Epic World explorer

Your voyage begins in Southampton (for London), England. The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside - and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway. The United Kingdom's premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Gran Canaria, Spain.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Barbados is one of the few Caribbean islands solely colonized by one nation. It's no wonder Bajans describe their country as being "more English than England sheself," surnames like Worthing and Hastings abound. But look around and you know you're not in England: rich and fertile tropical fields meet a glistening, azure sea. The soft pastels of old chattel houses blend with the vibrant reds, oranges, and greens of roadside fruit stands. In short, Barbados exudes a charm all its own. Perhaps it is due to Bajan culture, that celebrated blend of English tradition and the African heritage brought to the island by slaves imported to work the sugar plantations. The potent brew which results flavors every aspect of island life, from music, dance and art, to religion, language and food.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is a contrast: the island's arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast. Aruba's long and colorful heritage is reflected in its dialect. Called Papiamento, it is a tongue that combines elements of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Panama Canal (full transit).

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Manzanillo, Mexico.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at San Diego, United States.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Cable cars, the Golden Gate rising from the fog - welcome to San Francisco, arguably the most romantic and cosmopolitan city in the United States. San Francisco has it all: a colorful history, superb restaurants, sophisticated museums, world-class shopping, and that elusive air of romance and abandon that's part of the tang of the city.

A second day in San Francisco, California - time to explore at your own pace.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Home to nearly half a million people, Honolulu is Hawaii's state capital and only major city. The city of Honolulu and the island of Oahu offer a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are two of the city's enduring symbols. Pearl Harbor, site of the USS Arizona Memorial and the "Punchbowl," are haunting reminders of the tragic events of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor forced America into World War II. Honolulu is also home to the historic Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii's last royals. Beyond the city lie tropical rain forests, the Pali Lookout and the North Shore known for its surfing beaches.A draw card to visitors of all ages, from all corners of the globe, Honolulu's appeal ranges from it's magnificent beaches, countless well-stocked shops, tempting restaurants and a multitude of historic, cultural and scenic attractions.

Your ship calls at Nawiliwili (Hawaii) , United States.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

The International Date Line is an imaginary line extending from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Pacific Ocean. It serves as the 180th meridian of longitude, and is used to designate the beginning of each calendar day.As you know, each adjacent time zone on the map has an hour time difference. However, at the International Date Line, +12 hours and -12 hours meet, bringing about a 24-hour time change. When your ship crosses to the west it's one day later; if your ship crosses to the east, you've gone back a day.Crossing the International Date Line has long been a rite of passage for sailors, who often must participate in a line-crossing ceremony to become part of the sacred "Order of the Golden Dragon", an honorary naval fraternity.

The first Polynesians arrived in Western Samoa around 1000 B.C. Three millennia later, the islands formed one of the last bastions of traditional Polynesian culture. Apia, the capital of Western or Independent Samoa, is a city of 40,000 on the island of Upolu. Its picturesque waterfront is lined with public buildings, shops and trading companies. The town now comprises of modern 3-5 story buildings all along the waterfront. Government has built some very modern buildings to house most of the government offices. The village settings can only be seen in the outskirts of town within a radius of 15 miles. Western Samoa has long lured Westerners to its islands. The most famous expatriate of all was Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived at Vailima, and was buried near the summit of Mt. Vaea.Dress in light, comfortable clothing when visiting Apia. The dress code is quite casual. Shorts are appropriate for men. Dress for women is more conservative. The local women wear long skirts, dresses, lava lavas or muumuus.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

The Fiji archipelago is at the cross roads of the South Pacific. In the days of sailing ships, it was known as "The Cannibal Isles," where mariners carefully avoided its fierce warriors and perfidious waters. Thankfully, Fiji's pagan days live only in the tales recalled by tour guides - in rituals such as fire-walking, Kava Ceremonies and in renditions of tribal drumming, dance and song. Fiji is an exotic destination, with 333 islands that provide an exciting adventure or peaceful repose. The northwest region, where the sun shines almost every day and a tropical shower ends as quickly as it began, is home to the majority of the resorts. Suva, the political, administrative, educational and commercial center, has a backdrop of lush rainforest maintained by the inevitable "tropical downpour." The people of Fiji are the most multiracial and multicultural of all South Pacific island countries - this being reflected in churches of all denominations, mosques, temples and shrines. Built around a reef-protected natural harbor, Suva, with its colonial buildings nestled alongside modern commercial venues, shops and local markets, parks and residential sprawl, is home to nearly half of Fiji's urban population.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland. Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Wellington.

