From floating villages in Cambodia and bubbling mud pools in Reykjavik, to diving in the tropical waters of Malaysia and marvelling at the dazzling sights of New York, more and more people are looking for incredible destinations to uncover on their next break. Would you believe one of the best ways to visit these magical places is on a cruise?

Cruising is not all about cocktails, learning to dance and topping up your tan on a sun-lounger round the pool, as lovely as that is of course. Instead there is a great emphasis on destination discovery, visiting parts of the world only accessible by ship, and expeditions to far-flung and fascinating lands. Cruising also means you have the privilege of seeing more than one main stop on your travels, opening up a vast array of places to enjoy, explore and experience.

The London CRUISE Show at Olympia on 20-21 February 2016 will be packed with information and inspiration allowing you to uncover a whole world afloat. To whet your appetite, we asked our exhibitors to come up with a selection of their NEW voyages for 2016 that will be available at the show and the amazing places they will take you:

Set sail for the Greek Islands
Spend 8 glorious days exploring islands in the Ionian Sea on Running on Waves - a traditional tall ship that offers the highest level of comfort. The magical journey commences from Lavrion and on through the impressive Corinth Canal calling at the small island of Itea. Located on the Gulf of Corinth and fringed with fabulous beaches it is a great starting point to visit the ancient ruins in Delphi. The cruise continues onto the pretty islands of Ithaki, Kefalonia, Lefkas, Antipaxi and Paxi each offering stunning beaches, small coves, attractive harbours, traditional Greek villages, vineyard clad hills and shimmering olive groves. This beautiful sailing ship can accommodate up to 42 passengers and there is also a fully equipped diving centre, kayaks, sea skis, windsurfing, wakeboards and an underwater towing vehicle at your disposal. You may also want to learn how to manage the sails, climb masts, orient yourself by the skies, make sea knots, and map out the ship's itinerary.
eWaterways: Corinth Canal Cruise, prices start from £1,279pp

Cruise Europe in an ultra-luxury record breaking river cruise vessel
Launching in July 2016 is the ultra-luxury Crystal Mozart which holds the record of being the largest river cruise vessel in Europe. Boarding in Vienna, you will cruise the Danube River from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary before returning to Vienna once more. A portion of the cruise is dedicated to sailing along some of the most picturesque rivers in central Europe during daytime hours, allowing travellers to relish the extraordinary scenery. This timing also affords guests the opportunity to enjoy the nightlife in select destinations with ports overnight, which will often present inclusive culinary experiences ashore at Michelin-starred restaurants and renowned local eateries, and exclusive evening events and cultural entertainment.
Crystal Cruises: Round-trip Vienna on Crystal Mozart, prices from £3,910pp

Indulge in a cocktail of America's vibrant capitals and lush Caribbean islands
Viking Ocean Cruises have announced a new line expanding their destination-focused cruising to North America and the Caribbean with five new itineraries launching in September 2016. Trace the Atlantic seaboard of the United States into the Caribbean, calling on an array of vibrant capitals and lush islands. An overnight in exhilarating New York City lets you take in its dazzling sights. Then explore Newport's grand mansions and Baltimore's historic riches. Immerse yourself in colonial Jamestown from their port in Norfolk, and enjoy an overnight stay amid the coastal beauty of Port Everglades. Your cruise will conclude with exploring the lush and lively Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos, Antigua and St. Thomas
Viking Ocean Cruises: Eastern Seaboard to the West Indies, prices from £4,839pp

Glow with the delights of the 'Land of Fire & Ice'
Amsterdam, Torshavn, Reykjavik and Kirkwell – this 11 night cruise will take you to the capitals of four interesting and diverse countries. Start by exploring Amsterdam which is considered one of Europe's major art capitals, and is home to a number of superb galleries and museums including the famous Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. Next is Tórshavn, one of the smallest and most pleasant capital cities in the world. The Faroe Islands have a wild and dramatic landscape, which is a magnificent backdrop to optional excursions showing how islanders live on this remote and unspoiled archipelago. When you reach Reykjavik visit the popular 'Golden Circle' featuring vast lava fields, bubbling mud pools, crashing waterfalls and spouting geysers. If atmospheric conditions are right this cruise is your chance to witness the incredible Northern Lights.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages: Iceland & the Northern Lights, prices from £869pp (includes 40% discount when booked at The CRUISE Show)

Float on a river of Cambodian & Vietnamese culture
Experience Cambodia and Vietnam from a truly different perspective – the waters of the mighty Mekong River. Sail for ten days aboard a classic riverboat from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Take local boats to Thoi Son Island to see a coconut product manufacturer, taste some local fruit and honey and meet traditional musicians. Continue on to Cai Be and enjoy a visit to the floating market. Sail on to Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap RIver. Learn more about the fish farming, pottery and sugar palm production in the area. Hop in a local boat to visit one of the largest floating villages on the river, Chnok Tru. G Adventures newly launched river cruise programmes target younger travellers and those with a younger mind-set, featuring active and cultural elements, and visits to support local communities.
G Adventures: Mekong River Cruise Adventure, prices from £1,299pp

