World

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Freeport is the main city on Grand Bahama, an island in the northwest Bahamas off the Florida coast. It’s best known for the oceanfront Lucaya district, with beaches, resorts and shopping. Nearby, Deadman’s Reef is popular for snorkeling, and the surrounding offshore waters host many dive sites. Up the coast, Lucayan National Park features extensive underwater caves, plus kayaking and nature trails

Fort Lauderdale is a city on Florida’s southeastern coast, known for its beaches and boating canals. The Strip is a promenade running along oceanside highway A1A. It’s lined with upscale outdoor restaurants, bars, boutiques and luxury hotels. Other attractions include the International Swimming Hall of Fame, with pools and a museum of memorabilia, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, featuring trails and a lagoon

Talcum-soft beaches, world class shopping, glitzy casinos, stunning sea views and tracts of desert landscape scattered with giant boulders and exotic cacti are all yours to enjoy when you visit popular Aruba, jewel of the ‘deep’ Caribbean.

The Panama Canal is the world’s biggest short-cut. You will be amazed by its sheer scale and clockwork efficiency.

On the Pacific Coast of one of the worlds newest and most exciting eco-tourism and cruise destinations – Guatemala, the Central American cruise port Quetzal leads you into a country boasting sublime scenic drama and a colourful history going way back to Mayan times.

Manzanillo is a Pacific Ocean port city and resort in the Mexican state of Colima. It’s the site of 2 bays, Bahía de Manzanillo and Bahía de Santiago. The latter is known for beaches such as Playa La Audiencia, with calm surf for water sports. The waters off the coast have numerous coral reefs, shipwrecks and other dive sites. With a high concentration of marlin, the area is also known for deep-sea sportfishing

Hula dancing, surfing and magnificent sandy beaches all spring to mind when you hear the name ‘Hawaii’. Honolulu is Hawaii’s capital, situated on the island of Oahu. Downtown you will discover the only royal palace on American soil. Spend a day lounging on Waikiki beach or relive a dramatic moment in history with a visit to Pearl Harbour and the Arizona Memorial.

Step straight into a film set for ‘South Pacific’ when you arrive in the Samoan capital, Apia – it’s a magical first impression. On the main Samoan island of Upolu, there’s an intriguing mix of historic churches and monuments, bustling flea and fish markets and laid-back residential districts that have a welcoming, traditional village feel to them. Around the island are some of the South Pacifics best (black sand) beaches. And to prove this really is a ‘Treasure Island’, visit Vallima just outside Apia, where Robert Louis Stevenson settled and spent the last five years of his life. There is an excellent museum nearby, dedicated to this splendid storyteller.

Nukuʻalofa is the capital of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the country’s southernmost island group.

New Zealand’s biggest city and major cruise port, Auckland, sits between the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea, which is how it came to host the America’s Cup twice – in 1999 and 2002 – attracting investment to transform the harbour side into a superb meeting and eating place which all Auckland cruise visitors can now appreciate. The Viaduct Harbour area now boasts outdoor restaurants ideally placed to view the hundreds of yachts attracted to this icon of sailing success. This ‘City of Sails’ is also home to New Zealand’s impressive National Maritime Museum which charts the nation’s seafaring history. Harbour ferries offer a great way of viewing the city, either by crossing the bay to old-established Devonport or under the harbour bridge to the suburb of Birkenhead. Otherwise cruises to Auckland take in all the sights from the revolving restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere at 328 metres. On Auckland cruises, shore excursions can take you to the remarkable geysers and mud pools of Rotorua.

Tauranga is a Maori name, translated as resting place for canoes. Situated on a narrow peninsula and surrounded by water, it lies within the Bay of Plenty, an area with beautiful natural harbours and endless beaches. Bars and restaurants are dotted along The Strand, an area ideal for strolling around. At Rotorua listen to the pulsating rhythms of a traditional Maori Haka and see the seething, bubbling cauldron of geysers and mud pits.

The Bay of Islands region is New Zealand’s finest maritime park and comprises 144 islands and myriad bays and beaches around the coastline. The Bay, with its subtropical climate and pristine natural environment, has an abundance of marine life, including the big marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species. And although it’s an aquatic playground for adventure activities and escapist relaxation, much of Northlands extensive coastline remains unspoilt.

