But with that relaxation, comfort and flexibility usually comes cost.  There are budget cruises available, but perhaps some people are put off by the idea of going on a cruise inhabited by people who, if they were flying, would be flying by budget airline.  There is the worry that such cruises might be overtaken by rowdy louts intent on drinking as much as possible.

But is it possible to get a cheap cruise without it being… well, ‘cheap’?

Here are some tips on how to get a cheap cruise holiday without lowering your standards.

1. Search online for late deals

This is only an option if you are endlessly flexible about when you can travel and from where you are prepared to start your cruise.  It’s no good booking a late deal cruise that begins in two days’ time from the other side of the world – you have no guarantee that you can book a flight that will get you there in time.

However, if you are flexible then last minute deals can offer you a real bargain.  They’re normally advertised when a cruise is shortly to depart, when the operators know that they have more cabins free than they will sell at full price.  Having empty cabins is a waste of money to the company, so they will want to sell them if at all possible.

Check the small print – some won’t let you get a refund, and your cabins are likely to be the ones no—one else wanted (in the middle of the boat with no window) but if you’re more interested in the activities available on board and the places you’ll see and visit then don’t let this put you off.

1. Seek specialist advice

Search for a travel agent that knows what they’re talking about when it comes to cruises.  They’ll be able to suggest where the cheapest routes are and which tour operators offer the best value prices.

1. Book a ‘Repo’ (Repositioning) Cruise

Cruise ships don’t just sail in one area all year – they’re required to offer cruises all over the world, usually following the weather (or, for specialist companies that offer tours with a theme, like wildlife-spotting, they’ll follow the wildlife).  When a cruise ship moves from one place to another, it’s basically a cruise in itself and cruise companies like to fill cabins if they possibly can.  You might not get the best weather or best tours, but you’ll get all the other benefits of a cruise at a fraction of the cost.

These cruises normally last a lot longer than a standard cruise, so the overall cost will probably be higher than a standard fortnight – but it would be cheaper pro rata for the time you get.

1. Freighter Cruises

If you’re not interested in the elements of cruises like dinner-dances, nightly entertainment and all-you-can-eat buffets, but do want to stay on a ship and see different parts of the world, then a freighter cruise may be for you. 

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a cruise!

Here is a pick of five top diving holiday destinations.

1. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Perhaps the most famous location for truly magical diving experiences, the Great Barrier Reef is also the largest reef barrier in the world and runs about 1,500 miles along Australia’s eastern coast.  Like the rest of Australia, it has an abundance of creatures that call it home, all very colourful, exotic and mostly unique to these waters.  If you like a good shipwreck to look at whilst you’re down there you could visit the Yongala, which sank in 1911 and is now home to sea creatures of all kinds (including sea snakes and turtles).  Whilst you can’t explore the wreck (it’s protected), it still makes for a pretty stunning backdrop to a dive.

2. Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Located just over 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica, Cocos island is comprised of uninhabited rainforest.  You can visit for a day’s hiking but you cannot stay there overnight.  However, its location is an ideal base for a bit of scuba diving off any of its coasts and you should be able to see octopi, tuna, sharks (white tip and hammerhead) and turtles.   You need to be a competent diver for these waters, which can be turbulent and have a strong current in some areas. 

3. Galapagos Islands

The very name conjures up images of exotic and unique creatures including vast tortoises and unusual beasts on land and in the sea.  This is where Darwin first developed his theory of evolution, from examining the diversity of species living amongst these islands and the islands are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The surrounding water is similarly protected and so the fish and other sea life know there’s nothing to fear from human visitors.   You can therefore get really close and interact with the fish and other creatures including sea lions and manta rays.  Other wildlife you may see include Galapagos crabs and starfish as well as hammerhead sharks. 

The oceanic currents here are strong and the water is surprisingly cold for somewhere so close to the equator so you should be an experienced diver.

4. Palau, South Pacific

This is the place to go if you like exploring shipwrecks, since much of the Japanese Pacific Fleet ended up at the bottom of this part of the ocean.  The fish and other marine life have made these structures their homes and around 200 species of fish can be seen in a good dive down here.  This is also a good site for spotting sharks – around 130 species of shark inhabit this area, perhaps because shark hunting is banned here.

5. The Red Sea, Egypt

This has it all and is a really popular destination for divers of all nationalities.  Wrecks in the north and reefs in the south give divers plenty of interesting backdrops and areas to explore, whilst getting the chance to see many species of colourful fish and other marine life.

