CUNARD CRUISES - QUEEN VICTORIA - 2013 WORLD VOYAGE

105 Night World Cruise sailing from Southampton roundtrip aboard Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria World Voyage
Queen Victoria will depart from her home port in Southampton in January. Her voyage will span across 34 exiting ports in 24 countries in 105 nights, crossing the earth's three oceans, both tropics and the equator - twice - and undertake dramatic passages along two of its most impressive engineering projects - the Panama and Suez canals.

Queen Victoria's voyage features overnight stays in Sydney, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai, allowing guests to further explore these iconic destinations. This voyage will also witness nine maiden calls for Queen Victoria as she visits Falmouth in Jamaica, Bay of Islands in New Zealand,
Brisbane, the Whitsundays, Darwin, Bali, Manila, Colombo and Sokhna.

Highlights of this cruise:

Southampton
The United Kingdom's premier passenger shipport, Southampton was home to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear. The port serves as your gateway to Southern England's magnificent historic sites, national landmarks, charming villages as well as the great metropolis of London. It is an ideal starting or ending point for a memorable voyage.

New York
See the bright lights of the Big Apple, international mecca and melting pot, with expensive brownstones, colourful neighbourhoods like Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side and the legendary Central Park. Explore some of the world's great museums. Some come just for the shopping: there's Bloomingdale's on Lex, Tiffany's on Fifth, Barneys and the unique boutiques along Madison. Or head downtown and explore the trendy shops of SoHo. Walk across iconic Brooklyn Bridge, this engineering milestone ranks among the world's greatest suspension bridges.

Ft Lauderdale
Explorethe "Venice of America", with its lacework of over 165 miles of canals and yachts as huge as the mansions they're moored at. Stroll along the tree-lined Las Olas, and wander into its upscale boutiques and wonderful restaurants. Enjoy the shops and cafes of Riverwalk, close to the Arts and Science District.

Acapulco
You can join the sun worshippers along Acapulco's Crescent Bay or stand 45 metres up and watch the famous daredevil cliff divers at La Quebrada, then head for the scenic point of Las Brisas. This has been ranked a world-class resort for over a quarter of a century.

San Francisco
When John Fremont sailed into San Francisco in 1846, he found no famous bridge, but a golden light reflecting off the high cliffs that flank the bay's only entrance. He named it Golden Gate and its glowing welcome still creates a striking first impression. Fall under the spell of Chinatown's intense bustle, wispy bay mists, roller-coaster streets and clunking cable cars, the only mobile national monuments in the entire US.

Honolulu
Honolulu's appeal ranges from its magnificent beaches, countless well-stocked shops, tempting restaurants, and multitude of historic, cultural and scenic attractions. Combine the languid allure of the tropics, big city sophistication and the spirit of Aloha, and you've discovered Oahu. Known as "The Gathering Place", this Pacific crossroads is a tapestry of cultural diversity from Polynesian sensuality and Oriental mystique to American pragmatism. And it all blends together in one of the most harmonious gatherings in the world.

Auckland
In a nation where stunning scenery is taken for granted, this water wonderland sparkles like a freshly polished jewel. Over 48 extinct volcanoes cloaked in wild mountainous scenery encircle the "City of Sails". An undulating succession of bays and inlets stretch along its endless shores. Even the downtown area with its expansive, farm-like parks exudes a sense of spacious beauty.

Sydney
Australia's oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the "First Fleet" that transported 760 British convicts. Gold and sheep breeding propelled Sydney's development; today it is the largest port in the entire South Pacific. Mark Twain called it "the wonder of the world". James Michener wrote, "It is a thing of beauty, a fairy-tale body of water". With an area that sprawls 670 square miles, Sydney is one of the largest cities in the world. But it's the exquisite Sydney Harbour that draws world-wide acclaim - that, along with its magnificent Opera House.

