World Cruises Cruise on Grand Princess from Auckland (New Zealand)

Auckland (New Zealand)

Auckland is a major cruise ship stopover point, with the ships usually tying up at Princes Wharf. Auckland CBD is connected to coastal suburbs, to the North Shore and to outlying islands by ferry. Auckland is home to many cultures. The majority of inhabitants claim European - predominantly British and/or Irish - descent, but substantial Maori, Pacific Islander and Asian communities exist as well. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world and a higher proportion of people of Asian origin than the rest of New Zealand. Ethnic groups from all corners of the world have a presence in Auckland, making it by far the country's most cosmopolitan city.

Waitangi (New Zealand)

Suva (Fidji)

Suva is a multicultural city where we can find churches, mosques and temples. Suva outstands for the scenery, from the little bay the tourist can contemplate the high mountains. Suva has a strange architecture, mixture of the colonial past full of mansions and gardens, and the native constructions.

Isla Dravuni

Crossing International Date Line

Apia (Westsamoa)

Samoa is located south of the equator, about halfway between Hawai‘i and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. The Samoan islands have been produced by vulcanism, the source of which is the Samoa hotspot which is probably the result of a mantle plume. The fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social and political systems, and language. Cultural customs such as the Samoa 'ava ceremony are significant and solemn rituals at important occasions including the bestowal of matai chiefly titles. Items of great cultural value include the finely woven 'ie toga. The Samoan word for dance is siva with unique gentle movements of the body in time to music and which tells a story, although the Samoan male dances can be more physical and snapp. The form and construction of traditional architecture of Samoa was a specialised skill by Tufuga fai fale that was also linked to other cultural artforms.

Papeete (French Polynesia)

Papeete is the capital of the French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune of Papeete is located on the island of Tahiti. Admire the Point Venus view where Captain Cook settled in Tahiti. Visit the busy port of Papeete before venturing to the waterfalls and black sand shores. Don't forget your camera to take back special memories of the helicopter ride.

Moorea, French Polynesia

Found only a few kilometers northwest of Tahiti, Moorea is located in the French Polynesian Society Islands. Boasting breathtaking volcanic scenery, its mountain slopes are draped with rain forests and pineapple plantations while its pristine white sand beaches border sapphire blue lagoons. There are a wealth of watersport activities on offer from Deep sea fishing to sailing and of course scuba diving and snorkelling are a must around the islands reefs. The Tiki Village, Opunohu Valley and island tours are also popular attractions with visitors.

Honolulu (Hawaii)

The isle of Hawaii is named Grnad Island, and we explain why. It is more than double the size than all the rest of Hawaiian isles together, and is completely full of luxuriant nature, from the rugged volcanoes to the cascades and the rainy forrests. It is the home of smokey volcano craters and rivers of dry lava in the National Park of the Volcanoes.

Kahului (Maui, Hawaii)

Located on Maui's northern shores, Kahului is home to the islands airport and only deep-draft harbor making it the commercial epicentre for the island of Maui. Visitors are spoilt for choice with its variety of shopping malls and commercial centers as well as its palmtree-laden beaches crystal clear waters and stunning volcanic scenery. Haleakala (the East Maui Volcano) forms the majority of the island and is the largest inactive volcano in the world while Kahalawai forms the rest. Kahalawai is also known as West Maui Mountains due to its several peaks.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest urban area in the nation. It is located in the southern part of the state on the Pacific Ocean. It is a favorite vacation destination and attracts millions of tourists to the area each year from all over the world. Apart from the movie studios, points of interest include the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits (famous for Ice Age fossils), Disneyland (Anaheim), and the Santa Anita and Hollywood racetracks. Today, Hollywood is a part of Los Angeles.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a major and bustling cosmopolitan city in California, surrounded by water on three sides, and the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. There is much to see: the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz island (once the most notorious prison in the world), Pier 39 on Fisherman´s Wharf, a lively bay area with shops, arcades, restaurants, cafés, fairground rides, ocean views and its own colony of sea lions, Lombard Street and the famous San Francisco cable cars, that run up and down the hills of San Francisco between Market Street and Fisherman´s Wharf, providing cheap and easy access to the whole of San Francisco. The Port is located in downtown San Francisco and offers many tourist attractions, including Hyde Street Pier, Fisherman´s Wharf, PIER 39 and access to Alcatraz.

Victoria (British Columbia)

The capital of the British Columbia, Victoria, has many historical buildings and some of the most fascinating museums on the west of Canada.The city has the mildest climate in the country, that allows the residents look outdoor pleasures during all the year.

