Tempted to climb on board? Top tips to help decide if cruising really is for you

There are so many different ocean cruises these days, the choice can seem quite daunting. And if you’ve never been on one before, you need to do your homework to avoid making an expensive mistake.
On the upside, there has never been such a variety of ships, cruise styles and itineraries, meaning there is a cruise for everyone. What is more, cruise holidays can be excellent value for money when you consider meals and lots of entertainments are included in the price. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Setting sail for fun: The Carnival Sunshine includes a water park

Try before you buy

Before you book that world cruise you’ve been dreaming of, dip a toe in the water with a ‘taster’ cruise. American line Royal Caribbean (0844 493 2061, www.royalcaribbean.co.uk) offers lively two- and three-night cruises from Southampton. On October 26, Independence of the Seas sails to Zeebrugge, the port for Bruges in Belgium, and then to Le Havre – handy for an excursion to Paris. Or stay on board enjoying the many bars and spa, or get active on the rockclimbing wall, ice-rink, zipline and Flowrider surfing pool. The three-night cruise costs from £399pp.

Find family fun

If your family loves the idea of an action-packed voyage, the revamped Carnival Sunshine will be  sailing across the Mediterranean this summer. The ship has a water park boasting slides and a 300-gallon bucket to drench riders, a ropes course and zipwire, and Hasbro, The Games Show, a giant interactive team game played in front of a live audience. A 12-night cruise from Venice to Barcelona, departing July 28, costs from £1,189pp including flights. To book, visit www.carnival.co.uk.

Special nights: A cruise is a great excuse to dress up for a formal night

Exercise in restraint

Going on a cruise doesn’t have to mean eating around the clock and piling on the pounds. This year Celebrity Cruises (0845 456 0523, www.celebritycruises. co.uk) is offering free Zumba classes, including Aqua Zumba in the pool and ZumbaGold for older passengers. A ten-night cruise of the eastern Med aboard Celebrity Reflection departs Rome on August 30 and calls at the Greek islands of Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos. It costs from £1,338pp for a balcony cabin including return flights to Rome.

 

Plenty of ports

Cruises are often the perfect way to see lots of different places in one holiday. Crown Princess (www.princess.com) sails from Southampton on September 30 for a two-week trip around the Med, meaning you could be strolling around Barcelona one day and having a flutter at a casino in Monte Carlo the next, before exploring Rome’s treasures and then heading to Ajaccio, Napoleon’s  birthplace in Corsica. The break costs from £999pp.

Laid back: Relaxing on a Celebrity cruise - perhaps after an exercise class