WC Liner - Panama Canal, South Pacific & Africa Cruise

Day 1 - Fort Lauderdale

Arrive: Sun 05 January 2025 / Depart: Sun 05 January 2025 at 15:00

According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is "where the boys are." The city's reputation as America's Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the "Venice of America" with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Cartagena, Colombia

Arrive: Wed 08 January 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Wed 08 January 2025 at 22:00

One of the more interesting cities on your itinerary steeped in history. This was the transit port for all the wealth Spain derived from South America. The famous "Old City" is comprised of 12 square blocks filled with attractions, boutiques and restaurants. Throughout Colombia, the Spanish Empire's influence in the New World is self-evident. Its fortress walls, quaint narrow streets, and balconied houses are all vivid reminders of Spain's hold on Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean and South America. This is the land of El Dorado and flamboyant adventurers in search of the ever-elusive gold. Cartagena's well-constructed fortifications defended its borders against seafaring pirates whose attacks lasted for more than 200 years. Today this modern and bustling city, seaport, and commercial center still boasts much of its original colonial architecture. Your journey here will provide you with a significant link to the region's grand past. **Please note that passengers may encounter numerous local vendors at various tourist locations and may find them to be persistent in their sales offers.

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Panama Canal Full Transit

Day 7 - At Sea

Day 8 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Arrive: Sun 12 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 12 January 2025 at 19:00

To Spanish explorers, the rumors of gold and vast riches could only mean that this section of Central America was the costa rica - the "Rich Coast." Hailed as the Switzerland of the Americas, Costa Rica occupies a unique position, lying between two oceans and two continents. On both coasts, tropical rainforests rise to the mountains of the interior, many of which soar over 13,000 feet above sea level. In the west, a seemingly endless succession of brown-sand beaches forms the nation's Pacific coast. Puntarenas is your gateway to Costa Rica's wonders - and to its capital city of San Jose.

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Puerto Quetzal

Arrive: Tue 14 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 14 January 2025 at 18:00

Guatemala is located in the northern-most part of Central America and is one of the largest countries in this region. It boasts 37 volcanoes, a rich Mayan heritage, Lake Atitlan, and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Antigua. Once the center of the impressive ancient Mayan civilization, Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. These issues have now faded into the past and today Guatemala is a thriving democracy with many varying landscapes, activities and historical venues waiting to be discovered. Enjoy an African safari in the hot and tropical Pacific Coast or explore the cool Mayan highlands where Lake Atitlan and the colonial city of Antigua are located. There is something for every traveler's interest in Guatemala.

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Arrive: Fri 17 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 17 January 2025 at 16:00

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars.

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - At Sea

Day 16 - Los Angeles, CA

Arrive: Mon 20 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 20 January 2025 at 18:00

The City of Angels always hovers between dream and reality. Once a near-forgotten colonial outpost, the pueblo metamorphosed into an agrarian paradise before reinventing itself as a movie colony. Perhaps no other city owes so much to the technological innovations of the 20th century, from the automobile to the airplane. Little wonder that LA is oft described as the "dream machine." In LA, reinvention is a way of life. Yet this talent for change has created a city with a rich ethnic diversity and a sizzling culture. LA is the source for trends that migrate across the country and then the world. Where else can you enjoy a Thai taco or munch on a kosher burrito? Or travel from downtown's high rises to the beaches of Malibu, shopping in Beverly Hills along the way? Los Angeles is a port of embarkation and disembarkation for some cruises.

Day 17 - At Sea

Day 18 - At Sea

Day 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - At Sea

Day 21 - At Sea

Day 22 - Honolulu

Arrive: Sun 26 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 26 January 2025 at 23:00

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.

Day 23 - Maui (Lahaina), Hawaii

Arrive: Mon 27 January 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 27 January 2025 at 18:00

Maui has always occupied a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians. The great warrior King Kamehameha, who united the islands under his rule, chose to make Lahaina his capital and Ka'anapali was once the favorite playground of Hawaiian royalty. And no wonder - Maui boasts stunning landscapes and superb beaches. Mt. Haleakala, a dormant volcano, rises 10,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Once hailed as "The Valley of the Kings," Maui's Iao Valley is a tropical paradise dominated by the Needle, a volcanic monolith towering over the valley floor. Then there is Lahaina, once home to a royal court and a raucous port-of-call enjoyed by 19th-century Yankee whalers. Haleakala means "The House of the Sun." To the Hawaiians, it appeared that the sun both rose from and set in the depths of its massive crater. Today, the centerpiece of Haleakala National Park, it is one of Maui's major attractions.

Day 24 - At Sea

Day 25 - At Sea

Day 26 - Cross International Dateline

Day 27 - At Sea

Day 28 - At Sea

Day 29 - At Sea

Day 30 - At Sea

Day 31 - Suva

Arrive: Tue 04 February 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 04 February 2025 at 16:00

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 firewalking, 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.

Day 32 - At Sea

Day 33 - At Sea

Day 34 - Bay of Islands

Arrive: Fri 07 February 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 07 February 2025 at 17:00

The Bay of Islands offers more than broad vistas of sea and sky, more than beaches, boating, and fabulous water sports. The Bay is the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Here the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing British rule and granting the native inhabitants equal status. Rich in legend and mystery, the Bay of Islands has age-old ties to the Maori and to whalers, missionaries and New Zealand's early settlers. The Bay of Islands has lured explorers for countless centuries. The Maori say that Kupe, the great Polynesian adventurer, came here in the 10th century. Captain Cook anchored offshore in 1769, followed by assorted brigands, traders, colonists and missionaries. Note: Bay of Islands is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship's tender.

