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Arrive | Depart | ||||||
7th07 | JanJan | 202121 | Barcelona, Spain, embark on the MSC Magnifica | 18:00 | |||
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars. | |||||||
8th08 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
9th09 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
10th10 | JanJan | 202121 | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why. | |||||||
11th11 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
12th12 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
13th13 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
14th14 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
15th15 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
16th16 | JanJan | 202121 | Bridgetown, Barbados | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Located beside the island’s only natural harbour, the capital of Barbados combines modern and colonial architecture with glorious palm tree-lined beaches and a number of historical attractions. Experience the relaxed culture of the city renowned for its British-style parliament buildings and vibrant beach life, and seek out the Anglican church and the 19th-century Barbados Garrison. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades. | |||||||
17th17 | JanJan | 202121 | Saint George's, Grenada | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa those heady aromas fill the air in Grenada (pronounced gruh-nay-da). Only 21 miles (33½ km) long and 12 miles (19½ km) wide, the Isle of Spice is a tropical gem of lush rain forests, white-sand beaches, secluded coves, exotic flowers, and enough locally grown spices to fill anyone's kitchen cabinet. St. George's is one of the most picturesque capital cities in the Caribbean, St. George's Harbour is one of the most picturesque harbors, and Grenada's Grand Anse Beach is one of the region's finest beaches. The island has friendly, hospitable people and enough good shopping, restaurants, historic sites, and natural wonders to make it a popular port of call. About one-third of Grenada's visitors arrive by cruise ship, and that number continues to grow each year. Grenada's capital is a bustling West Indian city, much of which remains unchanged from colonial days. Narrow streets lined with shops wind up, down, and across steep hills. Brick warehouses cling to the waterfront, and pastel-painted homes rise from the waterfront and disappear into steep green hills. The horseshoe-shaped St. George's Harbour, a submerged volcanic crater, is arguably the prettiest harbor in the Caribbean. Schooners, ferries, and tour boats tie up along the seawall or at the small dinghy dock. The Carenage (pronounced car-a-nahzh), which surrounds the harbor, is the capital's center. Warehouses, shops, and restaurants line the waterfront. The Christ of the Deep statue that sits on the pedestrian plaza at the center of The Carenage was presented to Grenada by Costa Cruise Line in remembrance of its ship, Bianca C, which burned and sank in the harbor in 1961 and is now a favorite dive site. An engineering feat for its time, the 340-foot-long Sendall Tunnel was built in 1895 and named for Walter Sendall, an early governor. The narrow tunnel, used by both pedestrians and vehicles, separates the harbor side of St. George's from the Esplanade on the bay side of town, where you can find the markets (produce, meat, and fish), the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Esplanade Mall, and the public bus station. | |||||||
18th18 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
19th19 | JanJan | 202121 | Willemstad, Curaçao | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
Dutch settlers came here in the 1630s, about the same time they sailed through the Verazzano Narrows to Manhattan, bringing with them original red-tile roofs, first used on the trade ships as ballast and later incorporated into the architecture of Willemstad. Much of the original colonial structures remain, but this historic city is constantly reinventing itself and the government monument foundation is always busy restoring buildings in one urban neighborhood or another. The salty air causes what is called "wall cancer" which causes the ancient abodes to continually crumble over time. The city is cut in two by Santa Anna Bay. On one side is Punda (the point)—crammed with shops, restaurants, monuments, and markets and a new museum retracing its colorful history. And on the other side is Otrobanda (literally meaning the "other side"), with lots of narrow, winding streets and alleyways (called "steekjes" in Dutch), full of private homes notable for their picturesque gables and Dutch-influenced designs. In recent years the ongoing regeneration of Otrobanda has been apparent, marked by a surge in development of new hotels, restaurants, and shops; the rebirth, concentrated near the waterfront, was spearheaded by the creation of the elaborate Kura Hulanda complex.There are three ways to cross the bay: by car over the Juliana Bridge; by foot over the Queen Emma pontoon bridge (locally called "The Swinging Old Lady"); or by free ferry, which runs when the pontoon bridge is swung open for passing ships. All the major hotels outside town offer free shuttle service to town once or twice daily. Shuttles coming from the Otrobanda side leave you at Riffort. From here it's a short walk north to the foot of the pontoon bridge. Shuttles coming from the Punda side leave you near the main entrance to Ft. Amsterdam. | |||||||
20th20 | JanJan | 202121 | Santa Marta, Colombia | 09:00 | 18:00 | ||
21st21 | JanJan | 202121 | Cartagena, Colombia | 07:00 | 19:00 | ||
Cartagena's magnificent city walls and fortresses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enclose a well-restored historic center (the Cuidad Amurallada, or walled city) with plazas, churches, museums, and shops that have made it a lively coastal vacation spot for South Americans and others. New hotels and restaurants make the walled city a desirable place to stay, and the formerly down-at-the-heels Getsemaní neighborhood attracts those seeking a bohemian buzz. The historic center is a small section of Cartagena; many hotels are in the Bocagrande district, an elongated peninsula where high-rise hotels overlook a long, gray-sand beach.When it was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was the only port on the South American mainland. Gold and silver looted from indigenous peoples passed through here en route to Spain and attracted pirates, including Sir Francis Drake, who in 1586 torched 200 buildings. Cartagena's walls protected the city's riches as well as the New World's most important African slave market. | |||||||
