History in North Africa
The Graeco-Roman ruins along the North African coast are among the most magnificent and well-preserved in the world, and with four days each in Egypt and Libya and two days in Tunisia, plus enlightening onboard lectures, you’ll become something of an expert. Sailing on 350-passenger Aegean Odyssey, this fantastic cruise from new line Voyages to Antiquity aims to follow the wake of the Romans, who ruled these waters from 200BC to 200AD, while delivering comfort and grown-up style onboard. Departing Piraeus, you’ll call at Sicily and Malta before crossing to Tunisia, where the highlights are Carthage, the Islamic Art Collection at the Bardo Museum and El-Jem amphitheatre. In Libya you’ll see Sabratha, the largest Roman theatre in Africa, and various other breathtaking ruins and temples. Alexandria has more treats in store, and the tour ends with a night in Cairo to visit the Pyramids of Giza.
Voyages to Antiquity offers this 14-night cruise on Aegean Odyssey departing Piraeus on November 2.

Fall in Canada and New England
As the leaves start turning in early autumn, Mother Nature really shows off, with swathes of red, gold, yellow and orange foliage turning the forests and hills of New England and Canada into magical lands. The coastline north of New York City has hundreds of miles of stunning beaches, rocky coves and fishing ports, many sheltered by iconic white lighthouses. Entry point to New England and your first port of call on this cruise, Boston is like a small 17th-century London and home to the original tea party. Tuck into freshly caught lobster in Portland before spending a day at sea to enjoy six restaurants, a spa, casino, bars and lounges on Carnival Glory on your way to Halifax and Saint John. These craggy outposts are beautiful in autumn, surrounded by farmland, mountains and national parks, and you can also go whale-watching, tall-ship sailing and eat lots more lobster.
 Carnival Cruise Line offers seven-night cruises on Carnival Glory from New York City throughout September and October.

Sunshine in the Middle East
After a summer cruising the Mediterranean, Costa Luminosa will make an extraordinary repositional cruise to the Middle East and Dubai, marking the beginning of its winter season in Arabia. This is a once-a-year opportunity to enjoy not only the Med, but the Middle East during one of its most beautiful months, with warm dry weather and bright blue sky. Departing the Italian port of Savona you’ll sail south to Egypt and Port Said, with its colonial buildings and busy markets, and on to Sharm el Sheikh and Aqaba where you can dive above coral reefs in bath-warm water. Next up is Aden, a dramatic port in Yemen framed by a volcanic, Salalah in Oman, known as the perfume capital of Arabia due to its frankincense production, and Muscat with its battle-scarred forts. Superlatives fail to describe the final port of call and highlight for many – the glittering Emirate of Dubai – where you’ll spend two nights before flying home.
Costa Cruises offers this 18-night cruise on Costa Luminosa departing Savona on November 11.

Sightseeing in the Med
The Mediterranean is heaven in autumn – the schools have gone back, the beaches are empty and the sea is still wonderfully warm. What’s more, cooler temperatures make sightseeing really comfortable and you won’t have to queue all morning to get into key monuments. Saga operates adult-only cruises from Southampton – so no flying – that really focus on cultural ports of call. Visit the pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela and beautiful Cadiz on the way south, and rest up during sea days onboard Saga Pearl II enjoying the restaurants, spa and bars. The ship does a comprehensive tour of the Med, calling at major cities Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Dubrovnik and Venice, where you can visit Saint Mark’s Church or explore the waterways on a gondola. The islands of Corfu and Sicily are next up and show the Med at a quieter pace of life, before the ship heads west to Palma, Gibraltar and eventually home.
Saga Holidays offers 24-night cruises on Saga Pearl II departing Southampton on October 8.

River cruise in China
The Yangtze River between Chongqing in the west and Wuhan in the east is one of the most fascinating stretches of water in the world, and gives a unique insight into rural Chinese life as well as taking you right through the dramatic Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam. Surrounded by towering mountain peaks that are often shrouded in mist, the gorges are the main attraction – and the smaller Lesser Gorges are usually visited in excursion boats. The dam is not beautiful – more a mind-boggling engineering marvel – but a few days’ cruising the Yangtze is an important part of a tour of China. Viking River Cruises operates Viking Century Sun on the Yangtze, which is comfortable and modern with balconies for watching the farms, villages and temples drift by, as well as a small spa, bar, sundeck and excellent restaurant. This tour also takes in Beijing, Xian, Lhasa and Shanghai.
Viking River Cruises offers 15-night ‘Roof of the World’ tours, including a five-night Yangtze cruise, throughout September.

Cloud9Spa, Carnival Dream
One of the largest spas afloat, Cloud9Spa spans two decks and 40,000 sq ft, bringing you a thermal suite with four heat and steam rooms, a glass-domed thalassotherapy pool with soothing jets to soak away aches and pains as well as a large gym and beauty salon. VIP treatment areas are beautiful sanctuaries with whirlpool baths, drapes and couples couches, and you can recover after your treatment in the aptly named 7th Heaven relaxation area. Menu highlights include Balinese massage, Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap and a Rasal Body Treatment inspired by Middle Eastern techniques as well as massages for mother/daughter and father/son. If you can’t tear yourself away then stay in a spa stateroom and you’ll enjoy unlimited access to the facilities, priority spa booking, complimentary fitness classes and spa amenities in your cabin.
Carnival Cruises offers seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises on Carnival Dream from Port Canaveral year-round.

Mandara Spa, Norwegian Epic
With a spa the size of 11 tennis courts and with more than 50 treatments available, there really is something for everyone at the Mandara Spa on new superliner Norwegian Epic. As well as soaking and steaming the day away in the Hydrotherapy Courtyard and thermal suite, you can blend your own body scrub, have a couples massage in a villa with outdoor whirlpool, or bring your kids for an ice-cream themed manicure and pedicure or family massage. On the menu you’ll also find Elemis and Bliss treatments, acupuncture, oxygen wraps and even teeth-whitening and Botox. Book a spa suite from a range of categories and you can pad along any time you like; choose one with a whirlpool and you can continue the spa experience back in your cabin.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Epic from Miami this summer.

