One of the great pleasures of a cruise ship journey is the ample opportunity for people watching.

Memories come flooding back when Susan Buckland revisits a city of grace and grandeur.

Make sure you check out all the options before booking a tour, writes Isobel Marriner.

Before you embark ensure five essentials are packed, advises Megan Singleton.

Catherine Masters enjoys a kaleidoscope of European sights from her floating hotel.

Pamela Wade - and her nightie - enjoy her cruise so much she'll be back.

Catherine Masters cruises the Danube, taking in central Europe's stunning cities.

Sue Bryant looks at the best of the cruise industry's shore excursions for the year.

The cruisy life on a river ship appeals to Justine Tyerman.

In genteel company, Patrick McKendry looks at New Zealand through the eyes of a tourist.

The Greeks brought wine to Provence, but the Romans have left an incomparable mark on the landscape, finds Pamela Wade.

On a transtasman voyage, Winston Aldworth gets a taste for the high life aboard the regal Queen Mary 2.

Paul Rush finds cruise ships have plenty for kids to do.

The peak cruise season may be over but it's never too early to start thinking ahead, writes Jennifer Ennion.

Cunard's grand ships have dominated the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships rankings in the Large Resort Ship category.

Peter Hamling picks a few shore excursion ideas from outside the square.

Carthage's seafaring and military history still fascinate, writes Susan Buckland.

Plenty of discoveries await the explorer, writes Pamela Wade.

Julia Shallcrass discovers a love for cruising around the Greek Isles on a 12-night voyage aboard the Crown Princess.

The cruise industry report for 2012 is out showing that nearly 50,000 Kiwis went on a cruise last year. Here are the top five places we love.

John Roughan gains a deeper understanding of how Cook first saw New Zealand.

For a holiday where the travel subsumes you, Queen Mary 2 is a big ride.

Gabriella Le Breton selects the best cruises on some of the world's more far-flung rivers.

Cruising up the coast of Vietnam to Hong Kong on a boutique ship is a great way to sample a slice of Asia.

Isobel Marriner joins the Queen Mary 2 for the first royal circumnavigation of Australia, following the journey of a famous explorer - though in a rather more opulent style.

A towering Queen Mary 2 was dwarfed by the huge mountains and stunning landscape as it cruised into the Fiordland National Park.

A cruise ship was delayed in Rangitoto channel near Auckland yesterday after an 80-year-old passenger had a heart attack.

If you’re a first time cruiser, here are some things to know before you go.

A lazy cruise down the Waikato River is a belated birthday getaway for Isobel Marriner.

Peter Hamling spends a week cruising the Hawaiian islands.