Round World Cruise

Day

Date

Arrival

Departure

6th Jan 2029 Saturday

Southampton

Located on the south coast of England, Southampton served as the historic ocean liner gateway for the British Empire and the intense North Atlantic passenger trade to the U.S. and Canada. Today it is the U.K.'s - and indeed Europe's -- leading cruise port.

Best known as the homeport of Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Southampton now hosts a wide variety of cruise ships in the booming European cruise market with the principal lines being Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises and Saga Cruises.

For most cruise passengers, it's the first and/or last port on a European cruise or Atlantic crossing. But New York it ain't, and the first thing you see as you approach is not the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, but a giant IKEA.

A pleasant, bustling city of around a quarter of a million inhabitants, Southampton has several areas of interest, though much of its historic medieval character was destroyed during World War II. In 1620, the Mayflower left from just outside the existing city walls, and the waterfront recalls this historic voyage. From Mayflower Park, you can enjoy watching the container ships pass en route to and from the freight terminal beyond the Western Docks, cruise ships departing from three separate locations, and excursion boats and cross-harbour ferries flitting around the port. Today, it is a modern shopping destination, business centre and university town (the University of Southampton is a major British research university; among its well-known alumni is QM2 designer Stephen Payne with a large commercial port in addition to its year-round cruise operations.

It's not somewhere you want to hang around (unless you want to pick up some flat-pack furniture), and most visiting cruise passengers will use Southampton as a gateway to nearby London (an hour and 10 minutes away by train). It is also a good starting point for the Isle of Wight (reachable by ferry) and the surrounding county of Hampshire and Wiltshire, with their numerous attractions.

7th Jan 2029 Sunday

At Sea

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

8th Jan 2029 Monday

At Sea

9th Jan 2029 Tuesday

At Sea

10th Jan 2029 Wednesday

Santa Cruz, Tenerife

10:00

20:00

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is also one of the most scenically stunning islands in the world. Tenerife is about 300 kilometres from the African continent and about 1,300 kilometers from Mainland Spain. It enjoys a steady year-round, spring-like temperature with a yearly average of 23 degrees centigrade. Dominated by the gigantic outline of 12,198 ft.-high Mount Teide, this amazing volcanic island offers a wide variety of landscapes and tourist experiences. On a visit there, you might find yourself strolling through a sleepy hillside village, breathing in a lush laurisilva forest consisting of laurel trees and ferns or making your way through the dense foliage of a banana plantation. You can crash on a sunny and golden/black sandy beach or scale a snow-capped mountain, enjoy a gentle round of golf or a fiercely fought game of tennis, shop for local handicrafts or international designer wear, go on a whale and dolphin watching trip all year round, dine the traditional tapas and famous "wrinkled potatoes" with mojo sauce or in a Michelin-starred restaurant – on this most varied of islands, the choice is yours. Upon reaching Tenerife's main port of Santa Cruz, if your ship parks at the bottom of its U-shaped harbor, you'll face a hot 15-minute walk to reach it all -- unless your cruise company provides a shuttle bus to the port gates. It's worth persisting, though; don't be tempted to stay onboard here however fine your ship ... as Santa Cruz, a historic city founded in the 15th century, is well worth the effort. Once outside the port gates you'll find a broad and beautiful promenade -- the elaborately named Avenida Maritima -- running right along the seafront; there's broad tree-lined pavement on one side and, across the busy road, a long parade of shops, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs (including one called rather cleverly Klan D Stino!). The streets running inland from this promenade hold jewellery shops filled with fine silver goods, high street shopping brands, good thing to remember is that the Canary Islands are a low tax area so you will always find good bargain-priced goods that make Tenerife such a popular call.

11th Jan 2029 Thursday

At Sea

12th Jan 2029 Friday

At Sea

13th Jan 2029 Saturday

At Sea

14th Jan 2029 Sunday

At Sea

15th Jan 2029 Monday

At Sea

16th Jan 2029 Tuesday

Bridgetown

10:00

Barbados -- or B'dos, as the locals abbreviate the name -- was a British territory until 1966 and remains greatly influenced by the United Kingdom. Brits on holiday make up the largest number of visitors to the island. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, and afternoon tea is a respected ritual. Anglican churches are the anchor of all 11 parishes, although, in recent years, more evangelical churches have become the choice of many Bajuns.

