Don't pack away the bikini and passport just yet, this winter there are plenty of cruises for sun lovers, says EMILY BAMBER

FAR EAST Taking in the best of Asia, this tour from Oceania Cruises (0845 505 1920/www.oceaniacruises.co.uk) departs the Thai capital Bangkok and sails for China's Beijing.

First call is the idyllic Thai island of Koh Samui, with its lush forest and waterfalls, pristine beaches and giant Buddha at Wat Phra Yai.
In Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi there are busy markets and you'll also cruise past the eerie rock formations in Halong Bay. You'll then spend two days docked in Hong Kong.

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Nautica is a premium ship with decks and verandas resplendent in teak and its various bars and lounges decked out with rich fabrics and elegant furnishings.

A 24-night Far East cruise from £1,970pp (two sharing), cruise only, departs Bangkok, February 15. Eva Air (0207 380 8300/ www.evaair.com) offers flights from Heathrow to Bangkok from £379pp. Qatar Airways (0870 389 8090/www.qatarairways.com) offers flights from Beijing back to Heathrow via Doha from £359pp.

MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East is glorious at this time of year, basking in dry heat under clear blue skies.

Royal Caribbean International (0844 493 2061/www.royalcaribbean.co.uk) now cruises out of Dubai, where you'll find great shopping in Mall of the Emirates and white-sand beaches on the Gulf. On this eight-night cruise, first stop for the resort-style Brilliance Of The Seas is Muscat, Oman's capital.

This ancient city dates back to the second century and its harbour is flanked by battle-scarred Portuguese forts Al Jalali and Al Mirani, now museums. During two days here you could take a boat ride to find dolphins or whales.

On board this modern vessel are a variety of restaurants including Portofino, an Italian, and the Chops Grille steakhouse.

An eight-night Dubai fly-cruise from £879pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow to Dubai. Departs January 4.

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NORTH AFRICA/ CANARY ISLANDS
The Canary Islands off North Africa have temperatures around 23C in January, ideal for touring the sites.

Departing from the northern Italian port of Genoa, this holiday from Louis Cruises (0800 018 3883/www.louiscruises.com), also includes a day in Casablanca.

From Tangier you can visit Berber town Tétouan, before the ship heads to Lanzarote.

Here you can try watersports or visit sites including cactus gardens El Jardin del Cactus.

Louis Majesty is a mid-size three-star ship and life on board is relaxing, with two bars, a well-stocked library and a card room for poker enthusiasts.

A 12-night Canary Islands, Morocco and Spain cruise from £469pp (two sharing), cruise only. Departs Genoa, January 13. British Airways (0844 493 0787/www.ba.com) offers return flights from Gatwick to Genoa from £98pp.

AMAZON RIVER
This six-week voyage from Cruise & Maritime Voyages (0845 430 0274/www.cruiseandmaritime.com) leaves the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury, Essex, and sails to South America and up the Amazon River.

As the Ocean Countess reaches deeper into the world's largest rainforest, you'll call at various villages and towns in Brazil. From the city of Manaus you can delve further into the jungle on a small boat.

The ship also cruises up Venezuela's Orinoco River, calling at Puerto Ordaz with its dramatic Llovizna Falls.

Ocean Countess recently had a £3million makeover and has a spacious lounge which hosts evening musical shows, several bars and the Kensington Restaurant, serving traditional English food with an international twist.

A 44-night Amazon and Orinoco Discovery cruise from £2,599pp (two sharing). Departs February 2.

CARIBBEAN FOR SOLOS
With meals included in the price and plenty of group activities, cruises are a great option for single travellers.

Friendship Travel (0871 200 2035/www.friendshiptravel.com) is offering an eight-night voyage from Miami on board Norwegian Cruise Line's newest superliner Norwegian Epic under clear Caribbean skies.

At Nassau in the Bahamas you can swim with dolphins, in Philipsburg on St Maarten, sail, or snorkel from a catamaran.

Bright and contemporary, the single "studios"' have a double bed and some rooms are interconnecting, allowing friends to travel together.
With no formal seating plan at the ship's 14 restaurants, which include Le Bistro for French cuisine and Shanghai's for Asian, you can dine wherever you want to.

An eight-night Eastern Caribbean fly-cruise from £1,599pp (single cabin), including return flights from Heathrow to Miami and one night's room-only stay at the four-star Hilton Downtown. Departs February 10.