Enjoy the world's most iconic ocean liner
Something else new to experience for 2016 is Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 after her major refurbishment in May 2016. This is the next chapter of innovation and investment for Cunard, introducing new designs and guest experiences to the world's most iconic ocean liner. Expect to find refined and refreshed guest interior spaces, additional Britannia Club Balcony Staterooms with access to flexible dining in an expanded Britannia Club restaurant, new Single Staterooms, and to meet the strong demand for pets on transatlantic crossings, more kennels for your four legged travellers.
Cunard: Sailings on the newly refurbished Queen Mary 2 start in late June 2016

6 country adventure of discovery and luxury on the Med
Beginning in Venice and ending in Barcelona, this six-country adventure to great cities and small villages offers rich experiences of local people, culture and cuisine all along the way. Discover Dubrovnik's marble streets and the beautiful Dalmatian Coast. Idle away a day on the sapphire inlets and beautiful beaches of Cephalonia. Soak up the panoramic views and savour some of Italy's freshest, finest cuisine on the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy a magical evening of dining and entertainment on the French Riviera. For an intimate local experience of bigger cities - Rome, Florence, and Barcelona - don't miss Azamara's small-group day and evening tours.
Azamara Club Cruises: Classic Mediterranean Voyage, prices from £2,379 pp

Whatever you definition of fun, there's something for everyone on the Meds traditional coasts
Carnival is back in Europe for 2016 with new ship Vista and has added Corfu as a new port of call to their already fun packed itinerary. Over 12 days visit the cultural coasts of Marseilles, Rome, Naples, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Sicily, and Sardinia. A Carnival Cruise is all about 'switching on the fun' and they even allow for 3 Fun Days at Sea to enjoy the ships many entertaining features such as the Havana Bar & Pool, SkyRide at SportSquare, and the first IMAX at sea. Optimise your fun by going ashore – why not take a 4x4 excursion through the narrow winding roads of Corfu, passing through Sokraki one of oldest villages on the island. Or discover the breath-taking Amalfi Coast and beautiful Capri Island where you can board a private motor launch for 1¼ hour cruise along the scenic Amalfi Coast. Cruising with kids? Don't miss the excursion to the largest waterpark in Greece – Aqualand (if you have not already exhausted yourself on the ships own Waterworks that is!)
Carnival Cruise Line: Europe Cruise, prices from £1,181 pp

Sail the Jurassic Coast to the Scottish Highlands
See the best of Britain and Ireland on Saga Sapphires unique 2016 Summer Sailing. The cruise will get off to a flying start with passengers assured of the best seats at sea to watch the Bournemouth Air Festival. Saga Sapphire will sail on to her first maiden port of call, Poole, a large natural harbour where guests will be able to stroll along the historic quay and perhaps stop for a drink in the old Customs House. Your voyage will take you to cream team in Guernsey at the National Trust Folk Museum and a sea safari RIB boat ride to picturesque Kinsale, passing the world's oldest yacht club, the Royal Cork Yacht Club. The second maiden port of call is Holy Loch where guests will be able to watch the Scottish Highland Games or simply enjoy being within a stone's throw of castles, mountains and charming villages. Your highland adventure will conclude with a search for the Loch Ness Monster in Invergordon!
Saga Cruises: Around Britain & Ireland Cruise, prices from £2,972pp

Discover history, wine and all things fine in Western Europe
Starting from Dover, your journey takes you across the Channel to the impressive sites of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, the unique fortified abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and the elegant chateaux of the Loire. There is also the opportunity to learn about the art of winemaking and taste some of the great vintages of Bordeaux. You will next visit the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela in the Spanish province of Galicia. In Oporto, visit Porto Cathedral or one of the nearby wine estates, while a two-night hotel stay in Lisbon will give you the opportunity to enjoy this captivating city and the idyllic scenery just outside it.
Voyages to Antiquity: The Best of France and Portugal, prices from £2,395pp

Take a dramatic dive into Asia's beauty
Star Clippers will be returning to Asia in December 2016 for the first time since 2010 with a host of new itineraries including an incredible Phuket – Phuket round trip. Phuket, Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea and is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations, with a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Phuket is a holiday paradise with the lively area of Patong providing the up-beat resort life with its many shops, restaurants and bars, leaving the rest of the island to show off her natural beauty and unspoiled culture. Visit Hin Daeng one of the most dramatic dive sites in Thailand. It consists of three small rocks visible at the surface, then plunging down to a depth of over 50 metres. The clear, tropical waters of Langkawi provide some of the most spectacular swimming and diving in the world, while scenes of paddy fields contoured into limestone hillsides, lush tropical forests and high tumbling waterfalls, will entrance nature lovers on land.
Star Clippers: Northern Asia, Phuket – Phuket, prices from £1,290pp

These are only a small sample of the amazing array of cruises that you can expect to find at The London CRUISE Show. In addition to uncovering these and many more exciting voyages, you can meet with the biggest collection or major cruise lines and specialist operators under one roof, enjoy talk theatres that will be packed with FREE informative talks, where you can ask those all important questions directly to the cruise lines, discover different ship styles and incredible destinations, and also find out what's new for 2016/2017! Exhibitors will also be offering wonderful competitions and you could save thousands of pounds with exclusive show-only offers and upgrades.

Don't forget The CRUISE Show is at London's Olympia on 20th & 21st February 2016.

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Editor's notes: We can arrange interviews with experts and exhibitors, special ticket discounts and competitions to win tickets. A selection of photographs and logos are available for press use.

For further information please contact Katie Burgess on 01795 844400 email: katie@escapeevents.co.uk. Please note, prices shown are subject to change.