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HOW CAN you get the best cruise deal going? Can you still take a trip on a freighter? Really, what is a luxury ship? And simplest of all, what’s the difference between one ship, one cruise line and another?

Douglas Ward, in his 26th Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2011, published this month by Berlitz, has the answers in his fascinating, comprehensive guide. It profiles and independently rates 285 ocean-going cruise vessels from big to small, luxury to budget. Ward, who worked on cruise ships for 17 years, has a team of five assessors carrying out his ratings which he emphasises are unsubsidised and completely independent.

It has fascinating background on the growth of the modern cruise industry (it started in the 1970s after air travel killed transatlantic passenger ship travel); information on different kinds of cruises – for families, for seniors, for gays and lesbians; practical information on booking, budgeting – and cruising rip-offs to watch out for. (He has a particular gripe with additional gratuity lines on receipts that tempt customers to tip on top of a 15 per cent gratuity already charged.)

Most importantly, he spells out the questions to ask your travel agent before booking – and advises that you do use an agent, rather than making an internet booking. A must before cruising.

• Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2011by Douglas Ward is published by Berlitz Publishing, price £16.99 (€19.50)