With months at sea, crossing oceans and visiting several continents, a world cruise can be the ultimate travel thrill. Happily, says EMILY BAMBER, it's an experience not just for lottery winners

CUNARD FROM SOUTHAMPTON
See the world from the deck of the latest Cunard (0845 071 0302/www.cunard.co.uk) liner, Queen Elizabeth, which launches next month complete with sweeping staircases and sumptuous furnishings.

In January the ship will leave Southampton for a 103-night west-bound circumnavigation where the first port of call is New York. From the Big Apple you'll head south to the Caribbean, transit the Panama Canal, see the bright lights of Los Angeles, and sail to the glorious islands of Fiji and Samoa. New Zealand is next, followed by an extensive tour of Australia where you can take the Kuranda Scenic Railway deep into tropical north Queensland and visit the winelands of Melbourne.

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Sea days on board the luxurious liner can be spent taking afternoon tea in the Queens Room served by white-gloved waiters, enjoying dance classes or unwinding in the hydrotherapy pool in the Royal Spa.

A 103-night world cruise on Queen Elizabeth from £10,749pp (two sharing).

Departs Southampton, January 5, 2011.
 
PRINCESS CRUISES FROM FLORIDA
Pacific Princess is a 680-passenger ship from the Princess Cruises (0845 355 5800/www.princess.com) fleet.

Her New Year world cruise will depart Fort Lauderdale and sail west-bound all the way to Rome. During the 108 nights on board you'll do the big-hitting cities such as Mumbai and Cape Town and spend a lot of time kicking back on beautiful tropical islands. High on the list is Easter Island with its head-shaped statues facing out to sea.

You'll also spend several weeks in the glorious white-sand world of south-east Asia, visiting Koh Samui and the Andaman Islands in Thailand.

Pacific Princess boasts speciality restaurants including an Italian, Sabatini's Trattoria.

It also has a well-stocked Regency-style library.

A 108-night world cruise on Pacific Princess from £12,299pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow. Departs Fort Lauderdale, January 18, 2011.

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FRED OLSEN FROM SOUTHAMPTON
This voyage from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines (01473 742424/ www.fredolsencruises.co.uk) sails from Southampton.

Balmoral is the largest ship in the Fred. Olsen fleet, and will visit 37 ports in its west-bound circumnavigation.

After dropping down to the Canary Islands you'll cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean and head to New Zealand and Australia, where you'll sail right into Sydney Harbour.

Then it's up to the Far East with time to explore the jungle in Borneo and the shopping districts of Singapore before returning via the Suez Canal.

The 1,350-passenger Balmoral was refitted in 2008 and offers elegant, comfortable accommodation. Restaurants include the Avon which offers fine dining and panoramic views. There's also a casino and Atlantis spa.

A 108-night world cruise on Balmoral from £8,799pp (two sharing). Departs Southampton, January 5, 2011.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE FROM FLORIDA
With an internet café powered by The New York Times and a team of techies on-board to help you take better photos and upload them to blog sites, your family will be able to follow your global voyage on ms Amsterdam with Holland America Line (0845 351 0557/ www.hollandamerica.com).

You'll spend a week in New Zealand, with a tour of the breathtaking Fiordland National Park and spend a night in Auckland. You can also enjoy evenings out in Cairns in Australia, Singapore and Dubai before taking a transatlantic passage back to Fort Lauderdale.

A 110-day world cruise on ms Amsterdam from £11,789pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow. Departs Fort Lauderdale, January 5, 2011.

P&O FROM SOUTHAMPTON
P&O Cruises' (0845 358 4444/ www.pocruises.co.uk) 2,000-passenger, adult exclusive ship Arcadia sets sail from Southampton.
Highlights of its 82-night voyage include sailing into San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge and the thrill of approaching Hong Kong.

Visit the glorious beaches of Honolulu, dive over the Great Barrier Reef and immerse yourself in the history of the Egyptian pyramids.
Arcadia is elegant and spacious. There's a Gary Rhodes signature restaurant and evening shows in the three-tiered Palladium theatre have a touch of Cirque du Soleil with flamboyant acrobatics.

An 82-night world cruise on Arcadia from £8,666pp (two sharing), including £250 onboard credit. Departs Southampton, January 5, 2011.