Tucked into the instep of the boot-shaped Italian peninsula is the region's second largest city, Taranto. Known as la Città dei Due Mari, or the City of the Two Seas, its heritage dates all the way back to the Spartans, who founded it in the 8th century BCE. Here, the past is always present. Walk in the footsteps of King Ferdinand II of Aragon with a visit to Castello Aragonese. Behold the otherworldly structures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Alberobello and Matera. And savor the flavors of southern Italy with visits to the Manduria wine region and Masseria, known for its centuries-old olive trees. Treasured history, architectural treasures, picturesque landscapes-this is what vacation is all about!

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

New Zealand's capital offers stunning views of forested peninsulas, dramatic cliff-side homes and fine Victorian buildings. Settled in 1840 by the London-based New Zealand Company, "wonderful, windy Wellington" is frequently buffeted by bracing winds funneling through Cook Strait. The sophisticated metropolis boasts museums, winding streets and even a cable car. No wonder many travelers compare it to San Francisco. Despite its steep hills, the city can be easily explored on foot. Kelburn Cable Car, stairways and footpaths climb the slopes from the city center.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney - hailed by many seafarers as "the most beautiful harbor in the world." Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney - from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.Australia's oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the "First Fleet" transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.

A second day in Sydney, Australia - time to explore at your own pace.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Airlie Beach is your gateway to the Whitsunday Archipelago. These 74 islands feature pristine fringing reefs, calm, lagoon-like waters, and superb beaches. The archipelago is one of Australia's premier playgrounds. The Whitsundays were once mountains. Rising seas at the end of the Ice Age formed the Whitsunday Passage between the islands and the mainland.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Cairns is one of Australia's hottest vacation destinations. Cairns boasts three of Australia's great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city - the famed Marlin Coast. And inland lays the immense Daintree National Park. Cairns itself basks in tropical sunshine, balmy breezes waft in from Trinity Bay. The city's graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. Cairns graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. A travel tip - Cairns is pronounced "cans."

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures.Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.

For most travelers, Nagasaki is a symbol of the horror and the inhumanity of war. An estimated 75,000 people perished in 1945 when the city became the second target of a nuclear attack. Today, Nagasaki's Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum draw visitors from around the world.But this beautiful city on Kyushu offers other sights. Often described as the San Francisco of Japan, the city occupies verdant hills surrounded by a deep-water bay. For three centuries, Nagasaki was Japan's sole window on the world. The city is also celebrated as the setting for Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly."

Your ship calls at Kagoshima, Japan.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It's a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.

A second day in Tokyo, Japan - time to explore at your own pace.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Skyscrapers form a glistening forest of steel and glass, junks and sampans ply the busy harbor waters, and the green, dragon-crested hills of Kowloon beckon. Welcome to Hong Kong, one of the world's great travel destinations. Now a semi-autonomous region of China, Hong Kong - literally "Fragrant Harbor" - has lost none of its charm, excitement or exoticism. Modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels climb the slopes of Hong Kong Island. Narrow streets are crammed with noodle vendors, fortunetellers and bonesetters. The endless array of shops offer the visitor everything from hand-tailored suits and ancient porcelain to the latest consumer electronics. And everywhere more than seven million people are moving at a breathtaking pace in one of the world's great monuments to capitalism, commerce and enterprise.The former Crown Colony has enough attractions to last a lifetime. To take in the entire spectacle, head to Victoria Peak for panoramic views. Enjoy lunch on one of the city's floating restaurants. Walk down one of the crowded streets to take the city's rapid pulse. And whether you think you are in the mood or not - shop. After all, you are in the duty-free capital of the world.