22nd22 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
23rd23 | JanJan | 202121 | Puerto Limón, Costa Rica | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Christopher Columbus became Costa Rica's first tourist when he landed on this stretch of coast in 1502 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Expecting to find vast mineral wealth, he named the region Costa Rica ("rich coast"). Imagine the Spaniards' surprise eventually to find there was none. Save for a brief skirmish some six decades ago, the country did prove itself rich in a long tradition of peace and democracy. No other country in Latin America can make that claim. Costa Rica is also abundantly rich in natural beauty, managing to pack beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, and diverse animal life into an area the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. It has successfully parlayed those qualities into its role as one the world's great ecotourism destinations. A day visit is short, but time enough for a quick sample. | |||||||
24th24 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | 06:00 | 06:00 | ||
25th25 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
26th26 | JanJan | 202121 | Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
This town is not on the Nicoya Peninsula, but rather on Costa Rica's mainland. It is best known as a cruise-ship port and launching pad for ferries heading southeast to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and for cruises sailing out on the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is also a major fishing port with a lively fish market. The town’s reputation suffers from the unimpressive parts you see from your car as you roll through town on the way to the ferry dock. But the town has a lot of character off the main drag, thanks to its illustrious past as an affluent port town and principal vacation spot for San José's wealthy, who arrived by train in the last century. Once the port was moved and roads opened to other beaches, Puntarenas's economy crashed, but it's making a comeback. Sitting on a narrow spit of sand—punta de arenas literally means "point of sand"—that protrudes into the Gulf of Nicoya, the town boasts a beautifully groomed, wide Blue Flag beach with views of the Nicoya Peninsula and spectacular sunsets, along with a public swimming pool, the San Lucas Beach Club, and a marine-life museum. Ticos arrive by bus and car to enjoy the beach and stroll the Paseo de los Turistas, a beachfront promenade lined with tree-shaded concrete benches and seafood restaurants. Crowds of locals, called porteños, cruise by on bicycles, the town’s most popular form of transport. | |||||||
27th27 | JanJan | 202121 | Corinto, Nicaragua | 09:00 | 18:00 | ||
28th28 | JanJan | 202121 | Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala | 09:00 | 19:00 | ||
29th29 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
30th30 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
31st31 | JanJan | 202121 | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
1st01 | FebFeb | 202121 | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | 09:00 | 16:00 | ||
2nd02 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
3rd03 | FebFeb | 202121 | San Diego, California, United States | 09:00 | 20:00 | ||
San Diego is a vacationer's paradise, with year-round temperatures in the seventies and near-constant sunshine. One of America's most family-friendly cities, San Diego is home to LEGOLAND, the New Children's Museum, and the famous San Diego Zoo. Sunbathers and surfers are guaranteed to find their perfect beach, and foodies find delights in artisanal breweries, local bistros, and gourmet restaurants. From the Broadway excitement of La Jolla Playhouse to the European feel of Little Italy to the nouveau-chic of the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego has something for everyone. | |||||||
4th04 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
5th05 | FebFeb | 202121 | San Francisco, California, United States | 07:00 | 23:59 | ||
With its myriad hills and spectacular bay, San Francisco beguiles with natural beauty, vibrant neighborhoods, and contagious energy. From the hipster Mission District to the sassy Castro, from bustling Union Square to enduring Chinatown, this dynamic town thrives on variety. The city makes it wonderfully easy to tap into the good life, too: between San Francisco's hot arts scene, tempting boutiques, parks perfect for jogging or biking, and all those stellar locavore restaurants and cocktail bars, it's the ultimate destination for relaxed self-indulgence. | |||||||
6th06 | FebFeb | 202121 | San Francisco, California, United States | 18:00 | |||
With its myriad hills and spectacular bay, San Francisco beguiles with natural beauty, vibrant neighborhoods, and contagious energy. From the hipster Mission District to the sassy Castro, from bustling Union Square to enduring Chinatown, this dynamic town thrives on variety. The city makes it wonderfully easy to tap into the good life, too: between San Francisco's hot arts scene, tempting boutiques, parks perfect for jogging or biking, and all those stellar locavore restaurants and cocktail bars, it's the ultimate destination for relaxed self-indulgence. | |||||||
7th07 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
8th08 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
9th09 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
10th10 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
11th11 | FebFeb | 202121 | Kahului-Maui, Hawaii, United States | 08:00 | 23:55 | ||
12th12 | FebFeb | 202121 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
Capital of Hawaii, and a popular tourist destination, Honolulu is known for surfing and water sports. However, there's more to the city than surfing; with museums, the only royal palace in the country, and a mall, there's bound to be something of interest for any visitor. | |||||||
13th13 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
14th14 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
15th15 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
16th16 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
