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Gather your sea legs because if you haven’t already stepped on to a cruise ship, the chances are you’ll want to set sail soon. The cruise industry is fast becoming a 21st century travel success story with some 1.55 million of us expected to take a holiday at sea this year.

So why are British travellers being turned on to cruising now? In theory, it’s never been easier or cheaper to fly around the world but check-in charges, increased security and luggage restrictions have made air travel less appealing. Add to this the fact that a modern cruise holiday is a far cry from the sedate ships that passengers once sailed on.

Choice is the key to success and with every champagne bottle that breaks on a new liner, more options are uncorked. For example, Royal Caribbean’s latest ship Independence of the Seas stretches a mammoth 1,112 feet in length – 230 feet longer than the Titanic. The largest ship ever to be based in Europe, the liner boasts an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall and a 40-foot wave simulator for surfing.

The cruise ship map is equally far-reaching. There are over 50 cruise companies to choose from in the UK which regularly visit 250 ports around the world.If there’s a destination that you’re interested in, whether it’s a UK island cruise, Norwegian fjord tour or specialist sail around the Galapagos islands, it’s likely there’s a company out there who can help.

“New ship orders range from mega-ships through to small, intimate five star ultra-luxury vessels” says Bill Gibbons, head of the Passenger Shipping Association.

The average age of cruise passengers has reached a record low and cruise holidays are attracting a greater range of travellers than ever before – from families, to ultra-luxury spa enthusiasts or adventurers.

Cruise converts are also tantalised by the future of liners. Boats known as ‘motherships’ that will have the ability to launch a fleet of smaller vessels are being hailed as the next big thing. And the sky is the limit when it comes to size – a Japanese ship recently unveiled plans to include three separate hotels, 1,500 rooms, 55 restaurants and an amusement park.

Traditionalists can take heart from the knowledge that cruising in 2008 is not all about high-octane activities and casual dining. Cunard marries mod cons with old-fashioned glamour on new ship Queen Victoria, with the classic journey from Southampton across the Atlantic to New York as popular as ever.

With state of the art ships, diverse destinations and activities to suit everyone, is it any wonder the cruise industry is so buoyant?