Oasis Spa, Azura
British skincare expert Elemis heads-up this fabulous spa on new P&O ship Azura, bringing the best of its natural ingredients and modern technology to British cruisers. At the heart of the spa is the adult-only Retreat, an outdoor deck with luxury sunloungers, waiter service and cabanas where you can have al fresco treatments while enjoying the beautiful seascapes. There’s also an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a DIY scrub station and great range of treatments, including a 24-Carat-Gold Facial, Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial, Bamboo Massage and an Exotic Steam Rasul. Share your spa experience with your partner in a couples treatment room, or book a spa stateroom package and enjoy accommodation in a special spa cabin, consultation to create a bespoke programme of treatments, spa-themed events and a priority booking service.
P&O Cruises offers a range of Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Baltic cruises on Azura from Southampton this summer.

Lotus Spa, Ruby Princess
Soothing Asian designs and a tranquil environment help transport Ruby Princess spa guests to a peaceful parallel world, with his and hers sauna and steam rooms, relaxation areas and an exotic treatment menu all inspired by eastern health philosophies. Highlights include Lotus Massage, Exotic Hand Ritual and Sole Delight Foot Treatment, alongside popular hits such as oxygen facials, deep-tissue sports massage and body work including the Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap. Tackle aches and pains by trying acupuncture or chiropody – all carried out by expert practitioners – and for a fast route to beauty try teeth-whitening or an Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction wrap, which claims to help shed inches in hours. The spa is popular, especially on sea days, but through Princess’ Cruise Personaliser you can book ahead and secure your ideal day and time.
 Princess Cruises offers a range of 12-night Mediterranean cruises on Ruby Princess this summer.

Samsara Spa, Costa Deliziosa / Luminosa
If you’re worried your Vata or Pitta might be out of balance with your Kapha – or if you even know what this means – then Costa Cruises’ Samsara Spas could be for you. Designed around the Indian philosophy of Ayurveda, the 37,700 sq ft centres aim to be holistic retreats where you are not only pampered physically but have space to unwind mentally too, with dedicated areas called Tridosha Sanctuary and Temple of Peace. The thalassotherapy pool, rock sauna and Turkish bath are great places to loosen some tension and there is an extensive menu of Elemis face, body and wellness treatments. Book a Samsara package and you can enjoy two treatments and two classes, access to the facilities and a health restaurant as well as spa-themed cabin amenities.
Costa Cruises offers a range of Baltic and Norwegian cruises on Costa Deliziosa from Copenhagen this summer.

Vitality at Sea Spa, Oasis / Allure of the Seas
Not just a spa but part of an entire neighbourhood, the Vitality at Sea Spa on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (and soon Allure) is almost a holiday destination in itself. First up there’s a two-deck semi-enclosed solarium where you can lie on sunloungers on your own little island or wallow in a whirlpool suspended above the ocean. Then there’s the actual spa, a vast complex including a thermal suite with heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms, treatments ranging from facials and body wraps to Botox and acupuncture with special packages for couples and a dedicated teen spa. With wellness lectures in the Vitality Enrichment Lounge and light snacks in the Vitality Café, you could easily dedicate your whole holiday to spa-ing.
Royal Caribbean International offers seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises on Oasis of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale this summer.

Spa at Seabourn, Seabourn Sojourn/ Odyssey
You don’t expect a huge spa on a small ship – but despite carrying just 450 passengers, these glamorous sisters dedicate 11,400 sq ft of two aft decks to pampering, pummeling, steaming, scrubbing and soaking guests in extremely luxurious surroundings. The double-height waterfall at the entrance gives way to seven indoor and outdoor treatment rooms operated by Elemis, and spread across the two decks are a thalassotherapy pool, sauna and steam room. The treatment menu includes aromatherapy and reflexology as well as spa essentials such as wraps, facials and hot stone therapy, as well as Elemis, Thai and couples massages. To really splash out you could book a 24 Karat Gold or Elemis Oxydermy facial, an Ionithermie session, or take over a Spa Villa for a half day in even more palatial surroundings.
Yachts of Seabourn offers a range of Northern Europe and Mediterranean cruises on Seabourn Sojourn this summer.


Cunard Royal Spa, Queen Victoria
With whole menus of age-defying facials, Hammam-style mud treatments, indulgent body scrubs and massages, plus several rituals based on the Indian philosophy Ayurveda, the Cunard Royal Spa on Queen Victoria is a destination in itself and very popular on sea and port days alike. It’s run by award-winning spa company [comfort zone], which together with a Kerastase Style Spa bring the most professional and sophisticated therapists along for your holiday. Packages themed to individual needs promise three and a half hours of pampering – to rebalance, for example, expect an anti-oxidant facial, nutritional body treatment, hot stone therapy for the back and lushly hand and foot rituals. Relax before or afterwards in the hydrotherapy pool, laconium (tiled heat room), aroma steam room and sauna, or book a whole day there to unravel. 
Cunard Line offers a range of Mediterranean cruises on Queen Victoria this summer.

AquaSpa by Elemis, Celebrity Eclipse/ Solstice/ Equinox
An indoor, adult-only solarium pool surrounded by teak sunloungers and butlers marks your arrival to a tranquil world. The AquaSpa occupies two forward decks on the Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships. Elemis treatment highlights include Ionithermie cellulite reduction, acupuncture, Botox, Restylane or Perlane sessions, couples massages or La Therapie Hydralift facials. If you have five hours to spare, immerse yourself in one of a range of ‘ceremonies’, from Egyptian ceremony of milk and ginger, to Tahitian ceremony of flowers. Before or after your treatment you can unwind on an outsized chaise-longue or warm your muscles on heated tiles in the Persian Garden. Stay in a spa cabin and you can carry on relaxing once the pummelling has stopped, with unlimited access to the facilities.
Celebrity Cruises has a range of Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Baltic and short cruises on Celebrity Eclipse from Southampton this summer.