17th17 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
18th18 | FebFeb | 202121 | Apia, Samoa | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Samoa is a group of ten islands located in the South Pacific. The tropical climate and volcanic landscape create a picturesque location for visitors to explore, together with the experience of Fa'a Samoa, the three thousand year old way of life on Samoa. | |||||||
19th19 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
20th20 | FebFeb | 202121 | Suva, Fiji | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Fiji is a collection of tropical islands in the South Pacific and is well known for soft coral diving, white sandy beaches, and idyllic and peaceful surroundings. Because of its paradisiac surroundings, Fiji is a popular location for weddings and honeymoons. Suva is the capital of the Fiji archipelago, located on the southeastern coast of the island of Viti Levu and is the second most populated city of Fiji. | |||||||
21st21 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
22nd22 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
23rd23 | FebFeb | 202121 | Auckland, New Zealand | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
Auckland is called the City of Sails, and visitors flying in will see why. On the East Coast is the Waitemata Harbour—a Māori word meaning sparkling waters—which is bordered by the Hauraki Gulf, an aquatic playground peppered with small islands where many Aucklanders can be found "mucking around in boats."Not surprisingly, Auckland has some 70,000 boats. About one in four households in Auckland has a seacraft of some kind, and there are 102 beaches within an hour's drive; during the week many are quite empty. Even the airport is by the water; it borders the Manukau Harbour, which also takes its name from the Māori language and means solitary bird.According to Māori tradition, the Auckland isthmus was originally peopled by a race of giants and fairy folk. When Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, however, the Ngāti-Whātua tribe was firmly in control of the region. The British began negotiations with the Ngāti-Whātua in 1840 to purchase the isthmus and establish the colony's first capital. In September of that year the British flag was hoisted to mark the township's foundation, and Auckland remained the capital until 1865, when the seat of government was moved to Wellington. Aucklanders expected to suffer from the shift; it hurt their pride but not their pockets. As the terminal for the South Sea shipping routes, Auckland was already an established commercial center. Since then the urban sprawl has made this city of approximately 1.3 million people one of the world's largest geographically.A couple of days in the city will reveal just how developed and sophisticated Auckland is—the Mercer City Survey 2012 saw it ranked as the third-highest city for quality of life—though those seeking a New York in the South Pacific will be disappointed. Auckland is more get-up and go-outside than get-dressed-up and go-out. That said, most shops are open daily, central bars and a few nightclubs buzz well into the wee hours, especially Thursday through Saturday, and a mix of Māori, Pacific people, Asians, and Europeans contributes to the cultural milieu. Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders living outside their home countries, though many of them live outside the central parts of the city and in Manukau to the south. The Samoan language is the second most spoken in New Zealand. Most Pacific people came to New Zealand seeking a better life. When the plentiful, low-skilled work that attracted them dried up, the dream soured, and the population has suffered with poor health and education. Luckily, policies are now addressing that, and change is slowly coming. The Pacifica Festival in March is the region's biggest cultural event, attracting thousands to Western Springs. The annual Pacific Island Secondary Schools’ Competition, also in March, sees young Pacific Islander and Asian students compete in traditional dance, drumming, and singing. This event is open to the public.At the geographical center of Auckland city is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, a convenient landmark for those exploring on foot and some say a visible sign of the city's naked aspiration. It has earned nicknames like the Needle and the Big Penis—a counterpoint to a poem by acclaimed New Zealand poet James K. Baxter, which refers to Rangitoto Island as a clitoris in the harbor.The Waitemata Harbour has become better known since New Zealand staged its first defense of the America's Cup in 2000 and the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in early 2009. The first regatta saw major redevelopment of the waterfront. The area, where many of the city's most popular bars, cafés, and restaurants are located, is now known as Viaduct Basin or, more commonly, the Viaduct. A recent expansion has created another area, Wynyard Quarter, which is slowly adding restaurants.These days, Auckland is still considered too bold and brash for its own good by many Kiwis who live "south of the Bombay Hills," the geographical divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand (barring Northland). "Jafa," an acronym for "just another f—ing Aucklander," has entered the local lexicon; there's even a book out called Way of the Jafa: A Guide to Surviving Auckland and Aucklanders. A common complaint is that Auckland absorbs the wealth from the hard work of the rest of the country. Most Aucklanders, on the other hand, still try to shrug and see it as the parochial envy of those who live in small towns. But these internal identity squabbles aren't your problem. You can enjoy a well-made coffee in almost any café, or take a walk on a beach—knowing that within 30 minutes' driving time you could be cruising the spectacular harbor, playing a round at a public golf course, or even walking in subtropical forest while listening to the song of a native tûî bird. | |||||||
24th24 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
25th25 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
26th26 | FebFeb | 202121 | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 09:00 | 23:59 | ||