Sydney always lives up to great expectations. When you are on one of our Sydney cruises, the first glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House will stay in your memory forever. One of the world’s great cities and harbours, Sydney always lives up to great expectations. When you are on one of our Sydney cruises, the first glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House will stay in your memory forever. Even before the 2000 Olympics, cruises to Sydney had much to offer – hosting the games just made the city even better with improved facilities and extra dining and entertainment venues all round. From the waterside restaurants fringing the historic Rocks district, the Sydney cruise tour takes you around Sydney Cove past the Circular Quay ferry terminal to that remarkable Opera House and the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.

Classic Australian pastimes such as surfing and swimming from sensational beaches – that is what you will find on the coastline surrounding Queensland’s capital and cruise port Brisbane. Cruises here bring to your holiday a balance of both nature and elegant grounds. To the south are the high-rise hotels which make up the exciting Surfers’ Paradise and Gold Coast resorts, while to the north there is the beautiful and more sedate Sunshine Coast. Cultural attractions in downtown Brisbane are located in and around the South Bank Parklands by the Brisbane River – site of the 1988 World Expo. In close proximity you will discover the Queensland Museum and the State Art Gallery, which features many Aboriginal works. Shore excursions from our cruises to Brisbane also include the Butterfly House and Maritime Museum. The best shopping can be found at the Myer Centre complex on the city’s central commercial artery, Queen Street. While enjoying your Brisbane cruise walk south to admire the fine architecture around the former Treasury building and then discover the imaginatively landscaped Botanic Gardens.

A subtropical paradise, consisting of no less than 74 tropical islands, the Whitsundays could not be more idyllic. Pristine turquoise waters offer great diving and snorkelling. Picture postcard beaches present pure white sands and awe-inspiring vistas. Sailing boats show you the very best of the islands. And National Parks and nature trails enable you a glimpse of the fascinating flora and fauna. With its absence of pollution and crowds, this is definitely the place to come for a little escapism.

Framed by rainforest mountain ranges and the Coral Sea, Cairns lies in the heart of Tropical North Queensland. A modern, sophisticated city, its focal point is the Cairns Esplanade which combines landscaped gardens, restaurants and a natural harbour. A great base for exploring this region’s reef, the rainforest and outback, there’s plenty to see further afield too. Take a skyrail cable car or the scenic railway train through rainforest. Or head off in search of a glimpse of this region’s native wildlife including crocodiles, koalas, parrots and finches.

Bitung is a city on the northern coast of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is in the province of North Sulawesi, and faces Lembeh Island and the Lembeh Strait, which is known for its colourful marine life, in particular sea slugs.

Rich in heritage and culture, Manila combines natural beauty and history to great effect. Colonial ruins will satisfy the historians amongst you. Visit the ruins of Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine Museum and San Augustin Church. Alternatively, Rizal Park, one of South East Asia’s largest, showcases different styles of gardens and an Orchidarium. Or why not head to Taal Volcano, the smallest known active volcano in the world? A day in Manila holds many possibilities.

Hong Kong may boast some 236 islands but most of the five million inhabitants of this former British Crown Colony are concentrated on just one, Hong Kong Island, and one city, Kowloon, on the facing peninsula. It is known as one of the most crowded and vibrant places in the world, making Hong King cruises a must see. Be energised just walking down its teeming streets where you can buy anything from a handmade suit, fancy jewellery and the latest duty-free electronic gizmos to Asian antiques. Also part of our cruises to Hong Kong is a journey between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island with Star Ferry, which gives you the experience of the world’s busiest crossings. For one of the steepest journeys, try the tram which travels to the top of Victoria Peak, 1,300ft above the harbour. And for the ultimate taste sensation on your Hong Kong cruise, head for Aberdeens floating restaurants featuring every kind of Asian cuisine.

Set against a backdrop of lushly-forested mountains, with a beautiful waterfront and wide, golden beaches, the Vietnamese seaside resort of Nha Trang is now well on its way to becoming a sophisticated modern town. You will still find plenty of old fashioned charm, though, in the colourful markets, lively restaurants and broad streets of its bustling downtown area, which lies close to the clear turquoise seas, uncrowded sands and excellent diving and snorkelling facilities of the main City Beach.