The Spa at Silversea, Silver Spirit
Another small ship that’s big on wellness, Silversea’s new flagship Silver Spirit has an 8,300 sq ft spa for just 540 lucky guests. Indoor and outdoor relaxation spots are set across two decks and the spa has a thermal area with a sauna, steam room and an outdoor whirlpool, from where you can admire the seascapes or port views before indulging in one of the many treatments. As well as Elemis facials, wraps and massage there is a good range of medi-spa options including teeth whitening and Botox, Restylane and Perlane sessions, so you can come home looking fantastic as well as feeling it. So-called ‘wellness ceremonies’ aim to target specific health concerns such as arthritis, poor circulation or cellulite, and you can also get acupuncture onboard to tackle those aches and pains.
Silversea Cruises offers a range of seven-night Mediterranean cruises on Silver Spirit this summer.
 

Greenhouse Spa, Nieuw Amsterdam
A well-known urban day spa in the US, Greenhouse operates spas on all the Holland America Line ships. Nieuw Amsterdam will be sailing the Med this summer with a 22-ft glass-enclosed hydrotherapy pool, which uses warm seawater to alleviate aches and pains, as well as a thermal suite with a laconium, Hammam, and a chamomile steam room. There is a long list of treatments, including facials, wraps and body work such as aroma stone therapy. Or for an extra treat choose a spa stateroom from a variety of categories and you’ll enjoy organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, aromatherapy bath salts, a pedometer and use of a spa concierge service for bookings.
Holland America Line offers a range of seven to 14-night Mediterranean cruises on Nieuw Amsterdam this summer.
 

Portugal: the Douro
This is a cruise route for lovers of port – the drink – as the river Douro passes through Portugal’s key production areas with plenty of opportunities for tastings along the way. Many cruises start and end in Porto, the country’s second city, which clings to the hills around the mouth of the river, and go as far as Barca d’Alva on the Spanish border. Steep terraced fields of vineyards line the riverbanks, pretty villages give an insight into rural Portuguese life, and there’s the option of an exciting day in medieval Salamanca. The Spanish city is dominated by its ancient cathedral and university – one of the oldest in Europe – and you can chart important points in Spanish history as you walk through Baroque plazas and impressive monasteries. Back onboard, luxury boat Douro Queen has a pool and Jacuzzi and plenty of space on deck to watch the world go by.

Elegant River Cruises offers 10-night ‘Lisbon and the beautiful Douro River’ cruises all summer, departing Lisbon and calling at Coimbra, Porto, Bitetos, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron (for Salamanca) and Barca d’Alva, before returning to Porto.

Central Europe: the Rhine, Main and Danube
Showcasing five countries and cruising three mighty rivers, the route between Amsterdam and Budapest along the Rhine, Main and Danube is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Starting in Holland with its pretty windmills and fields of tulips, you’ll sail on through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Along the way the boat will stop at fascinating cities such as Cologne with its Roman ruins and UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral, Nuremberg where you can learn about World War II history, Vienna with its world-class opera house and the beautiful Slovakian capital Bratislava. At the end of this holiday you’ll overnight in Budapest with plenty of time to explore before enjoying a Hungarian dinner onboard your elegant Viking Cruises’ riverboat.

Viking River Cruises offers 15-day ‘Grand European Tour’ cruises all summer, departing Amsterdam and calling at Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenburg, Warzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Durnstein, Vienna and Bratislava before ending in Budapest.

Russia: lakes and waterways
Linking the two major cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, the Russian waterways are a magical network of rivers and lakes that are becoming a popular cruise route and an excellent way to cover great distances in comfort. This tour starts in Russian capital Moscow where you can visit the famous Kremlin and Red Square, before sailing on through enchanting countryside of farms, villages and hamlets as the boat heads north. Towns such as Uglich and Yaroslavl, which stretches for an incredible 18 miles on both sides of the Volga, are interesting ports of call with important churches and monasteries. You’ll also cruise the White Lake, once known as the Tsar’s fishing ground, and Lake Onega with its museum of architecture on Kizhi Island. Noble Caledonia’s ship Volga Dream was refitted in 2007 and is one of the most upmarket ships sailing these waters.

Noble Caledonia offers 10-night ‘From Moscow to the Baltic Shores’ cruises all summer, departing Moscow and calling at Uglich, Yaroslavl, Goritsy, Kizhi and Mandrogi before ending in St Petersburg.

France: the Rhone
The Rhone and Saone converge at Lyon and together make a river-cruise route that is ideal for wine-lovers, passing through the regions of Beaujolais, Burgundy and Cote du Rhone with plenty of stops for vineyard tours and tastings along the way. As well as vines, the river also cuts through fields of sun-warmed lavender around Viviers and the landscape continues to change as the cruise heads south towards the Roman town of Arle and eventually the Mediterranean Sea. Other popular stops include Lyon – known as France’s capital of gastronomy where this boat stays overnight, Avignon with its former papal palace and the Benedictine Abbey at Cluny, once the largest in Christendom. Swan Hellenic’s boat Stella has 86 cabins, many with small balconies, and a spacious deck with pool.

Swan Hellenic offers seven-night Rhone cruises next summer, departing Lyon and calling at Chalon-sur-Saone, Macon, Viviers, Arles and Avignon before returning to Lyon.

France: the Seine
This fabulous cruise kicks off on a glamorous note – you’ll spend the first night of your holiday docked in the heart of Paris, watching the city lights as you dine on board the new luxury boat Avalon Creativity. The Seine winds north from the capital towards Rouen, and as you cruise along one of France’s loveliest regions, home to Camembert cheese and Calvados, you can visit Vincent Van Gogh’s hometown at Auvers-sur-Oise, Monet’s famous garden at Giverny and admire a military monument built by Richard the Lionheart. On this cruise, the sombre highlight for many is a day at the Normandy landing beaches where thousands of Allied soldiers lost their lives on D-Day. You’ll visit Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument and the American Cemetery on an all-inclusive daytrip from the port at Rouen before returning to your boat for the rest of the cruise.

SAGA offers seven-night ‘Paris to the Normandy beaches’ cruises all summer, departing Paris and calling at Conflans, Vernon, Rouen and Les Andelys before returning to Paris.

