<p>It'll be the longest cruise ever for the Queen Mary 2. And the most unusual. </p><p>Cunard announced Thursday that its four-year-old flagship will head off-the-beaten path in 2010 when it comes time for its annual world cruise, following a rare eastbound routing from New York to Europe, the Middle East and Asia before turning back westward to Africa and South America. </p><p>The 101-day Royal Route of Exploration, as the line is calling the epic voyage, will feature 19 maiden calls for the 2,600-passenger vessel, including the ship's first visit to South Africa. The trip also will include three overnight stays -- in Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town, South Africa.</p><p>The unusual itinerary -- most world cruises follow a westward course from the USA across the Pacific to Asia, the Middle East and Europe -- will include calls in Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Yokohama), Auckland, Sydney and Perth (Fremantle). Maiden calls for the ship include Durban and Cape Town in South Africa; Phuket, Thailand; Vung Tau, Vietnam; Guam; and Mauritius.</p><p>The voyage begins Jan. 4, 2010. Fares start at $21,666 per person -- or about $215 per day.</p><p>As usual, Cunard also will sell shorter segments of the world cruise ranging from 17 to 80 days in length. Among them: A 63-day segment from New York to Sydney priced from $13,716 -- a rare chance to sail eastbound from the USA to Australia without switching ships or taking a plane. Another notable, 57-day segment will take passengers from Dubai to Cape Town (prices start at 12,379).</p><p>The Queen Mary 2 voyage is one of two world cruises Cunard plans for 2010. Sailing a more traditional route is the Queen Victoria, which will spend 99 days circumnavigating the globe on a westward tack. The ship will depart New York on Jan. 12 and head through the Caribbean for a Panama Canal crossing to the Pacific and then to Asia, the Middle East and Europe.</p><p>The Queen Victoria's voyage will include overnight calls in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai, as well as 11 maiden calls. Among 41 port calls: Acapulco, Melbourne, Shanghai, San Francisco, Cartagena, Phuket and Sharm El Sheikh. Fares start at $21,276 per person.</p><p>Passengers who book the cruises by Feb. 28, 2009 will receive an additional 10% off Early Booking Fares and an on-board credit of up to $2,000 per cabin.</p>