• Many travelers dream of circling the globe.globe image by Sergey Drozdov from Fotolia.com
  
  Circumnavigating the globe is a traveler's dream. True circumnavigation, defined as passing through two diametrically opposite points, was first achieved by Magellan's ship Victoria in 1522. Cruises advertised as circumnavigation or "around the world" may not meet the scientific requirement, but they still offer extended travel, usually over 100 days, to many exotic destinations.
  
  

Holland America

• Holland America offers its 110-day "Grand World Voyage" aboard the ms Amsterdam. The cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and visits ports of call in Central America, South America, Asia, Africa and Europe, as well as numerous island ports. Prices start at $17,000, as of 2010.
  
  The ms Amterdam features a three-story atrium that houses a giant astrolabe. It also offers onboard "Digital Workhops" in which passengers can learn the latest in digital photography and videography directly from Microsoft techs.
  
  Holland America
  
  3006 Judson St.
  
  Gig Harbor, WA 98335
  
  253-851-7773
  
  hollandamerica.com
  
  

Princess Cruise Lines

• Princess Cruise Lines offers 104- and 107-day World Cruise options departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Sydney, Australia on board the Dawn Princess and Pacific Princess. Ports include Easter Island, Mumbai, Cape Town, the Caribbean, Malaysia, the Arabian Peninsula, and more. Prices start at $18,529, as of 2010.
  
  The Pacific Princess is a small but amenity-rich vessel, described by Carnival Cruise Director John Heald as "a day aboard a 5-star inn." Dawn Princess offers a wrap-around promenade deck, giant poolside movie screen, and two nightclubs.
  
  Princess Cruise Lines
  
  800 5th Ave., Suite 2600
  
  Seattle, WA 98104-3176
  
  800-774-6237
  
  princess.com
  
  

Cunard

• The Queen Mary II is one of Cunard's World Cruise choices.Queen Mary 2 image by P-FJessulat from Fotolia.com
  
  Cunard has offered World Voyages since 1922. Current options aboard the Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mary II include trips ranging from 83 to 103 days departing from New York, Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco. Itineraries include Hiroshima, Japan; Darwin, Australia; and Swakopmund (Walvis Bay), Namibia, among many more. Prices start at $20,944.75, as of 2010.
  
  Aboard the Queen Mary II, "every detail harkens to the Golden Age of Ocean." Among many luxurious amenities, there is a planetarium on board. Queen Elizabeth is Cunard's newest ship,and features dramatic curved staircases and a two-tiered library with leaded-glass ceiling.
  
  Cunard Cruise Line
  
  6100 Blue Lagoon Dr.
  
  Miami, FL 33126
  
  305-463-3000
  
  cunard.com
  
  

Crystal Cruises

• Crystal Cruises offers a 94-day round trip aboard the Crystal Serenity that begins and ends in Los Angeles. It circumnavigates the Pacific with stops in Sydney, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Hong Kong and Yokohama, to name only a few. As of September 2010, prices were not yet announced. Crystal Serenity features two large pools, a Dolby-equipped theater, and a European cafe among its many amenities.
  
  Crystal Cruises
  
  2049 Century Park East
  
  Suite 1400
  
  Los Angeles, CA 90067
  
  310-785-9300
  
  crystalcruises.com