 

Glacier-hiking: Alaska

With majestic mountains, tidal-water glaciers and fascinating adapted wildlife, Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for lovers of the great outdoors. As your ship heads north from Vancouver there is a thrilling sense of adventure as the temperature drops and the landscape becomes increasingly hostile. From deck you can spot humpback whales, seals floating on chunks of ice and even the odd black bear roaming the shores, and once you get to maritime town Juneau you can pull on your hiking boots and join them. On this cruise an expert naturalist leads a guided trek over the Mendenhall Glacier, through a stunning valley alongside rushing mountain streams, with goats on the hillsides and bald eagles soaring overhead, before returning you to luxury ship Seven Seas Navigator for a well-earned sundowner.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers seven-night ‘Alaska Gulf Coast’ cruises from Vancouver on Seven Seas Navigator, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka before ending in Seward.

Jungle zip-lining: Costa Rica

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is so high that clouds hang in the branches of the trees, and if you’re brave enough to go even higher you can look down at them from a network of treetop walkways – or even take to the air on one of the world’s highest zip-lines. The forest is one of the most important reserves in the New World tropics and sits at 4,600ft above sea level. The cool air at this altitude is ideal for hiking and if you’re lucky you’ll see some of the more than 400 species of birds, 100 types of mammals and 420 varieties of orchid. The tour also includes a stop at an extraordinary insect museum containing more than a million tiny preserved creatures – after which life back on premium ship Azamara Journey will seem even more civilized.

Azamara Club Cruises offers 16-night ‘Panama Canal’ cruises from Miami on Azamara Journey, calling at Cartagena (Colombia), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua), Huatulco (Mexico), Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas before ending in San Diego.
 
 

Performance-yacht racing: US Virgin Islands

Get soaking wet and blown away with a ride on the fastest charter boat in the Caribbean. The Soma is a Formula 40 race catamaran based in St John, Nevis, and if you book early, a handful of lucky yachties can spend the morning ripping around the Virgin Islands at speed. Don’t expect sunloungers or a buffet, this catamaran was built for racing and there’s only a trampoline between the two hulls, minimum onboard comforts and no space for idle hands – so get ready to trim sails, fly a hull or even take the tiller. SeaDream Yacht Club is all about small-ship cruising, but this excursion is ideal for energetic sailers to get even closer to the action, and feel the salt on their faces and the wind in their hair.

SeaDream Yacht Club offers 10-night cruises from St Thomas on SeaDream II, calling at St John, Nevis, Montserrat, Saba, St Barthelemy, Anguilla, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke before returning to St Thomas.

 

Ancient sites: Arabia

Nothing can prepare you for seeing the Treasury for the first time – carved out of the pink rock-face deep in the desert, it’s a thrilling experience matched only by your first glimpse of the Pyramids at Giza, eerie and timeless on the Cairo skyline. You won’t get many chances to see both Petra and the highlights of ancient Egypt on the same holiday, as well as cruise the Nile and explore Omani capital Muscat with its battle-scarred fortresses and ancient fishing port. This fantastic cruise on small ship Spirit of Adventure does a full circuit of the Arabian Peninsula taking in authentic and remote ports from the Suez Canal to Dubai, with endless opportunities to get your boots dusty and have your breath taken away.

Spirit of Adventure offers 18-night ‘Arabian nights’ cruises from Limassol (Cyprus), calling at Port Said (for Cairo), Aqaba (for Petra), Sharm El Sheikh, Safaga (for Luxor), Suakin (Sudan), Djibouti, Salalah (Oman), Muscat and Khasab, before ending in Dubai.

 

Shark-feeding: Bora Bora

The French Polynesian island of Bora Bora sits in its own turquoise lagoon, completely surrounded by warm, shallow water ideal for snorkeling and diving. Endless species of colourful fish, beautiful coral and even manta rays, sharks, turtles and dolphins live just beneath the surface, and watching these graceful creatures swim silently by is an experience you’ll never forget. After a day’s guided snorkelling and swimming around the lagoon you’ll be able to watch your guide hand-feeding reef sharks – something else to tell them about back home. Your mask and flippers will see a lot of action on this cruise – Seabourn Odyssey also calls at the Cook Islands, Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands which are all as colourful below the waterline as they are above.

Yachts of Seabourn offers 20-day ‘Southern Cross’ cruises on Seabourn Odyssey from Los Angeles, calling at the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Cook Islands and Bay of Islands (New Zealand) before ending in Auckland.
 

The elegant cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn are a joy to explore, and all have superb galleries, palaces, cathedrals and civic buildings as well as lively restaurants and bars.
In between ports, much of the cruising is coastal with breathtaking views of forests and islands until the ship reaches St Petersburg – so-called ‘Venice of the North’ and the cultural highpoint of any Baltic cruise.

Luxury from Dover

If you plan to do the Baltic in style then look no further than Holland America Line, which is sailing routes out of Dover for the first time this summer. Eurodam is a new mid-size ship with spacious cabins, large elegant public rooms and an award-winning spa, as well as four restaurants and a children’s club. During sea days you can watch cookery demonstrations, take an ipod tour of the art collection or enjoy specialist lectures that will make you an expert in Nordic history before you even arrive in the Baltic. The ship docks overnight in St Petersburg, where excursion highlights include tickets to the ballet or an evening of Russian folk music.

Holland America Line offers 11-night ‘Baltic Treasures’ cruises from Dover on Eurodam this summer calling at Copenhagen, Tallin, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm before returning to Dover.

Free-style from Copenhagen

Why not maximise your time in the Baltic by flying straight to the action? Next summer Norwegian Cruise Line will be base Norwegian Sun, which already cruises the Baltic from Dover, in the stylish city of Copenhagen, giving you the chance to spend a few extra nights here either side of the cruise. The ship then calls at all the important Baltic cities where an incredibly varied excursions list offers everything from walking tours in Copenhagen and coach trips to the countryside around Berlin to high-speed boat trips through the Stockholm archipelago. There is similar flexibility onboard too with free-style dining at 14 restaurants, cabins ranging from compact to complex, great kids’ clubs for all ages, a large spa and several hot tubs and pools.