A second day in Hong Kong - time to explore at your own pace.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship calls at Manila, Philippines.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Nha Trang, Vietnam.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship calls at Laem Chabang (for Bangkok), Thailand.

A second day in Laem Chabang (for Bangkok), Thailand - time to explore at your own pace.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Singapore - the very name summons visions of the mysterious East. The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of five million people is a metropolis of modern high-rise buildings, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, sturdy Victorian buildings, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the fabled East India Company, the city is a melting pot of people and cultures. Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Singapore is an ever-fascinating island boasting colorful traditions, luxurious hotels and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world. Lying just 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the island was a haven for Malay pirates and Chinese and Arab traders.

From a lawless huddle of kampongs in the trackless jungle, Kuala Lumpur, the capital city has grown into a fascinating metropolis. Steel and glass towers stand side by side with graceful stone colonial buildings and mosques adorned with slender minarets. The commercial, financial, economic and cultural heart of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (better known as KL), is a melting pot. Its population of 1.6 million is comprised of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and a mix of different cultures including Eurasians and others. Kuala Lumpur is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers. The city was founded in the 1850s as a tin mining outpost.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship calls at Male, Maldives.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Port Louis, Mauritius.

Your ship calls at Reunion, Reunion.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Durban, South Africa.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Elephants, lions, zebra, giraffes and wildebeest - these will likely be your traveling companions when you are ashore in Port Elizabeth, because this charming town is the coastal facade for a vast region of healthy, vibrant game parks. If a safari is on your mind, you have come to the right place. Port Elizabeth is your gateway to some of the finest game parks in all Africa. Alternatively, there are miles of glorious beaches, shopping, museums, and an aquarium that showcases the marine life of the Indian Ocean.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

160 years after its discovery by Portugal's Bartholomew Diaz in 1488, the Cape of Good Hope was still a part of primeval Africa. Sailors on passing ships impatient to reach the East or return home to Europe would leave messages under inscribed "post office" stones for other ships to carry forward. In 1580, Sir Francis Drake sailed around the Cape. The ruggedness and breathtaking beauty of the peninsula caused him to write, "This Cape is a most stately thing, and the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth." The Dutch East India Company, yielding to repeated petitions and recommendations from their ships' officers, decided to establish a post at Table Bay in 1652. A stronghold was established and subsequently was replaced by the existing Castle of Good Hope - Cape Town's first building.Cape Town continued to grow quickly under Simon van der Stel, who arrived as Governor in 1679. He turned vast regions into rich farmland, planted some 8,000 trees and designed and built the stateliest of the Cape's historic mansions, Groot Constantia (named after his wife, Constance). The British seized the Cape from Holland in 1806 and the subsequent discovery of diamonds and gold in the country spurred growth and immigration. Cape Town became a municipality in 1840 and a liberal constitution was granted to the Cape Colony in 1853. Today, the "Mother City" and the Western Cape are home to South Africa's parliament for half of the year (Parliament sits in Pretoria for the other half of the year) and much of its major industry.

A second day in Cape Town, South Africa - time to explore at your own pace.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Walvis Bay possesses the finest harbor on the Namib coast. That fact led to its annexation by the British in 1878, who added it to their enclave in South Africa. It was not until 1994 that the now-Republic of South Africa returned Walvis Bay to Namibia. The port is your gateway to the vast Namib Desert, one of the oldest and harshest deserts on Earth, and to the old German town of Swakopmund, a legacy of that distant era when Namibia was a German colony named Sudwest Afrika.Walvis Bay perches on the edge of the great Namib Desert a landscape of extraordinary beauty with its immense dunes, moonscapes and salt sinks.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at St Vincent , Cape Verde.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Archipelago. Like its brethren, Tenerife was formed by fierce volcanic activity. Its landscape remains dotted with volcanic cones and areas of intense geothermal activity. Towering over the island is Mt Teide, an extinct volcano that, at 12,200 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in Spanish territory. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the island's capital and your port of call.Tenerife's north shore is separated from the south by rugged mountains, creating a rain shadow. The majority of the islands most recent resorts are found in the sere and parched south shore.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Arcadia's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Arcadia with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your voyage concludes in Southampton (for London), England.