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Some of the most beautiful health spas in the world are now found on cruise ships. In fact, some are even operated by or affiliated with the most prestigious land-based resorts in the world.

These ocean-going spas offer a full range of standard treatments such as facials, massage, hair and nails, as well as more unique treatments like cellulite reduction, acupuncture, teeth whitening and body wraps. They have fully equipped gymnasiums, many offering fitness classes and personal trainers. And they offer spa menus with light and healthy dining options. Some newer ships also have private outdoor “sanctuaries” where passengers can get have a massage under the sky or just get away from it all in a tranquil and peaceful setting.

So when it comes to staying fit, reducing stress and looking your best, there’s really no better place to be than on a cruise ship. However, there are so many spa options to choose from, and so little time to enjoy them, that many people miss out on the best treatments and services.

As a result, I recently asked the Spa Manager aboard the Golden Princess for some tips on how passengers can get the most from their sea-going spa experience. Here’s what Aletta Jansen van Vuuren of South Africa had to say:

1. A menu of spa services is usually available on the cruise line’s web site and most treatments (except those in the hair salon) can be booked online in advance. This is particularly useful for passengers with a busy shore excursion schedule who have limited windows of time where they will be available for treatments.

2. Spas usually have an open house on embarkation day when they offer tours, explain treatments, and make bookings. This is a great way to become familiar with what’s available at the spa, to meet the various staff members, and to make bookings before the best time slots disappear (and they will very quickly for the formal days).

3. Since boarding day is a slow time for a cruise ship spa, most of them offer embarkation day specials where various treatments are available at discounts until 10:00 pm that evening. So it pays to visit the spa and ask about these as soon as you board the vessel.

4. Some cruise lines offer discounts on spa services during port days. So if you don’t plan to be ashore for the entire day, ask about port day discounts and book yourself a treatment at a reduced price – at Princess, it’s 15%.

5. Many cruise ship spas now offer a body composition analysis which among other things can measure the toxins in your body, the amount of body fat and your metabolism rate. This analysis is then used to generate a tailor-made program that directs passengers to the best treatments and services for their particular situation and goals. This can help spa goers save money and get better results from their investment.

6. Most new ships now have outdoor areas sometimes called “sanctuaries” which are reserved for passengers taking spa services or who wish to pay a daily fee of about $20.  These areas are for adults only, provide reserved chaise lounges, and are usually located next to a small pool area. Aletta says these sanctuaries are becoming popular places, especially for passengers who don’t want to compete for a chair in the public pool area, particularly on busy days at sea.  

7. The best spas at sea are constantly adding new and unique services at competitive prices. For example, the Golden Princess recently added a Thai Poltise massage, an Oxydermy Facial Microderm Abrasion, and acupuncture treatments. Since these types of services may not be easy to find at home at competitive prices, Aletta suggests that passengers try them at sea.

8. There are usually a number of massage treatments for couples that they can take together. In fact, the spa aboard the Golden Princess offers them in the spa or outdoors in a private cabana in the Sanctuary. Aletta says this is a great way for couples to experience spa treatments together.

9. If you haven’t made a reservation at the spa during a sea day, Aletta says the best time to get a “walk in” appointment is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

10. Watch you cruise ship program for notices of special spa promotions or programs. These will include complimentary fitness classes, discounted services and special educational seminars.

While the cruise industry enjoyed strong occupancy levels in 2009, many of those passengers were induced up the gangplank with discounts and incentives that brought cruise fares to historically low levels. That was great for the travelling public, but tough for cruise lines whose meager profits left shareholders looking for a life preserver.

Fast forward to the beginning of 2010. The economy is on the mend, interest rates are still low, there is pent up demand for travel, and this year’s Wave Season (the peak selling period for cruises from early January to mid-February) delivered strong sales for most cruise lines. In fact, several cruise lines reported that they enjoyed their best Wave Season ever this year.

As a result, some travel industry experts are now predicting that we’ve seen the end of the deep discounting in cruise fares that were available in 2009 and for the first two months of 2010. According to these experts, since sales for 2010 are off to a strong start and some cruises even have waiting lists why should they continue to discount their fares?

While there’s no question that 2010 sales have gotten off to a fast start, much of this demand has been fueled by discount and incentive programs put in place at the end of last year. For example, programs promising two-for one cruise fares, free cabin upgrades, generous shipboard credits, free air, incredibly low lead in prices, complimentary shore excursions, children cruise for free, and other incentives have continued to drive passengers up the gangplank.