Brisbane
The Brisbane River meanders through the heart of the city. Elegant Georgian buildings of native sandstone stand next to sleek glass towers. Brisbane is also a superbly landscaped city with jacarandas, flame trees, and bougainvilleas thriving in its semi-tropical climate. Come face to face with koalas, kangaroos and wombats on tours from this laid-back city. Wander in botanical gardens and enjoy people-watching from a cafe on the Brisbane River.

Darwin
On the remote northern shores of Australia's 'Top End', balmy Darwin has grown from frontier settlement into a multicultural modern city. Discover the region's dramatic history - from Aboriginal heritage to World War II air raids and the devastating Cyclone Tracey - in the museums and galleries.

Shanghai
Shanghai's attractions are legendary, from exquisite temples and superb museums to a stroll along the Bund with its elegant 19th-century European architecture. The city is also your gateway to the Grand Canal and the famed cities of Wuxi and Suzhou. From opium wars to junks and barges, images of Shanghai flood the senses. But, in fact, the real Shanghai is the sky-scrapered capital of commerce and industry. Admire the Long Hua Temple or take a boat ride down the Huang Pu River.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a paradigm of contradictions. On the one hand the city vibrates with modern commerce, soaring skyscrapers and sophistication. But at the same time it is a land of ancient beliefs and intriguing local customs: small, gilded shrines glow with red lamps, joss sticks and fresh oranges; markets are heaped high with salted eggs, squid and every kind of medicinal root and herbal remedy imaginable; red-sailed junks and sampans ply the harbour. For shoppers, no city in the world can compare to this non-stop bazaar.

Ho Chi Minh
Welcome to Vietnam''s culinary centre where there is plenty on the menu. The port of Phu My (pronounced "Foo Me") is the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and the seaside resort of Vung Tau. Still fondly known as Saigon, the city is a thrilling, chaotic whirl played out against a French colonial backdrop as the aroma of noodle stalls, the sight of orange-garbed monks and the incessant buzz of scooters create a vivid snapshot of daily life.

Singapore
The city's modern era began in 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles purchased the island from the Sultan of Johore. Modern Singapore is a fascinating melange of cultures. Browse the shop-houses of Little India, perfumed with fragrant spices and flowers. Have tea in Chinatown where medicine shops and calligraphers line the narrow streets. Meander through the world's largest collection of orchids in the Botanic Garden, and walk through Raffles Landing, the old colonial district with its restored British-style buildings.

Mumbai
India's principal seaport, Bombay is 'Mumbai' in Marathi. The Portuguese acquired the city from Bahadur Shah in the 15th century; they called their new possession Bom Baim - 'good bay'. Sprawling between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean, Bombay is India's largest city and major commercial centre. Here film, cotton and other industries have produced the highest per capita income in India. Along the Victorian Gothic streets, hawkers vend their wares while worshippers of all faiths queue up to make their offerings.

Dubai
Dubai is actually two cities in one: the Khor Dubai, an inlet of the Persian Gulf, separates Deira, the old city, from Bur Dubai. Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts, a distinctive blend of East and West, of old and new. You can venture across vast dunes, climb rugged mountains, play on sandy beaches, explore dusty villages and shop in an ultra-modern mall - all in the same day. Since earliest times, Dubai has been known as "the city of merchants", welcoming traders from distant lands with a tradition of courtesy and hospitality that still lives on today.

Rome
From the port of Civitavecchia, it is but a short drive to Rome and the legends of the ages: the Vatican and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Catacombs. But no matter how many times you've been in Rome, you'll still want to stroll down the Via Veneto or sip cappuccino in the Piazza di Spagna. Italy's "Eternal City" is eternally fascinating. And don't forget to throw a few coins in the Trevi Fountain!

Lisbon
Portugal's capital spreads its ancient sites on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. Atop the highest hill, St. George's Castle overlooks the city. Balconies ablaze with geraniums and wrought iron lamps light up the medieval Alfama quarter. Sorrowful fados ring out from cafes in the Alto and shoppers browse in the affluent Chiado district. A short drive away, deposed royalty once lived out their days in the opulent palaces of Estoril and Sintra.

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