FOR SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS

Pull ropes and climb the rigging on Star Clipper's magnificent tall ship Royal Clipper (0845 200 6145/ www.starclippers.co.uk).

With authentic billowing sails this 227-passenger vessel is more like a gigantic private yacht than a cruise liner. Cabins include brass portholes and are wood-lined.

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Watersports are included, with a drop-down deck allowing easy access to the water from the stern of the ship for water-skiing, kayaking and sail-boarding.

Take a break by sipping cocktails at the Tropical Bar as the ship sails along the Amalfi Coast from Rome. Within easy reach are medieval Amalfi and its grand duomo. Positano, with its charcoal shoreline, is a favourite haunt of celebrities including Sophia Loren.

After a day spent exploring unwind in the ship's spa with underwater glass portholes before enjoying fine cuisine in the informal, no-tie dining room.

A seven-night Sicily and Amalfi Coast cruise from £1,515pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes all watersports (except scuba diving). Departs Saturdays from Rome throughout May 2012. Flights from London to Rome can be arranged from £150 return.

FOR FOODIES

Oceania Cruises' new ship Marina is epicurean heaven (0845 505 1920/www.oceaniacruises.com). Ten dining venues (six are gourmet) cater for just 1,250 passengers and A-list treatment at the exclusive Privee restaurant involves guests creating personalised menus from specialities of Brittany lobsters, foie gras, caviar and truffles.

Pack an apron because the Marina also has a hands-on, state-of-the-art culinary centre (aptly named Bon Appetit) with individual work stations for guest cookery classes.

The curriculum features visits to markets, private tastings at wineries and access to famous shore-side kitchens. Relax in luxurious Ralph Lauren Home suites as the ship sails from Barcelona towards Rome, stopping at the French Riviera en route.

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Laze on beaches in St Tropez and Cannes and visit the principality of Monaco before an obligatory workout at the ship's gym to make space for yet more fine dining.

A 10-day Sun-Splashed Spring cruise from £1,742pp (two sharing), including all meals and soft drinks. Departs Barcelona, April 2, 2012. Flights from London to Barcelona from £160 return.

SINGLE-MINDED TRAVELLERS

Bid farewell to costly single supplements on this Miami round-trip cruise. Super-sized NCL liner Norwegian Epic (0845 201 8900/ www.ncl.co.uk) boasts 128 studio staterooms designed specifically for solo travellers. The contemporary, funky decor is in keeping with the liner's informal, freestyle cruising ethos and, better still, studio guests have access to an exclusive lounge perfect for meeting fellow cruisers.

Soak up the Caribbean by escaping to a secluded beach or parasailing over the azure water. Alternatively make the most of the five-star on-board facilities, including swimming pools, hot tubs, a jogging track, spa and casino.

A must-do is to visit the world's newest and largest man-made dolphin habitat in the Bahamas, where hugging and even kissing these lovely mammals is de rigueur.

Spend evenings taking in a Broadway-style show at the ship's 681-seater Epic theatre or mingling at dedicated singles events including cocktail evenings.

A nine-night Eastern Caribbean fly-cruise from £1,400pp (studio stateroom), full board, including flights from London to Miami, pre-cruise accommodation and transfers. Departures weekly from Miami, January until April, 2012.

FOR WILDLIFE LOVERS

Once-in-a-lifetime adventures don't get much better than this stylish riverboat cruise down the Amazon with Gap Adventures (0844 272 2040/ www.gapadventures.co.uk).

Built from Amazonian hardwood this beautifully furnished ship has an air-conditioned dining room, an observation deck and sleeps 28 passengers in comfortable, spacious cabins. Get close to the rainforest's exotic wildlife, including sloths and toucans, and there's even a bird's-eye view from a canopy walkway.

Interact with locals to learn about traditional life and even participate in jungle cooking lessons. Alternatively let on-board chefs take the strain, dishing up delights using food fresh from the rainforest.

The adventurous may want to experience piranha fishing or burn the midnight oil trying to spot nocturnal wildlife such as black caiman crocodiles.

An eight-night Amazon Riverboat Adventure from £1,069pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes transfers and an expert Amazon reserve naturalist guide. Flights from London to Lima with American Airlines from £888pp. Departs Lima, December 17, 2011.