San Francisco To Southampton Cruise - V206B

San Francisco, on the Californian coast, is one of America’s most attractive cities with its famous Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets that provide panoramic views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay and surrounding mountains, and its eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture. Perhaps also famous for the nearby Silicon Valley, this ‘City by the Bay’ has become even more international with large numbers of immigrants from Asia and Latin America. Explore the amazing Fisherman’s Wharf that offers great food, and the numerous boutiques. Take a hop-on hop-off bus that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy the beautiful scenery and expensive homes at the Marin Headlands. Read more about San Francisco, USA

The birthplace of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the Unites States, Honolulu is the cultural, industrial, commercial, and governmental centre of Hawaii, with Waikiki Beach the epicentre of the tourist industry. It is a thriving world-class city, with nearly one million people in its metropolitan area. Oahu is the most popular of the Hawaiian Islands, and as the city is packed with sights, activities, and tourist attractions, it is easy to understand why there is so much to do in this southernmost major U.S. city. Read more about Honolulu, USA

Apia (pop. 37,000), city and capital of Samoa, is located on the northern shore of Upolu Island in the South Pacific Ocean. Samoa (Western Samoa to 1997) consists of two main islands and four smaller islands. (American Samoa lies 72 km to the ESE.) Apia is on the second largest island. Read more about Apia, Samoa

Suva is the capital and largest city of Fiji, perched on a hilly peninsula between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour in the SE corner of the island of Viti Levu. It is a beautiful tropical city full of colour and diverse cultures. Although it is the only place in Fiji where you will see buildings taller than palm trees, local folk traditions such as fire walks, welcoming ceremonies, wood-carving and the fabrication of tree-bark cloth, remain strong. Hire a taxi for the day or take a tour and enjoy its tall modern buildings which are beautifully balanced by rich traditional colonial architecture. Read more about Suva, Fiji

Rotorua (Tauranga) is a centre of tourism and a place of extraordinary natural beauty. It is a smallish city on the shores of a lake of the same name, in the crater of an ancient volcano in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The entire area is thermally active, and the smell of sulphur, a 'rotten eggs’ smell that is never far, results in the nicknames 'Sulphur City' and 'Rottenrua'. The surrounding geothermal wonderland including 16 beautiful lakes and the lush green of the abundant native flora, soon causes one to get used to the odour. Read more about Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand

The city centre of Auckland is perfect for shopping, discovering New Zealand arts, culture and challenging your adventure side. Wander through The New Zealand Maritime Museum or Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Sky Tower is a must-do, where you can experience 360 degree views on the SkyWalk or go for it and attempt the SkyJump! View Auckland’s most iconic volcano! Read more about Auckland, New Zealand

The Bay of Islands - the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand - is an area in the Northland region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km NW of Whangarei it is close to the northern tip of the country. The bay is the busiest, yet quietest place you'll ever come to. It lies in a subtropical wonderland with an average summer temperature of 24 deg., and has the bluest skies in the world. Read more about Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Getting around Sydney is easy and accessible. You can jump on a train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay in approx.18 minutes, ride the hop on hop off bus around the city that offers multiple stops including Sydney Tower, Botanic Gardens, Australian Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or the Bondi bus. If travelling on the water is more your style, catch a ferry to visit Sydney’s amusement park, Luna Park, visit the buzzing Manly Beach wharf which is linked to the Corso mall or cruise west of the city to join a Haunted History, Crooked Character or Convict Precinct tour at UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Cockatoo Island. The best times to visit Sydney are September through November and from March to May as they offer the most comfortable temperatures, around mid 20°C. Read more about Sydney, Australia

Getting around Sydney is easy and accessible. You can jump on a train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay in approx.18 minutes, ride the hop on hop off bus around the city that offers multiple stops including Sydney Tower, Botanic Gardens, Australian Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or the Bondi bus. If travelling on the water is more your style, catch a ferry to visit Sydney’s amusement park, Luna Park, visit the buzzing Manly Beach wharf which is linked to the Corso mall or cruise west of the city to join a Haunted History, Crooked Character or Convict Precinct tour at UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Cockatoo Island. The best times to visit Sydney are September through November and from March to May as they offer the most comfortable temperatures, around mid 20°C. Read more about Sydney, Australia

