• Pick ’n’ mix deals add value

Cruise lines continually introduce new onboard experiences, but these often include added costs. To offer greater value, cruise lines have introduced pick-your-own deal packages.

What this means for cruisers: These packages allow cruisers to try different onboard experiences from drink packages, to onboard credits for use towards specialty restaurants, spas and shore excursions. A recent Cruise Critic poll highlighted that 34 per cent of cruisers are most enticed by onboard credit, while a quarter of respondents prefer a two-for-one cruise offer.

• Short and sweet cruise growth

Short cruises are already available, but now cruise lines such as Fred Olsen Cruise Line and P&O Cruises will increase the number available in 2014. And, while short two- to four-day cruises have typically been reserved for older ships, in the US new ships are introducing short cruise offerings – including Norwegian Breakaway, which will offer two-day sailings from New York. The UK should watch this space.

What this means for cruisers: Short cruises are an ideal taster for new cruisers, and a great introduction to new destinations and lines for existing cruisers. When polled by Cruise Critic, 54 per cent had either tried a short cruise or would consider one, and while 18 per cent didn’t think it suited them personally, they saw the benefits for new cruisers.

• Balcony smoking extinguished

In 2013 five cruise lines announced changes to onboard smoking policies, and more lines are expected to follow in 2014. Disney Cruise Line, Cunard, P&O, Royal Caribbean and Seabourn all revealed that they would ban some, if not all, smoking on balconies by 2014.

What this means for cruisers: In a Cruise Critic survey, 54 per cent responded that smoking should be banned on balconies and in cabins, and 24 per cent said it should be banned on all areas of a cruise ship. For smokers, it will be more important than ever to become familiar with smoking policies prior to boarding.

• Personalisation – more authentic port experiences

Savvy cruisers are booking shore excursions online, prior to embarkation, often through independent tour operators rather than the cruise lines. A Cruise Critic poll reveals that 59 per cent book through the cruise line, and 41 per cent through independent companies.

What this means for cruisers: This competition will benefit cruisers by delivering more excursion choices, and more unique offerings. Examples include Disney Cruise Line’s family archeological digs in Athens and Azamara’s red carpet event at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St Petersberg.

• Increase in far-flung destination cruises

– Panama Canal: The Panama Canal celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014 and the new visitors’ centre will welcome a number of cruise ship passengers.

– Japan: Watch out for more Japan-centric cruises in 2014 – Japan can be expensive and difficult to navigate around, so a cruise is a perfect sampler trip.

Australia: Cruise choices around Australia are on the rise, offering a good way to see this vast country.

More inclusivity options in river cruising

The popularity of river cruises continues to rise and the fleets are expanding offering cruisers more choice, particularly when it comes to pricing.

What this means for cruisers: The good news is that as the industry becomes more competitive, there will be more options available. Cruisers will be able to select all-inclusive cruises, or a la carte options, resulting in more choice and better value. For example, Scenic Tours includes tours, meals and all drinks, whereas lines such as Emerald Waterways will offer a less-inclusive cruise option, to which you add tours and extras as you wish.

Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.co.uk) offers a comprehensive resource for cruise travellers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 100,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world’s largest online cruise community, where travellers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the internet, launched in October 1995, by The Independent Traveler, a subsidiary of Trip Advisor.