What to see, and where to go ALASKA Alaska is the land where cruising comes into its own. On a ship, you can get right up close to the face of the glaciers - and you'll have environmental experts on hand to point out sights as you go along. The vast wilderness is a gigantic wonderland of forests, mist-shrouded mountains and crystal streams. You can 'ooh' and 'aah' as gigantic whales cavort on the surface of the ocean. Or watch seals slither and flip-flop their way across gleaming sea-washed rocks. Or you can wait in awed silence for the ominous roar of a glacier 'calving' - shedding huge chunks of ice into the foaming waters at its feet. Even if you're a sunworshipper, don't be put off for fear that Alaska will be too chilly for you. It can be rainy in parts (it's the same latitude as our Lake District!) but its summers, though brief, are warm - so the chances are you'll be out on deck in your shirt sleeves watching the ice floes float by.    CARIBBEAN But if your idea of the perfect holiday is wall-to-wall sunshine, star-studded balmy nights, waving palms and sugar-white beaches, the Caribbean is the place for you. This is the heartland of the world's cruise industry and the place where it showcases its newest and most wondrous ships - so you'll be spoilt for choice. You'll find sailing ships and small luxury vessels plying its waters, but the Caribbean is also the main home for the world's big ships. Wander along the sea front of the world's cruise capital, Miami, and you'll see a parade of skyscraper-high, glistening titans just shouting "come and party". And what a party you'll have: Calypso bands, open-air bars, swimming pool games, fashion parades, glitzy shows - all human life is here - and it's out to have fun. That said, these big ships also have their quiet nooks and crannies for those whose idea of bliss is to chill out with a good book. And the service is so friendly you'll feel like you're the only passenger on board. Then there are the islands themselves: bustling St Thomas is a must for shoppers; the Cayman Islands are famed for world class diving and snorkelling; while Grenada has one of the world's most picturesque harbours. But if you think the Caribbean is all about rum punch and sunshine, think again. The region's colonial history has left a fascinating legacy. In Aruba you'll see Dutch influence in its tall, pastel-tinted buildings; St Barthelemy is a sunny little piece of France, while Barbados' British heritage includes a sunnier version of Trafalgar Square. The Caribbean is varied enough to visit time after time; with Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean cruises on offer as well as Panama Canal sailings, you can go back time and again without seeing the same islands twice.   MEDITERRANEAN & BALTIC Closer to home, the Mediterranean and the Baltic offer even more variety. On a Med cruise, you can visit the great historic sites of Pompeii, Rome and Ephesus, or marvel at the remarkable art and architectural heritage of Florence and Pisa. Or visit Athens, the cradle of civilisation, as part of a cruise around the colourful Greek islands. Take a Baltic cruise and you can tour magnificent St Petersburg - home to one of the world's most comprehensive art collections - and take in the great Northern capitals of Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki. FAR EAST Cruise the Far East, on the other hand, and you'll find world class shopping, exquisite beaches, tranquil temples and an enthralling cultural heritage. Wherever you choose to go, the real delight of cruising is that you can experience a different country with its own language, customs and food every day of your trip. However much sightseeing you pack in, you can do it unfettered by luggage and secure in the knowledge that, at the end of a hot day ashore, your 'floating hotel' awaits you with air-conditioning, cool drinks and a seven-course dinner.   EXPLORING SHIPS And if you've a yen for real adventure, you'll find that cruise ships can also take you to the world's wilder shores. You can see King penguins, elephant seals, albatross and icebergs the size of cathedrals in the White Continent of Antarctica. Or visit the thousand islands of the mighty St Lawrence Seaway; tour the Great Lakes of North America; or explore the jungle rivers of South America - all from the deck of a cruise ship. If you want to go off exploring but just don't fancy a cruise ship environment, there's even an option for you.