A five-day taste of ocean life is enough to convert cruise newbie Catherine Smith.

As the new season gets under way, there is no sign of an end to the sailing boom.

Catherine Masters travelled Bordeaux by river ship - here she takes a look at some of the destinations and ancient history of the famous wine region.

The possibilities for discovery are endless, regardless of route, on a European river cruise, writes Pamela Wade.

The brightly coloured fish of the Marquesas would have inspired Doctor Seuss, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Thousands of graves stretching to the horizon remind Penny Lewis of the sacrifice made by so many.

A luxury river trip from Mandalay, writes Nigel Tisdall, is the stress-free way to see remote parts of Burma.

With a new air route connecting Auckland to Houston, Kiwi cruisers can head to the Caribbean.

Wanting a family-friendly way to explore the Caribbean? Then board a Disney Cruise ship in Galveston, suggests Tim Lamb.

Dominica has avoided the rampant development which has blighted the Caribbean.

More choice and innovation ensure cruising is the travel industry's fastest growing sector, finds Megan Singleton.

Stephanie Maskery boards a clipper to cruise the Amalfi Coast.

Elisabeth Easther and her son enjoy the festive cheer on board a freighter ship in the Pacific.

Now's the time to think about a romantic snowy Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. Ewan McDonald takes a Yuletide cruise on the Danube.

On a billion-dollar ship, Toby Manhire dodges the conga line and opts instead for several fine ales and a ride on the North Star.

River cruises are growing in popularity, particularly across Europe. Pamela Wade explains why.

Rod Emmerson looks at the nuts and bolts of a luxury cruise through the Greek Isles and Turkish Coast.

Sarah Marshall travels effortlessly from downtown Auckland to a world beyond Earth.

Party of one Helen van Berkel boards an ocean liner for a Pacific cruise and learns that being on your own is far from lonesome.

Marty Silk is pleasantly surprised to have all his preconceptions quashed on an enjoyable, exciting and elegant cruise to Moreton Island.

Kiwis are well known as a cruisy lot and the big lines are offering ever more options to entice us on board.

Cruising Europe's rivers reminds Pamela Wade of having front row seats at a travel documentary.

A Mekong Sun jaunt is as much an educational cruise as one of relaxation, writes Patrick Horton.

Jane Jeffries tries to mind her manners while cooking a meal for her fellow cruise ship passengers in Fiji.

Tropical beaches, fine dining, cooking and dance lessons – Lynley Bilby finds her every whim is catered for on a Pacific island cruise.

Peter Hughes enjoys Champagne service as the Queen Victoria completes one leg of a majestic round-the-world voyage.

Land-based luxury is taking to the water, while some cruisers will soon be able to climb aboard the Millennium Falcon in a Jedi Training experience.

Elisabeth Easther and her son booked a passage on a freighter to explore the far-flung charms of French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands.

All Italy stops to watch a spectacular boat race that's been contested for more than 700 years, writes Carol Smith.

Twelve days spent cruising the Mediterranean on the Nieuw Amsterdam is bliss. Carol Smith shares the highlights at each coastal stop.