The growing popularity of ocean cruises will be underlined on Monday when the Passenger Shipping Association presents its annual cruise review for 2006. It will reveal that 1.2 million Britons took an ocean cruise last year, 12 per cent more than in 2005 and double the number who took cruise holidays a decade ago.

The increase is spread across all types of cruises, including those taken from a UK port, where the numbers last year were more than 450,000.

The industry has been well prepared for the boom. For most types of cruises, supply outstrips demand, which means late bargains can be found. Iglucruise.com currently has details of more than 7,000 cruises ranging from three nights from Tilbury to Amsterdam for £129, to a 24-night luxury cruise from Honolulu to Hong Kong for £16,000.

The range emphasises that cruising is no longer just about lounging on a sundeck waiting for the next meal. For those looking for something less strenuous than rock climbing and ice-skating there are classes in subjects ranging from astronomy to zoology.

Among the good deals are a week’s Mediterranean voyage aboard Thomson Destiny from £519, available from May 17, 24 and 31. The price includes a flight from the UK to Palma, Majorca, to board the ship for visits to Corsica and Sicily, Bar-celona and Marseille.

Available from £599 is a 12-night “Land of Ice and Fire” cruise to Iceland and Northern Isles. Arielle sails from Tilbury on June 6 for a brief stop in the Orkneys and day visits to the dramatic Westmann and Surt-sey islands off the southern Iceland coast. A day in Reykjavik offers the opportunity to explore the city and visit the Blue Lagoon with its warm mineral-rich waters and the Gulfoss Falls. A day each in the Faroes and Shetlands are included on the return voyage.

The same price will get you to the warmer destination of the Aegean. The Cruise Line has a week’s cruise from Piraeus to Istanbul, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes starting on June 1. Return flights from Gatwick to Athens and, like all the cruises, all meals and entertainment on board are included. Many of these ports are visited on a 12-night cruise aboard Emerald Princess, which sails out of Venice on May 17. The price with Ideal Cruising, including flights from the UK, is from £828.

Iglucruise.com 020-8544 6447; Cruise Line: 0800 6527877; Ideal Cruising: 0800 0501093

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