CUNARD'S NEW 2,092-passenger ocean liner Queen Elizabeth– successor to the QE2which retired in 2008 – was launched by Queen Elizabeth on Monday, when she smashed a bottle of 2009 Cunard Graves (a Rothschild wine) against its hull. She was the only person there who could claim to have been at all three Queen Elizabeth ship namings.
- SISTER SHIPS Oasis of the Seasand Allure of the Seas, both owned by Royal Caribbean, are the world's largest cruise ships – each can accommodate 6,296 passengers and 2,164 crew and come with parks and boulevards.
- SPORTS FACILITIES on some big ships include rock climbing walls, ice-skating rinks and bowling alleys.
- GENTLEMEN CRUISE hosts – usually over 55, well-groomed and good dancers – were first introduced on the QE2 in the mid-1970s.
- FOR $8,819 (€6,394) Crystal Cruises will arrange for you to drive a Ferrari on an eight-and-a-half hour tour of Tuscany and Umbria when its boat is docked at Civitavecchia.
- DISNEY CRUISE Lines caters specifically for families, has a Who wants to Be a Mousketeergame show with free cruises and on board credit as prizes, and all the Disney characters on board. The ship's whistle plays When You Wish Upon a Star.
- R FAMILY Vacations (see rfamilyvacations.com) runs cruises for gay families – one of its founders was former TV talk show host and lesbian mother Rosie O'Donnell.
- L'ORÉAL PARIS has opened a flagship store on the Costa Pacificawith make-up artists and a relaxation area.
- PASSENGERS DEEMED disruptive can be asked to leave a ship – a wealthy Manhattan couple, aged 82 and 91, were kicked off the Queen Mary 2by Cunard a week ago following a spat at a black tie dinner.
- FEWER THAN 3 per cent of passengers get seasick, says Berlitz cruise expert Douglas Ward – because of modern ships' large stabilisers. (But do equip yourself with anti-nausea drugs just in case).
