CRUISE ships are seen as the domain of the wealthy elderly but one East Yorkshire teenager is aiming to shake up that image.
At just 17, Jordan Bailey has already been on ten cruises and has set up a website to celebrate his passion.
After finding his sea legs aged 13, Jordan now has a string of exotic destinations ticked off.
He says there is much more to cruising than having facials and playing deck quoits.
Jordan says: "I first went with my parents when I was 13.
"Experiencing the first one, there was so much to do on board. It was only a four-night trip from Southampton to Cork in Ireland but I was hooked."
The Driffield teenager is studying computing at East Riding College in Bridlington.
He lives and breathes cruise ships so much, he was inspired to create www.rcifans.com, a website dedicated to his favourite cruise line, Royal Caribbean International.
The Ireland trip on Royal Caribbean's Independence Of The Seas ignited his passion but it was a Caribbean voyage the following year on Oasis Of The Seas that prompted the website launch.
His site showcases the latest Royal Caribbean news and information, as well as reviews written by himself and other cruisers.
It has become something of a worldwide hit, with frequent users from all over the world.
Jordan said: "Since I created the site, I have made many great friends with the same passion as me.
"I often head down to Southampton and take part in 'ship stalking' where I take photos of cruise ships and film them sailing away."
In 2011 Jordan was a guest on an American travel podcast, CruizeCast.
His site has received an industry award as the "Best Cruise Site" and he also has a Maritime Web Award.
With cruise ships in his blood and, he hopes, a career on the horizon in cruise liner promotions, Jordan has his sights on turning his hobby into a job.
It won't be too much of a burden. Jordan can't understand why more people his age are not clamouring to go on cruises.
He said: "It's very much misleading to say cruises are for elderly people.
"The reason I like it is there's stuff to do if you just want to relax but there are also plenty of activities.
"The ships I've been on there are climbing walls and ice skating rinks."
So far, Jordan's trips have been taken with his family but as he approaches adulthood, he sees no reason to change his holiday habits.
When his friends are old enough for 18-to-30 trips, Jordan won't be joining them.
He said: "Most people when they're going on holiday just think about a flight to Spain or somewhere. Cruises are almost a forgotten holiday."
Of course, most students can't afford flash cruise ship holidays.
It's no secret he'd like to earn a living with Royal Caribbean when he leaves college.
Jordan says: "Royal Caribbean have not really contacted me as such but they have said 'keep up the good work' on their Twitter page.
"I'd like to work in cruise management and my other passion is website design.
"I started the website just as something to do but then I built my passion around it.
"It would be great if I could build a career from it."
Steve Williams, head of sales for Royal Caribbean International in the UK, told the Mail he is delighted with Jordan's website and plans to invite the teenager aboard one of the ships being refurbished to get his views.
In the meantime, this May marks the fifth anniversary of Jordan's first cruise. He will mark it by cruising from Southampton on board Royal Caribbean's Adventure Of The Seas en-route to Spain and France.
