Mighty Cruise Ships - Episode Guide

A fine ship for sailing around the South Pacific is the Paul Gauguin. Her flat hull and shallow draft enable her to glide over sensitive reefs and access hidden coves.

Le Soléal, operated by Compagnie du Ponant, is the first French commercial shipping vessel to traverse the Northwest Passage, one of the most dangerous sea routes.

The Azamara Journey is an R-class cruise ship with a considerable tonnage of 30,277. This luxurious vessel offers a pool, dining room and some classy interiors.

At a cost of $750 million, the Celebrity Solstice is a massive ship that has space for 2,850 passengers and 1,500 crew. Among its great features is a live lawn between the funnels.

Luxury expedition ship Stella Australis sails through the tight corridors of Patagonia, seeking out spectacular sights on her last cruise of the season.

Ocean liner Marco Polo battles a brooding hurricane and navigational hazards on a late-autumn Baltic voyage to the grand old cities of northern Europe.

Just seven weeks after launching, the Carnival Vista, with its 1400 crew, go to the Old World. Each day sees new challenges, including an at-sea medical evacuation.

The largest sailing cruise ship on Earth, the Royal Clipper is a dreamy voyage for guests - but the crew face challenges including torn sails and traffic off Sicily.

Only a couple of months after entering service, Viking Sea sets sail from London to Scotland and then Norway. But to get there, the crew must face numerous challenges.

Life aboard the Europa 2 is all about luxury. On this voyage, the ship sets sail on its first-ever surprise cruise - where guests vote on which ports to visit.

With an ice-strengthened hull, Ocean Endeavour is made for adventure. As it traverses fog and icebergs in Arctic waters, there are reports of a polar bear sighting.

The luxurious MSC Divina boasts marble, mirrors and Swarovski crystal staircases. But it's not all smooth sailing when cruising through hurricane season in the Caribbean.

A look inside the world's most luxurious, powerful and gigantic cruise ships as they function like cities on the sea, ferrying thousands around the globe.

A look inside the narrow cruiser that fits through tight locks, battles nasty weather and glides past stunning scenery, travelling from Budapest to Amsterdam.

A look inside the world's most luxurious, powerful and gigantic cruise ships as they function like cities on the sea, ferrying thousands around the globe.

A look inside the Viking Star's Scandinavian décor, delicious food and beautiful route. It embarks from Spain going through Europe and completes its journey in Norway.

A look inside the world's most luxurious, powerful and gigantic cruise ships as they function like cities on the sea, ferrying thousands around the globe.

A look inside the vessel that cruises through the British Isles. Its mobility lets it glide through narrow channels, steer into tight ports and carry 1,200 passengers.

Sailing from Chile and Peru to Ecuador and Costa Rica, the luxurious Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship is full of marble, granite and almost 500 chandeliers.

The AIDAnova cruise ship boasts 23 bars, 17 restaurants and an amusement park. What keeps this state-of-the-art vessel running as it navigates the Atlantic Ocean?

The Diamond Princess carries nearly 2,700 passengers to some of Japan's most iconic cities. How does it navigate unpredictable weather and tricky ports?

At 300 metres long, the Nieuw Statendam is the world's largest boutique cruise ship. How will this impressive vessel cope in its debut season?

The Costa Diadema gives its passengers the ultimate Mediterranean experience. Captain Giorgio Moretti uses his 37-year experience to guide this 306-metre-long vessel.

The Norwegian Joy is tailor-made to sail through the daunting waters of Alaska. This €700,000,000 vessel aims to give its passengers an unforgettable experience.

The Roald Amundsen sails where few ships will ever go. The vessel was built specifically to take passengers on an unforgettable voyage to Antarctica.

The Sky Princess carries passengers from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to three Central American stops. How does this massive vessel get in and out of the ports?