For other types of holidays, putting off the planning for too long can really make it very difficult or even impossible to find a good place to stay or to be able to do something fun. After all, everyone else wants to find a great place to stay and to do all those fun activities that your family wants to do, too. If they booked long ago, they will be the ones who get the best prices and secure the best holiday, right? Well, maybe not. Last minute cheap cruises may in fact be the best sort of holiday you can choose. Not only can the prices drop dramatically if you wait to book a cruise, but there is virtually nothing that you have to plan, especially if you live near one of the many ports located around the world where it will be easy for you to begin your cruise.

If you find a good last minute cruise that sounds like fun to you and your family, with just one simple booking you can arrange your accommodation, food, day and night entertainment, and even childcare for the kids. It’s a great deal!

However, times are changing, and today cruise lines are becoming single-friendly and returning to practices of some of the bygone ships, like the QE2, with different cabin configurations to meet the needs of all their passengers.

Single travellers need to opt for cruise holidays that offer single supplements; a single share programme which matches singles up to share a cabin, or those that cater hosted singles cruises where the entire group consists of singles.

The advantages to a singles cruise are many, with the ships hosting ‘meet and greet’ cocktail hours, offering activities geared to meeting one another and presenting special cruise deals for the unattached. Cruises are so specific that one can book a holiday for seniors over 55, divorcees, single parents with children, widows and widowers, and young singles 18-35 years of age.

Hosted cruises have the extra advantage of bringing like-minded people together who will enjoy the camaraderie of similar lifestyles, pursuits, and the chance to meet new people. This means that, with cruise liners focusing on the needs and desires of single travellers today, a cruise may be the ultimate holiday excursion for those on their own.

Here are some guidelines about what to take on your dream cruise.

Cruise hosts want guests to feel comfortable but, like any good restaurant or resort, they also want the experience to remain special for everyone. 

On Princess Cruises, they ask that passengers wear smart casual, similar to the clothing you would wear at a smart resort.  

For women, that means skirts, shirts and trousers.  Mix and match combinations are ideal, as are dresses.  Take shoes to match your chosen outfits and swimwear for relaxing around the pool.  For eveningwear, formal dresses, smart trouser suits or cocktail dresses are perfect.  A wrap or scarf is a versatile addition to keep evening chills at bay and if you need to cover yourself when visiting religious sites.

For men, open-neck shirts and trousers are ideal for during the day and, for the formal evenings, pack a tuxedo, dark suit or a dinner jacket and trousers.

It is always wise to pack some warm clothing, a sweater, or similar, and take some rainwear and an umbrella.  Comfortable shoes are a must for day trips on land and for walking around the deck, some shoes with soft soles are the most suitable.

If you wish to take advantage of the sports facilities on board, then be sure to pack comfortable clothing suitable for the activity.

European River Cruises

These cruises are suitable for travellers who prefer smaller vessels.  Some of the most popular European rivers for cruises include the Rhine and the Elbe.  These cruises provide easy access to some of the most charming  towns and villages in Germany and France.  Usually, these types of cruises have one main dining area and fewer entertainment options than larger ocean-going vessels. 

Scandinavian Cruises

Scandinavian cruises are available at various times of the year.  Many prefer to take them during summer holidays, but winter cruise holidays can offer very unique experiences.  Larger ocean liners are used for these cruises, with a variety of dining and entertainment options.  Cruise passengers can experience fascinating northern cities and see Arctic wildlife.

Mediterranean Cruises

Cruises to the Mediterranean are popular with British travellers during the summer months.  The countries along the Mediterranean have many interesting historical and cultural attractions.  Western Mediterranean cruises commonly include the Canary Islands, Spain, France and Italy, whilst eastern Mediterranean cruises include Croatia, Greece and Turkey.  Extended cruises may also include Israel and Egypt.

Transatlantic Cruises

These cruises can vary in length, depending on whether other destinations are visited.  The most popular destinations are New York City and Miami.  Some Transatlantic cruises include trips to Caribbean and South American destinations.  Others are round-trip, including stops in the United States or Canada, as well as Europe.

Some luxury cruise holidays specialise in very small manifests that carry only 50 passengers at a time, but there are also larger luxury vessels that carry as many as a thousand passengers and still deliver a luxurious experience.  What sets a cruise like this apart from the mainstream is the superb cuisine prepared by specialty chefs, the sumptuous décor and appointments onboard the ship, and the level of personalised service provided by the crew.

