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When it comes to a luxurious way to travel there is nothing quite like a cruise ship. By taking a voyage on one of the following vessels, you’ll be able to experience opulent services and amenities while relaxing in total comfort.

For your truly lavish cruise holidays, why not select Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 ship? Measuring some 1,132 feet long and with 14 decks, there’s certainly plenty to see and do, whether it’s indulging in high-end cuisine at the Queens Grill restaurant or watching a play at the 1,000-seater Royal Court Theatre.

Other features include a cinema, onboard gym and library, while there are also five swimming pools.

A range of suites and rooms are available on the ship, but for a truly sumptuous seafaring experience, you may want to book the Grand Duplex. This 2,249 sq ft two-level suite comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival, personalized stationery and a bouquet of flowers.

The ship runs a number of itineraries and departs from cities throughout the world; however, typical excursions that leave from Southampton include trips to New York and voyages around northern Europe, calling in at ports such as Hamburg and Oslo.

Cunard’s most recent ship, the Queen Elizabeth, also offers cruisers a sense of luxury. While she only entered service in 2010, the vessel recreates the glamour of high society in the 1930s and 40s, with its private members’ club-style bars and the two-tier Britannia dining room, which features a dazzling art deco chandelier.

During your voyage, you can have a range of beauty treatments at the spa, have a flutter at the casino and view the works of Picasso and Dali in the art gallery.

Stay in the Grand Suite and you’ll be able to enjoy priority boarding and receive daily fresh fruit. Booking here also allows you to benefit from complimentary 24-hour room service, while a butler and concierge will be able to attend to your every need.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas also offers everything you need for your luxury cruise holidays, including a casino, spa and nightclub. There are 2,700 guestrooms, although you may find one of the 28 ultra-modern loft suites makes for a more comfortable stay.

The ship’s entertainment facilities are split into seven distinct ‘neighborhoods’. These include a youth area, which offers a nursery service and activity centre for children, and a pool and sports zone, which incorporates mini-golf, whirlpools and a zip-line.

Book a voyage on the Norwegian Epic and you’ll find the facilities it offers equal to that located in any bustling modern city.

Indeed, you’ll be able to visit a bowling alley during your time at sea, see some live music at the jazz club, take in a theater show or watch a stand-up comedian perform. You can also sample a wide range of cuisine while onboard, with everything from Italian and Chinese eateries to pizzerias and American-style steakhouses on offer.

However, it is perhaps the ship’s luxury suites that make it really stand out. Book the Deluxe Owner’s Suite and you’ll have a private balcony, king-size bed and a fully-equipped bathroom that comes with a shower and whirlpool tub.

Among the ship’s typical itineraries are voyages around the Caribbean, taking in destinations such as St Thomas and the Bahamas, and excursions through the Mediterranean, stopping off at cities including Naples and Barcelona.

Alternatively you may want to select MSC Cruises’ Fantasia ship, which embarks on cruises to the Mediterranean all year round.

Shops, a 4D cinema and hydro-massage pools are just some of the facilities at your disposal while you sail, although for a really luxurious cruise you may want to become a member of the MSC Yacht Club. Doing so will you give exclusive use of an a la carte French restaurant and the services of a concierge.

And as it is the first cruise ship in the world to have a floor made from Swarovski crystals, you can be sure of being able to enjoy a truly top-class holiday while onboard.

There are many wonderful destinations for cruises, but there are three that should be high on everyone’s list:

1. Bermuda is a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean, due east of North Carolina. The scenery is incredible, people are friendly and there is a lot to do and see. A Bermuda cruise is unique as cruise ships go there and dock. Passengers then have three or four days to do whatever they desire. The best transportation deal in Bermuda is to purchase a two or three day bus pass. It entitles you to ride buses and ferries anywhere and as often as you wish, all for one low cost. The Dockyards, Horseshoe Beach, capital city of Hamilton, Tobacco Bay and the World Heritage town of St. George are among the many things to enjoy.

2. The Pacific Northwest cruise, out of San Francisco, is also a great destination. The ports visited in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia are all a lot of fun, and each is unique. Victoria, on Vancouver Island, is especially beautiful and enjoyable to visit. The Butchart Gardens, a harbor tour, the Royal British Columbia Museum and other attractions make it a wonderful place to visit. The other stops in Astoria, Seattle, Nanaimo and Vancouver are all outstanding. Not a lot of people have taken this cruise, but it is delightful.

3. A third “should not be missed” cruise is from Florida to California (or vice versa) through the Panama Canal. This is a longer cruise with more days at sea, more ports and more countries. There are many highlights to a canal cruise, but the greatest attraction is a daylight passage through the Panama Canal. There is always a naturalist/historian on board who, over the loud speaker system, explains what you are seeing and the history behind it. A word of caution: be careful not to get sunburned on that day. Other highlights of a canal cruise include stops in Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and possibly other countries. There are many excursions available, or you can shop for souvenirs and sightsee on your own in the ports.

All of the major cruise lines provide beautiful ships with comfortable cabins, an abundance of good food and lots of things to do on the days you are at sea. Going on a cruise is an opportunity that should not be missed. Get the latest information and reviews from a cruise forum such as cruiselinefans.com.