Sail along with Arcadia’s 2026 World Cruise

Arcadia, our intrepid explorer, is currently sailing the seven seas on an epic 100-night World Cruise. Follow along as we chart her route, month by month, and discover the glittering cities, bucket-list beaches and off-the-beaten-path wonders on this most epic of adventures.

5 min 11 Mar 2026

Editorial Team

Author

February on Arcadia’s World Cruise was a tale of two halves. She spent the first part sailing the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, punctuated with stops in exotic, remote islands. There were plenty of sea days, giving guests time to truly relax and soak up both the sun and the fun on board. Two weeks later she arrived on Australia’s west coast where summer was in full swing, ready to begin her Antipodean adventure.

Sunny sojourns in the Indian Ocean and Australia: 1 - 28 February

Day 31 – Réunion

An overseas department of France set in the Indian Ocean some 800km off the coast of Madagascar, Réunion is rich in both cultural and natural wonders. The active, 2,632m-tall Piton de La Fournaise volcano has created otherworldly landscapes across the southeast of this island, from the stalactites and stalagmites of the Grand Brûlé lava tubes to the black-sand beaches of l’Etang-Salé. In the northwest, the massive, dormant Piton des Neiges dominates the skyline and offers fantastic trails for hikers. In the interior, dense forests swell with waterfalls, ferns and orchids. And on the coast, the island’s waters are a snorkeller’s paradise, teeming with colourful fish, coral reefs, turtles and dolphins. Réunion’s cities, meanwhile – including its capital, St Denis – are melting pots of Asian, African, Indian and European cultures, with food, arts and music scenes that reflect the island’s diversity.

Day 32 – Port Louis, Mauritius

Port Louis, the capital of the African island of Mauritius, is a cultural kaleidoscope and the busiest port in the Indian Ocean – so if you’re looking for an urbane escape, you’ll find it. Visit the UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat, where half a million indentured labourers passed through in colonial times, or take a stroll down Le Caudan Waterfront, a glitzy 1.5km of cobbled streets lined with boutiques, entertainment, cafés, bars and restaurants. But most visitors to Mauritius are keen to venture beyond its city limits and into its postcard-perfect landscapes. Stretch your legs with a hike up Morne Brabant Mountain, another UNESCO World Heritage site; embark on a kayaking expedition to Ile d’Ambre, where you can snorkel in a lagoon; or simply sink your toes into a white-sand beach – Belle Mare and Flic en Flac are two of the best – and take a moment to reflect on your journey so far.

Day 40 – Fremantle (for Perth), Australia

After eight nights at sea, the coast of Western Australia was a sight to behold for guests on Arcadia. Their first stop in the land down under was Fremantle, or ‘Freo’ if you’re local. As Perth’s Old Town, it’s brimming with history – Victorian architecture, maritime museums, the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison – and has some stunning beaches to boot, like South Beach or Salmon Bay on nearby Rottnest Island, where you might spot friendly (nocturnal) quokkas. In the heat of the summer sun, you’ll be grateful for the ‘Freo Doctor’ – an afternoon sea breeze that rolls in from the Indian ocean and cools off hot summer afternoons. A shore experience or 50-minute train ride can bring you to the centre of Perth, where big-city attractions beckon – King’s Park and the Elizabeth Quay waterfront are worth a visit – or head north-east to the Swan Valley and follow the wine trail.

Day 44 – Adelaide, Australia

Sailing around Australia’s southern coast, Arcadia’s next stop was the garden city of Adelaide, where an idyllic natural setting, Art Deco architecture and thoughtful urban planning have created one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Adelaide is built within 760 hectares of parkland, meaning green space is always close at hand. Find it in the lush (and free) Botanic Gardens, or at Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can spot free-roaming koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. For wine-lovers, there are few better places to be than Adelaide – from here you can easily reach the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley regions and the lesser-known Adelaide Hills. Back in the city, stop in at the Central Market, one of the southern hemisphere’s largest undercover markets, or discover cool bars and restaurants tucked down hidden laneways.

Day 46 – Melbourne, Australia

Australia’s second-largest city is first for culture. It’s got art, from the genre- and era-spanning works at the National Gallery of Victoria to the ever-evolving street art on Hosier Lane. It’s got sport – F1 fans can visit the track at Albert Park, while the cricket ground is virtually a pilgrimage site for fans of the game. And it’s got food: a smorgasbord of multicultural delights, from innovative Michelin-starred restaurants to bustling markets and cheap eats. Coffee drinkers could make it their mission to source the city’s best flat white – the café scene here is unrivalled. Each of Melbourne’s neighbourhoods is diverse and delightful, but if you only visit one, make it St Kilda, a seafront destination that’s equal parts historic, bohemian and lively, with the nostalgic Luna Park at its heart. Stroll the palm-lined promenade, relax on the beach or sip a glass of wine and soak up the harbour views.

Day 48-49 – Sydney, Australia

Arcadia’s time in Sydney was magical from the moment she sailed into port, passing the iconic Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Circular Quay. From there, guests had the arduous task of deciding which bucket-list items to tick off (which, with an overnight in port, they had two full days to accomplish). Would it be climbing the Harbour Bridge, a guided ascension that rewards you with panoramic views? Or a trip to one of the city’s iconic beaches – Bondi, Manly, Coogee – for sun, sand and surf? There are epic adventures to be had outside the city too, from the dramatic scenery of the Blue Mountains to the vineyards of the Hunter Vallery. And with that overnight in port, the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Evening is the perfect time to explore the Opera House – especially if you plan ahead and see what shows are on. Or simply decamp to a rooftop bar and savour a stunning Sydney sunset.

Day 53 – Dunedin, New Zealand

After a four-night crossing of the Tasman Sea, Arcadia reached the southeastern shores of New Zealand’s South Island, where she stopped in the beautiful city of Dunedin. Named after the Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh, with impeccably preserved Edwardian and Victorian architecture, a rich Māori history and some of the most spectacular wildlife on its doorstep, it’s unlikely you’ve been anywhere quite like this. Spot yellow-eyed penguins at the aptly named Penguin Beach, and look out for seals, kea and Little Blue Penguins, too. From Larnach Castle, the only castle in New Zealand, you can enjoy epic views of the Otago Peninsula. For a unique experience – and the workout of a lifetime for your quads – make your way to Baldwin Street, which holds the title of the world’s steepest street.

Day 54 – Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand’s capital was next on Arcadia’s tour. A cool, creative city set on a beautiful harbour, it’s considered the cultural heart of New Zealand (or Aotearoa, as the country is called in Māori). Your first stop could be Mount Victoria, where a climb through pine forests brings you to a lookout where you can survey your surroundings and get the lay of the land. From here, you could head to the city centre and taste your way through the flavours of NZ and beyond – Cuba Street and Hannahs Laneway are great places to start. Wildlife lovers know that New Zealand has some of the best birdlife in the world. There were no predators here for 80 million years, which allowed birds to thrive and for many to become flightless. You can see more than 30 species of them at the Zealandia ecosanctuary, including the singing tūī and the rare kiwi pukupuku.