The question is whether the travelling public will continue to snap up cabins once these incentives disappear, and whether there is anyone in the cruise industry willing to take that chance before the end of 2010. In my view, the answer is “no.”

I expect we may see a small increase in prices for cruises at the bottom of the market that have been selling for ridiculously low prices like $35 to $40 per day. These types of lead-in prices are difficult to sustain for long, do not build brand loyalty, and usually represent a last-minute response to slow bookings.

However, I think it is unlikely we will see much in the way of price increases for premium and luxury cruise lines for the remainder of this year. In fact, I’m still receiving cruise line flyers promoting various incentives – the latest this week from Crystal, Regent, Princess, Seabourn, MSC, Cunard and Costa.

The reasons for the continuing soft cruise market are as follows:

- Cruise ship capacity will continue to increase in 2010 as new ships are launched, yet the pace of passenger growth has slowed considerably, particularly in the US.

- Airline capacity has decreased, making it more expensive and difficult for passengers to take advantage of last-minute discounts that cruise lines once used to fill empty ships. As a result, passengers have to be sold on taking the cruise much earlier.

- In order to generate reasonable returns, cruise lines need to fill their ships to at least 115% occupancy (100% occupancy is two people in each cabin). So demand needs to increase significantly before cruise lines can increase fares or drop incentives.

- Some cruise lines have already announced and locked in deeply discounted fares and generous incentives for the entire 2010 season in order to get their share of passengers.

- People are now used to getting some kind of discount fare or incentive in order to book a cruise well in advance of sailing.  That’s not going to change overnight. In fact, it’s been years since it was necessary for anyone to pay the brochure rate for a cruise.

As a result, I think it’s premature to predict cruise line fares will return to normal anytime soon. However, I do think we have reached the absolute bottom of the market when it comes to pricing, and that there is only one direction for fares to go in 2011 – up. So if do you have a special cruise in mind, it may pay to start looking for it soon.

There’s a new trend taking place in the cruise industry that few people would have thought was possible just a few years ago when the recession began. It’s called “trading up” and it occurs when people who would have normally sailed on a contemporary cruise line trade up to a higher-end luxury line.

How can this be happening in these tough economic times?

It’s simple. With ultra-luxury cruise lines offering humongous fare discounts and very attractive incentives on some cruises, more and more people are seizing what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And if these people are used to paying for higher-category cabins like mini-suites and balcony cabins on contemporary lines, they can usually get an inside or even an outside cabin on a luxury line for just a little bit more money than they are used to paying.

For example, Crystal Cruises is offering every one of its 2010 departures at two-for-one prices for all categories of cabin. In addition, the ultra-luxury line is including up to $2,000 per cabin shipboard credits, free air on most itineraries, additional discounts of 3.5% for paying the full fare at least six months in advance, and a guarantee that passengers will get the best applicable fare.  

Other luxury lines including Silversea, Seabourn and Regent are offering comparable savings. For example, Regent is offering two-for-one fares, free air and free shore excursions. The latter can be a tremendous savings, especially in places like Alaska, Europe and Asia where the cost of shore excursions over a two-week period can easily exceed a thousand dollars a person. In addition, these lines also include tips and alcohol in their fares.

So what kind of pricing differential are we talking about when it comes to regular pricing on contemporary cruise lines versus discounted fares on luxury lines? Let’s look at my recent South American/Panama Canal cruise from Valparaiso, Chile to Miami, Florida with Crystal.

We paid US$3,620 per person for an outside cabin with a large picture window, and received a US$1,000 per person shipboard credit, which effectively reduced each fare to US$2,620. For a 15-day cruise, that price works out to US$174.66 per day, per person for accommodations, entertainment, transportation, and all meals (including free alternative restaurants) aboard one of the highest-rated luxury cruise ships afloat.

Now let’s compare that cost to a similar cruise on a contemporary line, and to the regular price of sailing on a luxury line without these types of discounts.

The current fare for a comparable 14-night cruise with a contemporary line like Celebrity ranges from C$1,599 for an outside cabin, to C$2,569 for a balcony, and C$3,679 for a suite. That works out to $114.21 per day for an outside cabin, or about $60 a day less than what I paid on Crystal for my cruise. And the price of a balcony cabin on Celebrity is effectively the same as I paid for an outside cabin. For my money, the Crystal fares are a much better value.

