A Mediterranean voyage is the ideal option for those who are new to cruising, it has been suggested.
However, writing in the Telegraph, cruise expert Jane Archer claimed the Mediterranean was not a destination to cruise just once and move on.
"In cruising terms, it stretches from the Iberian peninsula east to Turkey, and south to North Africa, taking in beaches, Roman ruins and some of the world’s finest cities on the way," she explained.
According to the Passenger Shipping Association, more than 543,000 Britons cruised the Mediterranean in the last year, representing a 50 per cent increase over the last decade.
Seven-night cruises are the ideal way for first-time cruisers to experience a holiday at sea, while longer itineraries are available for those who want to explore further afield, Ms Archer explained.
Some of the "top places to consider when choosing an itinerary" include Naples, which is described as a "delightfully chaotic city" and Venice with its "spellbinding" views.
Cruise lines offering voyages around the Mediterranean include Costa Cruises,
Royal Caribbean Cruises and
Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Written by Fiona Mayers