Sydney belongs to the exclusive club of cities that generate excitement. At the end of a marathon flight there's renewed vitality in the cabin as the plane circles the city, where thousands of yachts are suspended on the dark water and the sails of the Opera House glisten in the distance. Blessed with dazzling beaches and a sunny climate, Sydney is among the most beautiful cities on the planet.With 4.6 million people, Sydney is the biggest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. A wave of immigration from the 1950s has seen the Anglo-Irish immigrants who made up the city's original population joined by Italians, Greeks, Turks, Lebanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thais, and Indonesians. This intermingling has created a cultural vibrancy and energy—and a culinary repertoire—that was missing only a generation ago.Sydneysiders embrace their harbor with a passion. Indented with numerous bays and beaches, Sydney Harbour is the presiding icon for the city, and urban Australia. Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the 11-ship First Fleet, wrote in his diary when he first set eyes on the harbor on January 26, 1788: "We had the satisfaction of finding the finest harbor in the world."Although a visit to Sydney is an essential part of an Australian experience, the city is no more representative of Australia than Los Angeles is of the United States. Sydney has joined the ranks of the great cities whose characters are essentially international. What Sydney offers is style, sophistication, and great looks—an exhilarating prelude to the continent at its back door. | |||||||
27th27 | FebFeb | 202121 | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 19:00 | |||
Sydney belongs to the exclusive club of cities that generate excitement. At the end of a marathon flight there's renewed vitality in the cabin as the plane circles the city, where thousands of yachts are suspended on the dark water and the sails of the Opera House glisten in the distance. Blessed with dazzling beaches and a sunny climate, Sydney is among the most beautiful cities on the planet.With 4.6 million people, Sydney is the biggest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. A wave of immigration from the 1950s has seen the Anglo-Irish immigrants who made up the city's original population joined by Italians, Greeks, Turks, Lebanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thais, and Indonesians. This intermingling has created a cultural vibrancy and energy—and a culinary repertoire—that was missing only a generation ago.Sydneysiders embrace their harbor with a passion. Indented with numerous bays and beaches, Sydney Harbour is the presiding icon for the city, and urban Australia. Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the 11-ship First Fleet, wrote in his diary when he first set eyes on the harbor on January 26, 1788: "We had the satisfaction of finding the finest harbor in the world."Although a visit to Sydney is an essential part of an Australian experience, the city is no more representative of Australia than Los Angeles is of the United States. Sydney has joined the ranks of the great cities whose characters are essentially international. What Sydney offers is style, sophistication, and great looks—an exhilarating prelude to the continent at its back door. | |||||||
28th28 | FebFeb | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
1st01 | MarMar | 202121 | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | 07:00 | 14:00 | ||
Founded in 1824 on the banks of the wide, meandering Brisbane River, the former penal colony of Brisbane was for many years regarded as just a big country town. Many beautiful timber Queenslander homes, built in the 1800s, still dot the riverbanks and inner suburbs, and in spring the city's numerous parks erupt in a riot of colorful jacaranda, poinciana, and bougainvillea blossoms. Today the Queensland capital is one of Australia's most up-and-coming cities: glittering high-rises mark its polished business center, slick fashion boutiques and restaurants abound, and numerous outdoor attractions beckon. In summer, temperatures here are broilingly hot and days are often humid, a reminder that this city is part of a subtropical region. Wear SPF 30-plus sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat outdoors, even on overcast days.Brisbane's inner suburbs, a 5- to 10-minute drive or 15- to 20-minute walk from the city center, have a mix of intriguing eateries and quiet accommodations. Fortitude Valley combines Chinatown with a cosmopolitan mix of clubs, cafés, and boutiques. Spring Hill has several high-quality hotels, and Paddington, New Farm, Petrie Terrace, West End, and Woolloongabba are full of an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. Brisbane is also a convenient base for trips to the Sunshine and Gold coasts, the mountainous hinterlands, and the Moreton Bay islands. | |||||||
2nd02 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
3rd03 | MarMar | 202121 | Cairns, Queensland, Australia | 10:00 | 18:00 | ||
Tourism is the lifeblood of Cairns (pronounced Caans). The city makes a good base for exploring the wild top half of Queensland, and tens of thousands of international travelers use it as a jumping-off point for activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Barrier Reef, as well as boating, fishing, parasailing, scenic flights, and rain-forest treks.It's a tough environment, with intense heat and fierce wildlife. Along with wallabies and grey kangaroos in the savannah and tree kangaroos in the rain forest, you'll find stealthy saltwater crocodiles, venomous snakes, and jellyfish so deadly they put the region’s stunning beaches off- limits to swimmers for nearly half the year. Yet despite this formidable setting, Cairns and tropical North Queensland are far from intimidating places. The people are warm and friendly, the sights spectacular, and—at the right time of year—the beachside lounging is world-class. | |||||||
4th04 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
5th05 | MarMar | 202121 | Alotau, Papua New Guinea | 09:00 | 19:00 | ||
Alotau is the provincial capital of the Milne Bay Province located in the southeast bay of Papua New Guinea. The town and surrounding area has been an important staging ground during World War II and we will see remains and memorials dating back or referring to the war. On a tour of the town, visitors will appreciate lovely vistas of the bay and experience the markets, which are frequented not only by locals, but also by islanders selling their products or looking for produce to take back into Milne Bay. Alotau is an important port facility for the islands and attracts many vendors of handicrafts from different islands. | |||||||
