Did you think cruises were overkill? You haven’t seen anything yet.

These themed trips will open your eyes to a whole new level of extravagance.

There’s a cruise for cat lovers, a nude cruise where guests are encouraged to strip naked and a trip for those with a deep love of disco.

Or how about a clothes-less cruise for couples or an extraordinary Star Trek cruise?

Scroll down to see which floats your boat…

Meow Meow Cruise – a trip for cat lovers

The Meow Meow Cruise is the purring journey for cat lovers.

Cats are not allowed on board, but cat fanatics can meet like-minded people through meet and greets, group dinners, group trivia and more.

This year’s trip – a four-night Caribbean cruise from Miami aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady – has already departed. For those who missed it, there is a cat cruise to Alaska in 2025 with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Prices start at $1,550 (£1,221). To make a reservation you can register via meowmeowcruise.com.

The nude cruise

Most guests on this cruise package are light – very light.

It’s run by Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, which encourages guests to strip off but provides a few guidelines.

One rule is that “lingerie, fetish wear and excessive genital jewelry” are prohibited, as is nudity when the ship is docked and during meals in the dining rooms.

Guests must also ensure that when sitting on a towel or piece of clothing ‘bare buttocks or in a thong or G-string’.

The Bare Necessities Tour & Travel website adds that this rule applies “everywhere… your stateroom, on the pool deck, in the buffet area, in all locations on board and even during excursions.”

And it emphasizes: ‘Social nudity is not a sexual activity, and we aim to dispel the misconception that it is anything but natural and beautiful.’

The next nude cruise – billed as The Big Nude Boat – will depart from Miami to Mexico in February 2025 aboard Norwegian Pearl. Tickets start at $2,000 (£1,578). For more information visit cruisebare.com/cruises.

The ultimate disco cruise

How deep is your love for disco? Very deep? Then the Ultimate Disco Cruise might be something for you.

The next sailing will be a round-trip from Miami to Mexico, departing in February 2025, with the ship – Norwegian Pearl – being converted into a ‘floating dance club’.

Ultimate Disco Cruise promises ‘themed parties, more than 40 live performances, interaction with the stars’ – and Kool & the Gang will be the main act.

Make sure to pack your pants and platform boots because there’s a costume contest coming up.

Prices range from $1,799 to $8,099 (£1,419 to £6,391). To book, go to ultimatediscocruise.com.

Desire Cruises – a ‘sensual’ way of cruising

Couples only and clothing optional, Desire Cruises offers a ‘sensual way of sailing’.

As a guest, ‘you will embark on an unforgettable adventure, immersing yourself in the perfect blend of relaxation and fantasy as you sail the high seas’.

Features include ‘provocative theme nights in an enticing nightclub, private games rooms, gourmet dining and an inclusive drinks package’.

The next voyage is in May 2024, with the Desire French Riviera sailing from Barcelona to Rome. The eight-day, seven-night journey promises guests will fulfill their “wildest dreams as they bask in the magnetic energy of the sea.”

Prices are available on request. To see Desire-cruises.com.

Star Trek cruise

For a trip that’s out of this world, Star Trek fans can book a berth aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and “embark on an interstellar journey like never before.”

This Star Trek-themed journey – ‘the ultimate immersive Star Trek experience’ – departs in 2025 for a seven-day journey around the Caribbean, featuring shows, parties, activities and appearances by actors from the franchise, including Jonathan, with Star Trek -theme. Frakes and Kate Mulgrew.

Prices range from $2,100 to $10,200 (£1,657 to £8,051). For more information visit starttrekthecruise.com/pricing.

High Seas Rally – a cruise built for motorcyclists

Described as the ‘ultimate motorcycle holiday’, High Seas Rally brings members of the motorcycle community ‘killer concerts and live music, top sellers, demos from industry insiders and bucket list ports of call.” And a “belly flop” contest.

The flight will depart from Tampa, Florida on October 26, 2024 and stop at several ports in the Bahamas.

Prices start at $1,440 (£1,136). For more information visit highseasrally.com.

Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea by Chris Jericho

The Chris Jericho Cruise – Full Title Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea: Six on the Beach! – organized by the wrestling champion himself, will depart from Miami in January 2025, with Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic as its final port of call.

