Passengers can download romantic stories written by US authors Carolyn Brown, Heather Burch and Barbara Longley that were based on their own Caribbean cruises – and then sail with the writers on board Regal Princess next month. The authors will take part in on-board book club discussions and offer book signings, and the stories can be downloaded on a Kindle app at amazon.com/allamour.

Books and cruising go hand in hand for many travellers. Princess Cruises has a regular book club – according to the website, books are selected from a variety of sources "offering titles that appeal to many different interests".

Depending on the length of the cruise, one or more Book Club meetings are held; you can bring your own copy of the selected title or borrow it from the library. See princess.com and check out "onboard activities".

Cunard has a long history of hosting writers on board its liners and also offers a book club. Book selections change quarterly and meetings, led by the ship's librarian, are held on every voyage of seven nights or longer. See the "enrichment programs" section at cunardline.com.au.

One writer whose books are hotly anticipated every year by cruisers is Douglas Ward.

The British cruise expert has a job that cruiseaholics the world over covet – he and his team travel up to 200 days each year on ocean and river ships, reporting on them for the annual Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships. The 31st  (2016) edition is due out next month and whether you work in the travel business or are a first-time or a veteran cruiser, this book is considered to be the industry "bible".

It is divided into two main parts. The first helps you work out what you're looking for in a cruise holiday and how to find it; the easy-to-read text describes every aspect of life on board, including safety, the highs and lows of the cruise experience and how to save money.

The second part contains unbiased reviews and fascinating detail of 275 ocean-going cruise vessels, and grades them on service, food, entertainment and facilities, using an internationally recognised ratings system.

Published by Insight Guides, the 2016 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships will be available in November from bookshops and online at  insightguides.com/berlitz/berlitz-cruising. A sneak preview reveals that Ward still rates Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa and Europa 2 as the best ocean cruising ships in the world – but there's much more to discover in the new edition.

MEET THE CREW

NAME:  Sylvie Alison, from France

POSITION: Cruise director, Scenic Diamond, sailing in Bordeaux, France

MY JOB I am responsible for all on-board hospitality, entertainment and social events.

A TYPICAL DAY… includes liaising with the captain, hotel manager, guides and venues to finalise the daily program, overseeing the departure of and accompanying the daily excursion, as well as giving informative presentations and talks.

FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Our exclusive evening at Chateau de Champlatreux​, near Paris. After champagne and canapes, our guests enjoy a private concert in one of the 18th-century rooms adorned with portraits of French kings.

FAVOURITE PORTS The old port of Honfleur – an artist's paradise – and Les Andelys, which is nestled under the imposing ruins of Richard the Lionheart's castle.

INSIDER TIP Enjoy strolling along the winding cobbled streets of old Bordeaux (comfortable shoes a must) and take in the atmosphere of centuries past.

TIP

Oops! How many times have you grabbed your camera on your way to visit a fabulous new place, only to realise when you get there that you've left the battery in the charger? Tape a reminder onto your camera so it doesn't happen again.

NEWS

Land of the midnight sun

In 2017, Princess Cruises' Sea Princess is embarking on on the first cruise from Australia to visit the Arctic Circle as part of its 104-night global circumnavigation.

Sea Princess will visit 39 ports in 26 countries after setting sail from Sydney on May 20, 2017.

Cruising via the Middle East to Europe and the United Kingdom, Sea Princess will make calls to the Lofoten Islands (Gravdal), Tromso, Honningsvag and Akureyri in the Arctic Circle before visiting North and South America and the islands of the Pacific on her return to Australia. Round-trip departures are available from Sydney, Fremantle and Auckland. 

A million reasons to cruise 

Book any P&O cruise by November 25 – the day Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden join the fleet on Sydney Harbour – and you'll be in with the chance to win one of four spots on a four-night cruise from Sydney to Queensland's Moreton Island in December.

During that cruise the four finalists will play a game that gives each of them the chance to become an instant millionaire.

P&O Cruises is also giving away up to $4 million worth of on-board credits for new bookings made by November 25, to celebrate welcoming four million passengers aboard earlier this year. See pocruises.com.au.

Life's a picnic 

You're invited to celebrate Barangaroo's 200-year maritime history at the Giant Picnic on Sydney Harbour's new foreshore park, Barangaroo Reserve, in the latest instalment of the Barangaroo Welcome Celebration.

Giant Picnics will be held every weekend in October and the first one starts today at 11am.

The sea-themed program includes live music, entertainment and art, with picnic dishes to buy from top chefs Colin Fassnidge (My Kitchen Rules judge), seafood specialist Joel Best of Bondi's Best, and John Susman of Fishtales restaurant. Craft workshops will keep kids busy – all you have to do is BYO picnic blanket.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

See some of the world's most spectacular mountain landscapes with Cruise 1st's 18-night cruise-fly-stay package in South America, departing on February 26, 2016. The package includes a 14-night cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas, visiting Chile, Uruguay and Argentina, return airfares from Australia to Chile, and two nights pre-cruise accommodation in Santiago. From $3699; phone 1300 596 345, see cruise1st.com.au.

MORE DEALS 

ACTIVE TRAVEL is offering a $1000 air credit and a bonus two-night stopover with city tour in either Buenos Aires or Santiago for early-bird bookings on 2016-17 season Antarctica cruises made before December 1, 2015. Fares from $14,188 for a 10-night voyage. Phone 1300 783 188, see activetravel.com.au.

EXPERIENCE Vietnam and Cambodia with Uniworld's 15-day Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong river cruise/land tour and save up to $3659 per person on select 2015 and 2016 departures when you book before October 31. Fares start at $3704; phone 1300 780 231, see www.uniworld.com.