There is no better way to see the world than by embarking on a three-month trip around its most fascinating and beautiful cities in the luxurious surroundings of a cruise liner.

Your round the world cruise will take you through the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Pacific, Caribbean and Atlantic, stopping at plenty of exotic locations on the way.

And while you are travelling, you will have the opportunity to eat in the ship's top-class restaurants, relax around the pool on its sun deck, pamper yourself in the spa, take in a cabaret show and try your luck at the casino - everything you could possibly need for a luxury holiday.

One of the highlights of the early part of the cruise is likely to be the stop at Salalah in Oman, which you will reach after sailing through the Suez Canal. Oman may not seem like an obvious tourist destination, but you are sure to leave with a different opinion after visiting the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the bustling souks, where frankincense is one of the biggest sellers.

Your progress through Asia will include overnight stops in cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as calls in Vietnam and Malaysia.

After departing Asia, your luxury cruise liner will set sail for Australia, where you can look forward to what is sure to be one of the highlights of your holiday - a trip around the beautiful Great Barrier Reef.

A series of stops at Pacific islands, including Fiji and Tahiti, follows, giving you the chance to experience some of the world's last unspoiled natural areas.

You will also be treated to a trip through the Panama Canal during the South American leg of your voyage, before stopping at idyllic islands like Curacao and Antigua on the way back to Southampton, where you will disembark with a host of fond memories.

If you do not want to tour the whole world, it is possible to book a South American grand voyage that will take you to many of the continent's most beautiful beaches and some of its many fascinating pre-Columbian landmarks.

And to ensure you get the most out of your luxury cruise, you can also look forward to rounding Cape Horn, visiting the Falkland Islands, taking a trip down the Amazon and relaxing in Cape Verde.