Which World Cruise Is Right for You?

Choosing the best itinerary and ship for your style is key for no-regrets, around-the-world enjoyment. A knowledgeable travel advisor can be a great matchmaker, but here?s a quick glimpse of what sets some of the most popular sailings apart.

You need options ? lots of them.

Holland America Line?s 1,380-passengerAmsterdamkeeps passengers busy ? there are cooking workshops, a casino, and five restaurants to hop among. Its 128-day,round-trip-from-Fort Lauderdale voyagelets cruisers checkAntarctica, theSouth Pacific,Australia, andAfricaoff their lists.

You?re allergic to large crowds.

With just 458 passengers, Seabourn?sSojournventures where many bigger vessels can?t, including into the intimate harbors of Lanai?s Manele Bay, New Caledonia?s L?I?le-des-Pins, andMadagascar?s remote Nosy Be. See them all on a 146-day,Miami-to-San Francisco sailing.

Afternoon tea makes your heart go pitter-patter.

British lineCunardhas been taking guests on around-the- world journeys since 1922. Theeast-west voyageon the 2,691-passengerQueen Mary 2sails for 100 days round-trip from Southampton; highlights includeSouth Africa, Australia, the Persian Gulf, New York City, and a classic transatlantic crossing.

You want to maximize your time ? and your budget.

Princess Cruises? Los Angeles-to-Fort Lauderdalevoyageon the 670-passengerPacific Princesshits 33 destinations in 96 days. There?s a new port each day inNew Zealand, safaris in South Africa, dreamy beaches in theSeychelles, and prime souvenir shopping onSaint Bart?s.

You have a History Channel addiction.

Set sail with a resident historian onViking Ocean Cruises? 161-dayMiami-to-London voyage, which visits 75 ports on six continents. The 930-passengerViking Sunwill make the line?s maiden call inHawaiibefore venturing to the South Pacific, Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Passengers can expect frequent cultural lectures and insider experiences in port.

You?re a city mouse at heart.

Crystal Cruises? 139-day world cruise on the 980-passengerCrystal Serenitysails from Miami to London, hitting Hawaii, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean along the way. There?s plenty of time to wander during 21 city overnights inSydney,Singapore,Lisbon, and other metropolises.

You?ll take a VSOP with that Cohiba.

See the world in style onRegent Seven Seas Cruises? newly refurbished 700- passengerSeven Seas Mariner. The sleek, all-suite, all-balcony ship will spend 118 days sailing fromMiami west to Barcelona, with at-sea diversions that include fine dining, aCanyon Ranchspa, and a cognac and cigar bar.

Three months at sea? Make it a double.

Fulfill all your life-on-the-water fantasies onOceania Cruises? 180-day,Miami-to-New York City sailing, which calls on 44 countries across six continents and three oceans aboard the 684-passengerInsignia. Two- to four-day land tours in Australia,Cambodia,India, and Egypt provide some off-ship respite.

You crave adventure.

Comb South Pacific beaches and watch for polar bears in Norway?s Svalbard region duringSilversea?s expedition-style world cruise on the 254-passengerSilver Cloud. The first-of-its-kind voyage emphasizes active excursions during 107 port calls on a167-day journeyfrom Ushuaia,Argentina, to Tromsø,Norway.