Several cruise lines offer sailings themed to a huge range of pastimes or interests, where you can learn to paint, improving your game of golf or find out more about classical music, for example.

Evenings can be the social highlight of the day and depending on the size of the ship, you can find cocktail bars, nightclubs, casinos, cinemas and theatres. Lounges will often feature live bands and guest performers and it’s not unheard of to have the stars of stage and screen performing onboard.

Alternatively, there are smaller cruise ships where less emphasis is placed on entertainment and more on relaxation with passengers just enjoying the art of conversation with fellow travellers. Some of the smaller, boutique ships may also offer a water sports platform at the stern and carry jet skis, windsurfers, scuba and snorkeling gear.

Not many holidays offer such an extensive range of entertainment, situated in one place, covering such a wide variety of ages.

Children of all ages can be entertained from dawn to dusk on family cruise lines with dedicated pools and water parks, face painting and talent shows, Playstations and Wiis together with the dedicated children’s clubs. And on a number of ships the whole family can join in such activities as bowling, ice-skating, rock-climbing, basketball, watching movies under the stars or even surfing.

Alternatively, there’s much to keep people entertained at a more leisurely pace -

passengers can join in card tournaments, listen to lectures from guest speakers, join in yoga and pilates classes, learn how to ballroom dance, make the most of the pc, improve their photography skills or become wine connoisseurs to name but a few of the activities available on many cruise ships.