The ship will be Norway’s gem, with onboard amenities including a number of ‘table-slapping fan favourites’ – from an onboard wrestling ring to ‘lively performances from musicians and comedians we love’, and from podcast recordings to ‘the chance to s*** with wrestling legends’.

A price list can be found at www.chrisjerichocruise.com.

Travel writer Jo Kessel filmed her seven-day Greece cruise on the very first Emerald Cruises ‘superyacht’ from the Australian Emerald Cruises, the Emerald Azzurra with room for 100 passengers.

The footage shows the bijou ship’s swish facilities, from the infinity pool to the infrared sauna and water sports platform, and Jo toots the ship’s horn and makes her own ‘fabulous’ cocktail.

Australian Emerald Cruises is best known for its luxury river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia. But a year ago, Emerald launched its first-ever seafaring luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra.

And ever since, this glitzy, shiny ship has been turning heads and making vacationers on larger cruise ships a little jealous.

And that’s because, while larger ships tend to dock in commercial ports outside the city, Azzurra can be found parked in central marinas, next to superyachts of the rich and famous.

Indeed, that’s where I met the seven-deck Emerald Azzurra, moored in an enviable location right opposite the old town of Rhodes. When I stepped aboard my very first superyacht, there were so many questions. Would it be stuffy? Would I feel out of place? What would my fellow guests be like? I hoped not only to get answers, but also to capture the atmosphere on camera: the glitz, the glamour, the luxury.

In the film I first test one of Azzurra’s lounge cushions: extensive sunbathing areas with cushions, typical of mega yachts. This flanks the ship’s infinity pool, but there are many more one floor up on the top deck, next to the oversized hot tub.

For such a small ship, the seventh-deck Azzurra is a real winner, with a gym, infrared sauna and water sports platform at the back of deck two.

This turns into what’s called a ‘marina’: a giant water playground filled with toys ranging from a trampoline to paddle boards and floating mats. If I had been braver I would have tried the yacht’s ‘Sea Bob’ instead of a kayak. Watch another guy whiz past me as I paddle – it’s like a motorized float that you lie on your stomach on and steer as you go in a circle. Looks nice, but downright terrifying.

The shot glasses seen next in the movie should have been filled with something much stronger to get me on that Sea Bob! But instead, these shot glasses contain a daily “raw boost” that guests can enjoy with breakfast. The concoctions are not for the faint of heart. Ginger, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar in one; pineapple, cinnamon, berries and pepper in another. The one I try is grapefruit, pomegranate, berries and cinnamon. Nice? Not really! Good for you? Do the math.

Much tastier is the Bahama Mama, which bartender Colin taught us to mix during a cocktail-making demo. Pour large amounts of rum, liqueur and pineapple juice, followed by vigorous shaking. Tastes sensational – more please.

Emerald Azzurra exudes style without being stuffy and as the images move to the cabins (mine is a balcony suite with a high-tech blackout curtain) it shows how the décor is minimalist chic with pops of colour, from bold striped beach towels to designer cushions, both from the luxury brand Missoni Home. I later heard that these cushions cost a whopping £250 each!

My Greece itinerary prioritized exploring the port, either by exploring independently (the ship has free-to-use e-bikes) or by joining one of the included excursions. During my sailing, four free excursions were offered and I signed up to visit the archaeological site of Delphi. The images show the awe-inspiring ancient remains of Greek temples and statues, including a stadium dating back to 500 BC.

Emerald Azzurra perfectly illustrates the saying that ‘the best things come in small packages’. Due to its small size (only 110 meters long) it can go to places where larger ships cannot reach, such as the easternmost Cyclades island of Amorgos, which is only accessible by boat and has almost as many churches as inhabitants – 350 to be precise !

Another advantage of being small is that the captain is relaxed when guests visit the bridge to watch him steer.

He excitedly makes me honk as we leave the harbour.

And Azzurra’s dimensions also come in handy when dining. The restaurant seats the majority of guests on the outdoor rear terrace, where the food is always top class and wines included. Everything tastes better outside, illuminated by the setting sun.

And one evening we are treated to a supermoon so bright it casts a beam over the sea.