For those with a little more time to spend in and around Brisbane, Head down south to the Gold Coast - only an hour away - where you can experience the iconic Surfers Paradise main beach, shop at the unmissable Pacific Fair, hold a koala and pat a kangaroo at the nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or hop on the AquaDuck for a family fun tour of the Gold Coast. Heading north-west from Brisbane, you will come across the picturesque Maleny and Montville. These towns are perfect for a day-trip or a couple of nights located high on the Blackall Range, with magnificent views of the Sunshine Coast. They are home to lovely cafes and restaurants, once-off boutique purchases and art galleries. Read more about Brisbane, Australia

Whether you're snorkeling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the luscious Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a great base for you to start your tropical north Queensland adventure. The Cairns esplanade is the main hub with a host of lovely cafes and restaurants, waterfront boardwalks and also a swimming lagoon. A perfect meeting spot if you're catching up with family or friends. Head out on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef which departs from Cairns. Read more about Cairns, Australia

Milne Bay is home to almost five hundred islands, ranging from typical tropical islands and atolls through to huge volcanic and continental islands. It is situated at the easternmost inlet on the coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, and gives good access to coral reefs and diving. With no roads connecting it to the rest of the world, it truly is a quiet piece of paradise. It has some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world, and is fast becoming an established mecca for divers, as well as a destination for game and sports fishermen. Read more about Milne Bay (Alotau), Papua New Guinea

The Trobriand Islands (aka the Kiriwina Islands) are an archipelago of coral atolls off the E coast of Papua New Guinea in Milne Bay Province. Most of the 12,000 indigenous inhabitants live on the main island Kiriwina, the location of the government station, Losuia. Other major islands are Kaileuna, Vakuta, and Kitava. The archipelago is an important tropical rainforest eco-region in need of conservation. Read more about Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea

Rabaul is a town on the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. A busy commercial centre, it is situated on Simpson Harbour, a sheltered inlet of Blanche Bay. Almost the entire old town of Rabaul is buried under volcanic ash, the result of a volcanic eruption in 1994, and one is in awe of the scenery, which resembles an alien prehistoric landscape. Mt Tavurvur is still active and makes for a very interesting trekking tour. Read more about Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

Manila, the capital of the Philippines and the most densely populated city in the world, is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, on the western side of the island of Luzon. This metropolis has certainly come a long way from being a fortified settlement and renowned trading centre in the 13th century. The city attracts over one million visitors from all over the world annually. For those interested in history, Intramuros, which was a walled Spanish settlement, and the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, which includes the graves of thousands of Americans who died there in WWII, are well worth visiting. Read more about Manila, Philippines

Hong Kong, situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, is a kaleidoscope of life, a sophisticated fusion of East and West, a city of diversity where new and old meet at every turn. Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area. Victoria Harbour and the Giant Buddha are among the most awe-inspiring. Then take the famous Escalator and the Tram to the Peak, the tallest point on the island, with some of the most expensive homes to be found anywhere. Read more about Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Hong Kong, situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, is a kaleidoscope of life, a sophisticated fusion of East and West, a city of diversity where new and old meet at every turn. Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area. Victoria Harbour and the Giant Buddha are among the most awe-inspiring. Then take the famous Escalator and the Tram to the Peak, the tallest point on the island, with some of the most expensive homes to be found anywhere. Read more about Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 km N of the Equator, just south of the Malaysian state of Johor. One of the few remaining city-states in the world, Singapore is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is brimming with diversity and has a multiplicity of culture, language, arts and architecture and a world famous variety of cuisine. You'll find historic sites like the Thian Hock Keng temple, superlative shopping, including gargantuan malls, and numerous beaches. Read more about Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 km N of the Equator, just south of the Malaysian state of Johor. One of the few remaining city-states in the world, Singapore is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is brimming with diversity and has a multiplicity of culture, language, arts and architecture and a world famous variety of cuisine. You'll find historic sites like the Thian Hock Keng temple, superlative shopping, including gargantuan malls, and numerous beaches. Read more about Singapore, Singapore

