Your complete guide to cruising

Never cruised before? Find out everything you need to know with our guide to the world of cruising!

If you’ve always thought about taking a cruise but have never actually taken the plunge, then our guide to cruising is an ideal starting point. There are so many good reasons to choose a cruise and our guide will help answer most of the questions you may have.

Have your questions answered with The Co-operative Travel Cruise guide to cruising

Value: A cruise holiday offers excellent value because almost everything, from accommodation through to entertainment, is included in the one price. If you choose a fly cruise then the cost of flights will be included too.

Activities: Cruising can be as relaxing or as active as you want but always entertaining. Excursions can be organised for you taking away the strain of having to make your own arrangements.

Travelling on a cruise lets you visit an exciting new destination almost every day

Choice: With literally thousands of cruises to choose from and places to visit, you’re bound to find the perfect cruise for you. Many cruises are even geared towards your special interests such as wine tasting or movies. There are even short cruises for those who just want to try a taster.

New view: A cruise allows you to see several destinations in a few days. Relax in a floating resort at night, fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon the next morning. What other holiday allows you to visit more than one destination or country in a few days or a week?

You can meet new friends and like minded people on a cruise

Cuisine: From the breakfast buffet to formal dining, the food is available when and where you want. Cruises offer excellent cuisine, comparable with the best restaurants.

You’re in good company: Nearly 2 million people will take a cruise this year. And with new ships being launched by the cruise operators expanding further the quantity, quality and exceptional value on offer, there’s never been a better time to take the plunge.

You can travel to some of the world's most exciting destinations with all the comforts of a cruise

Destinations: The range of cruising destinations available is impressive - with more cruises than ever departing from British shores you can travel to destinations as varied as the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia, Russia and North Africa without even stepping on board a flight. Passengers who don't mind flying from the UK to join a cruise will find an even more impressive selection of destinations available, with cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Far East and Australia and New Zealand all available with various cruise lines.

The Co-operative Travel Cruises Guide to Cruising

Welcome on board: In the following pages we will introduce you to some of the most popular cruise lines for new cruise passengers, from the relaxed, informal atmosphere of Norwegian Cruise Line to the action-packed excitement of Royal Caribbean and the fabled white star service of Cunard Line. We will also try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions from first-time cruise passengers, and guide you through some of the commonly used cruising terms and phrases.

So take a look at what’s on offer in our guide to cruising and hopefully you too soon will be hooked on cruise. Simply click on any of the banners to the right to see more, including the benefits of cruising, a glossary of cruise terms, and a variety of special offers with a range of cruise lines. And don't forget - if you have any questions at all on the world of cruising, feel free to contact one of or dedicated Cruise Advisors on 0845 219 0419 today, and they will be happy to help!