A cruise can look like remarkably good value when you first start looking at prices.
After all, you've got your accommodation, food, entertainment and transport between several destinations wrapped into one holiday.
Then you start seeing drinks packages, dining packages, Wi-Fi packages and excursion packages.
Before long, you're wondering whether you need to buy another package just to understand all the packages!
But here's the good news: you can have a fantastic cruise without buying every extra you're offered.
The trick is understanding what your particular fare includes, which extras you'd actually enjoy and what the final holiday is likely to cost.
First things first: What are you actually booking?
Cruise prices are often advertised per person, usually based on two people sharing a cabin.
That means the headline price isn't necessarily what you'll pay if you're travelling alone, booking a family cabin or choosing a particular room.
And just as hotels have different room types, cruise ships have different cabin options.
You might choose an inside cabin, one with a window or a balcony where you can sit outside watching the world go by.
For some people, the balcony is worth every penny. For others, particularly those planning to spend most of their time exploring the ship and destinations, an inside cabin can be a perfectly sensible way to save money.
There's also a difference between choosing a specific cabin and booking a fare where the cruise operator allocates one within your chosen category.
Neither is automatically the wrong choice. It depends on what matters to you.
I'll help you compare the actual total for the cabin and sailing you're considering, rather than simply relying on the attractive starting price.
Food: You certainly won't go hungry
One of the great attractions of cruising is having so much food available without needing to find a restaurant in every destination.
On many mainstream cruises, meals in the main dining rooms and buffet restaurants are included in your fare.
That gives you plenty of choice without paying extra every time you sit down to eat.
But ships often have speciality restaurants too. Perhaps a steakhouse, sushi restaurant or somewhere offering a more intimate dining experience.
These may charge extra, either through a set fee, individual menu prices or a dining package.
Room service can be another variation. Some options might be included, while others carry delivery charges or additional costs.
The thing to remember is that you don't have to buy a speciality dining package simply because it's offered.
If you're perfectly happy with the included restaurants, there's nothing wrong with enjoying them throughout your holiday.
Drinks: Is a package really worth it?
This is probably one of the questions people ask most when considering a cruise.
And the answer depends very much on the cruise line, your fare and what you enjoy drinking.
Some basic drinks may be available without extra charge in certain restaurants or buffet areas. Other drinks, including speciality coffees, bottled water, soft drinks and alcohol, might cost extra.
Cruise lines often offer drinks packages covering a particular selection.
They can be convenient, especially if you like knowing that most of your drinks spending has already been taken care of.
But I'd always look at the actual cost.
If you're spending several days exploring destinations, you might not be on the ship for much of the afternoon. And if you only fancy the occasional drink in the evening, an expensive package might not represent particularly good value.
There may also be rules about everyone sharing a cabin purchasing the same package, which drinks qualify and whether service charges are included.
My approach is straightforward: work out what you'd realistically drink, then decide whether the package earns its keep.
There's no prize for drinking your money's worth!
Gratuities: The little detail that can make a difference
Cruise lines don't all handle tipping and service charges in the same way.
For example, P&O Cruises includes gratuities in its holiday price. MSC Cruises also states that its hotel service charges are included in the cruise fare for UK customers.
Royal Caribbean takes a different approach, generally adding a daily gratuity to your onboard account unless it's already included in your booking or you've prepaid it.
These arrangements can change by fare, promotion and cruise operator, so it's important to establish what's included in the price you're actually being quoted.
Some onboard purchases may also carry separate service charges.
It's not a reason to be put off cruising. It's simply one of those things that's much nicer to understand before you sail than discover when you're settling your onboard account.
Entertainment: There's plenty to enjoy without paying extra
Modern cruise ships can have an extraordinary amount going on.
Depending on the ship, you might find theatre shows, live music, quizzes, swimming pools, fitness facilities, children's activities and entertainment throughout the day.
A great deal of this can be included in the fare.
But not everything onboard is necessarily free.
Spa treatments, certain fitness classes, arcade games, speciality experiences and some premium activities may cost extra.
And even when an activity is included, you may need to reserve a place.
If there's something you're particularly looking forward to doing, it's worth finding out whether it's included and how it works on the ship you're considering.
Wi-Fi: Staying connected at sea
There's something quite appealing about getting away from the constant stream of emails, notifications and messages.
Of course, not everyone wants to switch off completely.
Cruise ships often provide internet packages, although what's included can vary considerably.
Some fares include Wi-Fi, while others charge according to the number of devices or the type of internet access you need.
Sending messages is one thing. Streaming films or making video calls can be quite another.
And here's a useful little warning: your mobile phone can connect to maritime mobile networks while you're at sea.
These aren't necessarily covered by your usual roaming allowance, and charges can become expensive.
Using flight mode and switching Wi-Fi back on can help prevent unwanted mobile-network connections.
It's a small thing to remember, but potentially a very useful one.
Going ashore: The destinations are part of the adventure
One of my favourite things about the idea of cruising is how many places you can experience without constantly changing hotels.
But what happens when the ship reaches port?
You might choose an organised excursion through the cruise line, book an independent experience or simply explore on your own.
Unless your fare specifically includes excursions, these will usually be an additional expense.
It's also worth looking at where the ship actually docks.
Sometimes you can step off and find yourself close to the town centre. Other times, the main attractions are some distance away and you'll need transport.
And don't forget that lunch, drinks, entrance tickets and local travel while ashore may need to come out of your spending money.
You don't need to book an excursion at every stop, either. Sometimes a wander around a lovely harbour and a coffee overlooking the water is a perfectly good way to spend the day.
What about flights and transfers?
This is another area where two apparently similar cruise prices can represent quite different holidays.
If your cruise departs from Southampton or another UK port, you'll need to consider how you're getting there, whether you need parking and whether an overnight hotel would make the journey easier.
A fly-cruise is different.
Some operators sell packages that include your flights and transfers between the airport and ship.
For example, P&O Cruises includes flights and airport-to-ship transfers in its fly-cruise holidays, subject to the particular package arrangements.
Other cruise fares may be cruise-only, leaving you to arrange flights and transport separately.
That difference matters, both for the overall price and for how the travel arrangements fit together.
I'd want you to understand exactly what's included before comparing two prices that might look similar at first glance.
So, is cruising good value?
It absolutely can be.
Think about what you're getting: accommodation, meals, entertainment, the opportunity to visit several destinations and the experience of travelling aboard the ship itself.
For some holidays, that can represent excellent value compared with arranging everything separately.
But the cheapest cruise fare isn't necessarily the cheapest overall holiday.
If you add drinks, dining packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, gratuities where applicable and the cost of reaching the ship, the total can look rather different.
Equally, a more inclusive fare might seem expensive initially but work out better if it covers things you'd otherwise pay for.
The best cruise isn't necessarily the one with the lowest advertised price. It's the one that gives you the holiday you actually want for the money you're comfortable spending.
Ready to find your first cruise?
If you've never cruised before, the choice of ships, itineraries and fares can feel a little overwhelming.
Mediterranean or Caribbean? Ocean or river? A lively ship with plenty happening or somewhere a little quieter? Inside cabin or balcony?
You don't need to know all the answers before getting started.
Tell me where you'd love to visit, who's travelling and what sort of holiday you enjoy.
I'll help you explore the options, understand what's included and work out which extras are worth considering.
And hopefully, by the time you're ready to book, the only package you'll be worrying about is the one taking you on holiday.