The 2024 Round the World Voyage aboard the Queen Mary 2, Cunard (108 nights)

108 Night World Voyage Aboard the Queen Mary 2 by Cunard

Excursions, trips and tours available in destinations (please ask for details).

Day 1 – Southampton, England, UK

Departs early evening

Days 2-3 – At Sea

Day 4 – Lisbon, Portugal

Day 5 – At Sea

Day 6 – Tenerife, Spain

Day 7-14 – At Sea

Day 15 – Walvis Bay, Namibia

Days 16-18 – At Sea

Day 19 – Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Day 20 – At Sea

Day 21-22 – Cape Town, South Africa

Overnight

Days 23-24 – At Sea

Day 25 – Durban, South Africa

Days 26-28 – At Sea

Day 29 – Le Port, Reunion

Day 30 – Port Louis, Mauritius

Days 31-37 – At Sea

Day 38 – Perth (tours from Fremantle), WA, Australia

Days 39-41 – At Sea

Day 42 – Adelaide, SA, Australia

Day 43 – At Sea

Days 44-45 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Overnight

Day 46 – At Sea

Day 47-48 – Sydney, NSW, Australia

Days 49-51 – At Sea

Day 52 – Cairns (tours from Yorkey’s Knob), QLD, Australia

Days 53-55 – At Sea

Day 56 – Darwin, NT, Australia

Day 57-58 – At Sea

Day 59 – Bitung, Indonesia

Days 60-62 – At Sea

Days 63-64 – Hong Kong, China

Day 65 – At Sea

Day 66 – Hue or Da Nang (tours from Chan May), Vietnam

Day 67 – At Sea

Day 68 – Nha Trang, Vietnam

Day 69 – At Sea

Day 70 – Ho Chi Minh City (tours from Phu My), Vietnam

Day 71 – At Sea

Days 72-73 – Singapore

Arrive early morning, Depart early evening Over night

Day 74 – At Sea

Day 75 – Penang, Malaysia

Day 76 – Langkawi, Malaysia

Day 77 – Phuket, Thailand

Days 78-80 – At Sea

Day 81 – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Days 82-85 – At Sea

Day 86 -Doha, Qatar

Days 87-88 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Days 89-90 – At Sea

Day 91 – Salalah, Oman

Days 92-95 – At Sea

Day 96 – Petra (tours from Aqaba), Jordan

Day 97 – At Sea

Day 98 – Transit Suez Canal, Egypt (Cruise-by)

Arrive early morning, Depart afternoon

Day 99 – At Sea

Day 100 – Athens (tours from Piraeus), Greece

Days 101-102 – At Sea

Day 103 – Barcelona, Spain

Day 104 – At Sea

Day 105 – Seville (tours from Cadiz), Spain

Days 106-108 – At Sea

Day 109 – Southampton, England, UK

Arrive early morning X

Cruise Highlight – Sydney, Australia

The stunning harbour city, Sydney, is Australia’s oldest and largest urban centre. Gold mining and sheep breeding propelled Sydney’s development, and today it’s the largest port in the entire South Pacific. Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”.

Your port guide to Sydney.

Blessed with a natural harbour, countless golden beaches and world-class restaurants, Sydney is a dazzling metropolis and international gateway to Australia’s east coast. The city is famed for the quality of its outdoor living, yet a visit here offers more than a chance to soak up the sun. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, world-famous Opera House and the constant bustle of the harbour itself make Sydney one of the world’s most dynamic destinations. Venturing outside the capital of New South Wales unlocks mysterious protected coves, miles of sandy beaches and the dramatic landscape of the breath-taking Blue Mountains.

Exploring

For spectacular 360-degree views, ascend Sydney Harbour Bridge’s south-east pylon from which Sydney Opera House and The Rocks – one of the city’s liveliest precincts and home to the Museum of Sydney and Museum of Contemporary Art – are visible. The Sydney Aquarium, National Maritime Museum and the Chinese Garden of Friendship can be found in Darling Harbour, with Chinatown also nearby. The Australian Museum, ranked one of the top five history museums in the world, is ideal for anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of Australia’s aboriginal heritage. Alternatively, escape the city’s hustle at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Incorporating Government House and the Conservatorium of Music, this sprawling parkland offers 24 hectares of native exotic trees.

Eating and drinking

Those unfamiliar with Sydney may be surprised by the sophistication of the city’s culinary scene. Sydney offers myriad dining experiences drawing on both eastern and western influences, along with restaurants producing some of the most innovative nouveau cuisine in the world. Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Korean restaurants are abundant in the city while Italian, Greek, Lebanese and the cuisines of central Europe are also popular. If you’re seeking a central spot to stop and grab a bite around lunchtime, Circular Quay – wedged between the Opera House and The Rocks – is a bustling precinct jammed with quality restaurants offering quayside dining.

Shopping

Sydney offers an exciting shopping experience encompassing department stores, boutiques and designer emporiums, all located within the city centre itself. Pitt Street Mall is perhaps the most renowned of Sydney’s shopping precincts, offering a blend of internationally renowned brands alongside some delightful native Australian names. Westfield and The Strand Arcade both branch off from here and you could easily fill a day browsing the variety of shops in this area alone. Alternatively, Queen Victoria Building, constructed in 1898, offers undercover shopping in a beautiful historic arcade while World Square is another excellent shopping option that combines dining and retail in one convenient location.

