People interested in taking a cruise holiday may be glad to hear that there are prices to suit all budgets across the sector.
According to the Sunday Times, cruising is enjoying a boom as an increasing number of people warm to the on-sea holidays, which offer "the perfect break for hard times".
The newspaper revealed that despite some of the headline prices appearing "eye-watering", there are some advantages such as the inclusion of meals, transport, entertainment and increasingly, drinks in the cover rate.
Holidaymakers can also avoid having to fly altogether thanks to a growing number of cruises leaving from UK ports and a wide range of itineraries to choose from.
Those wishing to cruise on a budget may want to try out taster cruises being offered by the likes of
P&O Cruises, which has a two-night voyage for £260 or
Celebrity Eclipse's three-nighter from £409.
Both voyages depart from Southampton in April 2010, reported the newspaper, whose list included cruises costing more than £3,000.
P&O Cruises recently revealed that it is expanding in Australasia as passenger numbers grow.
Written by Chris Smith.