THE FRENCH have a wonderful expression for the high seas: ‘le grand large’. Everything about it expresses that stunningly vast expanse of ocean, the horizon ever distant, as you head off on a seabound adventure.

It’s a concept that is hard to grasp for those who’ve never travelled by sea, but that incredible feeling of ‘scale’ – of being so small, setting out on an ocean so large – can be enormously addictive. Particularly when you feel the power of a supership eating up the kilometres beneath you.

It’s little wonder, then, that there are lots of dyed-in-thewool cruise-goers whose journeys stretch longer and longer each year, some over 100 days and more. In August, the purported longest-ever continuous world cruise set sail on a 245-day circumnavigation of the world. Viking’s Ultimate World Cruise is taking in six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, including 22 in-port overnights (to prevent cabin fever, we’re thinking) aboard the 465-stateroom Viking Sun.

With super-long itineraries and expedition cruising both clearly a ‘thing’, Silversea made some quite serious waves of its own this year as it announced a ‘world-first’ Expedition World Cruise in 2021.

While longer cruises are seeing a surge in popularity, some cruise lines are best suited, by their very nature, to a less lengthy epic journey. The boutique nature of Star Clippers’ tall ships, for example, means its version of an epic voyage is one of its 15-to-16-night ocean crossings.

IN THE PAST, exploring the world by cruise ship usually meant compromising on some degree of comfort, with cruise accommodations and amenities considered something to endure rather than enjoy. Not so in 2019 and beyond, as nowadays the luxury cruise tier offers surroundings to rival even the world's best hotels.

The world of luxury cruising is now one in which high standards of personalised service and gorgeous suites are the norm. Sure, the raw pricetag may be higher - but when factoring in most luxury cruises also include high-end dining, upmarket shore excursions, technology packages and more, it's often a matter of added value rather than unnecessary cost.

On board, the array (and quality) of entertainment options scales as well. Butler service is not uncommon, and you'll typically have fewer people to share all this luxury with than standard cruise itineraries; luxury cruise ships are usually smaller and less crowded as a result.

Add in the ability to visit some of the world's more unique and exotic ports - ones which can't cater for the largest classes of cruise ships - and it all combines to make that extra dollar invested pay for itself in terms of quality of cruise memories you'll end up with.

START THE DAY in the Pilates studio and return in time for your butler to lay out breakfast. An iceberg reshapes the horizon as you try out Nordic bathing, slipping in and out of temperature-controlled plunge pools on deck, then steam away in the indoor thermal lounge.

It’s time to spot polar bears from one of your yacht’s two helicopters, or dive below the pristine Arctic waters in a customised submarine before discussing your findings with an international marine expert over canapés and bubbles.

This is the new expedition cruising. And it’s very big news right now, with a gloriously extravagant levelpegging competition going on between some of the world’s top cruise lines, this year and well beyond.

With typically smaller ships designed to reach more remote corners of the globe, it’s a more intimate experience and itineraries are usually specialised to particular interests, often with expert speakers and guides (marine biologists, naturalists, anthropologists, nature photographers and the like) who also conduct immersive classes and workshops on board.

However wild and remote you decide to place yourself on the globe, adventurous, expedition cruising does not have to mean roughing it. It has come a long way, with a growing number of ultra-luxe ships now venturing to both polar caps, offering plush staterooms with premium amenities and fine dining.

THE MEGA WATERPARKS and glitz of the ocean liner set couldn’t feel further away when you are gliding smoothly down a lazy river, venturing to the more seldom-visited areas of Europe, Asia, India, or a surprisingly wide range of destinations.

Everyday life goes on around you, framed by your stateroom window, where you have a front row seat to the world’s waterways.

Smoother sailing, more intimate vessels and the advantage of docking often right at the door of your destination, all make a great case for river cruising. It’s the slow food movement in the smorgasbord cruising scene, still benefitting from the ‘unpack once but see it all’ part of a water-bound holiday, but with a quieter, simpler lilt.

The entertainment on a river cruiser will generally be of the conversational kind rather than the dinner-and-a-show variety, but with a trend toward wellness facilities on a lot of newer vessels, a massage and a jacuzzi while Europe floats by seems to be a rather satisfactory way to pass the time, too.