Polar Express Kingdom of the Polar Bear is an eight-night cruise around Spitsbergen in the Arctic departing every Thursday from 7 June to 16 Aug 2007. Taking place during the northern summer months when the sun never sets, there's the opportunity to witness polar bears in their natural habitat. The cruise offers an on-board team of experts who host regular excursions and lectures. From 5,758 per person sharing, including flights from Dublin, transfers and full board voyage in an inside cabin.

www. project-travel. ie Telephone 01 2108391 African Queen Silversea's Red Sea Havens is a 15-day cruise starting in Egypt and finishing in Kenya.

Departing Port Said on 3 November. You'll travel through the Suez Canal calling at Sharm-El-Sheikh, Aqaba in Jordan, Safaga in Egypt and Djibouti before rounding The Horn of Africa to arrive in Mombasa on 18 November. Expect six-star luxury all the way on board the Silver Cloud, an elite, allsuite ship. All-inclusive fares from 4,677 per person sharing.

www. silversea. com Self sail Hire an Emerald Star cruiser and be your own captain. Start in Portumna, cruising north to Meelick, Banagher and Shannon Harbour (where the Grand Canal joins the Shannon), Shannonbridge, Clonmacnoise, Athlone, Lough Ree, Lanesborough, Tarmonbarry and finally Roosky. It's a 290km round trip but you can opt to simply sail one way. Choose from a variety of crafts . . . the two-cabin Caprice sleeps up to six, prices from 1,700 for 7 days. Depart any Irish base (Portumna, Carrick-on-Shannon or Belturbet) in May or June and receive a 10% discount on all Emerald Star cruises.