Norwegian Cruise Line will offer nine-night ‘Baltic Capitals’ cruises from Copenhagen on Norwegian Sun next summer, calling at Warnemunde, Tallin, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm before returning to Copenhagen.

New ship from Southampton

Be among the first to sail on premium new ship Celebrity Eclipse as it makes its debut season out of Southampton this summer. Onboard you’ll find a bowling green, glassblowing demonstrations, wine tours and an Elemis spa with adjoining accommodation, as well as an excellent range of restaurants, cafes and bistros. First port of call on the route from Southampton is Brugges where you can wander the exquisite medieval streets, shop for Belgian chocolate and lace, and sample some of the 450 varieties of beer. You’ll then have whole days in each of the key Baltic cities plus two in St Petersburg, and on certain sailing, two days and evenings in Copenhagen on the way back to enjoy the royal palaces, stylish restaurants and ice bar.

Celebrity Cruises offers 14-night ‘Scandinavia and Russia’ cruises from Southampton on Celebrity Eclipse this summer, calling at Brugges, Warnemunde, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin and Rotterdam, before returning to Southampton.

Under sail from Germany

For a completely different view of the Baltic and one reminiscent of bygone sea-faring days, there can be few more romantic ways to cruise than under sail. Noble Caledonian operates the traditional three-mast, fully rigged sailing ship Sea Cloud II in the Baltic this summer, carrying around 100 passengers in old-school luxury – expect wood panels, brass fittings and single-seating dining. On a ship this size it’s easy to visit small ports as well as the major cities, so calls include Denmark’s Bornholm Island and Skagen as well as overnights in Stockholm and St Petersburg, where there’s an exclusive caviar reception and concert at the Yusupov Palace. New 130-passenger three-mast sailing ship Sea Cloud Hussar launches later this year and will sail the Baltic next summer.

Noble Caledonian offers a 14-night ‘Hanseatic cities under sail’ cruise from Travemunde (Germany) on Sea Cloud II in August, calling at Stockholm, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Tallin, Bornholm Island, Copenhagen, Skagen and ending in Hamburg.

Traditional from the north

If cruising from a northern port appeals more than flying or travelling to Dover or Southampton then consider Fred Olsen, which also sails to the Baltic from Liverpool, Newcastle and Edinburgh (Rosyth). All cruises are traditional style with British onboard culture, set dining and comfortable cabins. Mid-size ship Boudicca sails from Rosyth this summer calling first at Gothenburg, an ideal jump-off point for exploring the fishing villages and beaches along the Swedish west coast. The ship spends a night in St Petersburg where popular excursions are a musical evening at the Hermitage organised exclusively for Fred Olsen guests and a coach journey to the beautiful summer palace at Peterhof.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offers 14-night Baltic Cruises from Rosyth on Boudicca this summer, calling at Gothenburg, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Warnemunde, Kalundborg (Denmark) before returning to Rosyth.

Culture vulture: Western Mediterranean  
With historic deep-water ports set along a beautiful coastline that stretches from Gibraltar around to Italy, the western Mediterranean could have been made for cruising. Ports such as Barcelona with its world-class galleries, Naples with the nearby Amalfi Coast, and cultural highpoint Rome are all convenient distances apart, and the rich tapestry of cultures, languages and cuisines mean each day ashore is an adventure. Cruise from a UK port and you’ll have time to recharge your batteries before all that sightseeing. Many ships have extensive children’s clubs, pool areas and babysitting services, and on Grand Princess, little ones can even stay onboard for more supervised fun while you tour the cathedrals, museums and vineyards ashore.
 

*Princess Cruises offers 14-night ‘Mediterranean Adventurer’ cruises from Southampton on Grand Princess throughout the summer, calling at Malaga, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome, Naples, Ajaccio and Gibraltar, before returning to Southampton. 
 

Great outdoors: Norwegian Fjords
If clean air, outdoor activities and striking natural scenery are your idea of heaven then read on. The northern Norwegian coast is a wild, untamed meeting between land and sea where mountains dive deep into clear lakes, towns and villages cling to the rocky coast and nothing is done in a hurry. As well as sailing through the fjords themselves, you can take a cable car ride above Flam for breathtaking views, cycle through pretty Bergen or hike in the hills above Hellesylt – or for complete contrast do the boutique shops and museums of Oslo or Stavanger. Many cruises depart from UK ports but new ship Costa Deliziosa is sailing to the fjords from its base in Copenhagen all summer long.
 

*Costa Cruises offers seven-night ‘Land of the Vikings’ cruises from Copenhagen on Costa Deliziosa throughout the summer, calling at Flam, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo before returning to Copenhagen.
 

Fun in the sun: Eastern Caribbean
Hot, hot, hot this summer and always, the Eastern Caribbean is a sunshine playground for young and old. Zip-lining through jungles or touring historic forts, diving with stingrays or visiting butterfly farms, teeing off in the sunshine, shopping or trekking – whatever your definition of fun, you’ll find it here. Of course, islands such as St Thomas, St Maarten and the Bahamas are most-loved for their clear warm sea and idyllic white-sand beaches, and many ships offer snorkelling and diving trips as well as days at the beach. Oasis of the Seas has world-class experiences onboard as well, with surf simulators, zip-lines running high above an open boulevard, rock-climbing walls and an ice-rink, plus vast children’s clubs and many restaurants.
 

*Royal Caribbean offers seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale on Oasis of the Seas throughout the summer, calling at St Thomas, St Maarten and the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale.
 

Rum and reggae: Western Caribbean
With eco-adventure and ancient ruins as well as paradise beaches and rolling surf, the Western Caribbean has real flair. Many islands and ports are cultural melting pots and move to Latin and African rhythms – expect rum, reggae and really friendly people. Ports here include Mexican Costa Maya and Cozumel, with its several important Mayan ruins, Belize, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay in Jamaica and Isla Roatan off Honduras. You can eat lobster on the beach, snorkel over coral reef, swim with dolphins or even crew an America’s Cup yacht. The family fun continues onboard new ship Carnival Dream – it has acres of space for kids and teens, waterslides up to 300ft long and spacious family cabins.
 

