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8th08 | MayMay | 202020 | Auckland, New Zealand, embark on the Sea Princess | 20:00 | |||
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. | |||||||
9th09 | MayMay | 202020 | Bay of Islands, New Zealand | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
The Tasman Sea on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east meet at thetop of North Island at Cape Reinga. No matter what route you take, you'll passfarms and forests, marvellous beaches, and great open spaces. The East Coast,up to the Bay of Islands, is Northland's most densely populated, often withrefugees from bigger cities—looking for a more relaxed life—clustered aroundbreathtaking beaches. The first decision on the drive north comes at the footof the Brynderwyn Hills. Turning left will take you up the West Coast throughareas once covered with forests and now used for either agricultural orhorticulture. Driving over "the Brynderwyns," as they are known,takes you to Whangarei, the only city in Northland. If you're in the mood for adiversion, you can slip to the beautiful coastline and take in Waipu Cove, anarea settled by Scots, and Laings Beach, where million-dollar homes sit next tosmall Kiwi beach houses.An hour's drive farther north is the Bay of Islands, known all over theworld for its beauty. There you will find lush forests, splendid beaches, andshimmering harbors. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840 betweenMāoriand the British Crown, establishing the basis for the modern New Zealandstate. Every year on February 6, the extremely beautiful Waitangi Treaty Ground(the name means weeping waters) is the sight of a celebration of the treaty andprotests by Māori unhappy with it. Continuing north on the East Coast, theagricultural backbone of the region is even more evident and a series ofwinding loop roads off the main highway will take you to beaches that are bothbeautiful and isolated where you can swim, dive, picnic, or just laze. .The West Coast is even less populated, and the coastline is rugged andwindswept. In the Waipoua Forest, you will find some of New Zealand's oldestand largest kauri trees; the winding road will also take you past mangroveswamps. Crowning the region is the spiritually significant Cape Reinga, theheadland at the top of the vast stretch of 90 Mile Beach, where it's believedMāori souls depart after death. Today Māori make up roughly a quarter of thearea's population (compared with the national average of about 15%). The legendaryMāori navigator Kupe was said to have landed on the shores of Hokianga Harbour,where the first arrivals made their home. Many different wi (tribes) livedthroughout Northland, including Ngapuhi (the largest), Te Roroa, Ngati Wai,Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngaitakoto, Ngati Kahu, and Te Rarawa. Many Māoriherecan trace their ancestry to the earliest inhabitants | |||||||
10th10 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
11th11 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
12th12 | MayMay | 202020 | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
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. | |||||||
13th13 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
14th14 | MayMay | 202020 | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
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. | |||||||
15th15 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
16th16 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
17th17 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
18th18 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
19th19 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
20th20 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
21st21 | MayMay | 202020 | Komodo Island, Indonesia | 07:00 | 17:00 | ||
Pink Beach earned its name for the way the beach can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters. It is possible to spot a striped clown fish nestled among the protective tentacles of its sea anemone host, or to see a grouper lazily swimming by a flamboyant soft coral. The reef here is now protected by law and the maturing corals are a joy to behold. | |||||||
22nd22 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
23rd23 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
24th24 | MayMay | 202020 | Singapore, Singapore | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
The main island of Singapore is shaped like a flattened diamond, 42 km (26 miles) east to west and 23 km (14 miles) north to south. Near the northern peak is the causeway leading to West Malaysia—Kuala Lumpur is less than four hours away by car. It is at the southern foot where you will find most of the city-state’s action, with its gleaming office towers, working docks, and futuristic "supertrees," which are solar-powered and serve as vertical gardens. Offshore are Sentosa and over 60 smaller islands, most uninhabited, that serve as bases for oil refining or as playgrounds and beach escapes from the city. To the east is Changi International Airport, connected to the city by metro, bus, and a tree-lined parkway. Of the island's total land area, more than half is built up, with the balance made up of parkland, farmland, plantations, swamp areas, and rain forest. Well-paved roads connect all parts of the island, and Singapore city has an excellent, and constantly expanding, public transportation system. The heart of Singapore's history and its modern wealth are in and around the Central Business District. The area includes the skyscrapers in the Central Business District, the 19th-century Raffles Hotel, the convention centers of Marina Square, on up to the top of Ft. Canning. Although most of old Singapore has been knocked down to make way for the modern city, most colonial landmarks have been preserved in the CBD, including early-19th-century buildings designed by the Irish architect George Coleman. | |||||||
