Award-winning cruise ships Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager, operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, are calling passengers to come on board for two lengthy cruises next year sailing from the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale in the United States in January.

But these are not cruises for the everyday traveler. This is luxury travel at premium prices and they attract largely widely traveled, discerning retirees who expect fine dining and discreet onboard service.

Taking in five continents and the rare sights and sounds of the Marquesas Islands, Bora Bora, New Zealand's North and South islands (White Island Volcano), Tasmania, Sydney, Melbourne (as well as Margaret River vineyards), Bali (Padang Bay), Palawan, Manila, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam (Hue, Saigon), Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka (the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy), Cochin and Mumbai in India, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Safaga and Alexandria in Egypt, Aqaba in Jordan, Istanbul, Sorrento in Italy, Barcelona and Seville in Spain, as well as Bermuda, the Seven Seas Voyager sets sail from Los Angeles on January 12 on the Grand Circumnavigation World Cruise.

The 116-night, 54-port voyage takes on board just 700 guests in all-suite, all-balcony accommodation.

Bookings are being accepted now through Miramar Travel, the general sales agent for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Miramar is an arm of real estate developer Henderson Land Development, controlled by billionaire Lee Shau-kee.

While the Seven Seas Voyager goes round the world, the luxury Seven Seas Mariner, sets sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 26, on a 121-night Ring of Fire World Cruise, taking in South America, French Polynesia, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia and Alaska.

Suites on the Seven Seas Mariner range in size from 301 square feet to 2,002 sq ft, while those on the Seven Seas Voyager range between 356 sq ft and 1,403 sq ft.

The Seven Seas Voyager was hailed last year in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards as the best medium-sized cruise ship, while Ocean and Cruise News named it Ship of the Year, according to Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises director of international accounts Blanca-Stella Lanao, who was in Hong Kong last week, says Asia has been an important part of the company's global itinerary. "We are the first luxury cruise company to launch two world cruises."

Quite a few of those who join the voyages are regulars. "We have about 350 repeat passengers every year on the world cruise and they have the first choice of the best suites. So we decided to launch the second cruise in the opposite direction," Lanao says. "Our clientele is mostly well-traveled, well- educated, wealthy people not your regular tourist."

While noting that the Asian market for Regent Sevens Seas Cruises has grown, she points out that "85-90 percent are US guests."

The world cruises take in almost a city a day and travelers can book stages. One segment starting from Osaka on May 7, for example, will cover Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sendai, Petropavlovsk in Russia, as well as Dutch Harbor and Kodiak in the United States.

Special programs are laid on for travelers who are eager to learn more about the cities and destinations they visit.

Specialists in art, history, food and wine, photography, environment and marine life, as well as health and wellness, are on hand to host onshore walking tours, cooking classes on board (Le Cordon Bleu chefs) and even offer nutrition advice under a small-group program called "Circles of Interest." Only 20 people are included in one group. "Guests can book 30 days in advance online," Lanao says of the small-group experiences. Cruise passengers pay extra for onshore excursions.

According to Miramar Travel, 400 passengers, mostly local professionals, boarded Regent Seven Seas Cruises last year from Hong Kong.

On the Seven Seas Mariner world cruise, the master suite (2,002 sq ft, two bedrooms and butler service) costs US$401,560 (savings of US$227,995 for early bookings) plus other charges, while the deluxe suite (301 sq ft) costs US$110,260 (savings of US$64,995 for early bookings). Fares are per person.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises promises fine dining, recreation and entertainment on board. On each ship sailing the world is Latitudes, a 70-seat restaurant serving Vietnamese specialties. It is one of four top restaurants including The Compass Rose, Signatures and La Veranda. Entertainment on board is provided by a nine-piece orchestra, in addition to shows including ballroom dance, cabaret, jazz and musicals. Carita Spa provides beauty treatments and therapies as well as fitness classes.

For an extended vacation, the world cruises are a one-of-a-kind experience. STAFF REPORTER