This cruise speeds you to three off the islands of the remote and verdant Atlantic archipelago. Terceira Island is first up, with Praia da Vitoria your gateway to its gorgeous south coast, the UNESCO-listed city of Angra do Heroísmo and Monte Brasil volcano with its Atlantic views.

Then there’s Faial Island with its lush forests, lakes and volcanic landscapes, including Capelinhos Volcano. Other options include boat trips to see sperm whales.

Arriving on São Miguel, you’ll get the chance to see the spectacular Sete Cidades volcano, the Furnas Valley hot springs and Terra Nosta Park with its gardens, geo-thermal pools and forests.

The cruise also includes the opportunity to explore Belfast and Cobh, while during your time onboard you can join the resident ORCA conservationists spotting whales and learning about their work.

Delve into the rule of the Romans on this fascinating curated cruise including a full day in Civitavecchia, giving you the scope to get under the skin of the Italian capital Rome. Options here include a ‘behind the scenes’ tours at the Colosseum.

You’ll also go to the Sardinian capital Cagliari in search of lesser-known but important Roman sites.

Also on the itinerary is gorgeous Tuscany, where of treasures to choose from include mountaintop walled Volterra with its Roman remains, Florence with its iconic art and Pisa with its iconic leaning tower.

You’ll also stop off in Naples to discover world-famous historic sites such as Herculaneum, Baia and Pompeii.

Other stopping-off points on this cruise are La Coruna with its the Torre de Hercules lighthouse, Malaga with its fortresses, castles and Picasso artworks, and Lisbon with its maritime heritage.

This festive jaunt is perfect for getting into the holiday mood and sneaking in a bit of gift shopping in some of Europe’s most atmospheric Christmas markets. You’ll discover three fine cities, the first being the Dutch capital Amsterdam. Your vessel docks close to the centre, putting major attractions such as Anne Frank House and the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring within easy reach by foot, bike or boat tour.

You’ll then sail the Elbe through Germany to Hamburg with its festive markets twinkling with lights and other decorations and its stalls offering mulled wine and gingerbread to fuel you as you browse. There’s also time to see other landmarks and hop aboard a boat tour of the canals and Alster Lake.

Your final stop is Honfleur in the bucolic French region of Normandy, where options include a cider and calvados distillery tour with tastings and an amble through the historic streets and Vieux Bassin.

You’ll enjoy a festive season like no other on this tour of Norway’s wintertime wonders, with Christmas Day itself spent at sea crossing the Arctic Circle, enjoying traditional food and festivities and an extended Boxing Day stay in Alta for a tour out into the Arctic wilderness in search of the Northern Lights, a husky-drawn sled ride and the chance to meet local communities.

The end of 2022 is spent discovering Norway’s far-northern reaches, including colorful Hammerfest and Honningsvåg, from where you can venture to the North Cape plateau at the ‘top of Europe’.

You’ll also visit Bergen with its Bryggen Wharf and Fløibanen funicular railway, before seeing in 2023 in delightful Alesund.