But perhaps the best thing about Azzurra’s size is that it is small enough to pass through Greece’s Corinth Canal.

It may not be as well known as its counterparts in Panama and Suez, but as one of the smallest canals in the world, designed as a shortcut to connect two bodies of water (the Ionian and the Aegean Seas), it is still a impressive feat of engineering.

It took 2,000 years for work to get underway (after several failed attempts) and it was finally completed in 1893.

The video shows how spectacular the Corinth Canal is to sail through, especially when it is illuminated at night.

Only ships narrower than 17.5 meters can fit between the steep limestone walls that enclose the narrow waterway.

Emerald Azzurra is 55 feet wide and as it navigates the four-mile length of the canal, it is the hairiest and tightest spot.

One of the most memorable cruise experiences ever.

The finale of the video shows that this is a ship that likes to party… in a stylish way.

The atmosphere is relaxed, fun and informal with a touch of exclusivity.

Other guests come from Australia, America, Canada and Britain – they all love to let their hair down, socialize and hit the dance floor.

Do I feel out of place? Absolutely not! It’s amazing from start to finish with the ship’s luxurious design and personalized service making me feel like I’ve chartered my own private yacht. The problem is, this is definitely a lifestyle I could get used to. Same time next year, anyone?

For more videos from Jo, visit her YouTube channel Go with Jo.

By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter

Updated: 02:33 EST, December 22, 2023

Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on it, we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow a commercial relationship to compromise our editorial independence.

Speculation surrounding Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise’s love life has been stoked after he was spotted with Russian socialite Elsina Khayrova.

The Mission: Impossible star, 61, was seen last Saturday canoodling at a party in London’s Mayfair with the 36-year-old – the daughter of a prominent Russian MP and ex-wife of a diamond-trading oligarch.

A source told the Daily Mail Cruise and Khayrova were ‘inseparable, clearly a couple. He seemed to be besotted with her.’ But who is this new love interest?

On her Instagram – which she turned private this morning – the glamorous mother of two posts pictures of herself posing in all the places one might expect a Russian socialite to frequent: Paris, Venice, San Tropez, Monte Carlo, Qatar and California.

But being a British citizen, London appears to be her main stomping ground, with the former model regularly sharing snaps of herself in the capital’s Mayfair district, wearing a variety of elegant evening dresses standing next to expensive cars.

It was in Mayfair that she was spotted with Cruise, one of Hollywood’s biggest names. The pair arrived at a party in Grosvenor Square together, it was said.

She was clad in a strapless black dress with a diamanté bow, and posed for pictures with Avramenko Aliena, a former Miss Europe contestant.

She then hit the dance floor with her acting royalty plus-one. Cruise and Miss Khayrova reportedly left the event together in the early hours.

While she may not be as accustomed to the limelight as Cruise’s past romantic partners – including ex-wives Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes – this is not the first time the Russian beauty has made headlines.

And behind the scenes, she has been having a turbulent time of late.

Khayrova was, until recently, married to Russian tycoon Dmitry Tsvetkov, an international deal mediator and diamond trader.

The pair split last year after more than a decade of marriage when Khayrova asked her husband for a divorce, sparking a bitter process that reached the High Court.

Together, they shared a plethora of properties, including a £22million mansion on Surrey’s Wentworth estate as well as five flats in London worth a total of £18million.

They also held properties in both Dubai and Cyprus worth £2million alongside their extensive luxury car, jewellery and art collections worth millions of pounds.

The High Court heard last year that their collection included Ferrari and Bentley ‘supercars’, ‘expensive Cartier jewellery’ and works by artists Renoir and Marc Chagall, according to The Times.

It is not clear where Khayrova lives now, but it is thought to be in London. Based on an interview given by Tsvetkov to the Daily Telegraph in January, it is thought that he lives in the Surrey mansion, suggesting he kept the house in the split.

Their acrimonious divorce hit the headlines in the summer after Khayrova was accused of hiding substantial assets from her ex-husband.

As part of their assets, Khayrova was accused of failing to include her large handbag collection of more than 150 bags worth nearly £1 million. 

During a hearing in February this year, she was accused of lying, saying she only owned about 20 handbags and reiterated that claim to the court in May 2023. 

