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Helen Coop had never considered taking her  family on a cruise but as it seemed spring and summer were never going to arrive in the UK, she decided that enough was enough and the lure of a last minute  Mediterranean cruise with  MSC Cruises proved too much. 

Here's Helen's story as a new to cruise convert....

The decision was easy to make -there was still a  cabin available on MSC's newest ship, the MSC Preziosa, the itinerary and dates were good and  the price was right - within a matter of days myself, my partner and our two girls aged 5 and 3 were packing our bags.

We flew out to Nice and as soon as we landed, we were struck by the light.  "I can see the sun," my 5 year old proclaimed excitedly.  On our transfer to Genoa this was replaced with "I can see the sea" and the sense of excitement only increased as we arrived at the port.

None of us were prepared for the sheer scale of the MSC Preziosa, this ship is enormous and dwarfs everything surrounding her.  She is brand, spanking new and quite literally gleams.    However, given her size, the embarkation process is surprisingly effortless and we were soon welcomed onboard.  Glass elevators and sparkling crystal staircases are the first things to catch your eye - together with the warm welcome from every MSC employee that we met. We shot up 8 floors in the afore mentioned lift, found our cabin and the balcony doors were quickly opened.  The great thing about being high up (we were on deck 13) of a ship this size is that you get a bird's eye view of every port you come to.

There was no time to savour the sites though as two little voices piped up:  "Can we go swimming, please, please," this mantra was to be repeated frequently over the next week.    My girls were not disappointed, there are three swimming pools onboard (not counting the one exclusively for Yacht Club members) and a fantastic water park which kept them amused for hours.  We could swim in all weathers as one of the pools had a retractable roof and there were never too many people.   Throughout the week we tried and tested them all (frequently) but the family favourite had to be the infinity garden pool - it really was hard to believe we were actually onboard a ship. We were so impressed by everything, the service, the food, the kids club,  the shows (we managed to go to three) the ease of getting on and off at the  various ports of call and of course, the swimming pools.  

One night, as we sipped our cocktails, my partner turned to me and said: "I'm a free spirit, I shouldn't be enjoying this so much," and that summed up our holiday.  A cruise perhaps wouldn't have been the first family holiday option to spring to our minds, but for a week away where everyone can get some much  required r and r and there are enough activities to keep the whole family happy, you really can't beat it.  

If you are new to cruising it can sometimes feel like there is a lot to take in and learn! However, cruising is just like, or perhaps even easier, than planning most holidays. But just to help you out - and have a little bit of alphabet fun! - here is an A-Z of cruising written especially for those considering cruising for the first time.  

A is for Activities -Take advantage of a huge variety of facilities and activitieson offer. From ballroom dancing to wine tasting, rock climbing walls to cookery schools, there is something for everyone.

B is for Beauty -Cruise ships are now famed for their world-class spa facilities. Guests can treat themselves to a huge range of treatments ranging from specialist deep-tissue massages to bespoke facials that are tailored to specific skin types.

C is for Cabins -Cruise ships have a lots of accommodation options available, from excellent value cabins right through to luxury suites. Ask your ACE approved agent for advice when booking to find a cabin that suits you.  

D is for Dining -Foodies can expect a fantastic variety of quality cuisine on board a cruise ship. Some ships even offer backstage tours of the galley, the amazing kitchen from which renowned chefs create choice menus paired with the perfect wines by expert sommeliers.  

E is for Entertainment -Cruises are renowned for incredible onboard entertainment. Guests can experience celebrity dancing specials, first class cabaret or even dance the night away in onboard clubs with music from top bands and DJ's.

F is for Far-flung -From Asia to Alaska, cruise lines travel to a whole host of exciting locations throughout the world. Ports of call include anywhere and everywhere, with Burma, the Mekong, Australia and Russia amongst up and coming destinations. Cruises are the perfect way to explore off the beaten track places with all the comfort of your 'floating hotel'.  

G is for Guest speakers -Cruises are constantly innovating with a huge range of fascinating guest speakers. Passengers can meet their favourite authors, study the skies with expert astronomers or even get the inside story from Cold war political specialists.

