Southampton-based cruise ships have not yet left for their 2003 world cruises, but already details have been released about far-ranging global voyages from the port in the following year.

P&O Cruises has just announced its plans for 2004 and for the first time ever there will be an echo of Jules Verne's famous trip when passengers on board the city's 76,152-ton Aurora have the chance to travel around the world in 80 days.

At the same time Adonia, which is not due to arrive in the docks until May next year, will undertake an inaugural 100-day "Grand Voyage''.

In a break from tradition the 69,153-ton Oriana will not leave on its usual world cruise but will depart Southampton in November 2003 for the Caribbean and South America.

Oceana, which joined the P&O Cruises' fleet last month and is now cruising out of Florida before arriving in Southampton next spring, is to be based in the Caribbean for the winter months, leaving from Southampton on October 24, 2003.

Aurora will sail westbound from the port on January 11, 2004 and return on April 1, 2004. The first time that P&O Cruises has run such an itinerary, the "Around the World in 80 Days'' cruise will take in destinations such as the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, USA, Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, Australia, the Far East, India and the Mediterranean.

For those looking for a longer time at sea, Adonia will embark on its 100-day-long journey from Southampton on January 4, 2004, heading eastwards and visiting the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Far east, Australia and Africa. She will be back in Southampton on April 13.

The 77,499-ton Oceana will be based in Barbados for the 2003/2004 winter season, operating a series of 14 fly-cruise voyages with the programme ending with a homeward voyage returning to Southampton on May 7.

Oriana's first cruise of the season includes a sample of Caribbean ports of calls before she sets a course for South America for two autumn itineraries, including a transit of the Panama Canal.

She will then continue with cruises based wholly in the Caribbean for Christmas and the New Year, after which she begins a complete circumnavigation of South America.

After returning to the Caribbean for two more cruises, including calls at New Orleans, Oriana will arrive back in Southampton on April 2, 2004.