Where will you be welcoming in 2012? ANNA SELBY highlights some cruises that promise a fantastic Hogmanay

CARIBBEAN DOOR-TO-DOOR

For a cruise wrapping up both Christmas and New Year take the slow boat to the Caribbean with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines.

The Black Watch sails from Southampton and stops in Madeira, the Caribbean and the Azores before returning home on January 11.

There's a magnificent Christmas feast with carol singing and plenty of festive entertainment, including a visit from Santa.

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Activities include hill-walking in Madeira, turtle watching in the Caribbean and swimming with dolphins in Tortola, where the ship will be in port for New Year fireworks.

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines (01473 742424/www.fredolsencruises.com) offers a 25-night Christmas & New Year In The Caribbean cruise from £2,763pp (two sharing), full board. Excursions cost extra.

Departs Southampton, December 17.

MEXICAN MARINER

Fly to Florida and escape the gloomy British winter for 10 days of sunshine on the Seven Seas Mariner.

CAPITAL Parasail in Key West, snorkel the world's second longest barrier reef in Belize, explore Mayan remains in Guatemala and meet iguanas in Mexico.

Mariner is an elegant ship with theatres, bars, internet cafe and a programme for younger travellers.

Regent Seven Seas prides itself on all-suite ships with lots of restaurants (five on the Mariner including the cordon bleu Signatures), a balcony in every room and an all-inclusive package of flights, excursions, tips, drinks and room service.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (023 8068 2280/www.rssc.com) offers a 10-night Sunrise Sonata cruise from £4,145pp (two sharing), all-inclusive.

Price includes return flights from Heathrow to Miami. Departs Fort Lauderdale, December 27.

SHORT BUT SWEET

For the shortest cruise around take the DFDS ship Princess Seaways from Newcastle to Holland.

Spend New Year's Eve in Amsterdam enjoying the canals and world-famous museums dedicated to Van Gogh and Anne Frank.

Back on board there's a magnificent gala dinner, a band in the Columbus Club and champagne and almond cake at midnight.

DFDS (0871 882 0885/ www.dfds.co.uk/festive) offers a two-night Amsterdam cruise from £258pp (two sharing), full board.

Departs Newcastle, December 30.

SOUKS AND SUN

Eat tapas beneath Gaud­'s masterpiece Barcelona church La Sagrada Fam­lia, barter in the souks of Casablanca and enjoy balmy temperatures in the Canary Islands on a Costa Serena cruise.

On board soak up the sun and enjoy the pools on this wonderful ship.

Celebrate New Year in the sophisticated Harry's Bar or under the starry glass dome of the Laguna Club.

Costa Cruises (0845 351 0552/www.costacruises.co.uk) offers an 11-night Spain and Morocco cruise from £1,138pp (two sharing), full board.

Ryanair (0871 246 0000/ www.ryanair.com) offers return flights from Stansted to Genoa from £60. Departs Savona, December 28.

WALTZING INTO 2012

Welcome the New Year in Vienna listening to the mighty bells of St Stephen's from the deck of the MS Johann Strauss on this music-lovers' cruise.

Enjoy a Strauss concert in the Austrian capital, visit Mozart landmarks in Salzburg and tour the magnificent city of Budapest.

Local musicians will perform after a sumptuous gala dinner.

Noble Caledonia (0207 752 0000/www.noble-caledonia.co.uk) offers a seven-night New Year On The Danube cruise from £1,395pp (two sharing), full board.

Price includes return flights from the UK. Departs December 28.

PIRATE PARTY

Want to visit pirate lairs just as the blaggards did?

Then sail the magnificent four-masted Star Flyer through Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama waters.

Based on a 19th-century original, the Flyer combines the romance of a tall ship with mod-cons such as comfy beds.

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You'll visit fabulous beaches or go spotting humpback whales, dolphins and giant manta rays.

Star Clippers (0845 200 6145/www.starclippers.co.uk) offers an 11-night Costa Rica, Nicaragua And Panama cruise from £1,876pp (two sharing), full board.

Flights from Heathrow to San Jose (via Madrid) can be arranged from £1,280 (for December 27).

Pre-cruise stay in Costa Rica with transfers from £195pp. Departs December 28.