Setting sail on my first cruise aboard the Costa Concordia 15 years ago, then the biggest ship in the world, it seemed enormous to me and I regularly lost my way to my stateroom. To this day, I don’t fully understand the physics behind how something that size floats.

But the Concordia would be dwarfed by today’s behemoths: the largest, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, can accommodate almost double the number of guests, nearly 7,000.

With ever more innovative attractions aboard, some of these impressive ships played their part in inspiring my fictional creation Immanis in my new thriller The Cruise, especially once I learned that even when they were moored up off the south coast of England during the pandemic, they had to maintain a skeleton crew aboard for safety reasons.

My own plot takes place on a ship laid up in the Caribbean with only a few people on board, after the ship’s dancer, Lola, goes missing on New Year’s Eve.

In reality, cruising is one of the safest forms of transport, though the lavish fictional facilities — Immanis even has a Michelin-starred restaurant — aren’t so far from the truth. And while cruising was once largely for the well-heeled, older generation, there are options for all ages, tastes and budgets, from seasoned cruisers to those taking their maiden voyage.

Best for entertainment

Launched earlier this year, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship with a capacity of 6,988.

There are eight different neighbourhoods on board, one of which is solely for suite accommodation with its own private sundeck, restaurant and lounge.

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Boardwalk on Wonder of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

Other features include a giant duplex family suite for up to 10 people, the tallest waterslide at sea, a ten-storey zipline, a park with more than 20,000 real plants and its seaside-themed Boardwalk with a hand-carved carousel.

When it comes to entertainment, you’ll find four “stages” (ice, water, air and theatre), which include an all-female cast of aerialists and high divers in the Aquatheater, plus 25 dining options, four pools, two surf simulators and two climbing walls. The company even has its own private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.

• A seven-night Caribbean and Perfect Day Cruise from Orlando, costs from £764 per person excluding flights. royalcaribbean.com

Best for families

With the chance for kids to meet their favourite Disney characters and enjoy the Broadway-style Disney shows, along with plenty to tempt adults, the Disney cruise line is ideal for keeping every generation happy.

Newest ship Disney Wish launched this summer and features Arendelle, the world’s first Frozen-themed theatrical dining experience for all wannabe Elsas, plus the Worlds of Marvel dining experience for Marvel fans.

There are 10 pools and water play areas, plus a Toy Story Splash Zone with oversized bath toys and the Slide-a-Saurus family slide.

Disney Wish is also home to the first-ever Disney attraction at sea: a water adventure with 230 metres of twisting tubes with ocean views, immersive show scenes and special effects.

For the grown-ups, there’s 1923, a glamorous 1920s-themed restaurant, along with an adults-only restaurant inspired by the enchanted clock in Beauty and the Beast, a pub with exclusive craft beers, plus a spa.

• A three-night Bahamas cruise on Disney Wish costs from around £1,238 per person, excluding flights. disneycruise.disney.go.com

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(Photo: Pixabay)

Best for first-time cruising

If you’re unconvinced by the idea of cruise holidays, newly launched Ambassador — the first new British cruise line in more than a decade — specialises in affordable, no-fly cruises, including short taster itineraries.

The vast majority are for adults only, and aimed mainly at the over-50s market.

Flagship Ambience has its own Laughter Lounge comedy club, a show choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke (with virtual appearances from the man himself), plus guest speakers or book clubs on selected cruises of six nights for more.

And for those who want to try cruising with very little time (or financial) commitment, Ambassador’s mini-cruises are ideal.

With some cruises departing from London Tilbury, you could try a four-night festive getaway on Ambience in December 2023 for less than £300, while year-round, two-night “Seacations” on sister ship Ambition are all about experiencing and enjoying life on board — guests don’t leave the ship at all.

A Winter Jingles Seacation departing Bristol on November 10, 2023 costs from £169 per person. ambassadorcruiseline.com

Best for time to explore

If the thought of having a only few hours to explore leaves you wanting much more, Azamara Cruises prioritises spending longer in port than a typical cruise company, while complimentary AzAmazing Evenings are included on most cruises to help immerse guests into authentic local life and discover the destination after dark.

Sleeping up to 670 passengers, newest ship Azamara Onward included a string of seven-night Intensive Voyages in Italy and France during her summer in the Mediterranean, before heading to Central and South America.

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Burano, Venice (Photo: Azamara)

Here, cruise itineraries from Peru include travel through the Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, alongside other highlights such as spotting howler monkeys in Manta, a visit to Belize City and to the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, plus Chan-Chan, the largest pre-Columbus-era city in South America.

On shore you can also try a Rainforest Sky Walk, go kayaking or watch a live Caribbean dance show.

• A 16-night Central & South America Voyage on Azamara Onward departing February 12, 2023 costs from around £2,729 departing Lima, excluding flights. azamara.com

Best for music lovers

For a trip with a difference, you can choose from special interest cruises from a variety of different operators, covering everything from rambling to cookery and plenty more.

And for music lovers, Celebrity Cruises typically hosts several themed cruises featuring household names each year, such as 2023’s departures from Miami, ranging from a Disco Cruise with Billy Ocean and Kool & the Gang, to a Flower Power cruise with Micky Dolenz from The Monkees, and a 70s Rock and Romance Cruise featuring The Hollies and Jefferson Starship.

Taking place aboard Celebrity Summit, each features 40 or 50 live performances, as well as interactive celebrity events and other themed events and parties.

Passengers can enjoy all the usual onboard perks, including a string of Caribbean stops.

There’s also the option to upgrade to the new Retreat Suites, which come with a private lounge and sundeck and dedicated team of attendants.

• The five-night Ultimate Disco Cruise departing Miami on February 23, 2023 costs from around £1,500 per person, excluding flights. ultimatediscocruise.com

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SIlver Endeavour (Photo: Silversea)

Best for all-inclusive luxury

Along with itineraries covering more than 900 destinations on all seven continents, Silversea prides itself on offering an all-inclusive, ultra-luxurious experience.

With almost one crew member per passenger, travellers enjoy at least one complimentary shore excursion from a range of experiences in every port, and they’ll even pick you up from home to start your journey (and take you back afterwards).

Suites come with butlers, dining is high-end and the new S.A.L.T Kitchen on four ships specialises in cuisine in keeping with the culinary heritage of your cruise.

The comparatively small size of the ships, ranging from just 51 to 364 suites (all with ocean views — no inside cabins here!), also allows access to more ports than are open to larger ships too.

Silversea’s newest ship, Silver Endeavour, which holds up to 200 guests, was especially designed for polar exploration.

There’s a choice of Antarctica cruises this winter, with itineraries lasting between five and 20 days, on which you can spot icebergs, seals, penguins and more, as well as going kayaking or hiking surrounded by exceptional scenery.

• All-inclusive door-to-door Antarctica Cruises start at around £11,100 per person. silversea.com

The Cruise, by Catherine Cooper, will be published by Harper Collins in ebook, audio and paperback in November.

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