According to the judge, she ‘downplayed the bags’, saying it would be disproportionate to even have them valued.

Mr Justice Peel said in his judgement handed down at the High Court that the case had been ‘infected by [Khayrova’s] dishonesty from start to finish’. He added that she ‘led the court on a merry dance about handbags’ by lying about the assets.

Another dispute stemmed from the couple’s valuable jewellery collection.

The pair owned investment grade diamonds and a Patek Philippe watch, which were kept in a safe deposit box at Harrods.

The key to the box was held by Tsvetkov, but the high court heard how Khayrova convinced staff at the store that the keys were lost and got a set for herself without telling her husband and later omitted the items from evidence.

The court was also told how Tsvetkov, an entrepreneur who first came to the UK in 2004 and was granted a British passport and indefinite leave to remain five years later, hasn’t been able to make ‘meaningful sums of money’ since June 2022.

This was due to Khayrova blocking his access to the family bank accounts, the court heard. But Mr Justice Peel said he was optimistic that ‘clever, resourceful and well-connected’ Tsvetkov would soon be able to start trading again.

Khayrova, on the other hand, did not work during the marriage and tried setting up a coffee business during the divorce proceedings which failed.

‘There is no real indication that her next business proposition, a private members’ beauty club, is likely to be financially fruitful,’ the judge said.

Mr Justice Peel ruled that the ‘greater responsibility for this expensive litigation’ fell to Khayrova, who was ordered to pay half of her husband’s £1,761,488 legal bill.

She was also seen in court in 2022 when she was ordered to pay £117,000 that she owed to the company who installed fountains in her Surrey home. 

This dispute over the fountains offered more insight into the life she shared with her former husband Tsvetkov.

GSL Installations Ltd said Khayrova owed them nearly £250,000 for the garden installations at the couple’s 26,000sq ft, 10-bed Surrey mansion.

GSL, based in Mayfair, said the invoice for the fountains had been approved by Tsvetkov and confirmed by Khayrova’s property manager.

Khayrova paid two invoices totalling more than £39,000, but the installation company said in court that the couple still owed over £240,000.

In court, the lawyer representing the company said: ‘The real dispute seems to be between the defendant and her husband. They are in the process of getting divorced’ and that the former model had said her husband was not paying the bills.

Barrister Alastair Panton argued that Khayrova had access to the couple’s bank accounts and had £25million in property registered in her sole name.

The socialite’s defence was that her estranged husband – believed to be worth £200million – was responsible for payments and on the ‘Kremlin’s most-wanted list’. 

Khayrova’s lawyer Montclare Campbell requested the case brought by GSL be halted to give her ‘breathing space’, and said she was suffering mental health issues.

This was rejected by the judge, and ultimately she was ordered to pay £117,000.

As for her ex-husband, in an interview with The Telegraph in January, Tsvetkov insisted he should not be counted among the Russian ‘Oligarch’ class.

Instead, he said, he is more of a ‘Tycoon’.

He arrived in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme in November 2004, and in 2009 was given indefinite leave to remain, and in 2010 a British passport.

While he started off as a diamond seller, he told the British newspaper that he is now more an intermediary in business dealings across the world.

And while many wealthy Russians were sanctioned in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he was not on the list. He said that he had not been to Russia since 2017 and there would be no reason to sanction him.

While any sanctions would be ‘unpleasant,’ he told the publication, the divorce he was undergoing at the time from Khayrova was ‘worse than any sanctions possible’.

The Telegraph reported Tsvetkov as having heightened security at his Surrey mansion. He said he survived three Mafia assassination attempts in Russia that were ‘only business’, and that he was still a target in the UK.

As for her family, Khayrova is the daughter of Russian politician Rinat Khayrov. 

He worked in the country’s ministry of defence before being elected to parliament in 2011, where he served until 2021, and he is thought to earn £105,000-a-year as a member of president Putin’s United Russia party.

While seen very much as a Putin ally, he is not thought to be in the Russian president’s inner circle. 

Tom Cruise, meanwhile, has not been publicly linked to anyone since his divorce from his third wife, Katie Holmes, 15 years ago.

