With new cruise ships debuting at a rate of one a month, each boasting that it is better than all predecessors, the big challenge for a person thinking about a first cruise is where to start. Like everything else about cruising, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But one logical point of departure might be to focus on who is going, and how much you are willing to spend. If you are a family with young children, and are operating on a tight budget, the choices you want to consider are very different than if you are a couple in your 50s looking for a high-end cruise.

In our section Cruise Ship Choices, we try to help you narrow down the field to the cruise lines and ships that may be best suited to your family situation and your cruise budget. We then try to walk you through many of the other choices you will face in the following sections:

Booking: How Far Ahead? In the old days of cruising, people generally got the cabin they wanted at the best possible price by booking well in advance. But today, some cruisers get tremendous deals in the days immediately prior to departure. This section looks at the pros and cons of each approach.

Cruise Travel Agency or Cruise Line looks at whether you are better off booking directly with the cruise line, or using a cruise travel agency. And if your choice is to use an agency, should it be one of the Internet agencies, or a local agency where you can sit down and plan your trip with an experienced travel agent.

Destination Choices looks at the decision as to where you will go on your first cruise. Some recommend that new cruisers start by deciding where they want to go, while others view the choice of a ship as more important. And to some extent, your destination choice will be determined by where you live, and how long you have for your trip.

Cabin Choices looks at the question of what kind of accommodations you should choose for your time at sea. While some cruisers want the least expensive inside cabin, planning to spend very little time in their room, others prefer a larger cabin, or one of the many cabins on the large, newer ships that offer private balconies.

Dining Choices focuses on the increasing number of decisions you will have about where and what you will eat. In the old days, the choice was pretty much limited to early or late dinner seating. But today, many cruise lines offer a much wider variety of dining options -- including new specialty restaurants that carry with them an additional charge.

Documents looks at the paperwork increasingly associated with cruising. In the post 9/11 era, most cruise lines now require that you fill out questionnaires well in advance. And while some Caribbean islands are still pretty casual about travel documents, a valid passport is always a good idea -- and in some areas, you want to be aware of visa requirements.

Dress Codes looks at what attire is expected of you aboard ship. While some cruise lines are very casual, others are quite dressy -- particularly on formal nights.

Frequent Questions is an archive of answers to the most often asked questions that we hear from first-time cruisers.

Getting to the Ship looks at the choices you have in getting from home to the port of embarkation. While an increasing number of new cruise ports are making it possible for more people to get to the ship by car, most still have to get to-and-from their cruise by air. Should you let the cruise line make air arrangments for you, or are you better off booking the air yourself?

Insurance Choices looks at the question of whether you should buy trip cancellation insurance, and explores the several varieties available. An important add-on may also be insurance that covers medical expenses while on your cruise.

Packing Decisions is an effort to help you find that magic point between not having things that you need, and packing way too much. We look at some of the things that you do not need, as well as some of the things that many cruisers forget.

Preventing Seasickness addresses a couple of the different approaches to dealing with that ancient scourge, seasickness. While there is far less motion on today's megaliners, a rough sea can still have you wishing you had thought about this in advance.

Shipboard Expenditures acquaints you with the fact that the price you pay for a cruise increasingly is not the total cost of your cruise experience. Extra charges for alternative restaurants, spa classes, and even that Diet Coke can add up to a tidy bill under your door at cruise's end. We look at some of these extras.

Shore Excursion Choices looks at what is a highpoint for many cruisers: the sightseeing trips during visits to exotic ports. But while many great options are offered by the cruise lines, many cruisers prefer to make shore arrangements on their own. We look at the pros and cons.

Shopping Choices looks at both the shipboard and port shopping possibilities, which can provide opportunities for bargains -- and not-so-great bargains -- for cruise ship passengers.

Tipping addresses a subject that many cruisers have found both confusing and a source of frustration. We provide you with some hints designed to make this a more satisfying experience.

Upgrade Strategies focuses on the No. 1 question asked by many veteran cruisers: How can you get upgraded to a better cabin? While there is no magic answer, a variety of approaches exist to improving your accommodations -- if you are lucky.