6th06 | MarMar | 202121 | Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea | 09:00 | 16:00 | ||
7th07 | MarMar | 202121 | Rabaul, Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea | 09:00 | 18:00 | ||
Rabaul, the former provincial capital, has quite a remarkable location. The town is inside the flooded caldera of a giant volcano and several sub-vents are still quite active today! The fumes of the volcano Tavurvur can be seen continually and the town suffered greatly during the last major eruption of 1994 when some 80% of the houses collapsed due to the ash raining down onto their roofs. Rabaul has a Volcano Observatory sitting atop the town’s center, monitoring the 14 active and 23 dormant volcanoes in Papua New Guinea. A small museum opposite the bunker used by Yamamoto during World War II shows exhibits relating to Rabaul’s local, German, Australian and Japanese past from the 19th century to Papua New Guinea’s independence in the 1970s. | |||||||
8th08 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
9th09 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
10th10 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
11th11 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
12th12 | MarMar | 202121 | Manila, Philippines | 12:00 | 23:59 | ||
MANILA, the capital city of the Philippines, was founded in, 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. It is one of the oldest cities in the country and was the seat of power for most of the colonial rules of the Philippines. It is situated on the eastern shore of Manila Bay and contains a multitude of landmarks, some of which date back to the 16th century. It is home to the baroque 16th-century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and military prison. In the 19th century Manila became one of the most modern cities in Asia. Before the Spanish–American War, Manila saw the rise of the Philippine Revolution. Under the American rule following the Spanish-American War, the United States changed the official language from Spanish to English. Towards the end of World War II, during the Battle of Manila, most of the city was flattened by intensive aerial bombardment. Today, tourism is a vital industry in Manila. Major shopping malls and bazaars thrive around Manila. | |||||||
13th13 | MarMar | 202121 | Manila, Philippines | 18:00 | |||
MANILA, the capital city of the Philippines, was founded in, 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. It is one of the oldest cities in the country and was the seat of power for most of the colonial rules of the Philippines. It is situated on the eastern shore of Manila Bay and contains a multitude of landmarks, some of which date back to the 16th century. It is home to the baroque 16th-century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and military prison. In the 19th century Manila became one of the most modern cities in Asia. Before the Spanish–American War, Manila saw the rise of the Philippine Revolution. Under the American rule following the Spanish-American War, the United States changed the official language from Spanish to English. Towards the end of World War II, during the Battle of Manila, most of the city was flattened by intensive aerial bombardment. Today, tourism is a vital industry in Manila. Major shopping malls and bazaars thrive around Manila. | |||||||
14th14 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
15th15 | MarMar | 202121 | Keelung (Chilung), Taiwan | 09:00 | 18:00 | ||
With the glittering lights of Taipei - a futuristic metropolis of culture and ideas - sparkling nearby, Keelung is the first calling point for many visitors arriving in Taiwan. While this port city essentially serves as Taipei's ocean gateway, you shouldn’t be too hasty in dashing off to Taipei's neon-lit magic – first it’s well worth spending some time exploring the famous glowing night market, which hums with life each evening and is famous for its local seafood. | |||||||
16th16 | MarMar | 202121 | Ishigaki, Japan | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
17th17 | MarMar | 202121 | Naha, Okinawa, Japan | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
18th18 | MarMar | 202121 | At Sea | ||||
19th19 | MarMar | 202121 | Osaka, Japan | 08:00 | 23:59 | ||
From Minami's neon-lighted Dotombori and historic Tenno-ji to the high-rise class and underground shopping labyrinths of Kita, Osaka is a city that pulses with its own unique rhythm. Though Osaka has no shortage of tourist sites, it is the city itself that is the greatest attraction. Home to some of Japan's best food, most unique fashions, and warmest locals, Osaka does not beg to be explored—it demands it. More than anywhere else in Japan, it rewards the impulsive turn down an interesting side street or the chat with a random stranger. People do not come here to see the city, they come to experience it.Excluded from the formal circles of power and aristocratic culture in 16th-century Edo (Tokyo), Osaka took advantage of its position as Japan's trading center, developing its own art forms such as Bunraku puppet theater and Rakugo comic storytelling. It was in Osaka that feudal Japan's famed Floating World—the dining, theater, and pleasure district—was at its strongest and most inventive. Wealthy merchants and common laborers alike squandered fortunes on culinary delights, turning Osaka into "Japan's Kitchen," a moniker the city still has today. Though the city suffered a blow when the Meiji government canceled all of the samurai class's outstanding debts to the merchants, it was quick to recover. At the turn of the 20th century, it had become Japan's largest and most prosperous city, a center of commerce and manufacturing.Today Osaka remains Japan's iconoclastic metropolis, refusing to fit Tokyo's norms and expectations. Unlike the hordes of Tokyo, Osakans are fiercely independent. As a contrast to the neon and concrete surroundings, the people of Osaka are known as Japan's friendliest and most outgoing. Ask someone on the street for directions in Tokyo and you are lucky to get so much as a glance. Ask someone in Osaka and you get a conversation.The main areas of the city, Kita (north) and Minami (south), are divided by two rivers: the Dojima-gawa and the Tosabori-gawa. Between Kita and Minami is Naka-no-shima, an island and the municipal center of Osaka. Kita (north of Chuo Dori) is Osaka's economic hub and contains Osaka's largest stations: JR Osaka and Hankyu Umeda. The area is crammed with shops, department stores, and restaurants. Nearby are a nightlife district, Kita-shinchi; Naka-no-shima and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics; Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle); and Osaka Koen (Osaka Park). Restaurants, bars, department stores, and boutiques attract Osaka's youth to Minami (south Chuo Dori); theatergoers head to the National Bunraku Theatre and electronics-lovers to Den Den Town. For a glimpse of old Osaka, visit Tenno-ji Temple and Shin Sekai. The main stations are Namba, Shin-sai-bashi, Namba Nankai, and Tenno-ji. There's easy access to the Municipal Museum of Fine Art and Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine).The bay area, to the west of the city center, is home to the Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan. The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Osaka, three stops (about five minutes) north of Osaka Station on the Mido-suji subway line. To the north of Shin-Osaka is Senri Expo Park. | |||||||
20th20 | MarMar | 202121 | Osaka, Japan | 16:00 | |||
From Minami's neon-lighted Dotombori and historic Tenno-ji to the high-rise class and underground shopping labyrinths of Kita, Osaka is a city that pulses with its own unique rhythm. Though Osaka has no shortage of tourist sites, it is the city itself that is the greatest attraction. Home to some of Japan's best food, most unique fashions, and warmest locals, Osaka does not beg to be explored—it demands it. More than anywhere else in Japan, it rewards the impulsive turn down an interesting side street or the chat with a random stranger. People do not come here to see the city, they come to experience it.Excluded from the formal circles of power and aristocratic culture in 16th-century Edo (Tokyo), Osaka took advantage of its position as Japan's trading center, developing its own art forms such as Bunraku puppet theater and Rakugo comic storytelling. It was in Osaka that feudal Japan's famed Floating World—the dining, theater, and pleasure district—was at its strongest and most inventive. Wealthy merchants and common laborers alike squandered fortunes on culinary delights, turning Osaka into "Japan's Kitchen," a moniker the city still has today. Though the city suffered a blow when the Meiji government canceled all of the samurai class's outstanding debts to the merchants, it was quick to recover. At the turn of the 20th century, it had become Japan's largest and most prosperous city, a center of commerce and manufacturing.Today Osaka remains Japan's iconoclastic metropolis, refusing to fit Tokyo's norms and expectations. Unlike the hordes of Tokyo, Osakans are fiercely independent. As a contrast to the neon and concrete surroundings, the people of Osaka are known as Japan's friendliest and most outgoing. Ask someone on the street for directions in Tokyo and you are lucky to get so much as a glance. Ask someone in Osaka and you get a conversation.The main areas of the city, Kita (north) and Minami (south), are divided by two rivers: the Dojima-gawa and the Tosabori-gawa. Between Kita and Minami is Naka-no-shima, an island and the municipal center of Osaka. Kita (north of Chuo Dori) is Osaka's economic hub and contains Osaka's largest stations: JR Osaka and Hankyu Umeda. The area is crammed with shops, department stores, and restaurants. Nearby are a nightlife district, Kita-shinchi; Naka-no-shima and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics; Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle); and Osaka Koen (Osaka Park). Restaurants, bars, department stores, and boutiques attract Osaka's youth to Minami (south Chuo Dori); theatergoers head to the National Bunraku Theatre and electronics-lovers to Den Den Town. For a glimpse of old Osaka, visit Tenno-ji Temple and Shin Sekai. The main stations are Namba, Shin-sai-bashi, Namba Nankai, and Tenno-ji. There's easy access to the Municipal Museum of Fine Art and Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine).The bay area, to the west of the city center, is home to the Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan. The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Osaka, three stops (about five minutes) north of Osaka Station on the Mido-suji subway line. To the north of Shin-Osaka is Senri Expo Park. | |||||||
21st21 | MarMar | 202121 | Shimizu, Japan | 09:00 | 16:00 | ||
The salt and pepper cone of Japan's most famous natural landmark won’t fail to take your breath away, as it soars into the sky in a vision of spectacular symmetry. Make sure your camera is fully prepared before you dock in Shimizu’s port, where unparalleled views of the extraordinary Mount Fuji’s dramatic peak await. Take your time to soak up one of Japan's most iconic views, before dipping your toes into the rest of what this destination of tranquil temples has to offer. While there’s a bustling fish market, and a charming amusement park waiting close to the port, most new arrivals immediately set off in pursuit of the best views of Mount Fuji, or to see the stunning panorama on offer from the heights of the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. Take the cable car up to the top, to experience the tranquillity around the forested shrine, and to enjoy its stunning architecture of deep scarlets and gleaming golds. You can also enjoy heart-stopping views out over the Bay of Suruga, and the tea plantations below. | |||||||
22nd22 | MarMar | 202121 | Tokyo, Japan, disembark the MSC Magnifica | 08:00 | |||
Lights, sushi, manga! Sprawling, frenetic, and endlessly fascinating, Japan’s capital is a city of contrasts. Shrines and gardens are pockets of calm between famously crowded streets and soaring office buildings. Mom-and-pop noodle houses share street space with Western-style chain restaurants and exquisite fine dining. Shopping yields lovely folk arts as well as the newest electronics. And nightlife kicks off with karaoke or sake and continues with techno clubs and more. Whether you seek the traditional or the cutting edge, Tokyo will provide it. |
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Features a double bed, which can be converted in to two singles. Also includes: air conditioning, bathroom with shower, interactive TV, telephone, wi-fi internet connection (for a fee), mini-bar, safe deposit box.
