INTRODUCTION TO CRUISING

Unless you've been living on Mars for the last few years, chances are you'll already have heard a lot about cruising. It's now by far the fastest-growing sector of the travel business, with bookings growing at least 15 per cent year on year. In 1997, more than 640,000 Britons took a holiday afloat; by the end of 1998, that figure will have topped three quarters of a million. Compare that with the 1993 total of only 298,200, and you'll get an idea of just how popular cruising has become in less than a decade.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

The secret of its success lies in its amazing diversity. Cruising really does offer something for every taste and budget. There are ships like country houses afloat, with grand libraries and wood-panelled bars for travellers who like a dash of style and intellectual stimulation in their holiday cocktail.

Sailing vessels, packet boats and adventure ships are a dream come true for would-be sea salts keen to explore the world's wilder reaches, while small, elegant luxury ships cater for those who go for exclusivity and discreet glamour. Then there are big, sassy, 'rock around the clock' ships, great for honeymooners, young families, and party animals of all ages. Whichever type of ship appeals to you, you'll find new variations coming along virtually every other month.

BOOM TIME

The 1980s and 1990s have seen an unprecedented boom in shipbuilding; in the run-up to the 21st Century more than 50 new cruise ships are either on order, under construction or on the drawing board - at a staggering cost of more than $8 billion. This tidal wave of development has brought a field day for the world's top marine architects and designers, who have stretched their imaginations and used their considerable talents to the full in creating ever more eye-boggling facilities. And it's also brought good times for consumers, since this boom in capacity means more cruises at competitive, value-for-money prices. Several major UK tour operators have begun offering cruise holidays, often combined with an option of a land-based holiday. Their buying power and links with airlines means they offer very competitively priced holidays, particularly for someone considering a cruise for the first time.

Though there are new sailing ships and small-to-medium luxury vessels on the building blocks, the majority of the new ships now being built or entering service are BIG - carrying at least 2000 passengers. The giant 'resort at sea' concept has proved so successful that ships carrying more than 2,500 passengers are already afloat. Indeed companies are now preparing to launch ships which will carry snore than 3,000.

DECKED OUT

Big does not, however, necessarily equate with impersonal. The advantage of having lots of space to work with is that it can be divided into smaller areas to offer passengers plenty of choice about where they go, what they do - and how many other people they do it with.

On the new generation of big ships, passengers don't have to eat in one dining room, but have a range of options - from 24-hour pizzerias to intimate bistros.

And even main dining rooms are cleverly divided into smaller, more intimate areas, so people don't feel crowded in. A variety of watering holes - from champagne and caviar bars to traditional English pubs - offer an even wider choice when it comes to enjoying a pre or post dinner drink, while cinemas, show lounges and piano bars offer everything from Broadway musicals to intimate cabaret performances.

But perhaps the best entertainment the big ships offer is the chance to sit on your own private balcony and watch the world go by; another advantage of size is that more cabins boast private verandas. And those who like to burn off the calories they'll inevitably pile on during a cruise will find gymnasium and health spa facilities guaranteed to turn the most abandoned couch potato into a wannabe Jane Fonda.

Somehow, working out on a stationary bike is much easier when you're cycling down a leafy lane on a virtual reality bike tour. And when you're zipping Franz Klammer-style down the slalom on a virtual reality ski machine, you simply don't notice how many calories you're burning up - it just comes as a nice surprise when you finally tear yourself away.

Want to wallow in the lassotherapy baths and try out the latest treatments for de-stressing your mind and detoxifying your body? Don't bother with a pricey health farm - simply run away to sea and you'll get all that, plus a large dollop of bracing sea air.

THE COMPLETE RANGE

With all this on offer, it's no wonder that cruising is increasingly becoming the holiday choice of younger people. Over the past four years, the age of the average cruise passenger has fallen from nearly 60 in 1993 to 54 in 1997. Age will vary between the destinations and the ship you choose - in the Caribbean, for example, the average age can be 35.

And it's continuing to drop as more and more babyboomers realise cruising's potential as a great holiday, whether you're travelling with a family, taking a romantic break or enjoying a few days' freedom as a solo traveller. While the 'floating resorts' have been hugely successful in attracting younger people who might never previously have considered a cruise, there are many ship-lovers who prefer older, classic vessels with a lower passenger count and a more intimate feel.

Despite the march of the big ships, they need not fear that their world is disappearing. There are many medium-sized vessels with a slightly 'old world' feel for them to enjoy. Such ships are run along more traditional lines, with one main dining room and a more limited range of bars and facilities.

This often gives them the atmosphere of a private club, and makes them a perfect choice for people at a more contemplative stage of life, who like to make friends and explore hobbies in a gentle, restful environment. But that's the thing about cruising - no other type of holiday offers quite such an enormous range of choice.

The secret is finding the ship that's right for your tastes. And that's what this page is designed to help you do. Enquire within for all the information you need when considering a cruise - from what type of ship to go for, to what to pack. We hope it will show you just why cruising is the success story of the decade - and help you discover its delights for yourself.