"Virgin Voyages", Sir Richard Branson's newest venture into the cruise industry last week streamed live the first piece of steel being cut for what is dubbed "Virgin I" or "hull number 6287".

The maiden cruise ship being constructed in Genoa, Italy will go into service in 2020 setting sail from Miami, Florida. With room for 2,800 guests and 1,150 crew, the cruise line that promises to “change cruising forever” has been very tight lipped about what the ship will look like inside and out.

It's official! Cunard's newest luxury liner Queen Elizabeth will be based in Australia in 2019.

The announcement by the highly regarded cruise operator confirmed the vessel named in 2010 by Her Majesty the Queen will spend two months in Australian waters in 2019. Australian cruise enthusiasts will be eagerly awaiting the longest deployment down under for any of the line's current fleet.

The vessel will operate seven different cruises from Sydney and Melbourne, including two trans-Tasman voyages, three to Tasmania and two stopping by South Australia.

Australia's cruise industry continues to grow at record pace. In the last 10 years Australia's cruising industry grew more than 6 fold from approximately 160k passengers in 2004 to well over a million passengers a year in 2014. With this increase in passenger numbers of course comes new ships. Below we take a look at some of the newest and most impressive ships to grace our waters in 2017.

The ever innovative Crystal Cruises has signed a unique agreement with the SS United States Conservancy to buy the historic 1952 ocean liner “SS United States”.

Formally known as “America’s Flagship” and playing host to celebrities such as Bob Hope and Princess Grace of Monaco, and also staring in several movies the ocean liner was the worlds fastest ship, taking a mammoth 10 hours off the time for a transatlantic crossing.

P&O Cruises has announced a new cruise ship built specifically for the Australian market. The yet to be named passenger ship to be launched in 2019 will be more than twice the size of the largest ship currently homeported year round in Australia. At a whopping 135,500 tonnes and carrying 4200 passengers, P&O are dubbing it a “game changer”.

Princess Cruises has announced it will be building two new ships for Australia and New Zealanders after its parent company Carnival Corporation agreed to a deal with Italian shipmaker Fincantieri.

Royal Caribbean Productions has announced its schedule of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane auditions for onboard entertainers. Singers, dancers and costumed character performers aged 18 and over that wish to perform on the open sea should attend an audition session.

The first audition will be held at Brisbane’s DLDC / Davidia Lind Dance Centre on March 14. Dancers should report at 9 am and singers at 1:30 pm.

The Atrium of a cruise ship is the central masterpiece of any cruise liner. It needs to be big, bold and beautiful. Below are some of the most amazing interiors of cruise ships around the world.

P&O Cruises UK - Britannia

Britannia's beautiful atrium is decked in blue and cream hues complemented by wood and a spiral staircase. A part chandelier, part sculpture is the centerpiece of the room.

You've searched high and low and found the best cruise, the prices are right, and your ready to click "Book" - Hurray! But wait....the all important question remains "Which cabin do I choose?". Inside or Outside, Balcony or no Balcony, Luxury or Budget - there seems to be a long list of different types on offer?

It's a confusing and sometimes daunting question but it's one of the most important decisions you'll make when booking a cruise.

Royal Caribbean International has revealed details of the refurbishment of its vessel "Liberty of the Seas" showing lots of new and exciting aquatic based activities, new restaurants, children's areas and the addition of 26 new Panaoramic Ocean View staterooms. The new features will enhance Royal Caribbeans appeal to families and the young at heart.