Contemporary cruising is no longer characterised by 'days at sea', archaic formality and endless dinners.  Here's a view from the bridge citing just some of the styles of voyage now on offer.

Adventure:  Visit ancient sites in the Outer Hebrides, cruise the Mekong in a rice barge, look for Blue Whales in the Sea or Cortez, explore the islands of the Galapagos, and delve through the sands of Egyptian temples.  Adventurous small ship, sea and river cruises offer holidays afloat that encompass much more than deck quoits and dicky bows.

All-inclusive:  A perennial bugbear for cruise passengers, charges ranging from bottled water, gratuities, wifi and port fees combine with inevitable bar tabs, spa treatment fees and à la carte dining bills to throw holiday budgets into disarray.  'All-inclusive' cruises clarify overall costs.  However, definitions of 'all-inclusive' vary from ship to ship - check before booking.

Around The World:  Europe, Middle East, Asia, Pacific, a traverse of the Panama Canal and home - at three-months or more and costing from £7,000, most travellers will be old hands.  However, not all voyages circumnavigate the globe, instead simply combining varied ports and cultures in one epic voyage.  Segments are often sold separately, though aboard ship travellers report 'distance' between those going the whole hog and others.

Disney:  Four ships float Disney's family-friendly cruise fantasies across the globe.  Large staterooms, cabins sleeping up to six, cinemas, children's clubs, water parks and adults-only areas are the essence of the offering.  However, far from being an assault of primary colours and easy-wipe surfaces, Disney's ships, though modern, reflect Art Deco and Art Nouveau design influences, and are some of the most elegant afloat.

Informal:  If dress codes, fixed dinner seating, captain's tables, enforced conviviality and fancy-dress balls induce premature mal de mer, there's an increasing number of ships eschewing such institutions.  Thomson and NCL stand out in terms of freestyle cruising.  However, many operators market free seating in restaurants, liberal dress codes and opt outs to structured activities - check before booking.

Mediterranean:  A multitude of diverse ports, spectacular landscapes and rich history and not too many 'days at sea', are just some of the reasons Mediterranean cruising has remained so popular.  And for those considering a future longer cruise, a dilettante jaunt in the Mediterranean lasting just a few days is a good way to test the water.

Polar: From ice-strengthened research vessels to nuclear ice-breakers, Arctic and Antarctic expedition voyages lie at the frontiers of tourism, boldly going to parts of the globe not normally visited for fun.  Wildlife is a key focus; from penguins and polar bears to narwhals and walruses, wild, remote and pristine habitats test the limits of ships, crews and holiday travellers.

River:  If the motion of the ocean is a deal breaker take the pitch and roll out of the equation on a river cruise.  More modern vessels have large cabins, often with floor to ceiling windows looking out upon ever-changing riverbank scenery.  Popular routes in Europe include the Rhine and the Danube, whilst more exotic options include Amazon and Nile cruises.

Sail:  Cut the engines! - who needs them when the wind fills the sails and the spray is in your hair.  Multi-masted tall ship cruisers may appear throwbacks to tea clippers of old but the technology is state-of-the-art.  Wind and sea conditions may determine changes to the itinerary and cabin space is at a premium, but for a leisure cruise it's as far removed from glitzy entertainment, casinos and celebrity speakers as you can get.

Themed Cruises:  A cruise ship almost entirely filled by Elvis fans, chocolate addicts, ballroom dancers, amateur detectives or ardent naturists, may not float your boat but to some it's a dream come true.  Themed voyages are offered by several of the larger operators and range from short mini-cruises to two-week total immersions.

This article has been produced in association with www.talkholiday.com