Though tight-lipped about his love-life, the American scientologist is always keen to discuss his fondness for Britain – where, he believes, ‘everyone is so pleasant’.

Sailings from $669 per person.

Hawaii

While most cruise itineraries to Hawaii last a minimum of 14 days, the Norwegian Hawaii Island tour visits the four main islands in just seven days. There are no days at sea, giving guests more time to explore Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai with excursions such as lava field tours and zip-lining through tropical rainforests. The 2,186-passenger Pride of America underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2016. All rooms have been renovated, the decks and entertainment areas have been renovated and all major amenities including the spa and lounge areas have been upgraded. . The ship has an array of specialty restaurants and a center dedicated to Hawaiian culture.

Sailings from $1,250 per person.

Chilean fjords

Azamara is a small ship cruise line that focuses on longer port stops, overnight stays and unique shore excursions. Starting in January, the Quest, an intimate and stylish mid-size ship with a capacity of 700 passengers, will depart from Buenos Aires and make stops in Montevideo, Uruguay, and the resort town of Punta del Este, Uruguay, famous for its beaches, luxury restaurants and nightlife. Before sailing down the Beagle Channel, which is teeming with marine life including sea lions and penguins, the ship will make a stop at the Falkland Islands, where guests will meet some of the 3,000 residents. Next, en route to the Chilean fjords, the Quest stops at Puerto Chacabuco, southern Chile, where hiking and horseback tours through forests, rivers, waterfalls and forested mountains are offered. There are also opportunities to explore the snow-capped volcanoes of Puerto Montt, the capital of the Chilean Lake District, before disembarking in San Antonio, Chile on day 16.

Sailings from $2,812 per person.

Vietnam and Thailand

While Celebrity just launched its newest ship, the ascent, With itineraries in the Caribbean, the line’s Asia cruises remain among the most popular winter vacations for those willing to travel further afield. The Celebrity Solstice 12-day cruise departs from Hong Kong and sails to Hanoi, Vietnam, with an overnight stay at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, giving you time to trek through the mountains of Sapa before experiencing the rich culture of the capital of the country. The next stop is Hue and Da Nang, filled with temples, pagodas, palaces and tombs. During the second half of the voyage, the ship makes an overnight stay in Bangkok, followed by a visit to the tropical island of Koh Samui. The cruise ends in Singapore, which in addition to its skyscrapers and megamalls has a rich cultural heritage and one of the best airports in the world to fly home.

Sailings from $694 per person.

Auckland, New Zealand, to Papeete, Tahiti

With so much to explore in the Pacific Ocean, it may be worth taking a longer cruise to cover more ground. The 36-day Oceania Regatta voyage offers just that, departing from Auckland with multiple stops in the country’s North and South Islands, to the east coast of Australia and ending in the sparkling waters of French Polynesia. The Regatta is a small luxury ship with room for 684 passengers and has a swimming pool, casino and spa. It has a gourmet culinary program and aims to provide a refined cruise experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Sailings from $12,295 per person.

The Emirates

Although several cruise lines have canceled or changed their Middle East itineraries due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, cruises to the Emirates, which are relatively far from the conflict, have not been affected. MSC offers a range of itineraries and a selection of three, five or seven night sailings on its Opera and Virtuosa ships. From skyscrapers, luxury shopping and vibrant nightlife to turquoise waters and warm sandy deserts, there’s plenty on offer for young cruisers, families and couples. During the seven-day cruise to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, the ships stop at Sir Bani Yas Island, known for its nature reserve, bird sanctuary and crystal clear waters. The island offers a range of activities including safaris, snorkeling, kayaking and mountain biking. There is also a water park for children and a playground. The MSC Opera is a mid-sized ship with a capacity of 2,150 passengers and underwent a two-year renovation program in 2014, adding more than 90 rooms with balconies, a new spa and a water spray park. The Virtuosa is one of MSC’s newest and largest ships, complete with a “Himalayan Bridge” that spans more than 80 meters, a water park and a Formula 1 simulator.

Ask any Norwegian what the most beautiful coastline in the world is and chances are you will get the same answer.

“It’s the stretch that runs north of Bergen all the way to the Russian border,” they’ll tell you with a proprietary gleam in their eyes.