25th25 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
26th26 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
27th27 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
28th28 | MayMay | 202020 | Colombo, Sri Lanka | 07:00 | 19:00 | ||
Sri Lanka's capital and largest city, Colombo offers fine restaurants, a buzzing nightlife scene, and good museums, parks, and beautiful Buddhist temples that are all worth visiting. The beach resort of Mt. Lavinia is only a short taxi ride from the downtown area and offers a golden, sandy beach and sunset views to die for. As an exciting blur of colors and cultures, Colombo presents a neatly packaged microcosm of this island nation. | |||||||
29th29 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
30th30 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
31st31 | MayMay | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
1st01 | JunJun | 202020 | Mina Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman | 08:00 | 17:00 | ||
2nd02 | JunJun | 202020 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 12:00 | |||
Dubai sits on a golden sandy coastline in the Arabian Gulf, where the warm azure waves of the sea meet the desert. A high-rise oasis, this city is a pleasure-dome surrounded by dunes; one of the most fashionable on the planet thanks to its ability to satisfy the needs of legions of demanding vacationers. Dubai is about having fun—and it's one big adult playground.Nature plays her part here, with year-round sunshine, gorgeous beaches, dramatic arid landscapes, and warm waters, but it's the man-made attractions that make Dubai so alluring. You can launch yourself into high-adrenaline desert adventures, diving and water sports, and some of the world's best golf courses. The 5-, 6-, and 7-star hotels offer the ultimate in luxury, and the party scene is hot. Shopping malls are the biggest in the world and are packed full of high-class merchandise. And with hundreds of restaurants with cuisine from around the world, you can munch your way from Mexico to Malaysia.Dubai is an Arab country with a long history as a trading port. Traces of its traditional life, customs, and architecture can still be seen and explored, but today and tomorrow are much more important than yesterday. Almost every building in this metropolis is less than 20 years old and the most dramatic developments—groundbreaking megaprojects—have just been completed or are still under construction.The city is certainly unique. Islam is its anchor, but it has opened its doors to the rest of the world and has invited them in to work, rest, and play, which creates a truly international atmosphere. Unashamedly modern and materialistic, life here takes place at breakneck speed. The landscape is stark, the confidence is sky high, the can-do spirit is palpable, and the bling is in your face. Dubai produces strong reactions in people, but one thing is certain—love it or loathe it—you will not forget it. It is without a doubt, one of the world's true must-see destinations.Shisha: Smoke Without Fire. Emirati men love socializing, but as they don't drink alcohol they get together over coffee and shisha instead of a drink at the bar after work. The shisha, or hookah, is a smoking device, usually made of glass, that filters smoke through water before it reaches the smoker's mouth. Shisha tobaccos are aromatic and are often mixed with apple, cinnamon, or cherry, so their taste isn't as strong as other tobaccos. Smoking shisha is said to induce relaxation—but you'll have to decide if it's for you! | |||||||
3rd03 | JunJun | 202020 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 23:00 | |||
Dubai sits on a golden sandy coastline in the Arabian Gulf, where the warm azure waves of the sea meet the desert. A high-rise oasis, this city is a pleasure-dome surrounded by dunes; one of the most fashionable on the planet thanks to its ability to satisfy the needs of legions of demanding vacationers. Dubai is about having fun—and it's one big adult playground.Nature plays her part here, with year-round sunshine, gorgeous beaches, dramatic arid landscapes, and warm waters, but it's the man-made attractions that make Dubai so alluring. You can launch yourself into high-adrenaline desert adventures, diving and water sports, and some of the world's best golf courses. The 5-, 6-, and 7-star hotels offer the ultimate in luxury, and the party scene is hot. Shopping malls are the biggest in the world and are packed full of high-class merchandise. And with hundreds of restaurants with cuisine from around the world, you can munch your way from Mexico to Malaysia.Dubai is an Arab country with a long history as a trading port. Traces of its traditional life, customs, and architecture can still be seen and explored, but today and tomorrow are much more important than yesterday. Almost every building in this metropolis is less than 20 years old and the most dramatic developments—groundbreaking