As cruise aficionados know ... It is hard to imagine that this gem of a ship, with its purple funnels brightening the waters of London Tilbury on embarkation day, was once set for the scrapheap.

Sailing from London Tilbury, this good-value summer itinerary, on Ambassador’s Ambience ... ambassadorcruiseline.com A world away from mainstream cruises, the ex-tall ship St Hilda has room ...