Beyond Sydney

Sydney is ideally located to explore many of New South Wales’ most popular tourist attractions. The Blue Mountains, comprising four national parks, are located just 65km west of the city and feature a spectacular collection of broken ravines, towering cliffs and high forested plateaux. On the edge of the spectacular Jamison Valley you’ll find the historic town of Katoomba where you can ride Australia’s famous Scenic Railway. Also within easy reach of Sydney are the lovely gardens of the cool Southern Highlands, the family-friendly beaches of the Central Coast and the pretty Hunter Valley; Australia’s oldest commercial wine-growing district. X

Cruise Highlight – Salalah, Oman

Salalah is the largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and its the birthplace of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Beyond the unique atmosphere the khareef provides, there is much more to see and experience.

As well as its lush green pastures, Salalah is renowned for its stunning collection of beaches, which feel almost Caribbean with their coconut trees and relaxed vibe. Try Al Mughsail Beach, a quiet and wild-feeling stretch of sand, full of caves and blowholes. For a taste of Salalah’s history, head to the Museum of the Frankinscence Land. This ancient set of ruins actually belong to the trading port of Zafar, and from here frankinscence was shipped to India, in return for spices. The on-site museum documents the history of the port as well as the area’s settlement since 2000 BC. It not only demonstrates the maritime strength of Oman, but also the modern rejuvenation of Salalah as a commercial and leisure port. 186 miles of walkways and beautiful lights at night ensure this is an unforgettable visit. During your Salalah cruise, make sure you visit one of the many markets and bazaars if possible. Al-Husn Souq is one of the best, and where the local Dhofari people come to shop. Take your pick from cotton headdresses, jewellery and heady incense. Another famous feature of Salalah is its plantations. Papayas, coconuts and small bananas all grow here and are an important part of both Salalah’s past and its future. You can walk along the plantation roads, which are just over a mile from the centre of the main town. There are plenty of fruit stands selling refreshments if you get tired. If you find yourself peckish in Salalah, there are plenty of places to pick up some traditional Omani cuisine. It is also worth keeping in mind that special dishes are cooked for two main religious festivals: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

Discovering the khareef on your Salalah cruise

Khareef is a colloquial term used for the period of time between June and September when an unusual weather phenomenon occurs in Salalah: a monsoon, caused by surface wind, rages on and causes the landscape to explode into lush green vegetation. Salalah depends on the khareef each year for its water supply, and an annual festival is held to celebrate it, which attracts tourists and locals alike every single year. The water from the monsoon transforms the landscape into a verdant and subtropical wonderland, the likes of which cannot be seen anywhere else in Oman. It also makes the ground incredibly fertile, and is the reason why this region is able to grow a wide range of fruit and vegetables such as coconuts and bananas. The city has a large expatriate community of people from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The majority of the population in Salalah is Muslim, and Arabic is the official language spoken here. Apart from the khareef, the climate here is fairly stable and consistently hot. X

Cruise Highlight – Petra, Jordan

Inland from Aqaba and its world-renowned diving, lies the astonishing and ancient hidden city of Petra. Looming like a mirage that melts into the copper sandstone hills of the desert, it is a rare and magnificent delight.

Your guide to Aqaba

Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city, its location between Asia and Africa providing a vital trading hub for thousands of years. Today the city has a unique feel – with bustling souks and burnt orange mountains more typical of inland Jordan, alongside all the charm of a seaside town. With neighbours that include the Mars-like landscapes of Wadi Rum and the UNESCO City of Petra, Aqaba completes the ‘golden triangle’ of tourism in Jordan. Restaurants are lively with fresh fish and beautiful coastal views while shopping in the Old Town’s souks provides ample opportunity to flex your bartering skills.

Exploring

Magnificent sandy beaches and fabulous coral reefs may be Aqaba’s calling card but the town’s incredible heritage and archaeological significance means there’s no shortage of history to discover. The majestic Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque, Aqaba Castle – originally built in the 12th century – and the Great Arab Revolt Plaza, commemorating the revolt against the Ottoman Empire, are among the cultural highlights. Elsewhere, a visit to Aqaba Bird Observatory offers a chance to glimpse hundreds of native Jordanian birds, while venturing a little further afield reveals the ruins of Ayla – the first Muslim city outside of the Arabian Peninsula.

Eating and drinking

Old-style spots serving up traditional Arabic coffee and Jordanian pastries stand side-by-side with cool modern cafés in Aqaba. Choose from an eclectic mix of restaurants offering refined Jordanian and European cuisine, or simply sit back and enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif, freshly-pressed juice or shisha in one of Aqaba’s many lounges and bars. A selection of hot and cold mezze (small sharing plates) such as hummus, tabbouleh and foul (pronounced fool) make an ideal light lunch or starter. For something more substantial, the local delicacy Mensaf (lamb stewed in fermented yogurt) will reward your palate with an authentic taste of Jordan.

Shopping

With its lively markets and atmospheric souks, shopping in Aqaba is an experience to savour. If your port call keeps you in Jordan late, be sure to visit Souk by The Sea – a vibrant evening market that takes place seasonally on Fridays. Over fifty artisan producers showcase their wares here alongside vendors selling food and drink. Bargaining is practiced, so don’t be shy about negotiating the seller down (the first price offered is rarely final). Gold and silver shops are also common in Aqaba; the exquisite workmanship is typically done by hand. At such stores, purchases are priced according to weight, and each shop should have a set of finely-balanced scales accordingly.

Beyond Aqaba

From Wadi Rum to Petra, beyond Aqaba you’ll find some of Jordan’s most celebrated sights. The salmon-tinged Wadi Rum, famously used by Lawrence as a base for his Bedouin tribes during WWI, is just 35 miles from the city. The mountain-fringed desert is spectacular, with Roman fortifications, a Patrol Post and countless temples. Travelling 80 miles brings you to the UNESCO world heritage site, Petra, one of the most visited places in the Middle East. Entry to the red-rose city, famously described as “half as old as time” is via a mile-long winding gorge known as the Siq, and once inside the experience of walking the carved sandstone buildings is simply otherworldly. X