megaprojects—have just been completed or are still under construction.The city is certainly unique. Islam is its anchor, but it has opened its doors to the rest of the world and has invited them in to work, rest, and play, which creates a truly international atmosphere. Unashamedly modern and materialistic, life here takes place at breakneck speed. The landscape is stark, the confidence is sky high, the can-do spirit is palpable, and the bling is in your face. Dubai produces strong reactions in people, but one thing is certain—love it or loathe it—you will not forget it. It is without a doubt, one of the world's true must-see destinations.Shisha: Smoke Without Fire. Emirati men love socializing, but as they don't drink alcohol they get together over coffee and shisha instead of a drink at the bar after work. The shisha, or hookah, is a smoking device, usually made of glass, that filters smoke through water before it reaches the smoker's mouth. Shisha tobaccos are aromatic and are often mixed with apple, cinnamon, or cherry, so their taste isn't as strong as other tobaccos. Smoking shisha is said to induce relaxation—but you'll have to decide if it's for you! | |||||||
4th04 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
5th05 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
6th06 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
7th07 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
8th08 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
9th09 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
10th10 | JunJun | 202020 | 'Aqaba, Jordan | 07:00 | 23:00 | ||
The resort town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea at the southern end of Jordan, is a popular spot for divers with some of the best coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular, and it's easy to hire a boat for a day or half-day, including lunch.Aqaba has become quite a bustling destination, with several large luxury hotels and a large shopping area. There are many jewelry stores selling pearls, gem stones, and gold and silver jewelry. It's worth noting that although it's an international beach resort, Aqaba is quite conservative—certainly much more so than Amman—and North Americans tend to be more comfortable at the private hotel beaches. | |||||||
11th11 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | 17:00 | |||
12th12 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | 17:00 | |||
13th13 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
14th14 | JunJun | 202020 | Santorini, Greece | 07:00 | 18:00 | ||
Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers. Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras. The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St. Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802. You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction. After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them. The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia. Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive. You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top. The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor. The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera. On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum. Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956. Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep. The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle"). In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925. There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down. This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away. The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state. In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water. However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants. | |||||||
15th15 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
16th16 | JunJun | 202020 | Sibenik, Croatia | 08:00 | 18:00 | ||
Šibenik's main monument, its Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, built of pale-gray Dalmatian stone and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands on a raised piazza close to the seafront promenade. From here a network of narrow, cobbled streets leads through the medieval quarter of tightly packed, terra-cotta–roof houses, and up to the ruins of a 16th-century hilltop fortress. The city has never been a real tourist destination. Before the Croatian war for independence, it was a relatively prosperous industrial center, but when the factories closed, Šibenik sank into an economic depression. However, the cathedral more than warrants a look, and it makes a decent base for visiting the waterfalls of Krka National Park. | |||||||
17th17 | JunJun | 202020 | Venice, Italy | 08:00 | |||
Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif. | |||||||
18th18 | JunJun | 202020 | Venice, Italy | 16:00 | |||
Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif. | |||||||
19th19 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
20th20 | JunJun | 202020 | Valletta, Malta | 10:00 | 22:00 | ||
