Cruise holidays can be incredibly good value – often beating land-based holidays in price-for-price comparisons, because food, accommodation and entertainment are included (two nights can start from as little as £279 for a no-fly mini-cruise or £579 for seven nights). Plus going on a cruise gives the opportunity to visit lots of destinations on one trip, while only unpacking once.

If you’re a first-timer, start with the country or places you would like to visit and research the cruise lines that call there. Decide what’s important to you: size of ship? staff ratio? kid-friendly? adventurous activities? Talk to a travel agent – look for one via the Cruise Lines International Association – to get the best deal.

In general, booking early is advised. The best cabins and most popular travel dates and itineraries sell out first and there are often incentives for early bookers: free balcony upgrades, drinks packages or onboard spending money.

Otherwise “wave period” – usually December to March – is a time when cruise lines offer lots of great-value deals; and towards the end of the summer, and around National Cruise Week in September, special offers also become available.

Cruises are brilliant for families because so much is included and you can leave your kids at the onboard clubs for hours on end and go off to the spa. Flights during school holidays can push the cost right up, so consider cruising to/from a British port, such as Southampton or Dover, to keep the costs down.

Before you book your cruise, it’s always worth checking exactly what’s included: many luxury ocean and river cruise lines will include drinks and excursions as well as the usual meals, for example, while others will bill you for that “welcome” cocktail. Some will charge for Wi-Fi, while others do not, and even include laundry. So research, again, is key.

Liz Jarvis is editor of Cruise International