H is for Honeymoon -Cruises are a great choice for honeymoon getaways. Experience the delights of visiting exotic destinations for the trip of a lifetime at an all-inclusive price that won't break the bank. Perfect for newlyweds!

I is for Ice skating- Active travellers will enjoy the whole host of sports facilities on cruise ships, from ice skating rinks and golf driving ranges to volleyball courts and even waterslides - there's plenty to keep you occupied!

J is for Just you -Cruise holidays are a great option if you are travelling on your own and many ships now offer single cabins at no additional charge. It's a great way to meet people and you'll never be lonely.

K is for Kids -Looking for the perfect family holiday? Kids will love the facilities onboard, from dedicated pools and waterparks to child-friendly excursions and activities. Many ships offer early dining times for families or, alternatively, parents can take advantage of the baby-sitter services on offer.  

L is for Luxury -Contemporary cruise liners can offer all the luxury and comfort of a top resort. Some luxury suites even come complete with a Jacuzzi. Guests can enjoy everything from private butlers to black-tie caviar beach soirees with French champagne on tap. 

M is for Multigenerational -Multigenerational holidays are becoming more and more popular and cruises are a perfect option, with something for every age. Activities can be tailored for family fun or adults can enjoy some downtime whilst kids are whisked off to specialist clubs.

N is for New to cruise -Unsure about whether cruising is for you? Visit discovercruises.co.uk for all you ever need to know about a cruise holiday!

O is for Onboard services- Cruise ships cater for all needs onboard with everything from laundry services to banks. Many cruises carry specialist medical equipment allowing people with disabilities and those requiring dialysis to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.

P is for Price -Cruise holidays offer excellent value for money and there's a package to suit all budgets. With 'cashless cruising', settle your bill in one payment before disembarkation, so you can relax and enjoy a hassle-free trip.

Q is fo r Questions- If you are looking to book a cruise but have questions about your trip, visit www.discovercruises.co.uk for essential information on all aspects of cruising.

  R is f or Rides -Ride the waves on rib boat excursions,jet skis and speedboats or ride a bike alongside your river cruiser as it glides along to the next port of call.

S is for Sightseeing -River cruises are perfect for getting right into the heart of a city, with small jetties within the centre so all the sites are just a short walk from your ship.

T is for Taster -new to cruise? Many cruise lines now offer taster cruises for those who have never cruised before. Close to home and less than five nights, you can escape on a short break and sample a mini cruise experience before committing to a longer holiday. 

U is for UK -With a choice of over 650 cruises departing from more than fifteen UK ports, start your holiday as soon as you board the ship without the hassle of lengthy queues, busy airports and baggage restrictions.

V is for Variety -Withover forty cruise lines to choose from, ranging from ultra luxury cruise yachts to specialist themed cruises, everyone can find their perfect cruise holiday.

W is for Wildlife -Get up close to spectacular wildlife with specialist cruises and day excursions that offer you the chance to see bears, swim with dolphins and spot whales! You can even go on safari with a specialist Botswana river cruise.

X is for Xmas -Have a magical Xmasand visiticonic European markets on December river cruise or why not escape the cold British winter and spend Xmas in the Caribbean!

Y is for Yangtze River -Get to the heart of a country with spectacular views along the banks of the river. With a range of destinations ranging from the Yangtze River to the Nile, there has never been a better time to try river cruising.

Z is for Zumba -Larger cruise ships have an excellent choice of sport and fitness facilities onboard. From Zumba to Yoga, golf to basketball, there is an activity for all ages.

So there it is - 26 reasons why a cruising holiday can be the best decision you've ever made. 

Ships have set sail from Southampton to the sunny climes of southern Europe for hundreds of years - although not always with the intentions of having a nice holiday. In the last two centuries, the city has also become a major hub for transatlantic cruises, which means that today Southampton is one of the best places to get a cruise in the United Kingdom.

One of the most popular trips for people heading off from the south coast is to the Western Mediterranean, an itinerary that includes some of the most beautiful and famous cities in the world.