Malta's capital, the minicity of Valletta, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-color limestone. Houses along the narrow streets have overhanging wooden balconies for people-watching from indoors. Generations ago they gave housebound women a window on the world of the street. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. City Gate and the upper part of Valletta are experiencing vast redevelopment that includes a new Parliament Building and open-air performance venue. The complex, completed mid-2013, has numerous pedestrian detours in place along with building noise and dust. Before setting out along Republic Street, stop at the tourist information office on Merchant Street for maps and brochures. | |||||||
21st21 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
22nd22 | JunJun | 202020 | Civitavecchia, Italy | 07:00 | 19:00 | ||
Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza. | |||||||
23rd23 | JunJun | 202020 | Cannes, France | 08:30 | 18:30 | ||
Cannes is pampered with the luxurious year-round climate that has made it one of the most popular resorts in Europe. Cannes was an important sentinel site for the monks who established themselves on Île St-Honorat in the Middle Ages. Its bay served as nothing more than a fishing port until in 1834 an English aristocrat, Lord Brougham, fell in love with the site during an emergency stopover with a sick daughter. He had a home built here and returned every winter for a sun cure—a ritual quickly picked up by his peers. Between the popularity of Le Train Blue transporting wealthy passengers from Calais, and the introduction in 1936 of France's first paid holidays, Cannes became the destination, a tasteful and expensive breeding ground for the upper-upscale.Cannes has been further glamorized by the ongoing success of its annual film festival, as famous as Hollywood's Academy Awards. About the closest many of us will get to feeling like a film star is a stroll here along La Croisette, the iconic promenade that gracefully curves the wave-washed sand coastline, peppered with chic restaurants and prestigious private beaches. This is precisely the sort of place for which the French invented the verb flâner (to dawdle, saunter): strewn with palm trees and poseurs, its fancy boutiques and status-symbol grand hotels—including the Carlton, the legendary backdrop to Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief —all vying for the custom of the Louis Vuitton set. This legend is, to many, the heart and soul of the Côte d'Azur. | |||||||
24th24 | JunJun | 202020 | Barcelona, Spain | 10:00 | 22:00 | ||
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. | |||||||
25th25 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
26th26 | JunJun | 202020 | Ceuta, Spain | 07:00 | 16:00 | ||
The autonomous city of Ceuta is a tiny Spanish city-enclave on the Moroccan side of the Straits of Gibraltar, separated from the Spanish mainland by just 12 miles. The city's strategic location has ensured it has endured a turbulent history, often being used as a trade and military outpost. Originally an old Carthaginian colony, it has since been held by the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Arabs, and has been known as 'Abyla', 'Septem' and 'Cibta'. It was finally taken over by Spain in 1580 and has remained Spanish since then, with the name 'Ceuta'. Covering an area of just ten square miles, the enclave is dominated by the hill of Monte Hacho, sometimes believed to be the legendary Pillars of Hercules. With a fascinating mix of both Spanish and African influences and surrounded by massive 14th-century city walls, Ceuta has a charm and grandeur all of its own. As an autonomous region of Spain, Ceuta is part of the territory of the EU, but is considered a special low-tax zone. Leather goods, ceramics and embroidery are common purchases from the city. | |||||||
27th27 | JunJun | 202020 | Lisbon, Portugal | 10:00 | 22:00 | ||
Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades. | |||||||
28th28 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
29th29 | JunJun | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
30th30 | JunJun | 202020 | Cobh, Ireland | 07:00 | 22:00 | ||
Cork City's nearby harbor district has seen plenty of history. Cork Harbour's draws include Fota Island—with an arboretum, a wildlife park, and the Fota House ancestral estate—and the fishing port of Cobh. | |||||||
1st01 | JulJul | 202020 | At Sea | ||||
2nd02 | JulJul | 202020 | Dover, England, disembark the Sea Princess | 06:30 | |||
Known as the gateway of England, Dover welcomes millions of visitors from all over the globe each year in its role as the ferry capital of the world and the second busiest cruise port in the UK. The White Cliffs Country has a rich heritage. Within the walls of the town’s iconic castle, over 2,000 years of history waits to be explored, whilst the town’s museum is home to the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the world’s oldest known seagoing vessel. The town’s cliffs that are a welcome sight for today's cross-channel travellers also served as the control centre for the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. |
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Grade Code | From | To | |
BF | Balcony | £13,524 | £13,524 |
BE | Balcony | £13,584 | £13,584 |
BD | Balcony | £13,644 | £13,644 |
BC | Balcony | £13,704 | £13,704 |
BB | Balcony | £13,764 | £13,764 |
BA | Balcony | £13,824 | £13,824 |
The Balcony stateroom is appointed with fine amenities such as a Balcony with patio furniture and outstanding views, twin beds that convert to a queen size bed, Private bathroom with shower with Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings and Daily housekeeping service, Evening bed turn-down and chocolates on your pillow.