As for Crystal’s regular fares without discounts, my South American/Panama Canal cruise normally sells for US$7,240 per person. Without any shipboard credits, that amounts to US$482.66 per day – a full US$308 per day more than the discounted fare I received and that Crystal is offering for 2010.

Of course, many people are completely happy sailing on a contemporary cruise line like Princess, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, and have no desire to trade up. But for those who do, there may never be a better time to cruise with a luxury line than during 2010.

My love affair with cruising started when I took my first cruise in 1980 aboard the MV Jupiter of Epirotiki Line. It was a seven-day voyage through the Greek Islands and Turkey roundtrip from Athens, and while the ship was tired and old, the experience was spectacular.

Almost three decades later, I just completed my 50^th cruise – this one roundtrip from Los Angeles to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. And in those 29 years, I’ve spent more than 400 days at sea, cruised with just about every major cruise line in the world, and sailed to some of the most beautiful destinations on the planet.

So to mark my 50^th voyage, I thought it was time to look back over the decades and put together a list of my top ten cruises:

1. Greek Islands & Turkey: It’s the perfect combination of history, architecture, and culture set in the picture-perfect waters of the Aegean Sea. Try starting or ending in Athens, Rome, Venice, Barcelona or Istanbul if you want to include an interesting land portion to the trip.

2. French Polynesia: If you want to see South Pacific islands in a natural setting, try cruising to the Society and Marquesas islands. You’ll find coral-fringed lagoons, swaying palms, out-rigger canoes, lush vegetation and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  End or begin your trip by staying in an over-water bungalow on the island of Moorea just across the channel from  Tahiti.

3. South America: The scenery around the coast of South America between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile is incredibly diverse and beautiful. You’ll see fjords, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, emerald lakes, volcanoes, penguins and whales as well as European-style cities, jet-set resorts, fishing towns and pristine beaches. And you’ll get to make the once-in-a-lifetime sail around the infamous Cape Horn at the end of the continent. 

4. Scandinavia/Baltic: This itinerary includes lots of interesting ports like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Estonia, but the reason everyone takes this trip is to see St. Petersburg. The city and surrounding area is a treasure-trove of palaces, historic buildings, art and museums including the spectacular Hermitage. Pick a cruise ship that stays at least two nights in St. Petersburg, as you’ll need at least that long to see most of the highlights. Going ashore on your own requires a special permit, so take the ship’s shore excursions – they’re good value.

5. Panama Canal: If you’re intrigued by feats of engineering bravado, you’ll love seeing the gigantic locks at both ends of the canal and the spectacular cut though the continental divide that connects them. You can do a partial transit from Florida that goes through the Gatun Locks and then returns to the Caribbean, or you can do a full transit through the canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Either way, you’ll get to see one of the greatest engineering marvels of the modern world.

6. Caribbean: There’s no better place to escape for sun and sand, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. The Southern Caribbean is my favourite itinerary in this region because it calls at islands like Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, Martinique, and St. Barts that I find the most interesting and beautiful. They’re also better protected in winter against the arrival of cold fronts. However, there are a lot more Eastern and Western Caribbean departures to choose from, and they don’t take as long to get to.  

7. Hawaii: From verdant valleys to thundering waterfalls, the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii offer some of the most stunning scenery in the world. NCL offers 7-day inter-island cruises roundtrip from Honolulu, which provide a good overview of the major islands and plenty of time to see them. Several cruise lines offer 14-day cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles and Vancouver, which are great if you don’t like long flights over the ocean.

8. European River/Barge Cruise: There are a number of small river boats and barges that cruise the main inland waterways and canals of Europe. My trip was along the Burgundy Canal from Dijon aboard a 22-person barge called the Lafayette. We had our own private chef who went to the market each day and prepared gourmet meals three times daily. During the day we visited the major wine producing towns, toured wineries, cycled along the canal’s tow path, and watched our barge navigate the extensive series of locks.

9. Alaska: The weather can be unpredictable, the ports are small, but the scenery is always spectacular.  You’ll see beautiful fjords, colossal glaciers giving birth to giant ice bergs, and lots of wildlife including bald eagles, black bears, seals and whales. Some of the shore excursions are fabulous, including a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier.  If you have the time, take a one-way cruise and extend your trip with a land trip into the interior of Alaska.