The ‘Lion City’, Singapore, offers visitors a colourful colonial history, beautiful gardens, and a dazzling array of shops and markets. You’ll find evidence of the city’s oriental origins in Chinatown, home to a number of splendidly restored ancient temples and in the crowded streets, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. On Orchard Road you’ll find shops brimming with desirables, perfect for picking up the odd souvenir or two!

Kuala Lumpur combines cutting edge architecture with the charm of another era. Home to a efficient monorail system and the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest buildings at the time of their construction, this appears a very modern capital. But there is also another side. Colonial mansions, Moorish architecture and mosques present a more established image of the city. Take a trip to the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower for fantastic views. Explore the manicured spaces of Lake Gardens and take in Chinatown’s street vendors, bright lights and fragrant cuisine.

Known as ‘the Pearl of the Orient’, Penang presents an intriguing blend of beaches, mysterious temples and exotic cuisines. And the capital of Georgetown reflects this multiplicity with ease. You can find a church, a Chinese temple, an Indian temple and a Muslim mosque all within five minutes of each other! Hawkers sell all types of foods round the clock. And festivals abound throughout the year. A colourful city by anyone’s standards!

For international shopping and restaurants, head for the Fort District in the north of the city and then catch some local colour in the Pettah Bazaar District. This is a warren of streets rich in mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples and lined with shops selling everything from exquisitely worked gold jewellery (on Sea Street) to herbs for Ayurvedic treatments and bargain-priced CDs and cassettes (Malwatte Avenue). To the south of the city, you can enjoy lush scenery and watch a cricket match at the lovely seafront park of Galle Face Green, then enjoy a stylish afternoon tea at the historic Galle Face Hotel – after admiring the exquisite hand carved doors at its entrance.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprises the United Arab Emirates. With a mix of traditional architecture and glittering modern buildings, Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts that can best be described as the ‘Middle East meets Hong Kong with a little Las Vegas thrown in for style’. It is also the home of sand, sea and sun. As you sail into the formidable city of Dubai, you can’t help but to gaze up in wonder at the magnificent Burj Al Arab Hotel. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, it stands at a height of 321 metres and dominates the Dubai coastline. Visit Dubai’s waterfront and take a boat trip up Dubai creek, admire the beautiful architecture of the Grand Mosque, boasting the city’s tallest minaret, or barter for souvenirs in the many souks around the city. Don’t miss the Spice Souk and the glittering Gold Souq – crammed full of exquisite jewellery and at prices lower than anywhere else in the world. From designer clothes and custom-made sari’s, to perfumes and spices you can get anything you desire. With guaranteed sunshine the multitude of water sports is spectacular, but you might like to try sand-skiing, 4-wheel drive desert safaris or camel riding. Or for something a little more relaxing enjoy a moonlit Bedouin barbeque, deep in the heart of the desert. The nearby emirate of Sharjah, with its captivating architecture and spectacular souks, was selected by UNESCO as the cultural capital of the Middle East.

The Sultanate of Oman’s capital, Muscat, has a magical feel. It is a combination of stunning deserts, mountains and beaches with all the comforts of a bustling, modern metropolis. It’s also the meeting point of Asian, African and Arabic civilizations and this unique blend of cultures makes Oman a special place to visit and explore.

Petra is a famous archaeological site in Jordan’s southwestern desert. Dating to around 300 B.C., it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Accessed via a narrow canyon called Al Siq, it contains tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname, the “Rose City.” Perhaps its most famous structure is 45m-high Al Khazneh, a temple with an ornate, Greek-style facade, and known as The Treasury

The new cruise port in the grand harbour of Maltese capital Valletta is an impressive introduction to this fascinating Mediterranean island. Late medieval and baroque architecture abound in this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ancient city walls, many churches and palaces. Fort St Elmo, created by the Knights of St John and once the most impregnable in the world, houses in its National War Museum the famous George Cross that was awarded to Malta during World War II to mark the bravery of the besieged islanders.

Seville is the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It’s famous for flamenco dancing, particularly in its Triana neighborhood. Major landmarks include the ornate Alcázar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty, and the 18th-century Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza bullring. The Gothic Seville Cathedral is the site of Christopher Columbus’s tomb and a minaret turned bell tower, the Giralda.

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

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