Grade Code | From | To | |
IF | Inside | £9,774 | £9,774 |
IE | Inside | £9,794 | £9,794 |
ID | Inside | £9,814 | £9,814 |
IC | Inside | £9,834 | £9,834 |
IB | Inside | £9,854 | £9,854 |
IA | Inside | £9,874 | £9,874 |
The Interior stateroom is richly appointed with fine amenities such as twin beds that convert to a queen size bed, Private bathroom with shower with Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings, Daily housekeeping service, Evening bed turn-down and chocolates on your pillow. Some also have pullman beds to accommodate 3rd and 4th passengers.
Grade Code | From | To | |
ME | Mini-Suite | £21,674 | £21,674 |
MB | Mini-Suite | £22,259 | £22,259 |
Available as Mini-Suite & Premium Mini Suite, The luxurious Mini-Suites offer guests a welcome glass of champagne, Separate seating area with a sofa or sofa bed, Balcony with patio furniture, Twin beds that convert to a queen-size bed, Evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow, Two flat-panel televisions, Private bathroom with combination tub and shower with Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings and a daily housekeeping service.
Grade Code | From | To | |
OF | Outside | £11,924 | £11,924 |
OC | Outside | £11,999 | £11,999 |
The Oceanview and Premium Oceanview staterooms feature a picture window for memorable views. They are richly appointed with fine amenities such as Twin beds that convert to a queen size bed, Private bathroom with shower, Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings, Daily housekeeping service, Evening bed turn-down and chocolates on your pillow.
Grade Code | From | To | |
S4 | Suite | £27,474 | £27,474 |
S3 | Suite | £28,714 | £28,714 |
S2 | Suite | £30,594 | £30,594 |
Suite staterooms include a spacious cabin and large balcony with room for four with two comfortable loungers, a table and two chairs. They also feature special suite-only benefits, such as a separate seating area with a sofa or sofa bed, walk-in closet, full bathroom with deluxe amenities including Complimentary mini-bar set-up, CD/DVD player with access to a complimentary DVD library, personal safe, Comfortable luxury pillow-top mattress, A luxurious queen-size bed, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Upgraded bathroom amenities and hair dryer, Two flat-panel satellite TVs, Evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow, Refrigerator, Writing desk and phone, 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings, Daily housekeeping service and enhanced nightly turn-down service.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Get a quick and satisfying bite whenever you like at our Casual Dining eateries, or get take-out and dine by the pool.
Riviera Grill– The Balcony Grill overlooks the pool deck and offers an array of burgers, hot dogs, kebabs and pies amongst other choices.
Cafe Corniche – A perennial Princess passenger favourite, here they serve up freshly made Italian-style pizza by the slice, featuring classic flavours and a daily special. Open for lunch from 12-2.30pm and dinner from 6pm to 11pm.
Sundaes Ice cream bar – Passengers can enjoy a refreshing soft-serve cone complete with dipping sauces and sprinkles or splurge on other ice cream treats.
