By Nikki Bayley
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to set sail on an ultra-luxe, money-no-object, exclusive cruise? To travel in the ultimate style, cosseted in ridiculous levels of luxury? We have - we've been dreaming of life on the ocean wave. Whether it's for an exceptionally special occasion, or perhaps you want to start saving now for the trip of a lifetime, get some inspiration from our bucket list. Warning: get ready to experience some serious envy.
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Cross the Atlantic with the QM2
There's no doubt that the golden age of travel can be beautifully recreated onboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2. The classic trip to take is, of course, the seven-night transatlantic crossing to New York. Sail in style in the Balmoral or Sandringham duplexes, the most lavish and luxurious suites afloat.
For £11,929 per person you can look forward to enjoying a massive private suite with a pair of decadent marble dressing rooms and Jacuzzi. Naturally, your every whim will be catered to by your butler, so relax and take in those sweeping balcony views across the stern.
While you're onboard enjoying that 3,150 nautical mile crossing, make the most of Cunard's famously diverse enrichment programmes; take part in astronomy classes and star-gaze on deck, watch RADA-performed dramatic classics or Julliard School jazz concerts. Find out more.
Go round the world with Silversea
Make 2013 an amazing year by setting sail on the 115-day Silversea World Cruise. You'll visit 28 countries and 52 ports along the way, circumnavigating the globe, stopping off in exotic places including the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and Africa.
Obviously, the Owner's Suite, with butler service, lashings of champagne, personalised stationery and (naturally) a place at the officer's table for dinner is the only place to be.
While you're drifting between dream destinations, curl up in the Panorama lounge and listen to the pianist play something romantic and slow, as you sip on a glass of chilled champagne and wonder what adventure tomorrow will bring.
Prices start from £98,678 per person, but that does, of course, including free round-trip business class air flights. Find out more.
Pacific Rim cruising with Crystal
Cruising doesn't come much more luxurious than the Crystal Symphony. We long for a break onboard - perhaps in the 982 sq ft Crystal Penthouse.
It has all those essentials that we crave, from a private work out room, library and butler’s pantry to a master bathroom with a full-sized Jacuzzi with ocean views. And 98 days exploring the Pacific Rim from Singapore and Shanghai to Brisbane and Bangkok sounds perfect.
Between ports, you can learn a new language or how to play the piano, relax in the Feng Shui-inspired spa and even get coached by PGA pros in a golf clinic. And the price? Just £140,522 per person all-inclusive. Find out more.
[Related feature: Things you wouldn't expect on a yacht]
Lounge in the Royal Loft with Royal Caribbean
Not able to take off for months? Try a nine-night package instead. Royal Caribbean International have a rather lovely-sounding Royal Loft suite that we'd like to make home for a week or so. This duplex luxury suite features indoor and outdoor dining rooms, a private bar, its own baby grand piano, a library and whopping 843 sq ft balcony with a Jacuzzi.
Float from Florida to Jamaica and Mexico on the Oasis of the Seas from £9,953 per person. While you're onboard, you can enjoy everything from a walk in the park (yup - there's one on deck) to ziplining, ice skating and mini-golf. Find out more.
Copyright Nikki Bayley
See the top of the world with Quark
One of the greatest luxuries is exclusivity, so obviously we want to hop on board the 50 Years of Victory, one of the world's most powerful icebreaker ships, to be one of only 100 people in 2013 to see the top of the world from a hot air balloon.
Leave from Helsinki and head to the North Pole, celebrate with (chilled) champagne when you reach 90 degrees north and rise above the top of the world in a 15-minute tethered hot air balloon flight.
The 50 Years of Victory boasts its own helicopter, perfect for aerial sightseeing. Warm up in the on-board sauna. All meals, drinks and daily zodiac landings are included for two weeks of frosty fabulousness from £14,190. Find out more.
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