The Iguassu Falls are near to three major cities in three different countries: Ciudad del Este (in Paraguay), Foz do Iguassu (in Brazil) and Puerto Iguazu (in Argentina). Each city (and country) vies for the tourist income that comes from the Falls and each tries to claim them as its own.

Since Paraguay is the country fewest people know much about, we will focus on the attractions close to the Iguassu Falls there.

The Falls themselves are best seen from beneath. Take a boat trip along the river to the base of the Falls and discover just how loudly you can scream before the captain agrees that perhaps you might be a little bit too close to the Falls after all. Take waterproofs and hide anything electrical that you want to keep, because you are going to get wet. To give you an idea of scale, the Falls are bigger than Niagara though smaller than Victoria Falls.

As well as countless species of exotic butterflies, you’ll come across Jaguar (hopefully from a distance) and Giant Ant-Eaters, together with 66 mammalian species, 38 reptilian species and 18 amphibian species. And the flora is pretty amazing too, with many plants still unclassified.

Once you’ve finished at the Falls, have a look around the nearby areas in Paraguay. The city of Ciudad del Este is a bustling marketplace with plenty of bargains to be sought for unique souvenirs.

If you want to understand a little more about Paraguayan culture, plan a trip to the Museum of the Guarani Land, which will tell you all about the indigenous population that once lived where the Falls are. Prior to the Europeans settling there, Guarani people lived there as long as 10,000 years ago. Many Paraguayans still speak Guarani even today, which is about as remarkable as it would be if North Americans went around speaking Cherokee as well as English.

Another great place to visit in Paraguay is the Itaipu Zoo, close to the Museum of Guarani, where you can see the Giant Anteater and Jaguar up-close.

Ever thought of going on a jungle holiday? A proper adventure, away from everything you know, into alien terrain and gaining some novel experiences? There are many jungles throughout the world, and we have selected a few for you to think about if you’re considering booking a jungle holiday.

In deepest, darkest Peru the rain forest is a thing of beauty. Watch the sunset over the Amazon, sleep in a lodge on camp beds or in hammocks surrounded by mosquito nets or lay awake awhile to listen to the sounds made by the many resident animals.

Or what about Brazil? Experience the dry, Atlantic rainforest around the city of Rio and take a trip in a schooner around the Sepetiba Bay before heading into the rainforest proper, perhaps staying in the city of Manaus before travelling downriver to stay in your jungle lodge.

Borneo is another destination with a varied terrain that will allow you to enjoy hikes in the mountains to treks through padi fields and rainforest, spotting local plant life and wildlife along the way.

Thailand has much to offer, with jungle accommodation in the treetops! These range from basic to luxury – with the latter including air conditioning, fitted bathroom and shower with a balcony to sit on and enjoy the view of the jungle. Whilst you’re there, you can experience tubing downriver, canoeing, riding on an elephant, trekking through the jungle or visiting one of the many local temples.

Holidays in the jungle are a real eye-opener. You’ll need to pack well – lots of layers, as the nights can be cool, and remember that it rains in the rainforest so take some waterproofs – and make sure that you see your local GP’s surgery about any immunisations you might need. Whether you choose to travel independently or to travel as part of a package deal, be sure to engage the services of local tour guides who can show you things that you might not otherwise spot on your own.

The climate in New Mexico is semi-arid, subtropical – a little rain, a lot of sun and not very humid. But depending on the time of year you might get a lot of rain (from August onwards) and snow in the mountains during the Winter. Temperatures can range from below freezing in Winter to 80-90F in the height of Summer.

Aside from all the skiing and hiking you might like to do, there are plenty of beautiful things and places to see that are unique to New Mexico. There are three subcultures in New Mexico – the Native Indians, the Spanish and the Anglos, and each have historically brought their own touches to the region. For example, there are amazing Anasazi houses, built around 1200AD around the Mesa Verde National Park (just over the border, in Colorado), but also check out Chaco Culture National Historic Park for pueblos built by the Native Indians. Further back from history, don’t miss the Aztec Ruins National Monument.

The Spanish brought their knowledge of fabulous churches and built several in New Mexico, perhaps the most famous being Ranchos de Taos, just north of Santa Fe. The Anglos built houses and hotels and other such things that can be seen throughout New Mexico, but as they’re not much different from what we’re already used to back home you won’t be blown away!
There are natural sites of beauty in New Mexico, too, from the snow-capped mountains, plains, forests filled with pine trees and aspens, and great, vast canyons.