*Carnival Cruises offers seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral on Carnival Dream throughout the summer, calling at Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau before returning to Port Canaveral. 
 

 Learning in luxury: Eastern Mediterranean
From the glory of Venice and the jaw-dropping ancient sites of Athens to the picturesque towns along the Adriatic coast, you can learn a lot about the history of Europe on an Eastern Mediterranean cruise. The Greek islands are little clusters of paradise that make for dream cruising and on Santorini archaeological sites date back 3,500 years. Bodrum in Turkey has a 15th century castle and fascinating Museum of Marine Antiquities, while in Dubrovnik elegant Venetian buildings are framed by 7th-century fortifications. Choose this cruise on Crystal Serenity and you’ll learn loads onboard too – the luxury ship has an impressive educational programme as well as facilities for children and teens, and ends with a night in Venice – one the most romantic and educational cities in the world.
 

*Crystal Cruises offers seven-night ‘Aegean Escape’ cruises from Athens on Crystal Serenity, calling at Santorini, Thira, Bodrum, Corfu and Dubrovnik and ending in Venice.
 

Central Mediterranean
Poring over excursion lists is one of the most exciting parts about planning a cruise, and in the central Mediterranean you’ll be itching to get ashore in every port. Archeological sites and a smoking mountain mean you’ll be particularly spoiled for choice on Sicily, where you can tour historic Taormina with its Graeco-Roman theatre or visiting Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. On Malta the choices range from temples older than the Egyptian pyramids to swimming with dolphins, taking a wine-tasting tour or just kicking back on the beach. Save some energy for Tunisian port La Goulette – you’ll need it for haggling in the medina or visiting Carthage, one of the must-sees of the ancient world. After all that sightseeing you can put your feet up in the huge spa on MSC Splendida, hail your butler in the MSC Yacht Club or dine with family in one of several restaurants.
 

MSC Cruises has seven-night ‘Best of the Med’ cruises on MSC Splendida from Genoa throughout the summer, calling at Marseilles, Barcelona, Tunis, La Valletta (Malta), Messina (Sicily) and Rome before returning to Genoa. Children cruise free when sharing with parents.
 

Summer breezes: Canary Islands
Nature has been very kind to the Canary Islands. Their remote location off the west coast of Africa means they have a unique microclimate with hot sunshine in winter and mild winds in summer. This makes July and August ideal for hitting the white-sand beaches on Gran Canaria, enjoying watersports in La Palma and even climbing Mount Teide on Tenerife. Here you’ll also find Europe’s largest water complex Siam Park, boutique shopping at tax-free prices in Santa Cruz and great food and wine. All this is a couple of days’ cruise south from the UK – time to take long lunches, relax by the pool and be pummeled in the spa on new ship Azura while the kids enjoy some of the best facilities at sea.
 

P&O Cruises has 12-night Canary Islands cruises from Southampton on Azura this summer, calling at Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lisbon and Vigo, before returning to Southampton.
 

 Double bubble: New York and the Bahamas
Shop till you drop in the Big Apple, hail a cab a la Sex and the City, and before you know it you’ll be sailing past the Statue of Liberty with a cosmopolitan in your hand. Believe it or not, the port of Manhattan is the jump-on point for cruises to the Caribbean and beyond, and the contrast couldn’t be more exciting. As your ship heads south the temperature rises until you arrive in Port Canaveral for the theme parks of Orlando and John K Kennedy Space Centre. On this cruise the next stop the beach – NCL has its own private island Great Stirrup Cay where you can spend the day lounging, swimming and enjoying watersports in the clear warm sea. There’s more beach fun the following day on Nassau before topping up your tan as the ship sails back to New York.
 

*Norwegian Cruise Line has seven-night ‘New York skyline and Bahamian sunshine’ cruises from New York on Norwegian Gem throughout the summer, calling at Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau before returning to New York.

History lesson: Baltic capitals
From the earliest Viking warriors setting out to conquer Europe, to bloody sea battles between regional powers, the Baltic sea has not only shaped the coastline of some of Europe’s most important countries, but their histories too. Now it’s one of the most popular cruise destinations for British holidaymakers and it’s easy to see why. From Copenhagen and Oslo in the west to Stockholm with its island network and cool Helsinki – all are coastal, historic and packed with museums and galleries where your children can learn about the region’s colourful past. The cultural highlight is St Petersburg and Disney Magic spends a night and a long day here with plenty of time for you to explore. Onboard Mickey Mouse and friends host incredible kids’ clubs and there is plenty of grown-up fun too, with an adults-only pool and a great range of restaurants and bars.
 

Disney Cruise Line has a 12-night ‘Northern European Capitals Cruise’ on Disney Magic from Dover throughout the summer, calling at Oslo, Copenhagen, Warnemunde, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm before returning to Dover.
 

Celtic connection: British Isles
From sunny Guernsey with pretty houses climbing the hill behind St Peter Port to craggy Middle Age churches in the Scottish Highlands, the diversity of the British Isles, Ireland and northern France are celebrated on this fabulous two-week cruise. This is a chance for your family to see some of the most far-flung corners of the kingdom, including the Isle of Skye and the north coast of Scotland, as well as key cities Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh. Departing a tender on the Thames in central London, a full cirumnavigation of the British Isles is completed in total comfort on Princendam, a luxury mid-size ship with spa, culinary arts theatre and plenty of fun for children, with facilities including a games room and teenage den.
 

*Holland America Line has 13-night ‘Celtic Nations’ cruises from London on Prinsendam throughout the summer, calling at St Peter Port (Guernsey), Brest (France), Falmouth, Dublin, Holyhead, Belfast, Peel (Isle of Man), Fort William, Portree (Isle of Skye), Scrabster and Rosyth before returning to London.
 

To book any of these cruises contact your ACE travel agent.

Find more ships sailing these destinations.

By Sara Macefield, Travel Writer

Cruising offers the perfect holiday for all seasons whether you're a sun-lover wanting to sail to sultry hotspots or a snow and ice fan keen to encounter cool climates.