10. New England/Canada: Pretty seaside towns like Newport, Bar Harbor and Portland are bookended between fabulous big cities like New York, Boston, Quebec City and Montreal. Most people like to take this cruise during the fall when the leaves turn into a kaleidoscope of yellow, orange and red, but some lines offer the itinerary all summer long. If you like lobster, lighthouses, French bistros, and great shopping, you’ll love this itinerary.

While that’s my list of top ten cruise destinations, I have to admit that I’ve yet to cruise in Australia, Asia, India and the Middle East. However, there’s always next year!

Summer is not usually the time when people think about taking a Caribbean cruise. After all, it’s hot and beautiful back home, versus the sweltering heat of the tropics where there’s the additional risk of getting hit with a tropical storm or hurricane between June and October.

As a result, it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that cruise fares usually sink lower than Davey Jones’s Locker during the summer. But what might surprise you is that summer cruising in the Caribbean has become so popular that a growing number of cruise lines are positioning ships there on a year-round basis. And not only are they putting ships in the Caribbean year-round, they are moving some of the their newest and biggest ships to service the market.

For example, Celebrity Cruises recently announced that it will move the new Celebrity Solstice to the Caribbean this fall on a full-time basis. In addition, next year Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL will have their biggest ships ever in the Caribbean on a year-round basis. Overall, the full year capacity for seven-day cruises out of Florida will increase by double digits.

So what’s driving the increase in year-round capacity in the Caribbean?

One reason is the current recession which is causing people to cut back on travel to more distant destinations like Asia, Australia, Europe and even Alaska. When times get tough, a lot of people look for destinations that are cheaper to reach by air, or that they can drive to. And ports like Baltimore, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Port Canaveral, New Orleans, New York, Mobile, and Galveston fit the bill for a large percentage of people living near the east or gulf coasts of North America.

Another reason is the vacation schedules of families who still have kids in school. If they want to cruise together, the windows of opportunity basically come down to Christmas, March Break and summer. And if they want to stay at a first-class resort where they can enjoy the pool, ocean and beach with all their meals and entertainment included, it’s become increasingly difficult to beat the value of a Caribbean cruise in summer.

For example, earlier this year a number of cruise lines were offering deeply discounted fares for cruises in the Caribbean this summer, including free or deeply reduced rates for kids. Even now, there are still attractive fares left on Caribbean cruises departing in July, August and September that start as low as US$599 per person for a seven-night voyage, with kids sailing in the same cabin for just US$349 per person. And with full-time cruise tonnage increasing in the Caribbean by double digits for next year, rates should be as good or even better in the summer of 2010.

The facilities on the big ships sailing the Caribbean and the plethora of activity-oriented excursions they offer ashore also present lots of opportunity for family-style fun. For example, many of the ships have large swimming pools with movie screens, water slides, games arcades, basketball and paddle tennis courts, mini-golf courses and in some cases, rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks and even a water surfing pool. Shore excursions run the gamut from a day at the beach to snorkeling, sailing, jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking and scuba diving. And since there are a lot more kids onboard the ship during the summer, most of the cruise lines operate a full range of organized programs for children of all ages and offer babysitting (for a fee).

The bottom line is that while most people equate Caribbean cruises with the winter, a large and growing number of ships are making the region their permanent home. For families looking for a fun, easy-to-get to, and value-priced vacation, that has to be music to their pocket books.

Big vs. Small? Adventure vs. Traditional? Sun Seeker vs. Culture Buff? These are just some of the questions people need to ask themselves before they embark on a cruise.

Unfortunately, people who are new to cruising may not know enough to make the right decision. And that means they could end up on a cruise that’s wrong for their lifestyle, budget and personality.

So what are some of the choices that potential cruisers should be thinking about before they sign up for a vacation at sea?

Big vs. Small: There are small ships than carry a few hundred people, and mega-ships that hold as many as 5,000 people. Bigger ships offer more amenities and facilities – they have larger swimming pools, more bars and lounges, bigger theatres, better spas and casinos, and more choices for dining, entertainment and sports. Smaller ships are more intimate, easier to get around, can visit more unusual ports, take less time to disembark and offer a more traditional cruising experience. At the end of the small spectrum, there are sail ships that provide a relaxed-style of cruise to out-of-the-way islands and ports. And there are barge and river cruises that take people through canals and meandering rivers in places like England, France, Holland, Germany, Egypt and North America.

