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.

6 min 16 Apr 2026

Editorial Team

Author

Kiwi wonders, Pacific pearls and the Panama transit

Day 55 – Napier, New Zealand

If you’re a wine enthusiast or an architecture buff, you’ll fall head over heels for Napier. The beachside city is in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region, famous for its beautiful coastal scenery and sun-soaked vineyards. Visit wineries such as Mission Estate, Craggy Range and Church Road, where you can sip an elegant Chardonnay or a vibrant Merlot – two of the region’s specialities. That elegance and vibrancy is matched by the city itself. After it was all but flattened by an earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in the dominant architecture of the time, and today it’s considered the Art Deco capital of the world, home to more than 140 buildings in the style. Check out the symmetrical design of the Daily Telegraph Building and the native raupō plants incorporated into the entrance of the National Tobacco Company Building for prime examples.

Day 57 – Auckland, New Zealand

In New Zealand’s largest city, you’re never far from a beach (black sand on the west coast, golden on the east), or water sports (they don’t call it the City of Sails for nothing). It’s surrounded by mountain ranges and more than 50 volcanoes, giving it a lush, hilly landscape. You’ll find a different vibe from one neighbourhood to the next: the Viaduct for glitzy bars and restaurants; Ponsonby for boutiques and chic cafés; Mission Bay for waterfront picnics and views of Rangitoto, an active volcano in the harbour which, if you’re feeling fit, you can climb – a 7km hike that rewards you with incredible city views. For a more relaxing island experience, head to Waiheke. A regular ferry service takes you from the city centre into the Hauraki Gulf, where Waiheke welcomes you with more than 30 vineyards, award-winning restaurants, pristine beaches and walking trails through native forest.

Day 58 – Tauranga, New Zealand

Arcadia’s last stop in New Zealand was Tauranga. The city is the largest in the Bay of Plenty, and plenty this region has, indeed. Head to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, or to the picture-perfect scenery of Lake Rotoiti. Or to Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world – always called kiwifruit here so as not to confuse them with the kiwi (bird) or the Kiwi (people). Māori heritage and culture is rich in the Bay of Plenty, and you can learn about it at a traditional marae (meeting ground) or at Tamaki Māori Village, where you can enjoy a hāngī lunch, where food is cooked in a heated pit in the earth. Nearby Mount Maunganui is defined by ‘The Mount’, a 230m-high lava dome. Walk the winding path to the top for beautiful views, then descend and enjoy a rest on powder-soft sands and a bob in the surf.

Day 61 – Lautoka, Fiji

After departing New Zealand, Arcadia sailed north to the paradise island of Fiji, where her first stop was Lautoka. The main industry here is sugar production, which has given rise to the nickname Sugar City. And with lush natural beauty and cultural attractions on your doorstep, you’re sure to have a sweet escape. Immerse yourself in native flora at The Garden of the Sleeping Giant, where you can walk amongst orchids, lily ponds and verdant rainforest. Nearby you’ll find the Sabeto and Tifajek hot springs and mud pools – sink into the volcanically heated mud and feel your cares melt away. For a quintessential South Pacific beach escape, hop over to nearby Tivua Island, a bijoux slice of paradise where you can spend the day sprawling on white-sand beaches and snorkelling amongst coral reefs.

Day 62 – Suva, Fiji

One day in Fiji simply isn’t enough, so Arcadia sailed around to the other side of Viti Levu island for a stop in Suva, Fiji’s capital and largest city. This is a great place to learn about the history of the islands, which you can do at the Fiji Museum, home to archaeological artefacts dating back 3,700 years. It’s also a great place to immerse yourself in Fiji’s natural beauty. Head to the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, where more than six kilometres of walking trails take you through dense jungle, past waterfalls and to swimming holes, and cool off with a dip in fresh mountain water. When in Fiji, don’t miss the opportunity to try kava, a drink made from the leaves of the pepper plant. It’s a ceremonial and social ritual, with its relaxing, mildly sedative properties imbuing a sense of calm and community.

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 65 – Cross the International Date Line

If Arcadia’s guests were wishing their holiday could last just one day longer, technically their wish was granted when they crossed the International Date Line while sailing from Fiji to Honolulu. The imaginary line in the Pacific Ocean demarcates one day from the next, so travelling east, they hopped back a day and got to do it all over again!

Traditional house of Navala village, Viti Levu island, Fiji

Day 68 & 69 – Honolulu, United States (overnight)

Arcadia’s next destination was a sight to behold, and not just because guests had spent the better part of a week crossing the Pacific Ocean. Honolulu, the jewel in the crown of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, is a place that gets the travel formula just right: tropical beauty, Polynesian culture and American amenities. There’s a strong Japanese influence, too – as much as 40% of the population has Japanese ancestry – and the cultural fusion has resulted in a uniquely delicious cuisine with standout dishes such as Spam musubi, poke and shave ice. There are some big bucket-list stops to tick off on Oahu: the epic sands of Waikiki Beach, the surfer’s paradise of the North Shore, the lush, steep slopes of Diamond Head and the poignancy of Pearl Harbour. Luckily, an overnight here gave guests plenty of time to do it all.

