58 Night World Cruise sector sailing from Auckland to Southampton aboard Saga Ruby.

Following her £17 million refit, Saga Ruby is already proving herself a success with the Saga passengers who have cruised aboard her. We believe this is because she shares many of her much-admired qualities with her sister ship, Saga Rose, and her wide-open decks and spacious interior complement the exceptional service, delicious cuisine and excellent facilities.

Saga Ruby's new World Cruise will concentrate on the diverse ports south of the equator. Contrast the natural splendour of New Zealand and Australia, and sail across the Great Australian Bight into the Indian Ocean and finally, along the western shores of Africa.

Highlights of this cruise sector:

Auckland
With its imposing volcanoes, beautiful glaciers, abundant vegetation and unique wildlife, New Zealand promises many unforgettable experiences. The mix of Maori and European cultures weave a rich heritage which plays an integral part in this multicultural society.

The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland is the economic centre of the country, full of life and culture. Maori people are believed to have first arrived in the area in the 14th century.

Attracted to its rich and fertile land, European settlers followed in the 19th century. In 1840, Captain William Hobson, the country's first governor, christened the city in honour of his patron and former commander, Lord Auckland.

Wellington
New Zealand's capital is located at the south of North Island and with its spectacular hilly location, fine harbour, brightly-painted wooden houses and shiny red cable car, there is much to remind the visitor of San Francisco.

The English colonists who arrived in 1840 were able to co-exist with the local Maori, and Wellington grew to prominence as a trading centre. As the city is centrally located and convenient for both of the country's islands, it was chosen as the capital in 1865.

It is home to an astonishing number of art galleries, libraries, theatres and museums, and with over 300 restaurants, bars and cafes, it has more eateries per head than New York. For wonderful views of this fine city, it is worth ascending Mount Victoria, or alternatively take the cable car to Kelburn Lookout.

Sydney
Sydney is Australia's oldest city and with an area exceeding 670 square miles, it is one of the largest in the world. As a result, its neighbourhoods are like separate towns themselves: Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, Circular Quay. each has its own individual character and abundance of attractions.

The Rocks, for example, was once a Victorian shanty town and has winding cobbled streets, old colonial buildings and an array of delightful tea rooms. It is also home to the Sydney Observatory.

You will no doubt want to explore the sparkling harbour, which is flanked by golden beaches and dominated by Sydney Harbour Bridge whose 194-foot-high arches allow even the largest ships to pass into the inner harbours.

Its centrepiece, the Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973 and resembles a series of wind-filled sails perched dramatically over the sea. Today it is a centre for performing arts and hosts classical music recitals, shows, films and ballet as well as spectacular operas.

Adelaide
British army engineer Colonel William Light, who wanted to create a Utopia in the Southern Hemisphere, founded Adelaide in 1836. Although he died soon after choosing the site on which the city was to be built, his design still forms the basis of today's city.

With its excellent location, elegant layout and beautiful parks, Adelaide provided an ideal home-from-home for members of the English aristocracy, who built some of Australia's most gracious mansions here. Characterised by a European feel, Adelaide is a cultural city brimming with cafes, churches and galleries.

The jewel in its crown is the Adelaide Festival Centre, which overlooks the Torrrens River and houses a concert hall, theatre and an outdoor amphitheatre. The city is ringed by attractive suburbs of which the oldest and most elegant is Glenelg, famous for its beaches.

Richards Bay
Set in a lagoon in South Africa's Mhatuze River, Richards Bay takes its name from Admiral Sir FW Richards, who cruised here during the Anglo-Zulu War.

A game reserve since the 1930s, the lagoon and its surrounds has a somewhat Caribbean feel, making it unique in South Africa. Perhaps join an optional game drive through Hluhluwe or a wetlands cruise in the St Lucia Nature Reserve.

Cape Town
Sail into Cape Town, which has a spectacular setting dominated by flat-topped Table Mountain.

Spend the day exploring this magnificent capital of the Western Cape. If the weather's fine, why not take the cable car ride to the summit of Table Mountain for unrivalled views, enjoy a boat trip over to poignant Robben Island, or join a tour through the heart of the city?

Then enjoy an evening out in the city, perhaps at one of the fine restaurants surrounding the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront before Saga Ruby sails away late in the evening.

Takoradi
Takoradi is the sister city to Sekondi. Together they form the oldest twin city and fourth largest city in Ghana. It was dominated by the British and Dutch during the colonial era and this is reflected in the colonial architecture.

Sekondi-Takoradi is also the capital of the Western region of Ghana, with Sekondi being the administrative capital and Takoradi the commercial and industrial hub. This region is noted for its lush vegetation, 75% of which is within the high forest zone of Ghana.

Funchal
Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal's vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it ('Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese).

Sugar plantations first brought wealth here and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal.

Today's travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wildflowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as 'The Floating Garden of the Atlantic', 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and 'God's Botanical Gardens' and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.

Southampton
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain's largest cruise port.

It has been one of England's major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the city centre has been extensively rebuilt.