First cruise: ten questions everyone asks

Seasickness is the first worry, and the most often overestimated. On modern large cruise ships, stabilisers greatly reduce rolling in the Mediterranean or the Canaries; a cabin at the centre of the ship, on a mid-level deck, remains the most stable choice for anyone particularly wary of motion.

Crew tips are, on most cruise lines, either included in the advertised price or charged automatically at the end of the trip as a per-day, per-passenger fee: the detail always appears on the offer page and on the final invoice, with no surprises on board.

As for dress, a cruise in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean doesn't call for a special wardrobe day to day (casual dress at the main restaurant during the day), but generally includes one or two smarter evenings during the trip: nothing compulsory, but nice to plan for.

Shore excursions at each port of call are not included in the cruise price itself, unless stated otherwise on the offer page: they are booked separately, on board or in advance. It is entirely possible to go ashore and explore independently, without joining an organised excursion.

An outside cabin (with a porthole or balcony) costs more than an inside cabin, but for a first cruise, seeing the sea from your room changes the experience considerably, especially on a multi-day cruise with days spent entirely at sea.

For a first time, a short format (7 to 8 days) on full board, with an itinerary of closely spaced ports of call such as the western Mediterranean or the Greek islands, remains the best choice.