As much of the world's cruising fleet returns from warm winter waters for summer in Europe, DAVID WICKERS examines the options for different types of traveller

FOR EXPLORERS
Star  Flyer (0845 200 6145/www.starclippers.co.uk) is one of a handful of smaller cruise ships whose itineraries will steer you to the lesser-known corners of the Med despite the crowds that swarm to the region in summer.

A new Greece and Turkey itinerary for July and August aboard the authentic four-masted sailing ship includes Kekova, with its Lycian tombs and other historic sites, the ancient city of Olympus, and the traditional town of Gocek on the Bay of Fethiye, as well as the larger resorts of Kemer and Antalya.

In Greece the ship calls at Kastellorizon (just a mile off the Turkish coast) as well as Rhodes.

A seven-night Turquoise Coast cruise from £1,440pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow to Rhodes.

Departs July 17, 2010.

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FOR CULTURE SEEKERS
Swan Hellenic (0845 017 0017/www.swanhellenic.com) has become almost synonymous with the notion of the thinking person's cruise. Lovers of antiquity will particularly delight in the good ship Minerva's Classical Civilisations cruise. Among the highlights are the rose-red city of Petra, the mosques and museums of Istanbul, the pyramids at Giza, the treasures of the Cairo Museum, the Greco Roman ruins of Ephesus, with its chariot-scarred marble streets, and the ancient mountain citadel of Pergamon where parchment was first developed.

On board will be the well-known Egyptologist and former lecturer at the British Museum George Hart. Minerva will also call at Alexandria, the ancient walled city of Rhodes and the volcanic and picturesque Dodecanese island of Nisyros.

A 14-night Classical Civilisations cruise from £1,895pp (two sharing), including choice of excursions in every port, lectures, flight from Gatwick to Aqaba, Jordan, and return flight from Istanbul.

Departs May 1, 2010.

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FOR ADVENTURERS
NCL's Norwegian Jade (0845 201 8900/www.ncl.co.uk) will appeal to active travellers on two counts. One, there's a full quota of activities on board, from full-on clubs for the children to basketball, volleyball and tennis when at sea. Two, there's lots to do ashore when in the ports.

On its Mediterranean Treasures cruise, which operates throughout the summer sailing from Barcelona, there's a choice of optional shore adventures.

They include white-water rafting down the River Var from Monte Carlo, horse riding through Tuscany's San Rossore National Park countryside from Livorno, cycling in the Roman countryside, and wine tasting on arrival in Civitavecchia. The ship also calls at Naples, with the option to visit Pompeii, and Palma.

A seven-night Mediterranean Treasures cruise from £649 per adult (two sharing), £449 per child (aged 2-11), including return flights from London Heathrow. Departs Barcelona April 18, 2010.

FOR CITY FOLK
P&O Cruises (0845 355 5333/ www.pocruises.co.uk) ship Ventura's voyage of the Western Med takes in a particularly rich stock of cities.

The ship is the maritime equivalent of a department store with myriad outlets under one roof, including a Marco Pierre White restaurant.

You can also spend days ashore indulging in a full range of urban activities, from inspecting Renaissance masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to shopping for designer outfits along Via Condotti in Rome. Stroll along the fashionable promenade in Cannes or visit the City of Arts and Sciences complex in lively Valencia. Ports of call also include Palma, the capital of Mallorca, and Gibraltar.

A 14-night Western Med cruise from £1,367pp (two sharing). Departs Southampton July 3, 2010.

FOR FAMILIES
Ocean Village (0845 358 5000/www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk) has a broad spectrum of amenities sure to please all ages. Its Base Camp welcomes children from as young as six months and there's a night nursery every evening from 6pm to 3am for the under-fives.

While the on-board presence of Paddington Bear, Bagpuss and Basil Brush is likely to make the biggest splash with toddlers, the stock of PlayStations and videos, plus karaoke, discos and dedicated escorted shore excursions, will put a big smile on the faces of teens.
For the grown-ups there's stand-up comedy, open-air acrobatic shows and the Karma spa, where you can pamper yourself with treatments including hot-stone massages and OXYjet facials.

The ship calls at an interesting itinerary of ports including Dubrovnik, Venice, Corfu and Katakolo which will inject a measure of education into the proceedings too.

A seven-night Groves and Gondolas cruise from £699pp (two sharing). Price includes return flights from London Gatwick to Heraklion. Departs Crete April 29, 2010.