First stop, though, is increasingly likely to be the Holiday Inn's Stay Park and Go just a short hop from the cruise terminal. Affordable and accessible, cruise passengers can save a lot of money and relax in preparation of their cruise in the best possible way with the Holiday Inn offer. 

Then it's off down along the coast of Franceto the western Mediterranean. Although the places you can stop vary, nearly all cruises take in Lisbonand Barcelona, two places that you're guaranteed never to forget.

First up is Lisbon, souther Europe's most westerly capital point and a unique mix of old and new world charm.Lisbon is a city that drips with history, with evidence of settlements going well back before the Romans arrived in the second century BC. In fact,Lisbon has been a city of global influence almost since that time, with several distinct periods of wealth all of which are reflected in the wonderful and varied architecture, open plazas, and cramped little back streets of the old town. It's a great place to visit and one of the real treats of a western Mediterranean cruise.

The other major stopping point is Barcelona, which has been transformed from an industrial provincial town to one of the world's most famous tourist destinations in just a couple of decades. The Sagrada Familia is, of course, a must see, but it's also well worth a trip to Park Guell (where Gaudi lived) to take in a stunning panorama of the city and see more of his work.

After a hard day's sightseeing ,Barcelonais also a great place to relax, with world class restaurants opening out onto pedestrianised plazas and a climate that's unbeatable. 

So, whatever you're looking for, whether you're young or old or have kids, a western Mediterranean cruise is a great option for a completely unforgettable holiday.

Following the exciting competition, the winners of the prestigious Passenger Shipping Association Cruise Journalism Awards were announced on 5 March at a celebrity studded event in London.

Eleven awards were presented including 'best regional cruise feature', 'best river cruise feature' and 'best cruise blog', which was a new category for 2013. The PSA Cruise Journalism Awards celebrate the very best in cruise journalism and acknowledge media who support the cruise industry. Cruise enthusiast and former royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, hosted the awards ceremony which was attended by travel journalists, bloggers and key members of the cruise trade. The 2013 awards were sponsored by Cruise Jamaica.

 Journalists fromCruise Critic, Blackpool Gazette, Mail on Sunday, Cruise International, Daily Telegraph, National Geographic Traveller,The Times,The Travel ChannelandCruise Trade Newswere awarded for their work. Lucy Huxley and her team atTravel Weeklyclaimed the prestigious 'contribution to cruise journalism award'.  

 The awards were judged by a panel of experts led by Lynn Narraway, UK managing director of Holland America Line and Seabourn and chair of the PSA PR committee. Commenting on the awards, Lynn Narraway said:

 "We were overwhelmed by not only the number of entries for the PSA Cruise Journalism Awards but also the extremely high standard. The diversity of the features honoured this evening is a tribute to the journalists who continue to support the industry with original and creative stories that celebrate cruise holidays."

The full list of PSA Cruise Journalism Awards winners is as follows:

Category: Best Cruise Blog

Jamey Bergman,Cruise Critic

Blog: Things I wouldn't normally do

Category: Best Online Cruise Feature

Adam Coulter,Cruise Critic

Article: P&O's Grand Event

Category: Best  Regional Cruise Feature

Jim Pybus,Blackpool Gazette

Article: Amazing Adventure up The Amazon

Category: Best Lifestyle Cruise Feature

Amy Watkins,Mail on Sunday

Article: Have a high old time on the Caribbean's 'Tarzan Tour'