Few who have been there would disagree. It’s not just the fjords with their almost sheer cliffs that plunge into the inky waters below.

There is something else that is just as attractive. As you head towards the Arctic Circle, as the trees and houses thin out and you enter the land of the midnight sun, you have an inescapable feeling of leaving the mess and chaos of everyday life behind. To go to the edge of things.

The problem in the past was that anyone who wanted to venture to the edge of the world had to do so aboard a gigantic cruise ship, or on a rugged, practical ship that offered good views but little comfort. to go with them. Until now, that is.

For the past 18 months, Havila has been sailing this route in hybrid boats that run on a mixture of liquefied natural gas and electricity. The battery packs are the largest ever installed on a passenger ship. As a result, they have no emissions. In addition, all their waste is recycled on board.

Not only are the boats extremely comfortable, with large windows taking in the views, a walkway that runs around the entire perimeter of the ship, two gymnasiums and two plunge pools, but they also have great food that changes regularly to reflect the ship’s specialties to reflect. regions you pass through.

One day there might be reindeer on the menu – the taste is somewhere between beef and venison – the next day it’s king crab.

And for those whose appetite has been sharpened by the sea air, there is a special gourmet restaurant with a five-course evening outing.

Four of us – me, my wife and our two very worried teenage children – join 400 other passengers in Bergen for a six-night cruise to Kirkenes.

“They’re really into gray here, aren’t they?” says my fifteen-year-old daughter, sobbing, as she stares at the upholstery.

It is true that there is a certain monochrome madness throughout the ship. But their fears soon disappear when they see their cabin: a junior suite with double bed, sofa bed, flat-screen TV, balcony and – perhaps best of all – a shower that actually works.

Our fellow travelers are a predictably mixed bunch. Mostly Scandinavian, a few Brits – but certainly not oldies – and several outliers: both a Lutheran minister and a man with the shortest shorts – and most buttoned-up legs – I have ever seen.

The one thing we all have in common is that none of us expect nightly entertainment: and that’s a good thing, because there isn’t any. And so, with a discreet parp on the horn, we left.

The Havila boats function both as cruise ships and as passenger ferries: in six days they make 34 stops. Not that you would be aware of it; Thanks to hybrid engines, you glide almost silently from port to port.

This not only gives you the chance to meet the locals who use it as much as train commuters, but also gives you the feeling of being part of what’s happening on shore, rather than just watching it. to survey from a distance.

There are excursions at every stop of any significant length. In Trondheim we go e-biking and cycle through the old city with its river lined with red wooden warehouses. Then it’s back on board to sail into the Geiranger Fjord.

About 18 years ago, Geiranger was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, putting an end to crazy plans to run power lines from one side to the other.

As we enter the fjord, the captain turns off everything except the electric motor, so that the boat is now completely silent. “It’s a bit mystical today,” says an announcement over the ship’s PA. It certainly is. Abandoned farms lie along the mist-shrouded coast – the farmers eventually gave it all up and sought a less harsh life in the city – while huge streams of water flow down the cliffs into the sea.

Not surprisingly, the further north you go, the more the temperature drops. Slowly at first, and then with a sharp bump once you cross the Arctic Circle.

We pass a lighthouse that until 20 years ago was occupied by the keeper, his wife and their three young children. The children were only allowed out at low tide and then had to be tied to a rope at the lighthouse to ensure they were not swept away.

Perhaps the most unexpected pleasure of traveling through a landscape where the sun never really sets, but remains on the horizon for most of the night, is what film cameramen call “the golden hour” – the time around sunset when everything seems to change. radiates a golden glow – lasting all evening and into the wee hours of the morning.

And it’s not just the light that’s different. One of the strange things about Norway is that the Gulf Stream actually works.

For anyone who grew up constantly being told at school that the Gulf Stream is the reason Britain enjoys such a wonderfully temperate climate, while simultaneously staring glumly out of rain-swept windows, this will come as quite a surprise. But even though there are only occasional white patches along the coastline, the mountains beyond are covered in thick snow – even in what passes for high summer in Norway.