Day 74 & 75 – San Francisco, United States (overnight)

Sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning light is one of the world’s most epic travel experiences. But it was just the first of many adventures for Arcadia’s guests on an overnight stop in this Northern Californian gem. The sprawling green of Golden Gate Park, the counterculture history of Haight-Ashbury, the eerie atmosphere of Alcatraz – it all awaits in this 7x7-mile city. With an evening at their disposal, guests were free to drink and dine at San Fran’s remarkable bars and restaurants, some of the best of which can be found in the Mission and Richmond districts. The city centre is delightfully walkable and has a comprehensive transport system, but the most stylish way to get around is the vintage cable cars. Hop on the Powell-Hyde line and hang on to the posts outside the car for a quintessentially San Fran moment.

Day 77 & 78 – Los Angeles, United States (overnight)

Sailing south down the Californian coast, Arcadia’s next stop was an overnighter in Los Angeles. The sights here are as iconic as the celebrities who call this city home: Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios and the Hollywood Sign, to name a few. There are so many diverse neighbourhoods to explore, each with its own distinct vibe. Head to Beverly Hills to feel like a star: drive the palm-lined streets and browse the shops on Rodeo Drive. Laurel Canyon, meanwhile, feels like stepping back into the Los Angeles of the 1960s – leafy, peaceful and with remnants of the counterculture that once defined it. You could go a bit off-piste in Silver Lake, a trendy suburb known for its artistic spirit. Then there’s West Hollywood’s unstoppable energy, Malibu’s beachside bliss… In LA, it comes down to one question: which role will you play?

Day 81 – Manzanillo, Mexico

Heading further south, Mexico was next on Arcadia’s tour of the Americas. As the country’s busiest port, Manzanillo is well equipped for visitors. Step off the ship and walk down the boardwalk and you’ll be met with plenty of shops and food vendors. Stroll along the boardwalk and for gorgeous harbour views and keep an eye out for the 12 zodiac sculptures along the route. The coastline is made up of two large bays – Bahía de Manzanillo and Bahía de Santiago. You’ll find the most scenic beaches and luxe resorts in Santiago, which is also a hotspot for snorkelling amongst coral, eels and even a shipwreck in calm, clear waters. If it’s bigger fish you’re after, you’re in the right place: Manzanillo is renowned for deep-sea fishing, with waters teeming with marlin, mackerel, tuna and sailfish.

Day 86 – Panama Canal (full transit)

Any sailor worth their salt would jump at the chance to transit the Panama Canal. Up to 40 ships can pass through the 82km-long canal each day, and the journey takes eight to ten hours to complete. Arcadia performed a full transit of the canal on her way from the lower waters of the Pacific to the higher waters of the Caribbean, taking in the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun Locks and being raised by an impressive 26 metres along the way.

Day 88 – Curaçao

After three months at sea, Arcadia was officially in the home stretch. But before she set her sights for Southampton, she spent a few days basking in the Caribbean sunshine. Her first stop was Curaçao. It’s a destination that’s synonymous with the colour blue, mainly because of the liqueur that bears its name. You can taste it at bars and restaurants across the island or at the Landhuis Chobolobo distillery – we can’t turn down a blue lagoon cocktail here. For an even more refreshing blue lagoon, take a boat tour to the Blue Room, a surreal natural cave on the island’s northeast coast where you can swim, snorkel and snap Instagram-worthy pics. You’ll find even more blue (among other striking hues) in the charming capital Willemstad, with its brightly painted buildings that play against the turquoise of the surrounding sea.

Day 90 – Barbados

Arcadia continued her eastern trajectory and made a stop in beautiful Barbados, where the best of the Caribbean is condensed on one spectacular island. If it’s postcard-perfect beaches you’re looking for, you’ll find one of the world’s best at Carlisle Bay: as soon as your feet sink into these powder-soft sands, you’ll understand the accolades. If you’re after a taste of the luxe life with a side of adventure, try a catamaran cruise along the coast where you can take a dip in the warm, turquoise waters, snorkel over a shipwreck and coral reef and even swim with turtles. If you prefer to travel via your tastebuds, you’ll find vibrant flavours everywhere from the rum shops that dot the island to laid-back beachfront dining to impeccable upscale restaurants. If you only try one dish, make it the national dish of cou-cou and flying fish – it’s Barbados on a plate.

Day 96 – Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Charting a course across the Atlantic, Arcadia made one final stop before she reached home shores. Ponta Delgada is the largest city in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. These are some of the most remote islands in the world, dotted like jewels in the Atlantic some 900 miles from Portugal. It’s a trek to get here – for Arcadia, five full days at sea from Barbados – but your effort will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, such as the Sete Cidades, twin lakes (one green, one blue) set amongst lush forests and hills. But these fertile landscapes are more than eye candy. They also produce a fruit bowl’s worth of tropical delights including passion fruit, bananas and adorable mini pineapples, which you can taste at the Arruda plantation.