10 of the world's best cruise holidays

A cruise down the Nile can give a great insight into rural Egyptian life – and reveals a land that time forgot. Many trips give passengers the opportunity to hop off and explore rarely visited villages along the banks, bustling markets and some of the country’s most fascinating relics. Original Travel has a nine-night trip from £3,420pp, including international and domestic flights and accommodation. Sailing on a 19th-century steamer with teak decks, you’ll also explore the Valley of the Kings and Luxor on guided tours. [Photo: Getty]

Touring the fjords and ice floes of Greenland makes for a truly spectacular cruise. Polar bears, narwhals and walruses are scattered through the spectacular frozen landscape, and there are enchanting settlements waiting to be explored. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has a 14-night tour from £1,899pp, departing from Liverpool on July 30 2019. It includes four days of Greenlandic exploration, packed with scenic cruising of sounds and fjords, such as Prins Christiansund, as well as tours in Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital, and Belfast on the return home. [Photo: Getty]

Flowing for an incredible 1,569 miles from the Himalayas through India and Bangladesh, the Ganges is one of the most sacred rivers for Hindus. Deciding which section of its vast length to tackle – including whether to go for the Upper or Lower Ganges – will be your first challenge. Pandaw has a nine-night sailing along the Lower Ganges from £1,834pp, departing on March 8 2020. You’ll stop to see some of Bengal’s fascinating terracotta temples on cycle rickshaws and stroll through the sleepy village of Barangar – rural india at its most idyllic. [Photo: Getty]

How about seeing all the penguins, icebergs and mountains the Antarctic has to offer – but with added adventure? Pura Aventura has a 17-day trip perfect for those who love the idea of the spectacular landscapes and wildlife of Antarctica, but dislike sedentary cruises. During the ten days at sea, you’ll float by kayak amongst icebergs and fur seals and snowshoe up peaks for incredible vistas of untouched wilderness. Unlike most traditional cruises, you’ll also spend a night camping on the mainland. The price, from £9,150pp, includes all accommodation, meals and activities, internal flights and a private city tour Buenos Aires. Departs on selected dates between November and March. [Photo: Getty]

Teeming with wildlife and scattered with small towns and fascinating historic sites, the Mekong makes for idyllic cruising. Unforgettable Cruises has a ten-night trip that takes guests through Cambodia and Vietnam, from Siem Reap to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Highlights include a trip to the incredible temple complex Angkor Wat, a jungle excursion and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay and white-sand beaches of Con Phuoc Island. The price, from £2684pp, includes ten nights’ full board accommodation, private transfers, and excursion entrance fees. [Photo: Getty]

A gentle meander through the canals and waters of Burgundy is perfect for any French wine lover, allowing for visits to some of the region's most celebrated vineyards. G Adventures has an eight-day river cruise aboard a classic canal barge that takes guests through sleepy villages and picturesque countryside – ideal for enjoying with a glass of wine in hand. Optional excursions include a day cycling along the Cote de Beaune, stopping in local villages and vineyards along the way, or walks through the gardens at Château de Longecourt. The trip costs from £2,119pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, most meals, wine tastings and bike use. [Photo: Getty]

This volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is considered one of the best places in the world to see wildlife, with many of its resident creatures – such as giant tortoises – found nowhere else in the world. So a cruise with a naturalist guide and photographer is just the ticket. World Expeditions offers an eight-day sailing on board a new, first-class yacht with Jaime Dominguez, who holds the highest certification possible for a naturalist guide in the Galapagos. Guests can spot birds nesting on guided walks, snorkel with sea lions or watch marine iguanas transform into an array of colours with the start of their mating season. Departing on January 28, the trip costs from £4,290pp, including all meals and domestic flights. [Photo: Getty]

The laid-back world of Mark Twain’s riverside America comes to life on a cruise along the Mississippi River. Titan Travel has 16-day land and river cruise that takes guests from Memphis to New Orleans. It’s a great option for music fans – Memphis was home to Elvis Presley while New Orleans is known for its jazz – and there are plenty of interesting excursions, such as a tour of the mansions of Natchez, a city named after a Native American tribe. The price, from £3,999pp, includes all accommodation and excursions, most meals and return flights from Heathrow departing on December 4 2019. [Photo: Getty]

If you’ve ever wondered what the uttermost end of the Earth is like, a cruise to South America’s Cape Horn will reveal all. This hooked tail of jagged islands with its vast glaciers and dramatic weather, is a highlight of a five-day cruise to Chile with Swoop Patagonia. The ship journeys south from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, offering plenty of wildlife and history en route. You’ll sail through the Magellan Straits, past the beautiful landscapes of Tierra del Fuegoand and stop off at several glaciers and a penguin colony. Prices start from £1,209pp, excluding flights. [Photo: Getty]

For a seriously long voyage, you could explore the whole world. Silversea has just announced its first Expedition World Cruise, a 167-day voyage from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Norwegian city of Tromsø. Sailing through 30 countries, you’d be calling at 107 ports, with South America, the Solomon Islands, Australia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka among the stops. Sailing on the ultra luxurious Silver Cloud, you’ll be able to hear talks from world-class experts, including Felicity Aston MBE (the first and only woman to cross Antarctica alone) and world-renowned explorer Tim Severin. A world cruise doesn’t come cheap – it costs just short of $1million for the entire cruise if you book the two-bedroom owner’s suite – but at least you have time to save, as the ship doesn’t depart until January 30 2021. [Photo: Getty]