At Bodo we disembark, don flotation suits and climb aboard a fleet of motorboats that bounce us across the water to Saltstraumen, where the world’s strongest tidal current forms great foaming eddies that are believed to have sucked down entire whalers. their downfall. Five days after leaving Bergen we arrive at the Lofoten Islands, where moose roam the forests, the waters teem with sea otters and every year around June the Lofoten Insomnia cycling race is held for those who spend 24 hours on the 230 cycling want to cycle. km from one end of the island chain to the other.

Shrouded in a gray haze we finally arrive in Kirkenes, only 15 km from the Russian border. If you wish, you can stay on board and spend another six days on the way back to Bergen.

But for us it is the end of the journey. Or not completely.

We go to the famous Ice Hotel nearby to put on special harnesses and go for a walk with huskies. I spend all my time being dragged through thick birch forests by my tirelessly energetic husky. But am I complaining? Strangely enough, no.

Along with everything else about a week unlike any other, it was extraordinary and worth every moment.

• Cruise ship hit by gastro and Covid
• Up to 300 passengers may be affected
• READ MORE: New Covid wave

By David Southwell for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 04:03 EST, November 12, 2023 | Updated: 04:32 EST, November 12, 2023

If you’ve ever dreamed of a life on the high seas but aren’t keen on running a ship, there’s always the option of buying a luxury cabin or apartment on a cruise ship.

For example, Villa Vie Residences sells cabins on its territory world cruise ship, which will set sail for the first time in May 2024.

This decidedly luxurious floating residential estate will circumnavigate the world every three and a half years, visiting more than 420 ports in 147 countries on all seven continents.

Living cabins on the ship cost between $99,999 (£82,180) and $249,999 (£205,120), or passengers can segments of the world tour (from 35 to 120 days) for $89 (£73) per person, per day.

All passengers have access to the onboard restaurants, swimming pools, hot tubs, spa and fitness center, golf simulator, cooking classes in the dedicated culinary center, live entertainment and cutting-edge business center complete with private offices and a library.

The cabins, described by the company as ‘floating havens’, come in three types and all feature a queen-size bed and en suite bathroom. What sets them apart is their size, as well as the balcony and window arrangement.

Permanent passengers can choose between the Inside Villa with a virtual window and up to 180 sq m of living space, priced from $99,999 (£82,180); the Oceanview Villa with multiple windows and up to 180 sqm of living space, from $149,999 (£123,090); and the Balcony Villa, with a 600 sq ft balcony and 200 sq ft of interior space, which costs from $249,999 (£205,120).

Additional monthly costs start at $1,749 (£1,441) per person for food, drinks and onboard services such as 24/7 medical support, cleaning and a fortnightly laundry service.

Just like owning a house, cabin owners can sell, rent out or live in their room and have friends and family on board for free – they just have to pay fees at the ports.

The same room options apply for the world cruise travel segments and prices vary depending on the room and number of nights.

Passengers with the pay-as-you-go option can combine up to 16 world cruise segments to create their own unique journey.

Examples include an 87-day cruise through Northern Europe with stops in 22 countries, a 47-day cruise to ‘Greenland and beyond’, with stops in Quebec, New York City and Miami, an 83-day cruise in the Caribbean area with stops in 23 countries, and a 127-day cruise in South America, with stops in 11 countries.

Other options include a 95-day tour of Japan and the Philippine Sea visiting eleven countries, a 69-day tour of Australia and Bali with stops in five countries, a 51-day cruise around India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and a 68-day tour through India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. cruise along the coast of Africa and visit 15 countries.

‘From the enchanting fjords of Northern Europe and the icy fjords of Greenland to the vibrant Caribbean, the soul of South America and the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, Villa Vie Homes promises a new chapter in the adventure of a lifetime,” the company said.

CEO Mikael Petterson said the company aims to “empower travelers to make the world their home,” adding: “Villa Vie Residences is not just a cruise, it is a lifestyle reinvented.”

Additional details about Villa Vie Residences’ 1,301-day world tour will be announced in the coming weeks.

Cruise ship cabins can also be purchased on Storylines’ luxury residential cruise ship, MV Narrative, and for the mega-rich there’s Somnio, which offers ultra-luxury apartments from 9.5 million euros (£8.1 million/$11.2 million) .