There are plenty of things to do in New Mexico, and plenty of unique landscapes and areas of historical interest, so why not visit this year?

There’s a huge range of things for you to do in Greenland, mainly due to its geographical location and particular climate and natural attractions. Make the most of the seascape and take boat trips around the icebergs and watch for whales, polar bears or seals; take a trip across the snow on a sledge pulled by huskies; take a safari to see the local wildlife including reindeer and musk oxen. Or if you’re feeling energetic you can go for some serious treks across this spectacular terrain, do some climbing up glaciers and kayak down icy rivers. And of course, the skiing is fantastic.

There are plenty of museums to learn more about the native Innuits, Viking invaders, or to see local art and crafts through the ages, such as can be found in the Old Town Museum in Upernavik. The National Museum contains mummified bodies of people dating back to a boating accident in the 1400s.

Time your visit to coincide with the annual Snow Sculpture festival in Nuuk (the capital city).

Being so close to the Artic, though, you might want to take an excursion to the North Pole, or simply watch the icebergs off the coast as the sun reaches them in the morning – simply breathtaking.

Dining in Greenland tends to be mostly meat- and fish-based, since there is little by way of agriculture on the island.

It has an interesting history, which can be learned about in any one of the excellent museums in the city. For example in the 1920s it was designated an International Zone, which meant that it basically had no laws of its own. Many great writers of the 20th Century took it upon themselves to live in this unique place, including Tennessee Williams. Tangier was made part of Morocco again after the end of the Second World War, but is still a great hub of multiculturalism, being the place where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, where Europe meets Africa.

It has a population of 700,000 and is the hub of corporate and economic Morocco. But it is also geared up for tourism and you can have a truly great holiday here, enjoying all the local produce and entertainments.

Its location between those great oceans mean that it has a great variety of fresh fish and seafood dishes on offer in any of its fantastic restaurants. But it also offers some amazing spicy dishes (normally served with fragrant couscous) that you would no doubt expect from Moroccan cuisine.

It is generally safe to visit Tangiers, with low crime rates against tourists, although beware the many touts seeking business from you – they can be alarming in their persistence.

There are plenty of historical sites to visit if you choose. The most famous, perhaps, is the Kasbah, which is built on the highest point of the city and offers amazing, panoramic views across the Strait of Gibraltar and over to Spain. Or check out the Grand Souk and Petit Souk, the two markets at the Old Medina.

If you’re not exhausted after all that, there is plenty of night life to keep you entertained throughout the night, with pubs and clubs offering cheap alcohol and free tapas.

With two major coastlines, on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, you won’t be short of beaches to choose from: miles and miles of sandy, clean beaches with calm water. Partake in any of the usual water sports, or take a camel for a trek inland! There’s even a renowned golf course to enjoy if you like – the Royal Tangier Golf Course covers five-and-a-half kilometres of well-maintained, greenery.

Plenty for everyone!

1. Siberia

Yes, you’ll probably need your woollies.  But what an experience!  Check out Siberian villages like Khatanga, where you can meet reindeer herders, stand on the actual North Pole (!) and visit the Polar Museum (located in St Petersburg). 

2. Antarctica

Do this and Siberia and you might have experienced standing at both ends of the earth!  Many people take cruises here to take advantage of experts who travel on the cruise ships to give tours and talks about all the wonders that can be seen on this continent, from penguins and whales to great ice structures that will take your breath away.

3. Tibet

There are obviously plenty of cultural difficulties faced by the people of Tibet, whom are still under the oppression of China.  But their unique culture is what attracts many visitors each year, who want to see the home of Tibetan Buddhism  and of the Dalai Lama.

4. South Korea

Stay in Seoul to see the demilitarised zone (commonly referred to as the DMZ), the no-mans’ land between North and South Korea for an idea of how tense relations between the neighbouring countries are (if you’re feeling brave).  A different and educational holiday destination for the adventurous.

5. Transylvania

A good place for vampire fans!  Beautiful scenery, fabulously gothic castles and full of ancient buildings await those who will brave the legends of the vampires…!

6. The Amazon

Take a guided cruise down the river to see creatures unique to this area such as the Amazon turtle, not to mention the rainforest and all its native inhabitants. 

