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If Antarctica is just too far but icebergs, seals, whales and abundant bird life appeal, Norwegian Coastal Voyage operates cruises to Spitzbergen in the very far north of Norway, where there's a chance of seeing polar bears. Norwegian Coastal Voyage's ships are actually working vessels, carrying passengers and freight up and down the coast of Norway, calling at all the tiny fishing villages to deliver supplies. So while this is not strictly a cruise, the service on the ships is of a high standard and some of the more modern vessels have facilities like hot tubs on deck. The company also arranges expeditions to Greenland, possibly one of the last frontiers for people who find even northern Norway overcrowded!
One of the criticisms of cruising it that it's too superficial, that you don't get a true feel for a place if you're only there for a day. But several cruise lines, among them Swan Hellenic, Orient Lines and Hebridean Island Cruises, specialise in cultural cruising. Swan Hellenic, which is part of P&O, has just one ship, Minerva II, which carries a fleet of on-board lecturers and specialists and includes most of the shore excursions in the price. Fellow passengers are cultured and well-travelled, and go on these cruises to learn and immerse themselves in new places rather than to watch Broadway shows and laze by the pool. Minerva II roams the world, from Sri Lanka to the Seychelles and Tripoli to Tangiers.
Orient Lines' elegant ship Marco Polo also covers the whole world, specialising in unusual destinations with well-planned itineraries offering maximum time in ports such as St Petersburg, Rome or Copenhagen, and in South America, side trips to Machu Picchu in Peru and a foray deep into the Amazon rainforest. Hebridean Island Cruises, meanwhile, offers some fabulously adventurous destinations like Oman, Eritrea and the Andaman Archipelago on its 80-passenger ship Hebridean Spirit, which is like a floating house party with drinks and excursions included in the price.
Perhaps the ultra-luxurious Silversea Cruises has really got it right, though. Realising that people who spend a lot of money on cruises want a bit of freedom, Silversea recently introduced 'personalised voyages'. This means that provided you spend five nights on board, you can then leave the ship, spend a few days ashore and fly onwards to rejoin the cruise somewhere else.
Silversea charges anything from US$400-800 (£235-470) a day for this privilege including wine, champagne, spirits, all food, even cigars in the price. There is a cheaper way, though: EasyCruise should be launching in summer 2005, offering a jump on, jump off 'cruise' in the Mediterranean from only £29 a night, including nothing except the pre-fab cabin. Food and entertainment cost extra and cabin cleaning is, rather worryingly, 'optional'. Perhaps there are limits, after all...
Sue Bryant is the editor of the glossy quarterly magazine Cruise Traveller, packed with news, features, cruise advice and beautiful photography. The magazine is available by subscription. Visit www.cruisetraveller.co.uk or telephone the subscription hotline on 020 8987 2741. Tips for first-time cruisers- Book through a specialist cruise travel agent - they know all the ships and will recommend the right one for you. There's a list online at www.psa-psara.org
- A related website, www.cruiseinformationservice.co.uk, which belongs to the Passenger Shipping Association, has some very useful information for first time cruisers.
- Study the dress code for the cruise carefully. 'Formal' means black tie; 'informal' means cocktail dress/jacket and tie; 'casual' means smart casual, not shorts!
- Book the best cabin you can afford on the ship - a balcony is a real bonus.
- Look out for first-time cruisers' events on board. There's often a ship orientation, or a special welcome reception.
- If you're worried about seasickness, take your seasick pills before sailing, not after. If anything, you'll get a good night's sleep. If you really suffer, the ship's doctor can give you a shot of Phenergan, which works instantly but makes you sleepy.
- Once on board, book spa and beauty treatments straight away as the prime appointments (such as before the gala dinner) go quickly.
- Don't feel you have to book all the shore excursions in advance. You may enjoy exploring independently in some places.
Further informationCelebrity Cruises Tel: 01932 834281, www.celebrity.com
Costa Cruises Tel: 020 7940 4499, www.costacruises.co.uk
Crystal Cruises Tel: 020 7287 9060, www.crystalcruises.com
Cunard Line Tel: 0845 071 0300, www.cunard.co.uk
Fred Olsen Tel: 01473 742424, www.fredolsen.co.uk
Guerba Tel: 01373 826611, www.guerba.com
Hebridean Island Cruises Tel: 01756 704704, www.hebridean.co.uk
Holland America Line Tel: 020 7490 4477, www.hollandamerica.com
Mediterranean Shipping Cruises Tel: 020 7637 2525, www.msccruises.co.uk Norwegian Coastal Voyage, Tel: 0208846 2600, www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.com.
Norwegian Cruise Line Tel: 0845 658 8030; www.uk.ncl.com
Orient Lines Tel: 020 7591 8200, www.orientlines.com
P&O Cruises Tel: 0845 3555 333 www.pocruises.com
Princess Cruises Tel: 0845 3 555 800, www.princesscruises.co.uk
Royal Caribbean International Tel: 0800 018 2020, www.royalcaribbean.co.uk
SeaDream Yacht Club Tel: 01273 833016, www.seadreamyachtclub.com
Silversea Cruises Tel: 0 870 333 7030, www.silversea.com
Star Clippers Tel: 01473 292229; www.starclippers.com
Swan Hellenic Tel: 023 80 531 990, www.swanhellenic.com Voyages of Discovery Tel: 01444 462159, www.voyagesofdiscovery.com
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