New vs. Old: A lot of ships have been built in the last 8 years, so most of the tonnage out there is either very new or recently renovated. Newer ships tend to have larger public areas and more deck space, and lots of innovative features like surf rider pools and rock climbing walls, themed bars and restaurants, flat-screen TVs in the cabins, outdoor movie screens, solariums, and even croquet courts on real grass! However, the newest ships (built in the last 2 years) usually charge a higher per diem rate. Older ships usually have larger cabins, more character, nicer profiles, and more traditional appointments. Unfortunately, there aren’t many old ships left, and some of the remaining classics will be taken out of service next year when new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations come into effect. But if older ships appeal to you, the best place to find one is with tour operators like Saga Cruises and Thomson, or with some of the European-based lines like Fred Olsen.

Upscale vs. Economy: A small number of cruise lines such as Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, SeaDream, and Silversea offer ultra-deluxe ships, exceptional itineraries, gourmet cuisine and top-flight service. The per diem cost of these cruise lines usually runs between US$250 to $500 per person (double occupancy) for the cheapest cabin, and much more for suites. If you stay at the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton on land, these ships are for you. However, if you’re looking for something more reasonably priced, there are plenty of cruise lines such as Cunard, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America that offer cruises in the premium and deluxe categories. There are also several budget lines like NCL, MSC, Costa and Carnival. The per diem fares on these types of ships range between US$50 and $120 per person (double occupancy) for the cheapest cabins.  

Adventure vs. Traditional: Most cruise ships travel to traditional destinations that are well known and relatively easy to get to and enjoy. However, a handful of ships offer more destination-oriented cruises to places like Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Melanesia, the Amazon River, the Easter Islands, the Faroe Islands, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Arctic. These cruises usually offer excursions on small zodiac rubber inflatable boats, emphasize environmentally friendly approaches to travel, and teach passengers about the culture and history of the places they visit. Some of the better adventure cruise ships include several from Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea’s Prince Albert II, Celebrity’s Xpedition, Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic and Swan Hellenic’s Minerva.

Sun Seekers vs. Culture buffs: Some people go on a cruise to lie by the pool or beach, enjoy the lush scenery and sunshine, do some shopping, gamble in the casino, enjoy the Vegas-style revues, and stay up late in the disco. Others select a cruise that will take them to historic places where they can spend their days visiting great monuments, touring wonderful museums, tasting local cuisine and experiencing the native culture. The sun seekers will probably enjoy the Caribbean, South Pacific or the Mexican Riviera, while the culture buffs will be happier in places like Europe, the Mediterranean, South America, and Asia.

If it’s beginning to sound like there are as many types of cruises as there are personalities, you’re getting the picture. But if you’re still not sure what type of cruise would best suit you, just visit the Tripharbour.ca or Tripharbor.com community page and take the “My Cruise Personality Type” quiz.  If you’re lucky like me, you’ll discover that you have multiple cruise personalities, which means you’ll be justified in taking multiple cruises each year for the rest of your life!

There’s usually nothing more carefree than sailing away on a luxury cruise liner. And once people have selected their ship, destination and travel dates, there’s nothing else to worry about until the trip is over. Or is there?

The story of the Cortes family who were put ashore in the Bahamas a few years ago during a 5-day cruise is a case in point.

On one night during the cruise the family’s 8-month old baby began vomiting and having diarrhea, so they took her to the ship’s doctor. The doctor diagnosed Baby Zoie as being severely dehydrated and in need of hospitalization ashore.

As a result, the family were rushed off the ship late at night in Nassau and sent to the local emergency room where Zoie was diagnosed with nothing more than a common cold. Unfortunately, by this time the ship had left Nassau and the Cortes family was stranded in a foreign country without passports, lodging or transportation.

The family eventually made their way back home, but not without incurring close to $2,000 in expenses for medical bills, new passports and transportation back to Florida, never mind the cost of a ruined vacation. And the Cortes family got off lightly — if they’d been cruising further from home with a seriously ill child, they could have easily spent more than $20,000 just for medical treatment and emergency evacuation.

The saga of the Cortes family is a good example of why most vacationers – especially those travelling outside their own country — should have some form of travel insurance. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the types of travel insurance available to them, or the risks of not buying it before their trip.

There are four main types of travel insurance used by vacationers: Medical/Life insurance; Trip Cancellation/Interruption; Baggage Loss and Personal Effects Coverage; and Trip Delay. Some of these such as baggage loss and trip delay may be covered in your home insurance policy or by your credit card policy, so it pays to check them out before buying additional insurance. Likewise, if you have private medical insurance, check out your policy to see what it covers.