Day 35 - At Sea

Day 36 - Napier, New Zealand

Arrive: Sun 09 February 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 09 February 2025 at 14:00

Napier and Hawke's Bay have become New Zealand's premier lifestyle getaways. Located on the North Island's eastern coast, New Zealand's oldest wine-growing region boasts a superb Mediterranean climate and golden sand beaches. In recent years, Hawke's Bay has become a leading producer of fine olive oils and artisanal cheeses. Wildlife lovers and birders will flock to Cape Kidnappers in Southern Hawke Bay: the Cape is home to the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. In 1931, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake leveled Napier. The town rebuilt itself, and today Napier is hailed as the "Art Deco City" for its superb collection of Deco, Spanish Mission and Classical Revival buildings.

Day 37 - Picton, NZ

Arrive: Mon 10 February 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 10 February 2025 at 17:00

Located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is your gateway to the South Island's famed Marlborough District. Once known primarily for its lush farm lands and many sheep stations, Marlborough came to international attention thanks to a new agricultural product - wine. The release of the 1985 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand on the map and changed the world's focus on winemaking in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, the Marlborough region boasts dramatic sea and landscapes, fascinating wine country, excellent restaurants and a number of the nation's finest gardens. Military names abound in this corner of New Zealand - the region is named for the first Duke of Marlborough, while the largest town, Blenheim, is named after his most famous battle. Picton is named for Sir Thomas Picton, a favorite of another general, the first duke of Wellington.

Day 38 - At Sea

Day 39 - Dunedin, New Zealand

Arrive: Wed 12 February 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 12 February 2025 at 17:00

Perched on the hills above one of New Zealand's loveliest harbors, Dunedin is a Kiwi city with a Scottish heart. Hailed as the "Edinburgh of New Zealand," Dunedin is proud of its heritage. A statue of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns graces downtown, and the presence of New Zealand's only kilt maker and whisky distillery - as well as many bagpipe bands - keep Dunedin's ties to Scotland alive. The city also boasts a distinguished architectural and cultural history, a legacy of New Zealand's 1860s gold rush. Port Chalmers, gateway to Dunedin, is located eight miles from the city center. Dunedin is a planned city: its streets and suburbs fan out from the city's octagon.

Day 40 - Fiordland National Park

Arrive: Thu 13 February 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Thu 13 February 2025 at 18:00

New Zealand's largest national park was formed millennia ago by massive glacial flows that carved deep fiords into the coast of New Zealand's South Island. At the heart of Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound. Lined by cliffs that soar nearly a mile above its surface, Milford Sound cuts into the heart of the Southern Alps. Rainforest clings to the cliffs and graceful waterfalls plummet into the void. Mile-high Mitre Peak dominates the upper reaches of the sound. The town of Te Anau in Fiordland National Park is also your gateway to the South Island's other natural wonders including Lake Wakatipu, the resort of Queenstown and Mt. Cook National Park.

Day 41 - At Sea

Day 42 - At Sea

Day 43 - Sydney

Arrive: Sun 16 February 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 16 February 2025 at 22:00

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby.

Day 44 - At Sea

Day 45 - Melbourne

Arrive: Tue 18 February 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Tue 18 February 2025 at 22:00

Victoria may be Australia's smallest continental state, but Melbourne, its capital, is big on everything. With a population of 2.7 million people living in 59 separately named communities within 715 square miles, Melbourne is a sprawling city offering culture, art, fashion and friendly, sports-minded Australians. It is also an easy city to explore. At the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and commercial center, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters. Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in its own right in 1851. The discovery of gold propelled Melbourne's growth to prominence and prosperity.

Day 46 - At Sea

Day 47 - At Sea

Day 48 - At Sea

Day 49 - At Sea

Day 50 - Fremantle

Arrive: Sun 23 February 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 23 February 2025 at 18:00

Lying at the mouth of the Swan River, historic Fremantle - founded in 1829 - is your gateway to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Situated on the banks of the Swan River some 15 miles upriver from Fremantle, Perth is a bustling city where soaring high-rises co-exist with elegant sandstone buildings from the colonial era. Life here moves at a slower pace, so during your visit, relax and savor the bounties of Western Australia, from the wonders of the bush to the wineries of the Swan Valley, from excellent shopping to a leisurely cruise on the Swan River.

Day 51 - At Sea

Day 52 - At Sea

Day 53 - At Sea

Day 54 - At Sea

Day 55 - At Sea

Day 56 - At Sea

Day 57 - At Sea

Day 58 - Port Louis, Mauritius

Arrive: Mon 03 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 03 March 2025 at 17:00

Port Louis is the capital of the island of Mauritius. A volcanic island situated in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, Mauritius is lush and beautiful, with lovely mountain ranges, fine beaches, stunning coral reefs and picturesque villages. Mauritius amazingly remained uninhabited until the 16th century. Dutch, British and French traders came to the island, followed by slaves from Africa to work the plantations and then laborers from India. The flavor here remains predominantly French, as does the language, however, the present population is fifty percent Indian. Today, Mauritius is independent and the economy prospers due to exports of sugar and textiles, plus it caters to tourism.

Day 59 - At Sea

Day 60 - At Sea

Day 61 - At Sea

Day 62 - At Sea

Day 63 - At Sea

Day 64 - Cape Town

Arrive: Sun 09 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 09 March 2025

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.