One example of a luxury cruise is available from British operator Hebridean Island Cruises, which offers tour packages targeted at wealthy and discerning travellers over the age of 50.  Most people who enjoy cruises with this line are British nationals.  The cruises feature destinations in Northern European waters and include lectures and informal talks about the areas visited.  Since the luxury ship used by this operator is small, it can voyage close to shore to provide tourists with outstanding views of the scenery along the way.

If you haven’t been on a cruise before, you might be pleasantly surprised at what’s on offer.  Cruises are no longer the reserve of the rich and famous.  Nowadays, many people who at one time went on regular package tours to Greece or Spain are opting for cruises in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and elsewhere.

Cruise holiday deals for 2011 will open your eyes to some great bargains to be had in the cruise holiday market.  Even without special promotions, the advantages of cruise vacations are obvious.

First off, there is none of the travelling and delays involved in the normal holiday getaway.  Simply get yourself to the cruise liner, then relax for the rest of the holiday and have others look after your every need.  There is plenty of evening entertainment, cinemas, live music, and scores of bars and restaurants to choose from, all serving the best food and drink.

However, for most cruise aficionados the biggest attraction is the variety of different places to see without having to examine a map or even lift a finger.  Pull into a different port every day and watch the world literally go by.

If that’s the case, consider the advantages of booking a cruise holiday this year for a change.  First off, you can make one simple booking on the internet and that is the extent of your logistical nightmare.  There are no extra costs to worry about and nothing to coordinate.  There will be no cancelled flights and no need to check maps and prices for the other end and getting to your villa or hotel.  Moreover, not a traffic jam to worry your head about.

With cruise holidays, you are guaranteed the best possible accommodation and service.  These vast hotels, moving like star-ships from one port to another, are serene and unflappable.  They will imbue you with a sense of calm and security.  You’ll enjoy waking up to fresh vistas and experiences each morning.  Just as life should be like all the time but, alas, usually is not.

With cruise holidays, you have no need to worry about the quality of service and standard of accommodation because you know that you’ll receive nothing but the very best of both.  Moreover, it’s a one-stop shop because all you need to do is get to the cruise ship and then put all other matters into the hands of an experienced and attentive crew.  This is where your holiday starts, with no extra costs, hidden charges, or traffic jams to negotiate and eat away into your time and resources.

Imagine waking up to fresh views every morning, whether tropical islands in the Caribbean or historic port towns and cities in the Mediterranean.  The kids are more than adequately entertained.  There are also top restaurants and evening entertainment.  Couples will find all the romance they’re looking for.  There is no better way to put your feet up and just enjoy the ever-changing view for a few weeks.

Most ships operate a cash free system whereby you are given a cruise card when you embark which you use to “pay” whilst on board, then you settle up the final bill with your credit card at the end of the trip.  You can keep an eye on how the bill is mounting up by checking at the ships’ information desk, or on your cabin TV.

Tipping on board is a controversial issue amongst many regular cruise goers.  Fred Olsen Cruises have recently introduced automatic gratuities, following feedback from their passengers.  (From December 2010, this will be added on to their customers’ bills at a rate of £4 per adult per day).  This brings them in line with many other major lines who also add gratuities automatically, although of course you are free to adjust them if you wish.  Some lines offer incentives such as more flexible dining options if you opt to pre-pay your tips.

Cabins are very tight compared to hotel rooms.  Take half of what you think you will need.  Many ships even have launderettes on board.

2.  Check What is Really Included

Drinks are not usually included in the price of cruise holidays 2011, so if you like a few glasses of wine in the evening, be prepared for a bill at the end of your trip which may be considerably more than the teetotallers!  Cruise lines also vary on their tipping policy; some operators automatically add gratuities on to your bill, others do not, yet expect you to tip both waiters and stewards, which can really add up.

3.  Hanging Around

Embarking and disembarking can take a long time checking in hundreds of travellers.  Be prepared for a fair bit of waiting around every time you get on and off the boat.  When you first arrive on board, it is also worth taking a carry on bag with anything you may need for the first few hours, as your checked in suitcase may not arrive at your cabin until several hours after you do.

4.  Research Your Excursions

It is a well known fact that you can save a lot of money in going solo when you get off the ship, rather than booking on to the ship’s official excursions.  But do research this thoroughly, there may be security or visa issues with certain stops which mean you have to stay with your group, and you may also have to travel long distances from where the ship docks.