9 Once in a lifetime cruises

Cruising is not all about cocktails, learning to dance and topping up your tan on a sun-lounger round the pool, as lovely as that is of course. Instead there is a great emphasis on destination discovery, visiting parts of the world only accessible by ship, and expeditions to far-flung and fascinating lands. Cruising also means you have the privilege of seeing more than one main stop on your travels, opening up a vast array of places to enjoy, explore and experience.

Explore the stunningly scenic and culturally distinctive lands that lie along the remarkable Mekong River. On this 15-day cruisetour, discover two countries, two cultures and two ways of life linked by Indochina’s most important river; from Vietnam’s bustling cities to the tranquility of Cambodia. Encounter ancient Khmer monuments at Angkor Wat and the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh in Cambodia; and in Vietnam, visit the floating markets of the Mekong delta, experience the intimate charm of Hanoi’s old city and tour dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Here you will find gracious hosts and some of the finest cuisine in the world, while enjoying the natural beauty and rich history just beyond the banks of the magnificent Mekong.

Provider: Viking River Cruises

Rugged mountains, stunning glaciers, flocks of northern seabirds, wonderful wildlife and traditional Inuit culture – this is what awaits on a truly amazing tour to the wilderness of northern Baffin Island, Canada. Experience this dramatic Arctic landscape at a time of year when the sun never sets and wildlife is returning to this very rich area of the Arctic. There are northern birds in abundance, including Thick-billed Murre, Black-legged Kittiwake, and King and Common Eiders. Other highlights include Sabine’s and Thayer’s gulls, Red-throated Loon and with much luck the all-white Ivory Gull!

Provider: Adventure Canada

Your journey of discovery begins in the beautiful city of Prague – the historical pearl of Europe. A truly deserving UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, the city’s centre brings to life its rich history with a wealth of monuments, amazing architecture, musical masterpieces and nostalgic atmosphere. From Prague to Budapest, and at every stop between, you’re taken back in time to ‘Old Europe’, uncovering ancient Abbeys, beautiful palaces, and historic landmarks left in the wake of WWII. For a truly authentic insight into Slovakian life, you’re welcomed into the home of a local family for afternoon tea, while the iconic sights and bustling city streets of Vienna and Budapest perfectly showcase Europe’s vibrant modern culture.

Provider: Emerald Waterways

Travelling to Norway in winter is an extraordinary experience and an adventurous sixteen nights in this stunning country is topped off by a chance to seek out the elusive Aurora Borealis. This wonderful display of dancing lights is spectacular to witness. Marvel at awe-inspiring scenery as you cruise along the Norwegian coast; spend two nights in the Arctic city of Tromsø; enjoy an overnight stay in Alta where you can discover the fascinating Sami culture; and visit picturesque Ålesund, Molde and Bergen.

Provider: Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines

The gods of the past and the spirit of the future will be revealed in the fascinating kaleidoscope of Asia - from dynamic Kuala Lumpur to the religious diversity of Rangoon and exotic India. See the contrasts between traditional and modern architecture in Kuala Lumpur before enjoying some relaxing hours on the palm-fringed beaches of Langkawi. The Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon, the temples in Bagan, and the Taj Mahal are like silent echoes from a distant era. The cosmopolitan port city of Colombo and a local spice market in Cochin will bring you back to the present, before the freedom that takes you places with the EUROPA 2, ends in Mumbai.

Provider: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Swaying palm trees, golden beaches and warm turquoise seas. Lush green forests, teeming coral reefs and countless natural wonders. And don’t forget the rum! The Caribbean islands have it all – in abundance. But these beautiful and diverse islands each have their own unique flavour. They’ve kept their own identities, traditions and centuries-old cultures. And they’re bursting with treasures, always with something new to explore…

Discover if you really can drive through a volcano on St Lucia. Lead your own attack on Brimstone Hill fortress on St Kitts. Then hit the beach on rugged Tortola and enjoy the fresh fish BBQ!

Provider: P&O Cruises

This top-rated Alaska cruise takes you further north than most itineraries and includes the cultural and scenic attractions of the Alaska and British Columbia Inside Passage as well as the Gulf of Alaska, so you can see and experience more.

A magnificent 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise vacation treats you to two incredible days of scenic glacier viewing, including Glacier Bay National Park. Sailing through serene waters filled with icebergs, you'll get an up-close look at towering Margerie Glacier and perhaps be treated to the spectacle of seeing it calve massive chunks of ice into the tidewater to the roar of "white thunder".

Provider: Princess Cruises

Embrace the ‘Real Africa’. Follow in the footsteps of Doctor David Livingstone on this exhilarating tour, which combines a visit to spectacular Victoria Falls with stays in Zambia and Botswana at the edge of magnificent Chobe National Park. On this active tour you’ll have the chance to join a guided walk beside the falls and glimpse at passing hippos, drive through Chobe National Park where you may encounter large herds of elephants, lions and Cape buffalo and take advantage of a light aircraft flight over the Zambezi River.

Provider: Saga Cruises

A lush island of tropical beauty, St. Lucia is part of the Windward Islands. Its 238 square miles are covered with rain forests, banana plantations, palm lined beaches, mountains and even a drive-in volcano. Prettier sights are to be seen at Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths where you can walk the gardens and take a dip in the pool under the waterfalls. One of St. Lucia's truly spectacular attractions is the Pitons, two volcanic cones rising up from the sea that have become a symbol of the island itself. Today, St. Lucia offers its guests a wide range of natural charm with beautiful beaches, lush scenery, fishing villages unchanged by time and friendly Caribbean hospitality.

Provider: Star Clippers

Read more amazing cruise journeys

These are only a small sample of the amazing array of cruises that you can expect to find at The London Cruise Show. In addition to uncovering these and many more exciting voyages, there are also talk theatres that will be packed with free informative talks, where you can ask those all important questions directly to the cruise lines, discover different ship styles and incredible destinations, and also find out what’s new for 2015/2016! Plus exhibitors will be offering wonderful competitions and you could save thousands of pounds with exclusive show-only offers and upgrades.

The London Cruise Show at Olympia on 14-15 February 2015 will be packed with information and inspiration allowing you to uncover a whole world afloat. 

Quote 'READERSDIGEST' at www.cruisingshow.com or call 0871 620 4024 for 2 FREE* tickets (*£2.50 booking fee. Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).