Voyages of Discovery lives up to its name with its exploration cruises that really do take passengers off the beaten track. Historical and cultural trips are the mainstay of this UK cruise line which prides itself on combining adventure ashore with comfort on-board. Its main ship is the four-star Discovery which carries up to 650 passengers, but this year it is being joined by the 274-cabin Ocean Majesty, which has been chartered for a series of Mediterranean and Red Sea sailings. This is a cruise line that looks to bring each of its ports of call alive for passengers, giving them a rare depth and insight into each place they visit. Talks by the staff and crew on each destination are complemented by guest lecturers who include scientists, historians, diplomats and academics.

These are cruises for budding explorers and adventurers who like their home comforts while sailing to the ends of the earth. Cruisers tend to be more mature and well travelled and pick the cruises for the destinations more than the ship. Having said that, Discovery and Ocean Majesty both offer all the facilities you would expect from a cruise ship – just on a smaller scale. Discovery offers the wider range with its twin-deck health and fitness centre which includes a gym, beauty salon and hairdressers. There are two swimming pools – one of which has a retractable roof – four lounges, six bars and two restaurants. This is a ship where quaint traditions such as afternoon tea have been preserved and where passengers can hide themselves away in the card room, library or internet centre. Ocean Majesty has a similar range of facilities.

From the remotest spots on the planet to the most stunning cities on earth; these make up the portfolio of ports of call offered by Voyages of Discovery. From November to April, the line concentrates on the Southern Hemisphere where it spends time cruising destinations such as Antarctica, South America, South Africa and the Indian Ocean. It then moves further north for the summer to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean from where it sails around northern Europe and up to Scandinavia and the Baltics. One of the plus points of this cruise line is its range of UK departures from Harwich. Fly-cruises are also offered.