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.

The largest of the Portuguese islands in the Madeiran archipelago, Madeira offers a wealth of sites of historical interest, marvellous fish cuisine and, of course, its own famous Madeira wine. Unusually, Madeira has no sandy beaches, but it does offer the visitors wonderful walks, not only through its towns, but through its mountains and hills.

Barbados is the most British of the Caribbean islands, where cricket is the national passion and afternoon tea a tradition. Yet the flawless skies, lilting rhythms of both speech and calypso and the endless beaches all provide vivid reminders that you are a long way from home. Enjoy a stroll around Bridgetown, the capital which boasts impressive colonial architecture and take a snap of what used to be known as Trafalgar Square.

The largest island in the Dutch Antilles, Curaçao is home to more than 50 nationalities. Willemstad is full of 17th, 18th and 19th century Dutch and Spanish Colonial architecture. The two sides of the city are divided by Santa Anna Bay, a narrow channel flanked by pastel-tinted, gabled houses and spanned by the spectacular swing-aside Queen Emma pontoon bridge. On one side you will find the 18th century Fort Amsterdam and Breederstraat, gateway to Willemstads main shopping and restaurant district where you can buy everything from Delft pottery to Italian silk ties, Japanese electrical goods, Indonesian batik clothing, locally-made black coral jewellery and, of course, the sapphire-blue liqueur to which Curaçao has given its name.

The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade

Cabo San Lucas, a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, is known for its beaches, water-based activities and nightlife. Playa El Médano is Cabo’s main beach, with outdoor restaurants and numerous bars. Past the marina is Land’s End promontory, site of Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) and El Arco, a natural archway in the seacliffs.

Cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco is one of the world’s greatest travel experiences for it acts as gateway to a fascinating city set across dozens ofhills overlooking the bay. The hippies are long gone but San Francisco’s scenic beauty, laid-back ambience and more than 3,000 restaurants make it a joy to visit. The famous Fisherman’s Wharf harbourfront restaurant and multi-coloured boats complex, where seals happily sunbathe on its wooden decking, faces out towards the former island prison of Alcatraz which is now a major tourist attraction just like the city’s colourful Chinatown district and upmarket shopping centre in Union Square. And no visit to San Francisco would be complete without a trip on the city’s 130-year-old tram system carrying you up and down the improbably steep streets made famous by that stomach-churning Steve McQueen car chase in the movie Bullitt. From the city, you can also visit the pretty resorts of Sausalito and Monterey.

Cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco is one of the world’s greatest travel experiences for it acts as gateway to a fascinating city set across dozens ofhills overlooking the bay. The hippies are long gone but San Francisco’s scenic beauty, laid-back ambience and more than 3,000 restaurants make it a joy to visit. The famous Fisherman’s Wharf harbourfront restaurant and multi-coloured boats complex, where seals happily sunbathe on its wooden decking, faces out towards the former island prison of Alcatraz which is now a major tourist attraction just like the city’s colourful Chinatown district and upmarket shopping centre in Union Square. And no visit to San Francisco would be complete without a trip on the city’s 130-year-old tram system carrying you up and down the improbably steep streets made famous by that stomach-churning Steve McQueen car chase in the movie Bullitt. From the city, you can also visit the pretty resorts of Sausalito and Monterey.

Hilo is a town on Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, in the state of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist effects. The bubbling basalt-lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. To the south is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests and the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Airlie Beach is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Airlie Beach had a population of 1,208 people.

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.

Cruise into Darwin and it is ‘welcome to Crocodile Dundee country,’ for this is the gateway to the legendary Kakadu World Heritage Park.
Darwin is famous for the frontier spirit and rough humour of its inhabitants, who celebrate their favourite leisure activity with an annual Beer Can Regatta – racing rafts made of empty cans while emptying plenty more!

Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to religious sites such as cliffside Uluwatu Temple. To the south, the beachside city of Kuta has lively bars, while Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua are popular resort towns. The island is also known for its yoga and meditation retreats.

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!

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!

Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is located about 6 kilometres southwest of the town of Klang, and 38 kilometres southwest of Kuala Lumpur.

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!

Located in the Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar is the island of Reunion – a haven of French culture and home to a wildly mountainous countryside. Discovered by the Portuguese, today the population is an interesting mix of ethnic and religious variety – from the French to the Africans, Malays and Indians.

