Southampton to Sydney

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

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

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

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

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

Praia da Vitória is a municipality in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. With a population of 21,035, the second largest administrative authority on the island of Terceira, it covers an area of 161.27 square kilometres, that extends from the northern coast halfway into the interior.

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

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

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

Port Elizabeth is a city on Algoa Bay in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. A major port, it’s also known for its numerous beaches. The Donkin Heritage Trail takes in the Old Hill neighbourhood’s Victorian landmarks. Coastal boat tours spot whales and rare seabirds, while wildlife reserves outside the metropolitan area are home to elephants, rhinos and other big game

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

Strict government controls here have ensured that this idyllic island has retained its charm.

No building can rise higher than the indigenous palm trees and the number of visitors is restricted to maintain the atmosphere of unspoiled paradise.

The western Australia capital of Perth has a distinctly relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with large areas of parkland leading down to the Swan River and easy access to the ocean. Remarkably, this Australian city is almost as close to Singapore as it is to Sydney which goes to demonstrate the vastness of this under-populated and still-untamed country.

With its twin cathedrals of St Francis and St Xavier, its elaborate arts centre, its pavement cafés and botanical gardens, Adelaide is arguably the most European of all Australian cities. However, its culture is tempered with a generous shot of no-nonsense Australian humour and a welcome that gives it a unique atmosphere.

Its Christmas Eve and what better place to spend it than in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne? Here you’ll find the locals are mad about art, passionate about sport and ballet, au fait with the latest fashions and ravenous for fine cuisine, so go on, do as the locals do, and immerse yourself in the local culture! See Melbourne’s most famous sights such as Captain Cook’s cottage, the Shrine of Remembrance and admire the scenic countryside.

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

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