If a few hours in your departure port just isn’t enough, then you might want to consider a ‘cruise-and-stay’ - literally splitting your holiday between a hotel or self-catering unit before joining a cruise ship – or the other way around.

Combining land-based and water-based holidays means getting the best of both worlds. You can totally immerse yourself in a destination, shop, explore or sightsee to your heart’s content, knowing you have a relaxing time ahead sailing from port to port with meals and entertainment laid on.

If you’re still not sure about taking the plunge, this is a great way to try cruising for the first time without committing your whole holiday. And whether you’re just looking for a beach holiday in the Mediterranean followed by a week exploring by ship, or two completely different holidays in one, there are some fantastic combinations available.

How about shopping in New York City followed by Caribbean cruise – out of Manhattan? The antiquities of Cairo followed by a cruise on the river Nile? Dubai then the Arabian Gulf? Depending on the terms of your package, it’s possible to tag a few days onto the start or end of pretty much any cruise, so the possibilities are almost endless.

And you won’t have to go it alone – many cruiselines offer bolt-on land stays in their brochures or through partner tour operators, organising flights, hotel, cruise and transfers all in one easy booking. Some will even plan tours and excursions for your land days, so you can enjoy the convenience of the cruise before it even begins.

Ask your ACE travel agent for ideas.