First-timers tend to stick to the Med or Caribbean, but agents need to think further afield to keep attracting regular cruisers. Rob Gill rounds up the global options 

As cruise lines continue to add ships to their fleets they have had to become more imaginative with their itineraries. 

While the Caribbean and the Mediterranean are still the most popular cruising destinations, there is now a huge range of itineraries elsewhere around the globe offered both by the major cruise lines and niche operators. 

Travel counsellor Sarah Bolton, from Bishop’s Stortford, said a lot of experienced cruisers were now looking to sail somewhere different such as Asia or the Middle East.
 
"For newcomers or customers who’ve only cruised once or twice, main destinations tend to be ex-UK cruises, with Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic being very popular, along with the Norwegian fjords,” she said. 

Alison Westall, head of Cumbria Cruises, added that the Baltic was a popular destination alongside long-haul options such as China, Australia and New Zealand. With such a wide choice of destinations, here are some of the main options away from the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Latin America and Antarctica

Many of the biggest names in cruising, including the likes of Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean, have major programmes around Central and South America. 

Princess has a range of cruises including several that sail up the Amazon, while Royal Caribbean’s extensive programme features three, four and six-night cruises around Brazil as well as longer journeys. Sister line Celebrity Cruises also offers 14-night cruises. 

Many of these cruises start from US ports, while others embark from major South American cities such Rio, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

The continent’s attractions are hugely diverse, ranging from the melting pots of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires to natural wonders such as the Galapagos islands, Chilean fjords and Andes mountains. 

Most voyages to Antarctica also start from the southern Argentine port of Ushuaia. Niche operators such as Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and Hurtigruten offer expedition-style Antarctica programmes, as do upmarket lines such as Regent Seven Seas and Silversea Cruises.

MIddle East

Dubai is always making waves in the tourism business and now it’s starting to gain a foothold as a cruise port with both Costa and Royal Caribbean deciding to base ships from the emirate. 

Costa is sailing seven itineraries calling at Abu Dhabi, Oman and Bahrain next year while Royal Caribbean will be basing Brilliance of the Seas from the city from January 2010. Dubai and other Gulf ports often feature on world or repositioning cruises as ships make their way to Asia. 

Upmarket lines such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea also operate some itineraries from Dubai with ships heading towards the Mediterranean or into the Indian Ocean.

Africa

While north African destinations are well served by the huge range of ships touring around the Mediterranean, the rest of the continent also features on several itineraries. 

Some world cruises sail down the west coast of Africa to Cape Town, as an alternative to travelling through the Suez Canal in Egypt. Travelling along this coastline allows passengers to visit countries such as Senegal, Gambia and Namibia, as well as the Cape Verde islands and St Helena. 

Customers don’t even need to fly to experience these cruises as Fred Olsen offers several round-trips from the UK to Cape Verde. In southern and eastern Africa, some companies offer departures from Cape Town and the Kenyan resort of Mombasa. 

Silversea offers a couple of trips from both ports calling at destinations such as Zanzibar, Madagascar and Assumption Island. Hebridean International Cruises is basing Spirit in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean for winter 2008-09 with journeys around South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. Voyages of Discovery also features cruises around the region.

Alaska 

Cruises to Alaska have become part of the mainstream in recent years with all the major US-orientated lines, such as Carnival, NCL, Princess and Royal Caribbean, operating trips to the US’s biggest state. 

These voyages normally start from Seattle or Vancouver and make their way up the Inside Passage taking in some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Many customers combine an Alaska cruise with a land tour.

Baltic and Norwegian Fjords

The Baltic is the second-most popular cruise region in the European summer season, with most major lines offering a wide choice of trips to the Nordic region. 

Some of Europe’s most stunning cities, such as St Petersburg, Stockholm and Tallinn, feature on Baltic itineraries, while Norway’s natural attractions include its iconic fjords and, of course, the midnight sun. 

P&O offers sailings around the Baltic and to the Norwegian fjords, as well as to Iceland and Greenland. Hurtigruten is also famed for its coastal voyages around Norway.

Far East and Australasia

The Far East, particularly China, has seen a big growth in cruise business. Lines such as Princess, Holland America, Costa and Royal Caribbean brand Azamara offer itineraries in Asia. 

Many cruises start from Hong Kong and head north to China and Japan, while southern voyages visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. 

Australia and New Zealand feature on most world cruises by lines such as P&O Cruises, while Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean also sail in the region.