Never before has there been such a wide range of destinations for cruise passengers to explore – and the choice continues to grow.

When it comes to following the sun, the biggest destination is the Caribbean - the world's most popular cruising ground, packed with beautiful scenery, tropical weather and thousands of idyllic islands.

Virtually every cruise line sails to this corner of the globe and the best time to go is during winter when the weather is more settled and there is no threat of hurricanes.

This is when you'll find the best pick of cruises, from the world's largest ships to the smallest. From busy, buzzing cruise stops such as St Thomas, Antigua and St Maarten to tiny deserted islands in the Bahamas, Grenadines or British Virgin Islands where you may be the only ship.

Opt for a three or four-day cruise from Florida to the Bahamas or four-week voyages that include islands in the east and west Caribbean, plus an unforgettable trip through the Panama Canal.

Closer to home, the Mediterranean is a long-standing summer hotspot packed with culture and history against a backdrop of beautiful scenery and classical old cities.

Cruise from the UK or fly to a European port such as Barcelona or Venice and sail to popular spots such as Naples or Civitavecchia (for Rome), and Athens where the wonders of ancient civilisations await.

For some Eastern promise, take a trip along the Persian Gulf and experience the different desert cultures and tribal traditions of this intoxicating region on one-week cruises from Dubai that run during winter and spring.

Alternatively, continue eastwards to Asia where there is a growing range of voyages. Some cruise lines even base ships in the region to offer regular sailings throughout the year.

The main ports tend to be Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore, which are well-served by flights from the UK, but ships also sail to areas such as Vietnam, Shanghai, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Cruising is an ideal way to explore Australia and New Zealand, along with numerous exotic islands dotted throughout the South Pacific.

Hawaii is another popular Pacific stop. Some voyages start in the islands while others sail from American cities including Los Angeles or San Diego, giving travellers a chance to get a taste of mainland USA where they can add a few days on pre or post cruise.

During the summer months, Bermuda is another ideal cruising spot with ships sailing from New York and spending a few days at the island before sailing back.

Not only can it work out cheaper than staying in a hotel, but many cruise passengers take the chance to combine the cruise with a city stay in the Big Apple too.

The Indian Ocean is ripe for discovery by ship where islands such as Mauritius and the Seychelles offer an idyllic tropical escape, while the east coast of Africa and ports such as Mombasa open up the chance to go on safari.

Alternatively, take the temperature down and put on your cold weather gear to tackle the Polar regions which offer an irresistible combination of superb wildlife-spotting and an untouched habitat.

In summer, the Arctic Circle is the place for beautiful scenery and virtual 24-hour daylight along with the chance to spot polar bears, reindeer, whales and walrus plus countless species of birds.

During the winter months, this region is popular for its famous natural light-show as the famous Northern Lights illuminate the skies – another popular draw for cruise ships.

Most Arctic sailings follow the Norwegian coast, while expeditionary ships with ice-strengthened hulls continue further north to the Russian Arctic and the Barents Sea.

Other cruises may call at Iceland before sailing westwards to Greenland with its icy promise of beautiful mountains, spectacular vast glaciers and beautiful fjords.

Winter is also the turn of Antarctica to show off its spectacular vista of massive icebergs and mountain ranges with colonies of penguins, seals and seabirds.

But cruises here are only feasible during a small window between November and February at the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer.

The Arctic tends to feature in cruises that visit the Norwegian fjords, with some cruises departing from UK ports.

However, the Antarctic is considerably harder to get to, involving flights to South America and a few days' sailing across the notorious Drake's Passage before the ship reaches the so-called White Continent.

Another highly popular cruising area known for its stunning scenery, fabulous wildlife and adventurous excursions is Alaska.

These cruises depart from ports along the east coast of North America such as Seattle, San Francisco or Vancouver and follow one of two routes – the classic Inside Passage or the Glacier Route.

Either way, you will get to experience the majestic wilderness of this unspoilt land and its rich wildlife-spotting opportunities with bears, countless birds, whales and dolphins.

By Sue Bryant, Cruise Writer

When planning a family cruise, most people focus on what’s available on board the ship for kids, which nowadays might range from bungee trampolines to giant waterslides and private karaoke rooms. Pick the right vessel and your children will most likely become lifelong cruisers - and the envy of all their friends.

What families tend to think of less is how they will spend their days ashore. Luckily, this is getting easier as cruise lines have become very good at organising excursions with family appeal. I can vouch for this, having done no less than three water parks and a tour of the FC Barcelona Camp Nou stadium on a seven-day, family-friendly Mediterranean cruise last year. It may have been somewhat lacking in culture but my children, Lauren and Joel, aged 11 and nine, were ecstatic.

But sometimes it’s fun to mix it up. In more complicated destinations, for example, when the ship is some distance from the big attractions, take a tour. In ‘easy’ places, where you’re docked in the middle of town or by a fantastic beach, strike out alone and explore by yourselves as a family.
 

The rules of family cruising are the same as they are for family holidays generally. Lower your expectations. Forget the art galleries and long, wine-soaked lunches and aim for swimming stops, ice cream breaks and attractions children can climb on or run around in. Anything involving rides (especially zip wires), animals (camel rides, whale watching, aquaria, some zoos) and boats (the faster the better) usually works.
 

Some cruise lines will allow parents to take a day ‘off’ and leave their children in the excellent children’s clubs on board; a trip to Pompeii was all the better on one Med cruise I did because I knew my children were happy back on the ship, making pizza and storming the fantastic indoor play frame in the kids’ club, rather than being hot and bored.

Some ports, though, really work for independent family fun. In the Baltic countries, public transport is efficient and everybody speaks English. So we headed for Tivoli Gardens by public bus in Copenhagen and discovered a theme park that manages to combine charm and a beautiful setting of parkland and lakes with thrill rides and fairy tales. In Helsinki, the children wanted to see the snow leopards in the zoo which is on an island, so we took the ship’s $5 shuttle to the boat dock and jumped on the dedicated boat (marked ‘Zoo’ so I couldn’t go wrong) and had a great day admiring the snow leopards in their spacious enclosures.