Vancouver (Canada)

Vancouver is the third largest city in British Columbia and is considered to be one of the most attractive cities to live in the world. Its location by the sea and nearby mountains is popular for tourists and is often compared to Sydney and Rio de Janeiro. It is a cosmopolitan city with the flashing skyscrapers and tourist centers. Places to visit in Vancouver: the Anthropological Museum and its surroundings, Gastown, Granville Island, Chinatown, Waterfront Canada Place, World Science Centre, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, University of British Columbia (UBC), Mountains and Beaches.

Wrangell, Alaska

Wrangell, in Alaska, is a tourism destination full of adventure and nature with a great variety of native cultures. In Wrangell we can find the Observatory of Wild Life, where we will discover the plant and animal kingdom. Also the Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park, in the amazing natural setting of River Stikine and the glaciars as background. In this park you can watch some of the native artistic expressions of all times, the petroglyphs. There are about forty petroglyphs on the beach that you can get from the promenade with a terrace with sea views, the river Stikene and the Zimovia Strait. The Interpretation Centre and Petroglyph Beach, are other interests that you have to visit in Wrangell.

Juneau (Alaska)

Juneau is Alaska´s capital, however you can´t get there by road, only by air or by sea. Juneau is a main port for the Alaska Marine Highway, Alaska´s ferry system. Downtown Juneau is compact and highly walkable, The most popular activities in Juneau for visitors are flight seeing, charter fishing, visiting the Mendendhall Glacier, hiking and shopping. Look for local shop with a sign on the window that says "This store is owned by an Alaskan family", that sell awesome pins, beads, carving arts, all done by local artists or customizable gifts for travelers who don´t want a boring, touristy-looking T-shirt. Highlights in Juneau include Mount Roberts Tramway, the Red Dog Saloon, the Alaska State Museum, the Gastineau Salmon Hatchery, the Governor´s Mansion, the Alaska Gastineau Mill, and the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

Hubbard Glacier (Alaska)

Hubbard Glacier is a glacier located in eastern Alaska and part of Canada and it is North America’s largest tidewater glacier. The ice you see at the terminal face is ap­proximately 450 years old and is over 2000 feet thick at some locations. The glacier was named in 1890 for Gardiner Hubbard, the first president of the National Geographic Society. The Hubbard Glacier is currently ad­vancing while most glaciers are retreating worldwide. The Hubbard Glacier will and does react in an opposite fashion to most glaciers in a warming climate. This is not in contradiction with current global tempera­ture increases.

College Fjord (Alaska)

College Fjord is located in the northern sector of Prince William Sound in the U.S. state of Alaska. It contains five tidewater glaciers (glaciers that terminate in water), five large valley glaciers, and dozens of smaller glaciers most of them named after renowned East Coast colleges. College Fjord was discovered in 1899 during the Harriman Expedition, at which time the glaciers were named. It is a popular destination for cruise ships. From one place, it is possible to see eight of College Fjords Glaciers at once. You will not be able to describe the feeling of being in the presence of these tidewater giants. A glacier calving is an incredible event: imagine thousands of tons of ice peel away from a glacier and hearing a sound like a massive detonation of high explosives, followed by a huge roar as newly born icebergs plunging into the sea.

Whittier (Alaska)

Crossing International Date Line

Tokyo

Yokohama is located only half an hour away from Tokyo, and effectively forms a part of the giant conurbation. Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and dates back to the Opening of Japan in 1859. Tokyo is a huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis that brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.

Shimizu (Japón)

Kyoto (Osaka)

Once the capital for over a millennia and found among the Western Honshu Mountains, Kyoto has a reputation for being the most beautiful city in Japan. Visitors have no problems keeping themselves occupied as the city boasts an unparalleled array of cultural sights and attractions. Spread out over its several districts, Kyotos numerous palaces, shrines, temples, gardens and other landmarks are all perfectly preserved while the city also plays host to several festivals thoughout the year

Kochi (Japón)

Kagoshima (Japan)

With its warm climate, beautiful scenery and its very own active volcano, Kagoshima has earnt itself the nickname of "the naples of the eastern world". The city of Kagoshima offers visitors large commercial centers including the Tenmonkan Arcade, restaurants offering local Satsuma Province cuisine and nightlife. Just a short boat ride away, the volcano of Sakurajima is a popular attraction. Its summit is split into three peaks, Kita-dake (northern peak), Naka-dake (central peak) and Minami-dake (southern peak) which is currently active.

Ishigaki (Japan)

Ishigaki, on the island of Ishigaki-jima in Okinawa Prefecture, is the southernmost city in Japan. The urban area covers the entire island, which is primarily known as a tourist center. Many guests come to the island primarily because of the fantastic beaches, the turquoise sea and the sun. One can scuba dive, snorkel and observe beautiful corals, manta rays and tropical fish. There are opportunities for excursions into the tropical forests and mangroves.

