Itinerary: Cruise from Southampton – Lisbon – Funchal (Madeira) – Bridgetown (Barbados) – St George’s (Grenada) – Cartagena (Colombia) – Colon (Overnight onboard) – Panama Canal Transit – Puntarenas – Huatulco – Hilo (Hawaii) – Kahului (Maui) – Honolulu (Oahu) – Nawiliwili (Kauai) – International Dateline (Crossing) – Tokyo (Overnight onboard) – Shimizu (for Mt Fuji) – Nagoya – Osaka (Overnight onboard) – Hong Kong – Hiep Phuoc (for Ho Chi Minh City) – Singapore (Overnight onboard) – Phuket – Port Louis (Mauritius) (Overnight onboard) – Richards Bay – Cape Town (Overnight onboard) – Jamestown (St Helena) – Praia – Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) – La Coruna – Return to Southampton.
Ports of Call
Cruise from Southampton
- Lisbon: Lisbon rises from the Tagus with tiled streets, viewpoints and old tram routes. Visit Belém, explore Alfama, or walk the riverfront. It gives the voyage a strong Atlantic opening.
- Funchal (Madeira): Funchal combines gardens, hills and sea views. Ride the cable car, visit the market, or explore the old town. It is a scenic island call before the longer Atlantic crossing.
- Bridgetown (Barbados): Bridgetown offers beaches, colonial history and Caribbean colour. Visit Carlisle Bay, explore the Garrison area, or take an island tour. It marks the voyage’s move into the Caribbean.
- St George’s (Grenada): St George’s curves around a pretty harbour with forts, markets and spice shops. Visit Grand Anse Beach, Fort George, or the island’s rainforest interior. It is one of the Caribbean’s most attractive small capitals.
- Cartagena (Colombia): Cartagena has a walled old city, colourful balconies and strong Spanish colonial heritage. Walk the old streets, visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle, or explore the waterfront. It brings South American history into the route.
- Colon (Overnight onboard): Colon is a gateway to the Panama Canal and Caribbean-side Panama. Take a canal excursion, visit nearby locks, or explore Panama City on a longer tour. The overnight gives more time for canal-linked sightseeing.
- Panama Canal Transit: The canal transit is one of the voyage’s main sea-day experiences. Watch the locks, lakes and narrow channels from the decks as the ship crosses between oceans. It is a rare chance to see a major engineering route from the water.
- Puntarenas: Puntarenas offers access to Costa Rica’s wildlife, forests and Pacific coast. Take a rainforest tour, look for birds and monkeys, or visit local markets. It is a strong stop for nature-focused excursions.
- Huatulco: Huatulco is a Mexican Pacific port known for bays, beaches and coastal scenery. Visit a beach, take a boat trip, or explore the small town areas nearby. It gives the itinerary a relaxed Mexican call before the Pacific crossing.
- Hilo (Hawaii): Hilo sits on Hawaii’s Big Island, close to waterfalls, gardens and volcanic landscapes. Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, or local markets. It is a valuable opportunity to see Hawaii’s wilder side.
- Kahului (Maui): Kahului is the main port for Maui, with access to beaches, valleys and mountain roads. Visit Iao Valley, take a coastal drive, or enjoy time near the shore. It offers a broad look at one of Hawaii’s best-known islands.
- Honolulu (Oahu): Honolulu combines city life, beaches and major historic sites. Visit Pearl Harbour, walk in Waikiki, or climb Diamond Head. It is one of the voyage’s key Pacific city stops.
- Nawiliwili (Kauai): Nawiliwili gives access to Kauai’s cliffs, canyons and green valleys. Visit Waimea Canyon, take a river trip, or enjoy nearby beaches. It adds a quieter Hawaiian island call to the route.
- International Dateline (Crossing): The dateline crossing is a notable moment in the Pacific sector of the voyage. It marks the shift between calendar dates as the ship continues west. It is more about the journey itself than a port call.
- Tokyo (Overnight onboard): Tokyo is vast, efficient and rich in contrasts, from temples to neon districts. Visit Asakusa, Shibuya, the Imperial Palace area or nearby museums. The overnight allows more time for evening dining and a deeper look at the city.
- Shimizu (for Mt Fuji): Shimizu is a coastal port with possible views towards Mt Fuji in clear weather. Visit nearby viewpoints, tea fields, or cultural sites linked to the mountain. It is a scenic Japanese call with a strong sense of place.
- Nagoya: Nagoya is a major Japanese city known for its castle, manufacturing heritage and food. Visit Nagoya Castle, the Toyota museum, or the Osu shopping district. It gives the cruise a different urban stop between Tokyo and Osaka.
- Osaka (Overnight onboard): Osaka is known for food, nightlife and easy access to historic Kyoto and Nara. Visit Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, or take a longer excursion by train or coach. The overnight gives more space for evening exploring and regional trips.
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong combines skyline views, harbour crossings and hillside neighbourhoods. Take the Star Ferry, ride up to Victoria Peak, or explore markets and temples. It is one of the voyage’s major Asian city calls.
- Hiep Phuoc (for Ho Chi Minh City): Hiep Phuoc is the port gateway for Ho Chi Minh City. Explore French colonial landmarks, markets, museums, or the city’s busy food scene. It offers a vivid look at southern Vietnam.
- Singapore (Overnight onboard): Singapore is compact, organised and packed with gardens, food courts and harbour views. Visit Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India or Marina Bay. The overnight gives more time to see the city after dark.
- Phuket: Phuket offers beaches, temples and access to island scenery. Visit old Phuket Town, relax by the coast, or take a boat trip to nearby bays. It adds a Thai island stop to the Asian section of the voyage.
- Port Louis (Mauritius) (Overnight onboard): Port Louis is Mauritius’s capital, with markets, waterfront areas and mountain backdrops. Visit the Caudan Waterfront, botanical gardens, or island beaches. The overnight allows more time for both city and coastal excursions.
- Richards Bay: Richards Bay is a South African port with access to wildlife reserves and wetland scenery. Take a safari-style excursion, visit coastal areas, or explore local nature sites. It is a useful call for wildlife and landscapes.
- Cape Town (Overnight onboard): Cape Town is set beneath Table Mountain with beaches, vineyards and historic sites nearby. Visit the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Table Mountain, or the Cape Peninsula. The overnight gives time for a fuller visit to one of the route’s major ports.
- Jamestown (St Helena): Jamestown is a remote South Atlantic settlement with steep cliffs, historic streets and links to Napoleon’s exile. Walk the town, visit the museum, or climb Jacob’s Ladder. It is an unusual and memorable mid-ocean call.
- Praia: Praia, on Santiago in Cape Verde, has Atlantic views, markets and access to island history. Visit the Plateau, explore Cidade Velha, or take a local tour. It marks the voyage’s return towards the eastern Atlantic.
- Las Palmas (Gran Canaria): Las Palmas offers a beach, old quarter and strong Atlantic character. Explore Vegueta, walk on Las Canteras Beach, or visit the Casa de Colón. It is a useful Canary Islands call before the final stretch north.
- La Coruna: La Coruna has a long promenade, old streets and the Tower of Hercules. Visit Maria Pita Square, the aquarium, or walk beside the Atlantic. It gives the world cruise a final Spanish call before returning to the UK.