7. Mongolia

This contrasting land of mountains and desert is filled with nomads.  Follow in their footsteps by taking a horseback or camel trek across the steppes of the mountains or through the desert. Totally unspoilt by man, this really is the height of wilderness and is not to be missed by someone seeking a truly unique holiday.   Perhaps not a good choice for agoraphobics.

Here are our suggestions for affordable destinations.  Some cost very little to get to, whilst others are very cheap when you get there. 

1.  Tunisia

This was wiped off many people’s holiday-destination wish-lists last year when the country went through a major revolution.  The previous regime is now toppled and the country is getting back to normal, and is rather desperate for tourist money.  A cynical person who doesn’t mind taking advantage of these circumstances can therefore get a real bargain. 

It takes three hours to get there and at this time of year it’s nice and warm (not too hot).   When you’re there, the exchange rate is favouring the pound so you can get a lot for your money including cheap accommodation, food and drink. 

Visit the souks (markets), thalassotherapy spas, historical Carthage and even some Roman ruins.  Or just laze on the beach, it’s your call.

1. Fuerteventura

The low Airline Passenger Duty fares (for destinations of 2,000 miles or fewer) make it possible to get genuinely cheap flights to this fantastic winter sun destination (you’ll pay just £13 tax per ticket, compared with, say £65 per ticket on flights a bit further to Egypt and beyond).   You can’t go wrong with Fuerteventura for sandy beaches, water sports (like surfing and diving) and despite being a popular destination for Brits it has held onto its local dishes which are worth tucking into.

1. Budapest

There are loads of great offers on accommodation here at the moment, with many hotels offering ‘buy three nights get a fourth free’ and similar.  Many even offer promotional deals such as free or reduced-cost entry to a local thermal spa, and offer good deals on the ‘Budapest Card’ which offers free rides on public transport, and reduced costs for guided tours and various tourist attractions. 

1. Skiing in Bulgaria

One of the cheapest places to enjoy a skiing holiday is at Bansko in Bulgaria.  At around £100 for a night in a hotel, a one-day ski pass, hiring of skis, dinner and a beer, it works out as the most affordable ski break around just now. 

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a beautiful city, right by the sea, and is a fabulously cheap destination.  Loads of markets and museums to enjoy and beaches aplenty. 

Shop around for your bargain holiday this year.  And remember, there’s nothing more depressing than paying for a holiday you’ve already had, so don’t go into debt to get away, just choose somewhere you can afford now.

The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and late-August, when it has the most light it ever gets (the sun stays up until past 10pm and rises well before what we would consider ‘dawn’ in the UK).   It’s also quite mild, temperature-wise, though rain is a distinct possibility.  Since their tourist season is so limited (few people want to visit in Winter when daylight is so restricted), prices can be high even if you opt for the road-trip.

As far as eating is concerned, if you’re on a cruise then you’ll be catered for.  If you want to eat locally then there is no better place to dine on smoked salmon and fresh halibut.  Of course, you’re in America, so there are also plenty of fast-food restaurants to turn to if you choose.

If you choose to visit Anchorage before you set off for exploration of the wilderness of Alaska, then you’ll find that it caters well for tourists.  There are plenty of museums, there’s a zoo and it’s possible to take a day-trip cruise to Portage glacier too.

From Anchorage, visit the Denali National Park, which is accessible by car to a certain point (13 miles in) and after that you have to take the shuttle bus – and you need to book seats for that at least three weeks in advance.  That’s one of the joys of independent travelling, though!  The shuttle bus can take you on round-trips to see the most spectacular scenery – for example, the Wonder Lake trip is 11 hours and there are enough mountains, lakes and wildlife to keep you riveted for the entire time; for instance, you’ll see moose, arctic foxes, caribou and bears.  Oh my!

If you opt for a cruise instead, you still get the pleasure of seeing all those animals, sun in the middle of the night,  glaciers, national parks and picturesque scenery.  Being at sea also gives you the opportunity to see killer whales, humpback whales, otters, eagles and seabirds, and sea lions.  There is normally a wildlife/ornithology expert on board to give you plenty of information about what you are seeing, which is a real bonus of choosing a cruise.   And if you’re not enthralled with the wildlife, the glaciers and icebergs will certainly hold your attention – sometimes great sheets of ice drop into the sea in a process called ‘calving’.

Many cruises offer excursions by helicopter to enable you to hike on the surface of the glacial ice beds, or to allow you to go kayaking around the icebergs. 

However you choose to see Alaska, you’ll be sure to have an amazing experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.