Keelung (Taiwan)

Located on the Northern point of Taiwan, Keelung is the gatway for visitors to the economic, political and cultural center of Taipei. Although a bustling modern metropolis, Taipei still treasures its rich history and tradition. The National Palace Museum holds one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts spanning Thousands of years. Other popular attractions for tourists include the Lungshan Temple, the Confucius Temple modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, China, the Pao An Temple and the Yang Ming Shan National Park/Yehliu/Hot Springs.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meetsWest", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with influences from its time as a British colony. Hong Kong balances a modernised way of life with traditional Chinese practices. The fusion of east and west also characterises Hong Kong's cuisine, where dim sum, hot pot, and fast food restaurants coexist with haute cuisine. Hong Kong is a recognised global centre of trade, and calls itself an "entertainment hub".Hong Kong government supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department subsidises and sponsors international performers brought to Hong Kong. Many international cultural activities are organised by the government, consulates, and privately.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meetsWest", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with influences from its time as a British colony. Hong Kong balances a modernised way of life with traditional Chinese practices. The fusion of east and west also characterises Hong Kong's cuisine, where dim sum, hot pot, and fast food restaurants coexist with haute cuisine. Hong Kong is a recognised global centre of trade, and calls itself an "entertainment hub".Hong Kong government supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department subsidises and sponsors international performers brought to Hong Kong. Many international cultural activities are organised by the government, consulates, and privately.

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietman)

The city of Ho Chi Minh is the heart and soul of Vietnam. Like an industrial center, dynamic and fervent, it is the biggest metropolis, the economical capital and the cultural hub. The streets are great part of the urban life, they host a large amount of shops, road stalls and street merchants that expose their goods in the streets. between the most important monuments we can find Giac Lam Pagoda, the neoromanic cathedral of Notre Dame, the Reunification palace, the Cholon market and the old United States. the center of Saigon is a perfect place to go on sundays and the festive nights. The streets are full of young people, that cross the city on a bike or motorbike. The area of the municipal theatre is the point of reunion of the modern youngsters.

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world´s most prosperous countries and boasts the world´s busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant night-life scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover. Singapore prides itself on being a multi-racial country, and has a diverse culture despite its small size.

Benoa (Bali, Indonesia)

The port of Benoa is located on the island of Bali, Indonesia. It provides easy access to nearby Kuta, the best known resort area of the island. Other nearby towns and villages include Seseh, Denpasar, Ujung, Pesanggaran, Kedonganan and Tuban. Kuta is known internationally for its long sandy beach, varied accommodation, many restaurants and bars. Outside of Kuta visitors can visit nearby Seminyak, Sanur, Nusa Dua and further out, the quaint town of Ubud. Things to See & Do Bali Bomb Memorial, Kuta Beach, Waterbom Park, Shopping at Kuta Square, Water sports.

Darwin (Australia)

Darwin is the most populated city in the northern territory of Australia. Over the time Darwin has grown from a pioneering enclave and small port into one of Australia´s most modern and multicultural cities. The proximity with Asia make the city an important gate from countries like Indonesia and East Timor. The city has many miles of amplitude, inmaculate beaches, including the Casuarina Beach, where you can find the markets of Mandil beach. Darwin has extense parks and gardens. Between them the Botanical gardens of George Brown Darwin. Also there are different types of fauna, like marine crocodiles.

Brisbane (Australia)

Brisbane is the third most important cities in Australia. There are multiple points of interest for the visitors. One of them is located at the north of the city, Fraser Island which is the biggest sand island in the world and has rainforest and lagoons. The access is by ferry. The island is inhabited by dingoes or wild dogs.

Sydney (Australia)

Sydney is known as the Harbour City. It is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia and one of the world´s most beautiful and liveable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. Recent immigration trends have led to the cities reputation as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Australia and the world. The city is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on the planet. The city is surrounded by nature and national parks, which extend through the suburbs and right to the shores of the harbour.

Auckland (New Zealand)

Auckland is a major cruise ship stopover point, with the ships usually tying up at Princes Wharf. Auckland CBD is connected to coastal suburbs, to the North Shore and to outlying islands by ferry. Auckland is home to many cultures. The majority of inhabitants claim European - predominantly British and/or Irish - descent, but substantial Maori, Pacific Islander and Asian communities exist as well. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world and a higher proportion of people of Asian origin than the rest of New Zealand. Ethnic groups from all corners of the world have a presence in Auckland, making it by far the country's most cosmopolitan city.