Explore ancient wonders and follow in famous footsteps by taking a cruise that brings the past to life, says EMILY BAMBER

IMPERIAL MIGHT
Not content with plundering Europe and the Mediterranean, the ancient Phoenician, Roman and Greek imperialists spread into North Africa too.

Some of their most perfectly preserved temples and palaces are found along the Tunisian and Libyan coasts. Leptis Magna in Libya is probably the best-preserved Roman city in the world.

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A thousand years of history are also written into the ruins at Cyrene, another ancient Libyan city. On this cruise from Swan Hellenic (0844 871 4603/www.swanhellenic.com) you can stroll through the walled cities of Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name, and Valletta, the capital of Malta, and enjoy on-board guest lectures.

The 350-passenger Minerva is old fashioned in its luxuries with wood-panelled rooms and a conservatory-style bar with cane furniture. Cabins range from comfortable insiders to suites with balconies.

A 15-night Roman Africa cruise from £2,100pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow or Gatwick.
Departs Valletta, November 5 2010.

POLAR EXPLORATION
The lives and adventures of Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach both poles, are celebrated in this cruise from Hurtigruten (0844 448 7601/ www.hurtigruten.co.uk). It is led by lecturer Arne Kertelheim, who will also be talking about everything from polar geography to Arctic hunting.

The 691-passenger Kong Harald is a working postal vessel, smart and comfortable but with a hint of the expeditionary. Cabins range from simple insiders to larger rooms. There are two suites.

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The ship will follow the Norwegian coast from Bergen into the Arctic Circle calling at hamlets and ports, including Tromsø, where you can visit the Polar Museum and Polaria, which is the world's most northerly aquarium.

A six-night Ice Breakers cruise from £1,602pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow. Departs Bergen, October 11 2010.

NAPOLEONIC INTRIGUE
Napoleon was exiled to the Atlantic island of St Helena following his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He died there six years later.

His two prison homes and tomb are now open to the public but the only way to get to this remote tropical outpost is on the working Royal Mail Ship St Helena (0207 575 6480/www.rms-st-helena.com) from Cape Town, with five days' cruising in each direction.

The 256-passenger ship offers simple comfort. Cabins range from four-berth to en-suites. Life on board is jolly, with deck games, films and quizzes. In the evenings expect informative talks plus bags of camaraderie among passengers on one of the world's most unusual cruises.

A 21-night Napoleon Tour cruise from £2,521pp (two sharing). South African Airways ( 0871 722 1111 /www.flysaa.com) offers return flights from Heathrow from £832. Departs Cape Town, October 25 2010.

VOLCANIC VOYAGE
Voyages to Antiquity (0845 437 9737/www.voyagestoantiquity.com) is a new line dedicated to luxury historic romps around the Mediterranean. In its maiden season it will cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) around the Italian and Croatian coasts to Venice.

On this voyage you will learn about the demise of Pompeii after the eruption of Vesuvius and spend almost a week circumnavigating Sicily, which is littered with ancient monuments. Most notable are the Temple of Apollo and the Valle dei Templi.

The 380-passenger Aegean Odyssey has generous-sized cabins and suites, a formal restaurant and a terrace café.
Speakers include Professor Mary Beard, author of Pompeii: The Life Of A Roman Town.

A 14-night Rome to Venice cruise from £1,995pp (two sharing), including return Club Class flights from Heathrow.
Departs Civitavecchia, October 25 2010.

MARITIME HISTORY
Fred.Olsen's (01473 742424/ www.fredolsencruises.co.uk) ships are popular with mature adventurers looking to explore the world in comfort.

A large part of a three-week sailing on the Balmoral will be dedicated to maritime history.

On board will be Captain David Bray, seaman and author, who will be talking about Antarctica, ship design and the history of vessels in warfare.

The cruise leaves the UK for the eastern Mediterranean, where highlights are the Acropolis at Athens and the prehistoric temples of Malta.

Life on board is pleasantly British with a pub, live acts and musical evening shows.

Spacious cabins range from standard insiders to luxurious suites.

A 23-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise from £2,159pp (two sharing).

Departs Dover, October 26 2010.