Features a double bed, which can be converted in to two singles. Also includes: air conditioning, bathroom with shower, interactive TV, telephone, wi-fi internet connection (for a fee) mini-bar, safe deposit box.
Features a porthole and double bed, which can be converted in to two singles. Also includes: air conditioning, bathroom with shower, interactive TV, telephone, wi-fi internet connection (for a fee), mini-bar, safe deposit box.
Features a balcony and a double bed, which can be converted in to two singles. Also includes: air conditioning, spacious wardrobe, bathroom with bathtub, interactive TV, telephone, wi-fi internet (for a fee), mini-bar, safe deposit box.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Located on deck 5, serving a wide variety of dishes, prepared by hand with the freshest ingredients, there's a great variety of choice to be had in the restaurants . One of two main dining rooms onboard, guests will find everything from freshly baked bread, to Italian and Mediterranean styled food here.
With panoramic sea views L’Oasi on Deck 13 within the Sahara Cafeteria, seating 250 guests, offers a gourmet three-course à la carte meal using typical Mediterranean ingredients with a twist with a menu introduced by acclaimed Italian seafood chef Mauro Uliassi.
Examples of dishes on offer include Duck Foie Gras, Scallops, swordfish and smoked duck breast, Chilled Cucumber and Mint Velouté, Seared Monkfish Medallions, and New York Strip Steak.
L’Oasi opens for dinner only from 6.00pm until midnight.
Situated on deck 13, The gelato comes in a wide variety of around 16 different flavours from vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, pineapple and coffee to pistachio, kiwi and lemon.
The ship's Sports Bar, L’Olimpiade, is located on deck 7 and seats 120. It serves an à la carte menu between 10.00am to 1.00am, featuring Steamed shrimp cocktail, Fish & Chips, Buffalo Chicken Wings, and Salad.
Other items range from Italian flat bread with Parma ham and mozzarella, Italian Gragnano bread filled with sausage, mushrooms and cheese and prawn curry to French baguette with ham, cheese, egg and salad, mini hamburgers, Spanish, German, Turkish and Chinese dishes.
Oriental Plaza on deck 7 is a small intimate speciality à la carte restaurant seating 54 guests in a room decorated with deep gold, black lacquer, floral prints and dragons.
Serving a range of dishes from Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai and Japanese delicacies, such as Hot & Sour Soup, Ming Combo - 4 Pieces of Dim Su, Tang Combo – 16 Pieces of Dim Sum, Chicken and Rice, Cantonese Style Sweet & Sour Pork, Stir Fried Beef with Bamboo Shoots, Mu Shu Pork, Stir-Fried Beef in Oyster Sauce , Prawns in Black Bean Sauce, Garlic Scallops , Fried Ice Cream, Rice Pudding with Candied Fruit, Banana Spring Rolls.
Oriental Plaza is open from 12.00pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to midnight
Part of the Sahara Cafeteria on deck 13 becomes a pizzeria at night, from 7.00pm to 10.30pm and serves a selection of pizzas and calzone for a small charge.
Quattro Venti, located on Deck 6, boasts a top gastronomic selection thanks to the variety of dishes and the high quality of the foods, from choice Italian meats, scrupulously controlled, to fresh fruit. Every product is fresh and carefully handled, such as bread baked on board with the passion and knowledge of the most distinctive boulangerie. Dishes range from traditional and tasty Mediterranean fare, to the most refined international recipes.
Sahara can accommodate 472 guests and is located on deck 13. It is the ship's self service buffet restaurant serving breakfast and lunch in a casual environment. It features an omelette station, a sandwich bar, pasta station and a grill that serves hamburgers, hot dogs, and other favourites along with a desserts section.
Open from 6.30am for an Early Birds Coffee, the breakfast buffet is served between 7.00am and 10.00am. Lunch is served between 11.30am and 3.30pm and afternoon tea from 4.15 to 5.00pm.
During the cruise a number of midnight buffets are served from 11.30pm to 12.30am in a variety of locations, including the Sahara Cafeteria, such as a Mediterranean Buffet.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Ten pin bowling is available in T32 aft of deck 14.
The bowling alley is designed for maximum entertainment and impact, including a traditional-looking bowling surface made of a tough phenol compound which allows guests to enjoy a game without changing shoes. The alleys are scaled down to work within the area and the bowls themselves are smaller than usual, making them more manageable for youngsters.
