad at all does it.

The River Cruise season in Europe starts in mid-March and runs through to mid-November, whilst in America all year round river cruises can be found on the Mississippi. East coast America River cruises are planned for Summer and Autumn. Consult your travel agent for other areas on the USA, the range of cruises and temperatures varies so greatly that advice must be sought.

Avoid River Cruises if you are looking for ships with everything and want an exciting/ active holiday with beaches and water-sports.