Will I have to get dressed up every night?
Only if you want to. Cruising has become less formal in recent years, since many new big ships have lots of different restaurants — from pizzerias and bistros to casual 24-hour snack bars.

While ships’ main dining rooms still largely maintain the tradition of black-tie Captain’s Welcome and Captain’s Farewell dinners at the start and end of a cruise, and many adhere to the old two-sittings arrangement, longer dining hours and open seating are increasingly becoming the norm.

Elsewhere, casualwear is fine, although most ships do draw the line at shorts and vests in the evenings.

Can I choose who I sit with at dinner?
Although for many one of the attractions of cruising is getting to know their fellow passengers over dinner, even mass-market ships now make it possible to avoid sharing a table with strangers. Tables for two are still at a premium in ships’ main restaurants — request one in advance and reinforce it with the maître d’as soon as you get on board. Luxury ships, or big-ship speciality restaurants, are the best bet for those who like to choose their own dinner companions.

Who am I supposed to tip and how much?
Aware that the easily embarrassed British dread the minefield that is tipping (and often avoid the dilemma by not tipping at all), many cruise companies now include staff gratuities in the price of the holiday. Those who don’t will advise tipping levels in their brochures.

Tips for your cabin steward(ess), main restaurant waiter and assistant waiter are de rigueur — low-paid staff, many of whom are supporting families in the Third World, depend on them. Whether you tip head waiters and maître d’s is up to you. Tip levels vary from about £5 to £12 per passenger per day (try the website www.cruisetip.tpkeller.com for an instant assessment of tip levels on your chosen cruise).

Remember to budget, too, for hefty 15 per cent service charges now added to bar and spa bills on many ships (American-owned big ship lines are the worst offenders).

How do I avoid seasickness?
If you forget to stock up on motion sickness remedies such as acupressure bands or tablets during your pre-holiday shop, don’t worry — you’ll find plenty available in the ship’s shop when you board.

If you’re susceptible to motion sickness, book a cabin low down and towards the centre of the ship, where motion is minimised. Try to stretch to a balconied cabin since fresh air does help. If the going gets really rough, the onboard doctor can visit your cabin and deliver an injection — but you could be charged up to £60.

Will I get any exercise?
It’s not just round-the-clock eating opportunities and deck chairs. All but the smallest ships have a choice of pools, jogging tracks and fitness classes covering everything from aquarobics to yoga.

While walk-a-mile deck-lapping sessions, gyms, pools and fitness classes are generally free, most ships charge for specialist classes such as yoga, Pilates or boxercise.

Can I do my laundry on board?
Many ships have launderettes with dryers and even ironing boards installed for passenger use, but unless you’re on a long voyage (and enjoy a good gossip) it’s a sad waste of precious holiday time. You can send your clothes to the ship’s laundry, though there is a per-item charge. Most ships have handy washing lines in the bathrooms, for drying smalls and swimwear, but some do not offer dry-cleaning.

How do I keep in touch with family and friends and get news from home?
Most ships have satellite phones and internet access, and several cruise lines offer mobile phone use at sea. The cheapest way, though, is to follow the crew to the nearest landline payphone or internet café when you get ashore.

Technology has also brought satellite TV to many ships and some can even show live football games to keep fans happy. Most ships produce daily newssheets detailing the previous day’s events.

What length and itineraries are best for a first cruise?
First-timers often choose a short cruise to alleviate fears that they will go mad stuck on board. This is often a mistake, since calling at a different port every day offers little chance to relax and enjoy the ship’s facilities — a bit like booking into a posh hotel and spending all your time out on day trips. A good taster though is a mini-cruise. P&O, for example, offers two and three-nighters from Southampton.

Useful website: www.discover-cruises.co.uk