The alley also incorporates two large LCD electronic screens featuring interactive videogame animations with a choice of Ten Pin Tour and Turkey Shoot.
The bowling is operated by tokens, priced at around €5 per game, which are available from reception on deck 5, the adjacent 4D cinema, within the T32 disco itself and from vending machines.
The Poker Room is located within the casino on deck 7, and seats 28 guests. It is a separate card room for Texas Hold’Em games.
Magnifica’s 4D eight seat cinema, with 3D graphics and moving seats to enhance guests experience, is located on deck 14 and costs around €7.90 per viewing.
L'Ametista Lounge is located on deck 7 of the Magnifica and has its own bar and dance floor along with seating for 330 guests.
It is a large cabaret style lounge with live shows and bands for guests' entertainment.
The Tiger Bar is the ship's second show lounge served by its own bar and dance floor.
It is situated on deck 6 with seating for 477 guests.
Entertainment and activities range from bingo, seminars, Italian lessons and salsa dance classes to audience participation game shows, karaoke and international dance music.
The Cyber Cafe located on deck 7 is the ship's computer room with 17 workstations and a printer (Charges apply).
Costs are around €3.33 Euros for 10 minutes in the Cyber Cafe or if guests want to spend more time on the internet a number of packages are available as follows (subject to change)
The ship's card room is located on deck 7 and seats 28 guests.
The ship's Photo Gallery on deck 7, displays photos and videos of guests taken by the ship's official photographers which guests can purchase if they wish to. Guests can also have portraits taken with a selection of backdrops or locations throughout the ship.
There are a variety of shops and boutique onboard. From the MSC Logo shop that sells MSC clothes, souvenirs and toys, Le Parfum selling a range of cosmetics and perfumes including Dior and Marc Jacobs.
La Boutique, on deck 6 sells men's, women's and children's fashion with brands including Polo, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and Armani, with sunglasses, watches and fashion jewellery.
The Duty Free Shop sells a range of tobaccos, liquors and snacks and is located on deck 6.
The Art Gallery can be found on deck 7 of the ship. Guests can view a range of artwork from fine prints, lithographs, water colours and oils which can be purchased during the ship's champagne art auctions.
The ship's smoking room and whiskey bar is situated on deck 7 and seats 32 guests.
The Cigar Lounge offers elegant surroundings with leather settees and armchairs for guests to relax on and enjoy a cigar accompanied by a drink selected from the range of fine spirits on offer.
The ship's small library and reading room are located on deck 7, with seats for 15 guests. It has a small selection of books in a variety of languages for guests to borrow. It also contains a number of board games for guests' use.
The Ships cocktail bars are the ideal location for guests to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail with live musical entertainment.
They are located on deck 6 with seating for up to 45 guests in each bar.
L’Olimpiade on deck 7 with seating for 120 guests, is the ship's themed sports bar serving an à la carte snack menu.
It features large TV screens airing a variety of sporting events and pool tables for guests' use.
Magnifica’s Coffee Bar is located on deck 5, midship with seating for 142 guests and music ranging from Latin to classical, drinks on offer range from chilled liquor based coffees such as Espresso Martini, American Style Coffee, Cappuccino and Hot Chocolate.
With a live DJ and open from 11.00pm until late, the ship's disco located on deck 14 and served by its own bar. It has seating for 172 guests.
The ship's 630 square meter casino, situated on deck 7 accommodating 222 guests. It is served by its own bar and features games from roulette and blackjack to poker and slot machines. The Casino is open to over 18’s only.
State of the art theatre, and the main show lounge onboard, with seating for 1,240 people, it is home to MSC Orchestra’s shows ranging from singers and jugglers to shadow puppeteers and acrobatic gymnastics. It is split over two levels of seating on Deck 6 & 7.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Comes in five different age groups, with dedicated services and entertainment activities for each, open from 9am to 11pm.
An onboard arcade, with a variety of video games and digital options. Open to all children onboard.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
74 nights aboard the MSC Magnifica | |||
Drinks packages available. | |||
Evening entertainment & Broadway style shows | |||
Speciality Restaurants (charges may apply) | |||
Award winning MSC Aurea Spa (charges apply) | |||
Gratuities Included | |||
Port Taxes and Fees | |||
ABTA and ATOL Protection* |
Date 7th Jan 2021 |
Nts 74 |
Interior |
Oceanview |
Balcony £10,699pp |
Suite |
Date 7th Jan 2021 |
Nts 74 |
Interior |
Oceanview |
Balcony £10,699pp |
Suite |
Interior staterooms | |||
I1 | Inside Bella | ||
I2 | Inside Fantastica | ||
Oceanview staterooms | |||
O1 | Outside Bella (With Partial View) | ||
O2 | Outside Fantastica | ||
Balcony staterooms from | £10,699pp | ||
B1 | Balcony Bella | £10,699pp | |
B2 | Balcony Fantastica | £11,149pp | |
B3 | Balcony Aurea | ||
Suite staterooms | |||
S3 | Suite Aurea | ||
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