TROPICAL TEMPTATIONS

Sail from Southampton to the Caribbean with P&O Cruises (0845 355 4444/www.pocruises.com) and save more than £360 off brochure prices.

En route explore the island of Madeira with its charming capital Funchal and taste the island's famous madeira wine.

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After crossing the Atlantic, first stop is Antigua, renowned for maritime history that centres on Nelson's Dockyard, where the heroic British admiral was based as a young man.

Soak up the contrasting Dutch and French cultures on the dual-nation island of St Maarten. Take the Scenic Railway to admire the great views on St Kitts and explore the rugged tropical rainforest of St Lucia, which boasts the world's only drive-in volcano.

Then it's on to Barbados from where passengers fly home.

Azura is P&O's newest purpose-built ship and comes with a modern contemporary air and a full range of facilities.

There's the classy Glass House wine bar/restaurant, Michelin-star chef Atul Kochhar's fine-dining Indian restaurant Sindhu, plus an art gallery, bookshop, four pools and an Oasis Spa. Solo travellers are well catered for as Azura is P&O's first ship to have dedicated single cabins.

P&O Cruises' 14-night Caribbean Transatlantic sailing from £1,209pp (two sharing), full board, including return flights from Barbados to Gatwick. Departs Southampton, October 28, 2011.

ISLAND DELIGHTS

Bask in the warmth of the Canary Islands on this sailing with Cruise & Maritime Voyages (0845 430 0274/www.cruiseandmaritime.com) from Tilbury, reduced by £400.

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Start on La Palma with its capital Santa Cruz de la Palma's rich legacy of palaces and colonial buildings.

Take a trip to the top of Mount Teide on Tenerife or relax at a beach resort. You can also explore the volcanic attractions on Lanzarote.

En route visit the Portuguese capital Lisbon with its elegant squares and enjoy a traditional wicker-sled ride over the cobbles on Madeira.

With its teak decks, the relatively small 820-passenger Marco Polo carries a hint of a more traditional cruising era, albeit with modern comforts.

With a wraparound promenade and comfortable and simply appointed cabins this adult-only ship also has an internet cafe, swimming pool, whirlpools and wellness centre.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages offers a 13-night Canary Islands & Madeira round-trip voyage from £599pp (two sharing), full board. Departs Tilbury, October 30, 2011.

JOURNEY IN STYLE

Take advantage of a £900 saving on luxury six-star line Seabourn (0845 070 0500/ www.seabourn.co.uk), which boasts small stylish ships with classy surroundings, exquisite food and service and all drinks and gratuities included.

Sail from the romantic city of Venice to explore the Croatian coastline. At Šibenik stroll along the cobbled streets of the historic old town and soak up the views of the coast.

The walled city of Dubrovnik is a place to relax and absorb the ambience of its Baroque churches and monasteries, while medieval Kotor in Montenegro is noted for its Venetian architecture and some beautiful landscapes.

The cruise also calls at Sorrento, famous for wonderful views of the Neapolitan Riviera from its cliff-top location, where the air hangs heavy with the scent of orange and lemon groves.

Seabourn Spirit is an intimate all-suite ship accommodating 208 passengers in its sumptuous surroundings.

Diners can choose from the main restaurant, the specialist Restaurant 2 or the Sky Bar/ Grill for alfresco dining on deck.

Seabourn offers a seven-night Adriatic Autumn sailing from Venice to Civitavecchia (Rome) from £1,399pp (two sharing), all-inclusive. Departs Venice, November 11, 2011. Seabourn can arrange flights to Venice and return from Rome with BA (at extra cost).

EASTERN PROMISE

Chase the sun to Egypt and Israel on this fly-cruise with Thomson Cruises (0871 230 2800/www.thomson.co.uk/cruise), a round-trip sailing from Cyprus.

Follow in the footsteps of Cleopatra in the ancient Turkish city of Alanya, now a swish beach resort, and step back thousands of years in the Egyptian city of Alexandria with ruins dating from the ancient Romans and Egyptians.

Go from Port Said, at the northern entrance to the Suez Canal, to Cairo with its famous pyramids and bustling bazaars.

Alternatively visit Bethlehem and other Biblical sites in Israel.

Get pampered in Thomson Celebration's two-storey spa and enjoy six-course dinners in the Meridian Restaurant.

Evening entertainment ranges from cabaret shows and classical concerts to live bands and even a cinema.

Thomson Cruises offers a seven-night Escape To The East fly-cruise from £599pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes return flights from various UK airports to Paphos. Departs Limassol, November 23, 2011.