If you're not going on a cruise, you're missing out. Here's why

Cruising is reaching new heights, according to new figures from Cruise Lines International Association, which show 1.25 million Australians took a cruise in 2023 - up from 1.24 million in 2019. That's almost one in every 20 Australians taking to the seas, which is a pretty big deal. Despite its small population, Australia is the world's fourth-largest cruise market, behind the US (16.9 million), Germany (2.5 million) and the UK (2.2 million).

There's an uptick in global numbers too, with 31.7 million people cruising in 2023 - up from 29.7 million in 2019. The average age of Australian cruisers has also fallen - from 50.4 years in 2019 to 48.4. All of which brings us to two of the hottest ships of the season ...

Cunard's new Queen Anne is about to embark on her maiden voyage from Southampton, UK, on May 3. With capacity for 3000 guests, the vessel boasts some incredible spaces - from the Chart Room cocktail lounge, where you can taste concoctions inspired by the night sky, to the Commodore Club with 270-degree ocean views. While this seven-night cruise has sold out, a number of European itineraries are on sale for the rest of 2024. There's maiden action unfolding on our shores, too, with Australian-founded Scenic Tours' luxe vessel Scenic Eclipse arriving in Australia this month and completing its first Down Under trip from Sydney to Newcastle. Read all about the Eclipse, which launched last year, and its local debut.