Kuala Lumpur - or KL as it is known - is situated midway along the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, and as the nation's capital city it is the focal point of the new Malaysia. The city truly brings together Malaysia's past and present and its varied cultures. Visitors can appreciate the evocative British buildings as well as the unbounded spirit of progress that symbolises Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. Indeed it is home to the Petronas Twin Towers, among the tallest twin towers in the world. Read more about Kuala Lumpur (Kelang), Malaysia

Colombo is the largest city, and the commercial, industrial and cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Despite its frenetic traffic and the general hustle and bustle of being where you can see some of the tallest buildings in Asia, it does offer some interesting attractions. In the northern part of the city you can find the British fort, dating from the 19th C, as well as the gracious old buildings of previous colonial eras. Visit the national museum, and the Pettah bazaar district where the streets are crammed with shops and stalls selling everything from vegetables to gemstones. Read more about Colombo, Sri Lanka

Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius, located on the NW coast of the island. The very large city is dominated by the Citadel from which almost the whole city can be observed, and it is surrounded by a range of mountains. The city as a whole is a place of interest, but of special attraction is the famous China Town, where many still dress in national clothing. Everybody speaks Chinese, and it truly possesses an atmosphere that is different from the surrounding neighbourhoods. Read more about Port Louis, Mauritius

Port Elizabeth - or PE as it is fondly known - is South Africa's fifth largest city and is located on the Indian Ocean coast half-way between Cape Town and Durban. Also known as the Friendly City and the Windy City, it tends to live up to both names. The long stretches of white beach and its historical significance make PE a vibrant city, with shopping, flea markets, great restaurants and other entertainment on offer. It has always been a family destination, so there are activities for both young and old. Read more about Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was the first European settlement in South Africa, and today is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Pristine beaches, sheltered bays and secluded coves encircle the majestic might of Table Mountain, a World Heritage Site and home to some 8,500 species of flowers. Be sure to get to the top of the mountain by taking the Table Mountain Cableway and absorb the fascinating views. Robben Island and the District Six Museum are must-visits for anyone interested in South Africa's period of apartheid, which came to an end in 1990. Read more about Cape Town, South Africa

Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was the first European settlement in South Africa, and today is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Pristine beaches, sheltered bays and secluded coves encircle the majestic might of Table Mountain, a World Heritage Site and home to some 8,500 species of flowers. Be sure to get to the top of the mountain by taking the Table Mountain Cableway and absorb the fascinating views. Robben Island and the District Six Museum are must-visits for anyone interested in South Africa's period of apartheid, which came to an end in 1990. Read more about Cape Town, South Africa

Walvis Bay, Namibia, lies on the Atlantic coast where the desert dramatically meets the sea, and has long been a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbour protected by the Pelican Point sand spit. This is the only harbour along the 1350km Namibian coast, hence important historically to vessels rounding the Cape of Good Hope, discovered in 1485. Variously coming under British, German and South African control, The Republic of Namibia became independent in 1990, and Walvis Bay came under its control in 1994. Agriculture, herding, tourism and the mining industry – including mining for gem diamonds, uranium, gold, silver, and base metals – form the basis of the country’s economy. Read more about Walvis Bay, Namibia

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (commonly known as Santa Cruz) is the capital the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The port is of great importance and is the communications hub between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with cruise ships arriving from many nations. Not surprisingly, the city has a real cosmopolitan mix due to immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Western Europe. Santa Cruz is the second largest city of the European Union outside of Europe, and is also the capital of the island of Tenerife. Read more about Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Southampton, UK, is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England, and is widely recognised as the capital of the country’s cruise industry. Each year more and more cruise liners take advantage of its superb cruise terminals. It is, of course, a gateway to Europe’s largest city, the enormous cosmopolitan city of London, with all the cultural and gastronomic attractions you'd expect from a world capital. Needless to say there are a variety of well-priced means to travel to London as well as some truly amazing tours on offer. Read more about Southampton, Great Britain