Three nights on this supremely chic boat are included in a 10-night package offered by Colours of India (020-8343 3466; www.colours-of-india.co.uk). Four-night cruises cost from £475.You need not sail the high seas to enjoy a cruise in India. An inland trip along the backwaters of the southern state of Kerala is one of the most appealing and relaxing experiences this vast country offers. As you drift through a wonderful maze of rivers, canals and lakes, you are presented with ever-changing views of bright green paddy fields, farms, villages and markets.The most popular routes run from the port town of Alleppey, where the Alleppey Tourism Development Co-operative (00 91 477 224 3462; www.atdcalleppey ), on Komala Road, offers a variety of backwaters packages, including a three-day tour with an overnight stay on a traditional-style rice barge from Rs9,599 (£122) for two. Places on cruises for 2006 have largely sold out, but for 2007 you can sail from Brisbane to Southampton via Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and the US from £5,378 for a 55-night journey aboard the Aurora - less than £100 per day.
Despite an unfortunate start when the ship limped home shortly after it began its maiden voyage five years ago, this vessel is now running smoothly, complete with three swimming pools, three dance floors, 12 bars, cinema, casino and capacity for 1,950 passengers. You can also travel the same route on the slightly less glamorous Oriana from £5,251, or sail from Singapore to Southampton via India on P&O's Artemis from £4,250 for 42 nights.Other cruise ships plying the Orient include Seabourn Cruise Line (0845 070 0500; www.seabourn ); Silversea Cruises (0870 333 7030; www.silversea ); Radisson Seven Seas (001 877 505 5370; www.rssc ); Princess Cruises (0845 355 3100; www.princess ); and Holland America Line (020-7940 4477; www.hollandamerica ).HOW DO I SIGN UP?The pricing of cruise tickets and the options for buying them are bewilderingly many and varied. Which to pick depends on your preferences for route, entertainments, size, and amount of glitz. P&O (0845 355 5333; www.pocruises ), for example, has a number of oriental options. Yet for all the stateliness, the QE2 is the world's fastest large passenger ship, with a top speed of nearly 40mph.Round-the-world cruises start from Southampton and go west, proceeding via the US, Mexico and New Zealand to Australia. After docking at Sydney, the QE2 passes through the Orient, stopping at Kyoto, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Colombo, Cochin, Mumbai and Dubai.
Fares for the 47-night Sydney to Dubai leg, taking place next year from 17 February to 2 April, start at £7,433 per person, including all on-board meals (but not drinks) and entertainment.WHAT ABOUT A LITTLE LESS FORMALITY?Plenty of cruise ships pass through the East on world tours without so many posh touches (posh is said to be an acronym for "port out, starboard home", alluding to first-class ship passages between Britain and India in the 19th century). The Queen Elizabeth 2 (0845 071 0300; www.cunard.co.uk), Cunard's grande dame, retains the gracious air of old-time ocean travel and holds nearly 1,800 passengers. The Queens Room, a magnificent ballroom and social venue, is lined with rich fabrics. Chandeliers and mahogany panelling abound in other public spaces. To entertain you, there are pre-lunch jazz concerts and matinee movie shows; bridge instructors are on hand to help you sharpen your card skills; and there is even a "gentleman host programme" which provides dancing partners for single women.Unless you opt to eat at the Lido buffet restaurant, dressing for dinner is de rigueur.