Fancy cruises this forthcoming year? Get online for the best deals

Some people never give this type of holiday more than a fleeting thought. For some, the very idea of being confined to a 'floating tub’ for even a few hours makes them feel queasy. Others are still stuck with the old perception that Cunard cruises for example are the exclusive domain of the rich and famous and that it is way out of their league. Both are quite erroneous impressions. In the case of the latter, quite the opposite is true. More and more people are opting for this type of getaway precisely because it is no longer confined to the high end of the market. In fact, there are deals out there to suit everyone’s pocket, from super deluxe to budget with everything in between. As for the former, modern cruise ships benefit from stabilizers that do away with most of the motion that causes seasickness. Anyone who suffers from this very unpleasant ailment is quite wise to be wary, but the larger the vessel, the less chance there is of motion sickness. Given that these are no less than floating hotels, there is very little cause for concern in this regard. If you are still not completely convinced, why not consider one of the most popular locations of all and voyage to the Caribbean with a company like Royal Caribbean cruises? These waters are well-known for being reliably calm so you can be safe in the knowledge that you will have just as much fun as everyone else aboard.

Basketball Onboard

"Excellent food, good wine and super company. We cannot fault the whole experience and would recommend this ship to anyone who like to dress for dinner and enjoy the finer things life has to offer." - Priest , Stourbridge on 16th Jun 2009 (Cunard Cruises)

Another popular misconception dispelled

If you are worried about the cost of a whole new wardrobe and the luggage to transport it, don’t be. The days of dressing for dinner in a different glamorous gown or a formal tuxedo every evening are consigned to the distant past. That is not to say that people don’t like treat themselves to a new outfit or two just as they normally would when going away, but there are certainly no strict dress codes any more with the majority of lines like MSC cruises. In fact, you’ll probably find that cruising has the added advantage of not requiring specialist clothing at all despite the many and varied activities and trips that are available both on board and in the various ports of call. When you think of all the expensive apparel you need for a ski holiday such as goggles, gloves, hats, snowsuits, boots and so on it’s probably a lot less expensive and a lot less trouble to prepare for an ocean voyage. Apart from being able to leave the thermals well and truly behind (unless you choose to head north to Alaska!), you won’t even need to bring along a snorkel and flippers as everything is provided when you sign up for one of the diving or snorkelling trips with Celebrity cruises and many others. And if you forget to pack something vital like your flipflops or sun hat, never fear as there will be more than enough opportunities to purchase more both aboard and ashore.

Norwegian Pearl

"Our cruise on the Ventura was excellent. Being our first cruise we were unsure of what to expect and I think this made it even more enjoyable." - Toms, Christchurch on 16th Jun 2009 (P&O Cruises)

All at sea about where on earth to head to?

Maybe you don’t get nearly enough opportunity to travel and discover exotic lands and cultures; or perhaps even with two or three holidays a year, you still have a list as long as your arm of places you’re longing to see. What if you’ve already fallen in love with one little corner of the earth and are being drawn back there but can’t help but wonder about all the other hidden gems yet to be found? With a cruise, your troubles are over. Pick up a few brochures like NCL cruises or look online and you’ll see that you can satisfy many of those burning desires in one fell swoop. You don’t need to narrow down your choice to any specific destination because you’ll visit a whole string of them on one fantastic tour. And unlike with land tours, there’s no need to worry about connections. No wasted time waiting for delayed or cancelled trains or flights. Your travelling hotel will simply glide into port after port and with the assistance of the experienced tour guides of P&O cruises you can be whisked away on a succession of thrilling adventures. Most companies have a wide selection of itineraries to choose from and so all you have to do is make up your mind about which continent or ocean you’re most keen on and then see what Fred Olsen cruises or any other have to offer. Don’t forget your backpack for all those souvenirs you’ll be picking up on your excursions!

Sapphire Princess Conservatory

"It was the most fantastic experience of our lives. Flew to Rome Mercedes taxi to the ship which could be seen from Space it was Enormous." - Lege, Liverpool on 16th Jun 2009 (Carnival Cruises)

No need to wait till you get there

For those who don’t like to fly or just want that magical voyage to start right away, there are many cruises from Southampton to choose from. This major sea port on the south coast of England couldn’t be easier to reach. You can travel by train, drive, take a coach or fly. The airport is conveniently located just a few minutes’ drive from the port. If you prefer to drive and you book early, many lines like Princess cruises will offer free parking only a short walk or a shuttle ride from the port. That way you can unpack, get yourself settled into your cabin and start to relax all the sooner. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding yourself aboard a majestic ocean liner as it starts to gently ease out of port. The journey, of course, is every bit as enjoyable as the numerous destinations whether it’s Caribbean cruises you’re with or on your way to the Canary Islands. There’s so much to explore before you ever reach dry land and it’s up to you to be as active or as laid-back as you wish. Some folks are quite happy to sit on deck and read a magazine in between movies and meals whereas others are splashing in the pool on inflatables or even rock-climbing before partying the night away at the club. Who knows, with all the opportunities to try something new, you could find yourself donning a wetsuit and mask and learning to scuba- dive!

Top deck of Lirica

"The entertainment provided was superb, and there was plenty of variety. The daily activities are professionally delivered, varied and fun." - Jones, Slough on 16th Jun 2009 (Cunard Cruises)