Medical/Life: Coverage can vary by provider, but the best type of policy will cover medical treatment, prescription drugs, emergency evacuation (if warranted), accidental loss of life, sight and limb, and repatriation benefits (flying home remains). It will also provide a toll-free number for personal assistance. This can be bought for a single trip or for multiple trips in one year.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Reimburses the policy holder for travel costs lost due to cancellation of the trip (for legitimate reasons) and/or disruption of the trip while in progress. This is a good way to protect the cost of your cruise fare should you have to cancel your trip (conditions apply). The cost of this insurance usually runs between 3 to 8% of the total cost of the vacation that you are ensuring.

Baggage Loss & Personal Effects: This policy typically covers you for loss or delay of baggage, and for personal property stolen en route or in hotels. It also provides a set amount that can be spent daily while waiting for lost luggage to arrive.

Trip Delay: Provides financial compensation for costs incurred as a result of delays in pre-booked transportation. For example, if a plane is delayed more than 4 hours, set amounts can be spent for items like food, refreshments, hotels, etc.

These types of policies can be purchased separately, and the latter three are also available in one package, which can be a better deal. However, depending on the coverage you already have via home insurance and credit cards, you may not need all of them.  

Insurance can be purchased from your travel agent or the cruise line when making your initial booking, or at a later date before the final payment is due. Or, you can buy it from your insurance broker or a financial institution like RBC Insurance.

But wherever you get it, make sure you need what you are buying. Read the policy when it arrives to ensure you understand what conditions and exceptions may apply. And if you have any questions, don’t be shy about asking.

Hopefully, your next vacation will be trouble free and you’ll never need to use your insurance. But if something does happen, you’ll be grateful you didn’t leave home without it.

While cruise ships sail to lots of wonderful places around the world, there are a handful that offer itineraries that are more unusual and out-of-the-way than most.  These are the hidden gems of cruising that not only provide an opportunity to see something off the beaten track, but usually at attractive rates. For example:

1. Trans-Atlantic Northern Route

Most trans-Atlantic cruises typically call in the Med, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and sometimes Bermuda, but a handful each year sail via out-the-way places like Iceland, Greenland, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, the British Isles and Newfoundland, Canada. These cruises are usually very-well priced, and offer a rare but fascinating itinerary that would be prohibitively expensive if done by air and hotel. Princess has some great deals on this route in the fall.

2. Land of the Midnight Sun

Only a handful of ships sail to the top of Norway and through her majestic fjords, but it’s a breathtaking itinerary that will provide a life-time of wonderful memories. On this cruise, which the Lonely Planet guides describe as “the world’s most beautiful voyage,” you’ll get a taste of Lapland, be able to watch the midnight sun, and enjoy lots of spectacular scenery. Check out some of the itineraries from Cunard and Hurtigruten.

3. Around the Horn

The voyage around Cape Horn between Valparaiso, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina is loaded with beautiful scenery and wildlife. Whether it’s the amazing volcanoes and glaciers of Patagonia, the penguins of Otway Sound, the sea wolves of the Beagle Channel, or the rocky outcrop called Cape Horn, there’s something spectacular to see at every turn.  Princess, Holland America, RCI, Crystal and Regent have some great voyages to choose from. 

4. South Pacific

The Hawaiian and Society Islands of the South Pacific are filled with soaring peaks, lush valleys and spectacular coast lines. Whether it’s a pristine lagoon surrounding Bora Bora, or a lava flow cascading down the side of a mountain on the Big Island of Hawaii, this is nature at its best. There are currently some great deals on both itineraries, and this is the final year for Regent’s Paul Gauguin in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Princess offers a great return voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles.

5.  Panama Canal with a Latin twist

Many cruise lines offer full and partial transits of the Big Ditch, but only a handful do it by sailing between Florida and the west coast of South America. The advantage of the latter is that in addition to a bunch of Caribbean ports, you usually get to call at several Latin ports including Valparaiso and Lima. You may also be able to arrange a pre or post cruise excursion to see the “Lost City of the Incas” at Machu Picchu. Check out the discounted fare from luxury line Crystal on a cruise that departs January 8, 2010 from Valparaiso.

6. Galapagos Islands

Whether it’s the extravagant colony of Frigate birds on North Seymour, or the blue-footed boobies, sea lions or red marine iguanas of the five million year old Espanola Island, the wildlife of the Galapagos are unlike any other in the world. Celebrity’s Expedition is offering some great deals.

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