It is now nearly a year ago that the Queen was taken on a tour of the Cunard ship that carries her name. Afterwards, she smashed a bottle of wine against the ship’s hull, thereby christening her.

Since then, the Queen (that’s Cunard’s ship Queen Elizabeth, not the monarch) has journeyed a total distance of more nearly 125,000 nautical miles, visiting 107 ports in the process and passing through both the Panama and Suez canals.

Sadly though, the real Queen was not among the more than 52,000 passengers who had the privilege of seeing the world in sheer luxury.

Since the former Prime Minister Tony Blair decommissioned the Royal Yacht Britannia – something which he reportedly now regrets – the queen’s sea going days have been restricted to the occasional trip on board the Hebridean Princess. Although luxurious, it still remains a converted car ferry with a passenger capacity of 50 and can in no way be compared to Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, those who love chocolates will no doubt look forward to Thomson Dream’s Transatlantic cruise from Tenerife to Barbados in December. They will have the chance of signing up for an 8-session Art of Chocolate Making course. The 17-day journey departs on the 2nd December and fares start at £999.

During the autumn of next year, Celebrity Constellation will sail from Southampton to the top wine producing regions in Portugal, France and Spain. During this cruise, passengers will get the opportunity to join excursions to vineyards in Rioja and Bordeaux, and cellars in Oporto.