The Mediterranean in August, when most families travel, is too hot for intensive sightseeing, so choose boat trips, fun things like walking the medieval ramparts of Dubrovnik or watching the street entertainers on Las Ramblas in Barcelona. I find half-day tours work best, as all the children really want to do is get back on board and swim. Choose a ship with a waterslide and you can easily buy yourself an hour of reading and a sneaky cocktail by the pool.

Don’t be put off long haul cruising with children; there are some amazing places to visit once they’re over six or so and able to join in the activities. In the Caribbean, Tobago Cays is especially good for learning to snorkel; the crystal clear waters and dazzling fish are straight out of Finding Nemo and the ships’ tours all provide life jackets, so it’s safe. If your ship calls at Dominica, book the tour for the river tubing – children adore drifting over gentle rapids down a cool river, reclining (or having water fights) in giant inner tubes. As a break from the beach, we splashed out on a 4x4 jeep safari of Barbados, which Lauren and Joel loved, especially the bumpy off-road bits.

Alaska is ideal for outdoorsy families but expect pressure to book one of the big zip wire rides over the forest. The longest and fastest is at Icy Strait Point, although most ports of call now have something similarly terrifying, whizzing over the tree tops.

Alaskan cruises are educational as well as adrenalin-boosting; on the one we did, the park rangers came on board and explained in a fun, accessible way how glaciers are formed, to a band of enraptured children. You can enjoy whale watching from the ship (sightings are practically guaranteed and it’s free) and do some easy walks in the ports. In Sitka, for example, we took a local bus to the raptor rehabilitation centre where injured birds of prey are patched up and taught to fly again, then walked through the forest on a short marked trail, admiring the signs that said ‘Beware of Bears’ and playing Pooh sticks on a bridge.

There’s so much more for families to explore by ship, too. When my children are older, we’ll go to the Galapagos islands and perhaps to India or the Far East; Singapore and Hong Kong are both fantastic for kids. Costa Rica and Mexico have the perfect mix of wildlife and beach fun and there’s still plenty of Europe to explore. Provided there are water parks, of course.

Photography courtesy of Sue Bryant

By Gary Buchanan, Cruise Writer

Some of us want more from our holiday than a tan and an expanded waistline. It seems we like to be challenged and energised – and there are few better places to achieve this than on a cruise. Traditionally excursions organised by cruise lines have offered little more than light adventure. But off-ship tours have been reinvented and there are now excursions that offer an endeavour that’s far from tame, as well as some activities that are definitely geared towards adrenalin junkies.

Few cruise passengers would associate pursuits such as quad-biking, power-boating, kayaking, mountain biking or zip-wiring with the genteel art of cruising, but excursion brochures are now bursting with activities that are the antithesis of those staid bus trips which are little more than frenetic route-marches from fountains to forums or ruins to relics. Cruise companies have become expert at including activities far-removed from the madding crowd.

Imaging taking a cable car ride to the base of the main crater of Europe’s highest active volcano, where budding geologists and adventurers alike embark four-wheel-drive vehicles for an exploration of Mount Etna’s craters, cones, recent lava flows, and continually-hissing vents.

From the Red Sea port of Aqaba you can explore Wadi Rum where Lawrence began his revolt against the Turks in 1917. Climbing aboard 4-wheel-drive vehicles this dessert quest forges deep into the Valley of the Moon, past wind-sculpted hills and Bedouin communities. There’s the chance to see the Seven Pillars of Wisdom Mountain, Nabataean inscriptions and rock art.

In Alaska a helicopter will take you from the frontier-town of Juneau on a flight-seeing tour over glacier-carved peaks to the awesome Mendenhall Glacier. At the dogsled camp a professional musher and teams of dogs are on hand for an exhilarating sledding experience that offers a taste of the gruelling 1,000-mile Iditarod Race. There’s also the opportunity to fly high above historic homesteads, forested mountains, pristine lakes and sparkling waters of the fabled Inside Passage. You’ll see salmon spawning and black bear feeding, as well as spotting Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, mink, and marten.

Just 20 miles off the pretty settlement of Bar Harbour nature lovers can see finback, humpback, and minke whales aboard a catamaran in the Gulf of Maine. Expert naturalists are on hand to explain the habitat of these graceful creatures that make frequent appearances along with seals, dolphin, and porpoises.

At the other end of the earth you can navigate the fjords of Chiloe from Puerto Montt in Chile aboard a Northwest Seascape II double sea kayak. You get the chance to observe black-necked swans, and flamingoes, as well as dolphins.

Even further south, a specially-chartered flight can whisk you from Punta Arenas to the White Continent, crossing the Straits of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn. Landfall is made at Frei Base on King George Island from where this Antarctic adventure begins in earnest. At Las Estrellas Village you encounter colonies of Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, as well as Weddell seals, Antarctic fur seals and elephant seals. All around, steep-sided, flat-topped icebergs are illuminated with the glow of the sun.

Spending seven days in the land that time forgot is a cruise unlike any other. The Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, were the inspiration for Darwin’s Origin of Species. Sailing from one enchanted island to the next, there’s the chance to enjoy close encounters with marine iguanas, frigate birds, sea lions, and giant tortoises, all of whom have no fear of humans.

Pushing personal boundaries is part and parcel of any visit to Dominica. A tree-top assault course above the steamy rainforest is pure Lara Croft-style adventure. Participants on the trail move from tree to tree; walking, swinging, and crawling across rope and cable footbridges before scrambling over rope nets suspended above the untamed rainforest floor. To conclude the aerial acrobatics there’s a zip-wire trip across the Layou River.

Cruise passengers seeking something more challenging than a rum-factory tour in Barbados can revel in the thrill of being part of the crew in one of two 80-foot mono-hull yachts that were successful competitors in the 1989 Whitbread ‘Around the World’ Race. After hoisting the sails, the race begins in earnest. With nobody keel-hauled, there’s the chance to splice the main brace at a victory party back ashore. Who said cruising’s boring?

© Gary Buchanan