Lying at the foot of its most famous landmark, Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt South Africa’s most beautiful city. Walk to the top, or if you’re feeling less energetic take a ride in the vertiginous cable car. The views from the top are phenomenal, and well worth waiting for! Other must-see sights include, the Castle of Good Hope, the District Six Museum and the Houses of Parliament, and the unimpeachable Mount Nelson Hotel.

Lying at the foot of its most famous landmark, Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt South Africa’s most beautiful city. Walk to the top, or if you’re feeling less energetic take a ride in the vertiginous cable car. The views from the top are phenomenal, and well worth waiting for! Other must-see sights include, the Castle of Good Hope, the District Six Museum and the Houses of Parliament, and the unimpeachable Mount Nelson Hotel.

Walvis Bay is your gateway to little-known Namibia. This immaculate former German enclave boasts natural oddities aplenty, including musical rocks and the world’s oldest plants. See it all on a jeep safari and round the day off with local champagne and oysters on a dolphin and seal cruise to Bird Island. Here the sun colours the massive and ever-shifting dunes into deep shades of purple and red. For a wonderful view of the town, head for Pelican Point.

Looking for a holiday that combines culture and exploration with comfort and relaxation? Tenerife is a true slice of paradise. Explore its foodie treasures, tranquil sunsets burning with tones of pink, orange and yellow and put your underwater camera to good use. There are countless experiences to be had, yet also peaceful and idyllic with sparkling waters and powder-soft sand.

Visiting the largest of the Canary Islands, our Tenerife cruises bring you close to one of the world’s most dramatic and varied landscapes, ranging from verdant valleys and lush plantations to glorious beaches, vast pinewoods and the volcanic `moonscape’ of Mount Teide National Park. Tenerife’s cruise port Santa Cruz has grown from a fishing village to a splendid city with classy bars and restaurants, varied shops, fine architecture and interesting museums. With our cruises to Tenerife the action begins right outside the port gates, where you will find a caf-lined boulevard leading to the Plaza de Espana, at the heart of the port’s main shopping area. Look out for bargain electrical goods and cut-price CDs, Tenerife’s speciality. Prefer museums and galleries? Try the Museo de Bellas Artes, which contains works by Bruegel, or discover the island’s history, topography, flora and fauna at the Museo de la Naturaleza y El Hombre.

Lanzarote is a treat for all the senses. From artistic wonders to natural beauties, the Lanzarote brims with culture, adventure and glorious sunshine. Enjoy a number of the most beautiful destinations…Fancy tucking into some mezze at a waterfront café? Or sunbathing on Lanzarote’s best beaches? The sky’s the limit on a Lanzarote cruise holiday. There are countless cultural experiences to be had.

Make the best of your Lanzarote cruise, tear yourself away from your sunbed to explore the island’s spectacular moon-like volcanic landscape, best seen from the Fire Mountain in the Timanfaya National Park and famous for the fantastical shapes created by solidified volcanic lava. Camel rides are available in the park, and tours here will also take you to the lush wine country of La Geria to sample the heady local vintages. Head north instead of southwest and you will discover wonderfully verdant Haria – ‘the valley of a thousand palms’ and can enjoy panoramic views from Mirador del Rio. Equally fascinating is a visit to Jameos el Agua cave, an oddly shaped volcanic cave overlooking a saltwater lagoon where you will find a colony of white crabs unique to the island. With our Lanzarote cruises the choice is yours.

Some of the best views of the Portuguese capital come as your ship cruises along the Tagus River. You pass the Belem Tower and the impressive Monument to the Discoveries with its statue of Henry the Navigator before arriving at the Lisbon cruise terminal. Although small for a European capital, this city does sprawl a little so you would do best to concentrate on three districts – Baixa, Bairro Alto and Alfama, each with its own distinctive style, making Lisbon cruises a must see. Baixa has busy streets of inviting shops, cafes and restaurants while Alfama is the atmospheric old town with narrow cobblestone streets, medieval and Moorish-style buildings, wrought-iron balconies with trailing flowers and a mix of small shops and bars. Bairro Alto is another historic district with narrow streets and is a steep climb from Baixa so look out for the 100-year-old lift (Elevador do Carmo) near Rossio Square. With such a variety of destinations to explore, cruises to Lisbon bring to your holiday a balance of both modern and historical grounds.

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.