But those of all nationalities will feel at ease there. The Bajuns are open, friendly people, proud to share their home with visitors. There's little crime and a general sense of safety and well-being.

The easternmost of the Caribbean islands, Barbados is technically in the Atlantic Ocean. An excursion to Bathsheba on the rugged eastern shore leaves no doubt about the vast forces of the Atlantic, unchecked for nearly 3,000 miles between there and the coast of Cape Verde, Africa. Some say the freshest air on the planet blows there. The surf looks gentle, but don't be fooled -- the undertow is something to be wary of, even for the best swimmers.

Despite heavy development along the western and southern coasts, the rest of the island is full of sweeping natural vistas, from rippling fields of sugar cane in the interior to the Atlantic surf pounding against the cliffs at the island's northernmost tip. The island rewards independent exploration; rent a car or hire a driver to see its unspoiled side.

Though today the sugarcane fields speak more to the island's past than its present (tourism, not agriculture, now drives the Barbadian economy), visitors can still experience the island's heritage at a number of plantation houses and rum distilleries. If you'd rather skip the history lesson, there are plenty of places to just get away from it all, from Bridgetown's duty-free department stores to the soft, white beaches of the south coast.

17th Jan 2029 Wednesday

At Sea

18th Jan 2029 Thursday

Willemstad

07:00

16:00

The brightly hued island of Curaçao, 42 miles east of Aruba, is part of the ABC chain of islands, which also includes Aruba and Bonaire. Legend says that an early governor suffered from migraines and mandated the pastel-coloured houses, now a trademark of the Southern Caribbean island, because white paint aggravated his condition. Whatever the reason, there's something wonderful about approaching by cruise ship and spotting buildings in shades like cotton-candy pink and deep, ocean-blue.

Curaçao was discovered by Spaniards in 1499 and was taken over in 1634 by the Dutch, who settled its capital city, Willemstad, as a naval base. The city drew Dutch and Jewish merchants (old Jewish neighbourhoods -- like Scharloo, north of Willemstad -- still exist), and there's still a distinctly Dutch feel in the centuries-old buildings that line the waterfront in all those fantastic colours.

Willemstad, where cruise ships dock, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with waterfront shops and cafes. It's walkable and always warm, but never stiflingly hot, thanks to constant, breezy trade winds. The city is split into two districts -- one on each side of a narrow but deep channel, traversable by a landmark floating pedestrian bridge. Beyond Willemstad, Curaçao is rife with opportunities to dive and swim, with more than 35 uncrowded beaches.

19th Jan 2029 Friday

At Sea

20th Jan 2029 Saturday

Panama Canal

07:00

16:00

The Panama Canal is one of modern engineering's greatest feats. Built as a trade route to stop ships from having to circumnavigate treacherous shipping lanes around North and South America, the canal links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and a full transit of the canal takes around 8 - 10 hours.

Cruises that allow transit of the canal (or partial transit!) also offer the chance to discover lush rainforests, sandy Caribbean beaches, and bustling Latin towns.

