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ruising is big business in the UK – almost two million holiday packages were sold in 2016, at an average price of just over £1,000. A booming part of the leisure sector, 12 new ships will arrive this year, ranging from National Geographic’s 100-passenger Quest expedition ship, to MSC’s Seaside, with capacity for more than 5,000 customers when it launches in December.

There are essentially two ways to take part in a water-borne holiday – deep-sea or river cruising. You can book direct with the operator or via a specialist

Main: Cunard Queen Mary 2