You can choose to dine at the Chef's Table with a private dining experience amidst a softly-lit curtain that encloses your extravagant table.
Located forward of the 14th Deck, both continental style and hot breakfast is served from around 6.30am to 11.00am, lunch from 11.30 to 3.30 offering a carvery, sandwiches, salads and desserts as well as other options, and bistro style dinner from 5.30pm to 11pm.
Between 11.30 and 1.30 on some days a traditional British style pub lunch is served in the centre of the buffet with fare ranging from bangers and mash to steak and kidney pie or fish and chips.
It also has its own bar, dance floor and stage for entertainment both during and after meals.
The Sterling Steakhouse, recently voted one of the "Best Cruise Ship Steakhouses" by USA Today, showcases prime cuts of Sterling Silver grain-fed beef presented to passengers on a silver presentation tray. Passengers are treated to a traditional American Steakhouse experience with special table settings, decorative linens, signature cutlery and table lanterns.
The Rigoletto Dining Room on Deck 5 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Waiter served breakfast and lunch are both open seating with breakfast served from around 6.30 to 9am and offering a choice of continental and cooked options, whilst lunch is served on sea days from around 12 to 1.30pm.
Afternoon tea is also served in the Rigoletto Dining Room from 3.30 to 4.30pm again with waiter service offering finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries along with beverages.
Traditional seating dinner with a choice of either early seating-5.45pm or late seating-7.45pm offers a choice of a set menu of signature pasta dishes, Caesar salad, chicken, beef, salmon and lotus spa healthy eating options or a changing menu comprising of four courses of appetisers, soups and salads, main courses and desserts.
The Traviata Dining room is open for dinner with two seatings and is located on Deck 6.
The menu in both restaurants offers the same dishes with just the décor of the two rooms varying.
The menu comprises of set options on one side including signature pasta dishes, salmon, chicken, beef and lotus spa healthy eating options whilst the other side changes and consists of appetisers, soups and salads, main courses and desserts
Stay in for dinner and enjoy the Ultimate Balcony Dining Experience, delivered right to the comfort of your own balcony.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
The Topsails bar is located on the Sun Deck outside the sanctuary.
Get a professional portrait created by the talented photographers in our Platinum Studio
The Grand Plaza area, located in the central atrium area on the 5th Deck, plays host to a variety of events from vegetable carving demonstrations to string quartets and piano music.
Internet access is available on all Princess vessels through the 24-hour onboard Internet Cafe and wireless network- which is available in staterooms and various public.
Use the state-of-the-art computer systems to access your web-based email account, or browse the Internet for world news, sports and stock trading. Or bring your wireless-enabled laptop and access the Internet through the improved onboard wireless service.
Razzmatazz is the ship's nightclub but also hosts other events such as Nintendo Wii competitions.
The Ship's quiet champagne bar on Deck 7, offers caviar, Champagne and a variety of wines.
The onboard library is fully stocked with a wide range of titles, all of which can be checked out free of charge - so you might want to save your money and avoid the airport book shop.
Step into the Wheelhouse Bar on-board for a taste of British tradition. You'll find a menu of favourites advertised on chalkboards and displayed on counters for an authentic pub feel including fish & chips or a hearty Ploughman's Lunch.
Live piano entertainment and drinks in a club-like ambience.
The Crooners Bar on the 7th Deck is part of a large lounge combined with the Atrium Lounge.
Crooners itself is a martini bar and entertainment for the venue includes live piano music. The Atrium, with live music, is considered to be a highly sophisticated venue onboard.
A show lounge that offers comfortable seating, gracious drink service, and cutting edge lighting and sound.
A range of activities take place from audience participation game shows, Princess Popstar, country and western nights, hypnotists and trivia to comedians and ballroom dancing
On the 8th Deck is the ship's casino served by the Sports Bar which shows a number of sporting events and is also the location of the ship's card room.
It features a range of slot machines and tables including blackjack, poker and roulette.