21st Jan 2029 Sunday

At Sea

22nd Jan 2029 Monday

At Sea

23rd Jan 2029 Tuesday

Huatulco

07:00

16:00

Founded some 40 years ago by FONATUR, Mexico's tourism development agency, Huatulco (located in the state of Oaxaca) encompasses a stretch of 18 miles of Pacific coastline, located at the foot of the Sierra del Sur Mountains. Here you'll find dozens of pristine sand beaches, spread across nine bays -- four of which have been designated as ecological preserves where no development is permitted. The area is also dotted with small villages where many of the locals preserve native traditions including basket weaving, cactus horticulture and cooking. Most cruise lines offer at least one excursion that visits these villages. (Look for one that includes the nopale -- prickly pear cactus -- farm; the fruit is delicious.) Designed to attract mass tourism, cruisers visiting Huatulco will also encounter numerous souvenir and jewelry shops, and yet crass commercialism seems to have taken a back seat here, unlike other purposely designed tourist cities like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Acapulco. Buildings in Huatulco may not be higher than four stories, so there are no tall structures to clutter the area, beaches are everywhere and the government is taking pains to preserve the indigenous flora and fauna. Huatulco is composed of three smaller regions, as well as several outlying villages. Santa Cruz is the port area where cruise ships dock. La Crucecita is the main downtown area and Tangolunda is the hotel and resort zone. Huatulco most commonly appears on Panama Canal itineraries, though it might also be included in Pacific coast partial Panama Canal transits and some Mexican Riviera sailings.

24th Jan 2029 Wednesday

At Sea

25th Jan 2029 Thursday

At Sea

26th Jan 2029 Friday

07:00

16:00

27th Jan 2029 Saturday

At Sea

28th Jan 2029 Sunday

At Sea

29th Jan 2029 Monday

Los Angeles, California

10:00

The City of Los Angeles has a lot going for it. Stretching along the Pacific from Malibu to Long Beach, the region offers plenty to see and do in what can only be called a sun-kissed blend of adventure, culture and whimsy. It all melds stylishly with an anything-goes attitude, and whether you're kicking back on one of its fabled beaches, grabbing a ride at a world-class amusement park, plunging into glittery shops for the latest Oscar-worthy fashions (you need to practice a regally bored look to fit in better), dining at Tinsel Town hot spots or exploring inspiring world-class museums -- you're in for a magic-carpet ride like no other. And in a city dominated by "show business" -- prepare for a ride that comes with a good deal of self-indulgent dazzle any time of day, be it a Malibu glamour tan while nonchalantly reading Variety, catching the Pussycat Dolls at the Viper Club on Sunset Boulevard or browsing breathtaking artworks at the Getty.

For those who never watch TV or go to the movies, we should tell you that L.A. is a sprawling metropolis (with an atypically high percentage of beautiful people) with no "centre" -- which means you'll wind your way through various neighbourhoods and independently incorporated communities, keeping your eyes peeled for celebs and clusters of paparazzi everywhere. (Did you know that the city's Zagat restaurant guide actually has a "stargazing" category?) And still under the heading of Geography 101, try to think in terms of the major "areas" like Santa Monica and Malibu, the San Fernando Valley (the "valley" to locals), the Westside and Beverly Hills, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Downtown and Pasadena.

One important note: Cruises don't actually leave from Los Angeles -- they embark and disembark from San Pedro and Long Beach, two adjacent ports. These are located about 20 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport.

30th Jan 2029 Tuesday

Los Angeles, California

20:00

31st Jan 2029 Wednesday

At Sea

1st Feb 2029 Thursday

At Sea

2nd Feb 2029 Friday

At Sea

3rd Feb 2029 Saturday

At Sea

4th Feb 2029 Sunday

At Sea

5th Feb 2029 Monday

Honolulu, Hawaii

10:00

With a cosmopolitan population of 950,000, Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city. It also is the hub of cultural, educational, political, dining, shopping, business and entertainment activities in the Aloha State. After Captain James Cook put the Hawaiian Islands on the map of the world in 1778, Honolulu became an increasingly important stop for ships travelling between America and Asia. First came fur traders, who made fortunes exchanging otter pelts from the Pacific Northwest for teas, spices and silks from China. Later, fragrant sandalwood became such a prized commodity that Island forests were nearly stripped clean of it. Then came the whalers, who plied the seas relentlessly in search of the gentle giants that were the source of rich oil. Around 1843, recognizing the importance of the harbour to local commerce, King Kamehameha III moved the capital of Hawaii from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu, and it has held that designation ever since. Honolulu Harbor bustles with activity every day of the week. Fishing boats, tugboats, tour boats, container ships, cruise vessels and barges berth at its piers. A mega-ship, NCL's Pride of America, even homeports year-round in the harbour (at Pier 2). Its centrepiece, Aloha Tower Marketplace, is a trendy shopping, dining and entertainment complex that sprawls over 11 waterfront acres. This is your jumping-off place for an unforgettable Oahu stay.

6th Feb 2029 Tuesday

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

07:00

20:00

While cruise ships call it "Kona," this stop on the western part of the island of Hawaii is actually a region rather than an actual city. Ships anchor in Kailua Bay and tender their guests to the Kailua Pier, which is right in the middle of Kailua Village, the historic heart of Kailua-Kona. Kona's sunnier and dryer than Hilo to the east -- it almost never rains -- and features the island's best beaches, snorkelling and surfing. (The east coast is more tropical, with waterfalls and mountainous regions closer to the town of Hilo. Believe it or not, the island has 11 climatic zones!) Coffee grown in the hills above Kailua-Kona (the one place where it rains more in the summer than in the winter) is very delicious and highly prized. Beaches in the area range from black sand to sugar white, with sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and -- in season, November to May -- humpback whales visible from the surf or the shore. Whereas Hilo is the business anchor of the Big Island (with a more authentic, local feel), the area just north of Kailua-Kona -- the Kohala Coast -- houses the island's most desirable resorts, with renowned restaurants, spas and golf courses.

7th Feb 2029 Wednesday

At Sea

8th Feb 2029 Thursday

At Sea

9th Feb 2029 Friday

At Sea

10th Feb 2029 Saturday

At Sea

11th Feb 2029 Sunday

At Sea

12th Feb 2029 Monday

International Date Line

20:00

Crossing the International Date Line is a unique experience, marking the point where the calendar day changes. As you journey across this imaginary line in the Pacific Ocean, you'll effectively travel forward or backward in time by a whole day, a fascinating concept that highlights the way we measure time and the world's diverse time zones.

13th Feb 2029 Tuesday

Apia

07:00

20:00

The port of Apia is the international gateway to Samoa, for both airlines and cruise vessels. Even though Apia has been welcoming cruise ships of various types and sizes since the time of Robert Louis Stevenson (in the late 19th century) it has remained something of a niche destination favoured by expedition ships. Recent port improvements have enabled more frequent visits by larger vessels including Vista-class cruise ships. Despite the presence of some well-known Western chain stores and a long history of Christian missionaries, Samoa has retained a strong connection to its Polynesian roots and is regarded widely in academic circles as the 'centre' of the Polynesian culture, evidenced by a very laidback lifestyle and a love of sport, song and dance. Apia business centre is an easy and pleasant walk from the newly renovated port facilities which also contain small shops, bars and cafes to distract you. The main shopping centre, markets, banks, visitor centre and post office are all easily found along the beachside strip.

14th Feb 2029 Wednesday

At Sea

15th Feb 2029 Thursday

Suva

10:00

16:00

The capital of Fiji is one of the original South Pacific cruise ports used by P&O. Beginning prior to World War II and then again in the late 1960s, when the SS Himalaya marked a resurgence for Australian leisure cruising, Suva is now a signature stop for all the Carnival brands, Royal Caribbean and Regent Seven Seas, among others. Suva originally traded on its colonial history, and much of the city's downtown still bears the hallmarks of a rich British Empire tradition. Cumming Street's wooden buildings, with covered footpaths, statues, parks and imperious public offices, still stamp Suva as a Commonwealth outpost. Many passengers are content to stroll around town, window shopping and taking in the sights of everyday Pacific life. But today's bustling Suva is not quite the sleepy backwater it once was. There is plenty of retail shopfront -- including duty-free -- to keep wandering visitors occupied, and there are enough highlights to see for those who choose not to take a shore excursion. A self-guided walking tour, augmented by taxis, can easily take in locations like the produce and seafood markets, national museum and botanical gardens. Retail raiders can swing by the air-conditioned Tappoo City shopping mall or bargain for traditional souvenirs and carvings at the Municipal Handicraft Centre. If you're in town on a Sunday, you're sure to hear numerous church choirs belting out hymns with trademark Pacific exuberance, and if your feet get a bit sore, rest them at the cocktail bar in the city's recently restored Grand Pacific Hotel, which celebrated its reopening in time for its 100th birthday. Take usual precautions when returning to your ship after dark, and be careful not to encourage street hawkers, as they can be difficult to dislodge. (Suva Council has clamped down on this, following complaints from cruise lines.) --By Roderick Eime, Cruise Critic contributor

16th Feb 2029 Friday

Lautoka

07:00

16:00

Lautoka is the second-largest city (after Suva) of the island nation of Fiji. Located in the west, on the island of Viti Levu, Lautoka is about half an hour's drive north of Nadi and the resort-laden Denarau Island. A busy docking port, it is known as Sugar City, a reference to its important place in the heart of the lucrative sugarcane belt. Lautoka Sugar Mill lays claim to being the largest sugar mill in the Southern Hemisphere.

17th Feb 2029 Saturday

At Sea

18th Feb 2029 Sunday

At Sea

19th Feb 2029 Monday

Auckland

07:00

Auckland greets cruise guests with that irresistible blend of urban buzz and natural beauty that New Zealand does so well. Step ashore and you’re moments from the sparkling Viaduct Harbour, where waterside bars and restaurants set the tone for a relaxed day in the City of Sails. Venture up the Sky Tower for sweeping views across the twin harbours, or take a short ferry ride to Waiheke Island for boutique vineyards and golden beaches. Culture lovers can dive into Māori heritage at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, while adventurers might head to the rugged black‑sand shores of the west coast. Whether you’re after world‑class dining, island‑hopping, or a taste of Kiwi outdoor life, Auckland serves it all with easy-going charm.

20th Feb 2029 Tuesday

Bay of Islands

07:00

16:00

Blame 18th century explorer Captain James Cook for the understated name: Bay of Islands. He stumbled into this little piece of heaven in 1769, but perhaps his choice wasn't such a no-brainer, after all. The bay has 144 islands that pop up as you pass through the channel to reach the tendering spot off Waitangi. These bays and inlets are actually 'drowned' valleys, and the islands are peaks of what were the highest 'hills'. If you aren't keen on exploring the area by boat, there are many interesting sights to visit on land, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

21st Feb 2029 Wednesday

At Sea

22nd Feb 2029 Thursday

At Sea

23rd Feb 2029 Friday

Sydney, New South Wales

07:00

Sydney is a definite stop on every cruise that travels Down Under and often serves as a starting or ending point for ships that also travel to New Zealand. Australia's largest city, Sydney is one of the world's most intriguing ports of call, with its appeal extending from a sophisticated and vibrant urban metropolis to stunning natural wonders. Although it is a modern city strongly influenced by British roots and current American popular culture, Sydney's real character is derived from its exotic location and brash beauty. Walking through the glass and concrete downtown, known as the Central Business District (CBD), you could be in any other Western-culture metropolis -- until a fluorescent red and green lorikeet parrot swoops overhead or an unexpected flash of the brilliant blue harbour appears between the skyscrapers. Any proper visit to Sydney must begin in the harbour, which is both the birthplace of the city and its current iconic centrepiece. The area is called Circular Quay (pronounced "key" by locals). It is hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for a city's heart than this, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge displayed against the inlet's bright water. Sydney spreads across a massive geographic area, but the majority of its most interesting areas can be found near the ocean coast in the area known as the Eastern suburbs, as well as in its delightful inner-city neighbourhoods, which each possess a distinct vibe. Oxford Street, the main thoroughfare running east from downtown to the ocean beaches, hosts Sydney's famous gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade each February and is popular year-round because of its bars and cafes. Sydney is a well-balanced blend of a big city lifestyle and the laid-back Australian mentality. Although Aussies who hail from other towns often disparage Sydney for its flashiness and hectic pace, urban inconveniences seem minor here compared to places like New York and London (although the peak-hour traffic and public transport system are actually quite bad). Tourism is a huge industry around Sydney, and locals are accustomed to providing visitors with service, helpful directions and a rousing welcome to the stunning city that they call home.