These cruises are quietly sold at bargain prices, and can be a great way to sample a luxurious ship for less.

As these voyages mean up to a week at sea, they're less luxurious ships at huge discounts.

New, bigger and more luxurious ships were introduced, with attention given to hot tubs, bars, restaurants and other comforts.

It underwent a period of rapid expansion in the latter half of the 19th century, commissioning larger and more luxurious ships to serve the steadily expanding market.