Arrangements can also be made for the cruise ship to host special events such as a milestone, anniversary, birthday, reunion, honeymoon, or wedding and in most cases the staff will be able to accommodate just about any special requests that the event coordinator might have.

 For those with a busy lifestyle that simply cannot afford a long time away, a short cruise could be the answer. Approximately one in every five cruises booked in the UK is for a duration of five days or less. Short cruises still offer the same level of luxury and pampering, as the longer cruises.  

There is a big demand for quick escapes and short holidays that consist of four or five days, and there are many cruise companies out there eager to cater for the demand. Allow a cruise company to whisk you away for a few days to a great destination, all the while taking care of meals, accommodation and entertainment. A few good days away could easily feel like a two-week holiday.  

A short cruise still provides ample time for cruise passengers to visit two or three great destinations. This short time at sea also means less packing and travel preparations.

The modern cruise ships are fitted with state of the art fitness facilities, provide excellent dining and first rate entertainment, making a trip at sea the perfect short cruise holiday getaway!

Many travellers confess that they use every resource they can to get the best deal on the cost of their travel holidays. This includes reward points, credit card discounts, frequent flyer miles and using the internet to search for any last minute cruise deals.  

For the seasoned saver, these strategies often prove successful. It is a fact that most cruise ships want to leave port filled to capacity, the seasoned traveller knows this, and is aware of how to get in on these great cruise discounts.  

Viewing websites and keeping in touch with a travel agent are definitely two efficient ways to secure a good cruise deal. These deals often become available from 60 to 90 days before the ship is due to leave port. This leaves the determined traveller plenty of time to book their cruise while still getting a good deal on their flight, no doubt with the help of frequent flyer miles. 

First, it pays to know your cruise line. There are five basic categories of cruise ships. They include specialised liners, ultra-luxury, upscale, middle of the road and bargain cruise ships that often are the smaller liners.

If you are looking for a middle of the road cruise line, which also happens to be the most popular, you can head over to cruise companies such as Princess, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises. These companies offer great service, outstanding food and smart décor at a reasonable price.

If you have narrowed your search down to a few companies, make the effort to get their brochures. These are easily obtained from your local travel agent or can be requested online. The brochures will provide a guide of their prices as well as their amenities, target passengers and cabins. While you are searching through the brochures, decide what it is you want from your cruise. Each cruise line offers a different experience in the way of entertainment, destination, budget and ports of call. 

Getting the best cruise deals is often linked to when you take your cruise. Enjoying a Caribbean cruise in the early spring or late autumn is usually a better time to get in on some great discounts. However, not all cruises are flexible. If you are considering an Alaskan cruise, for example, the cruise season for that area is not very long so you may not have a lot of off-season options. 

Many cruise lines offer cruise deals to passengers who book well in advance. If you are able to commit to a holiday months ahead of time, this too could prove to add to your cruise savings. Regardless of when you decide to book, don’t expect to be travelling during peak season. It is rare, but not impossible, to find a cruise deal during a popular holiday season.

You can choose to take a cruise on a huge ship with an ice rink, rock climbing wall, Flowrider surf machine, full court basketball, and mini golf course on a holiday through the best Eastern or Western Caribbean islands. Or you can choose to take a very small and intimate vessel on an intrepid and unconventional adventure out to the Galapagos Islands to marvel in the beauty and wonder of some of nature’s most incredible creatures.

You can go for as short as one night on a “cruise to nowhere” just to get a taste of what cruising is like or if you don’t have a lot of time, or you can go on a three month cruise all around the world from America to Europe, sailing through Western Europe to the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, through the Suez Canal and into the Middle East, down past Africa and into Asia, across to South America and back to America. The options are truly limitless, and with a range of different operators such as Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean cruises whatever you choose, your cruises will be amazing.

Going on a cheap cruise isn’t like going to a cheap hotel or restaurant on holiday. When you go to a cheap hotel or a cheap restaurant, it can really be a totally hit or miss experience.  But when you go on a cruise, you know you are going to enjoy a certain high level of service and quality, no matter how expensive or cheap your cruise holiday is. Therefore, the difference between choosing between expensive or cheap hotels, for example, is much different than choosing between expensive or cheap cruises. With cruises, even if you get a cheap one, it’s going to be a great one.

The best thing about going on one of the many different kinds of cruise holidays that are available is that you can find something that will please everyone in your family, for a very affordable price. Mum may be looking forward to a totally relaxing break but Dad may want to hit the gym. And of course the teenage son will want to do something much different than his little sister. But on a cruise, everyone can do what they want, no matter how inexpensive the cruise was to buy.

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.