Category: Best First Time Cruise Feature

Belinda Gannon,Cruise International

Article: A Free Spirit

Category: Best River  Cruise Feature

Adrian Bridge,Daily Telegraph

Article: Tuning into the Rhythm of the River

Category: Best Off the Beaten Track Cruise Feature

Ben Lerwill,National Geographic Traveller

Article: The Beautiful South   

Louise Roddon,The Times

Article: Sailing into the unknown

Category: Best Broadcast  Cruise Feature

Ged Cleugh, The Travel Channel

Article: Cruise Today

Category: Best Trade Cruise Feature

Jane Archer,Cruise Trade News

Article:  Luxury Cruising - Dispelling the Myths 

Category: Best National Newspaper Cruise  Feature

James Bedding, Daily Telegraph

Article: Strictly Come Cruising

Category: Cruise Jamaica Contribution to Cruise Journalism

Lucy Huxley and her team at Travel Weekly

The prestigious Passenger Shipping Association Cruise Journalism Awards will take to the stage on 5 March 2013. Following the success of the inaugural event last year, the Passenger Shipping Association, representing 42 river and ocean cruise lines, will be celebrating the very best in cruise journalism and showcasing the wonderful diversity and value of cruise holidays.

For the first time, the awards will be supported by a new sponsor, The Port Authority of Jamaica.

The articles, features and blogs make fantastic reading and offer a wealth of information for those considering a cruise holiday.

Get involved with the action and follow @discovercruises #cruiseawards for results on the night

Full shortlist for the PSA Cruise Journalism Award

Category: Best Online Cruise Feature

Sue Bryant,Daily Telegraph

Article: The best new River cruises in 2013

Adam Coulter,Cruise Critic

Article: P&O's Grand Event

Teresa Machan,Daily Telegraph

Article: Sound of Music through the fjords

Category: Best National Newspaper Cruise  Feature

Frank Barrett Mail on Sunday

Article: Dropping in on Gracie

James Bedding, Daily Telegraph

Article: Strictly Come Cruising

Peter Hughes,Daily Telegraph

Article: Sod ageing get adventuring

Leslie Woit,The Independent

Article: More than bare necessities

Category: Best Lifestyle Cruise Feature

Terry Ramsey,The Times

Article: How to roll a vine leaf at sea

Lucy Vickery,The Spectator

Article: Surprising Serenity

Amy Watkins,Mail on Sunday

Article: Have a high old time on the Caribbean's 'Tarzan Tour'

Category: Best River  Cruise Feature

Jane ArcherWhich? Travel

Article: Go with the Flow

Adrian Bridge,Daily Telegraph

Article: Tuning into the Rhythm of the River

Jessica Tooze,Cruise International

Article: Romance of the Rhine

Category: Best First Time Cruise Feature

Belinda Gannon,Cruise International

Article: A Free Spirit

Julia Rogers,AspirebyTravel Weekly

Article: To Russia with Love

Fiona Whitty,Sunday Mirror

Article: Wahaay Anchor

Category: Best Broadcast  Cruise Feature

Ged Cleugh, The Travel Channel

Article: Cruise Today (June Cruise Today)

Gareth Davis and Julie Peasgood, The Travel Channel

Article: Voyages to Antiquity.

Nina Nannar, ITV1 Evening News

Article: Cunard's Three Queens Jubilee Tribute

Category: Best  Regional Cruise Feature

Jonathan Grun, Syndicated on PA Wire.

Article: Atlantic Voyage of Discovery

Jim Pybus,Blackpool Gazette, Hull Daily Mail, Leeds ConfidentialandLondon Confidential

Article: Amazing Adventure up The Amazon

James Powell, Press Association

Article: The Only Way Is Opera

Category: Best Trade Cruise Feature

Jane Archer,Cruise Trade News

Article:  Luxury Cruising - Dispelling the Myths

Jane Archer,Travel Weekly

Article:  A Family Affair

Phil Davies,Travel Weekly

Article: Mickey Magic in the Med

Category: Best Off the Beaten Track Cruise Feature

Sue Bryant,Daily Telegraph

Article: Never a dull moment in the tropics

Ben Lerwill,National Geographic Traveller

Article: The Beautiful South

Louise Roddon,The Times

Article: Sailing into the unknown

Category: Best Cruise Blog

Jamey Bergman,Cruise Critic

Blog: Things I wouldn't normally do

Simon Busch,Travelzoo blog

Blog: Tales of a cruise virgin

John Honeywell,Captain Greybeard Mirror Blog

Blog: Arrive by river and stay on a cruise ship. The best way to see Burma

Category: Contribution to Cruise Journalism

To be announced at the awards ceremony.