Accessible to over 21's only, free taster sessions are held for those new to casinos to learn how to play the games.
With sophisticated architectural lighting, West End-style shows are on every cruise, with more than one performance each evening allowing passengers the flexibility to see a show before or after dinner. With lively music, stunning choreography and some of the largest casts at sea.
Boasting a giant screen 30% larger than Princess Cruises other ships, this signature poolside venue presents first-run movies, sporting events and concerts under the night sky, accompanied by complimentary fresh-popped popcorn. The 300 square foot theatre offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a blockbuster Hollywood movie against a backdrop of twinkling stars. Personal touches include comfortable chaise lounges, complimentary popcorn, warm cookies and milk, with cosy blankets in the evenings.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
Ages 13-17- Featuring a new lounge area, perfect for meeting new friends, with skeeball, foosball, and great video games. In the teen-only exclusive lounges, junior cruisers can come and go as they please. Make new friends whilst enjoying PS2/PS3 and Wii games, football tables, sports competitions and late night movies. Take part in the shipboard Olympics, mocktail parties, DJ workshops, or check out the hot tub parties and formal dinners.
Ages 8-12- Offering games and activities like air hockey, skeeball, and video game stations – not to mention a dedicated lounge with a giant TV and arts and crafts tables. There are plenty of exciting activities for older kids to enjoy, including kids-only dinners, movies, PS2/PS3, Wii (and all the latest games), along with scavenger hunts, talent shows and sports tournaments. California Science Centre workshops and junior chef@sea educational classes are also on offer.
Ages 3-7- There’s an exciting toddler area, a mini air hockey table, great arts and crafts stations, plus a space for group activities like movie nights.Offering dance parties, movies and cartoons, along with ice cream and pizza parties, your little ones can enjoy t-shirt colouring, theme nights and getting creative with art projects.
The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.
55 nights aboard the Sea Princess | |||
Evening entertainment & Broadway style shows | |||
Complimentary daily afternoon tea | |||
Choice of traditional or anytime dining | |||
Complimentary 24-hour room service | |||
Speciality Restaurants (charges may apply) | |||
Drinks package available | |||
Port Taxes and Fees | |||
ABTA and ATOL Protection* |
Date 8th May 2020 |
Nts 55 |
Interior £9,794pp |
Oceanview £10,424pp |
Balcony £10,200pp |
Suite |
Date 8th May 2020 |
Nts 55 |
Interior £9,794pp |
Oceanview £10,424pp |
Balcony £10,200pp |
Suite |
Interior staterooms from | £9,794pp | ||
IF | Inside | ||
ID | Inside | £9,814pp | |
IB | Inside | £9,854pp | |
IA | Inside | £9,874pp | |
IE | Inside | £9,794pp | |
IC | Inside | ||
Oceanview staterooms from | £10,424pp | ||
OF | Outside | £11,924pp | |
O5 | Outside | ||
OE | Outside | ||
O4 | Outside | ||
OC | Outside | £11,999pp | |
OW | Outside | £10,424pp | |
O6 | Outside | ||
Balcony staterooms from | £10,200pp | ||
BC | Balcony | ||
BD | Balcony | ||
BX | Balcony | ||
BY | Balcony | £10,200pp | |
BE | Balcony | ||
BB | Balcony | £13,764pp | |
BF | Balcony | £13,524pp | |
BA | Balcony | ||
Suite staterooms | |||
S2 | Suite | ||
S4 | Suite | ||
S3 | Suite | ||
M1 | Mini-Suite | ||
M4 | Mini-Suite | ||
MB | Mini-Suite | ||
ME | Mini-Suite | ||
Fusion Cruises when selling travel arrangements is a trading name of The Midcounties Co-operative Ltd. Fusion Cruises is an Accredited Body Member of Midcounties Co-operative Travel Consortium. (ABTA:P6652, ATOL:6053).
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Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme but ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services offered on this website. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk