2029 Grand World Odyssey Liner Brisbane to Dover (for London) 61-nights

Your cruise starts in sunny, relaxed Brisbane winds along its river with leafy parks, cafes and a lively South Bank. Meet a koala at a nearby sanctuary or simply stroll the riverside in the Queensland warmth.

Bonjour, South Pacific. Nouméa blends French style with island ease, from freshly baked baguettes and sidewalk cafés to a bustling market of tropical fruit and flowers. Beaches fringe a vast turquoise lagoon, so after a morning of shopping and strolling you can be snorkelling in clear water by lunchtime.

Picture a deserted tropical island with soft white sand, palm trees and water so clear you can see the coral from the shore. That's Mystery Island, an uninhabited speck off Vanuatu's southern coast. Snorkel the reef, swim in warm shallows, or simply sink your toes into the sand and let the world slip away.

Fiji's capital greets you with the warmest welcome in the Pacific, and a hearty “bula!” from everyone you meet. Browse the colourful municipal market, admire the grand colonial buildings along the waterfront, or head inland to rainforest trails and cool waterfalls. It's a real Fijian city, full of life and friendliness.

Rarotonga looks like a South Pacific dream, with jagged green peaks rising behind a ring of white sand and shimmering lagoon. You can drive all the way around the island in about an hour, stopping to swim, snorkel and enjoy the friendly Cook Islands welcome. Island time at its most inviting.

After Rarotonga, Grand Princess settles into the longest open-ocean stretch of the outbound journey, around ten relaxed days at sea on the way to Costa Rica, and this is when life on board really comes into its own. Mornings can start with a fitness class, a stroll around the wraparound promenade or a swim, followed by an unhurried afternoon at the Lotus Spa, the adults-only Sanctuary or a deck chair with a good book from the library. Talks, art programmes, trivia and games fill the day for the curious, and as the sun sets over the Pacific, the Princess Theatre comes alive with Broadway-style shows, the lounges fill with live music, cabaret and dancing, and Movies Under the Stars screens a feature beneath the open sky with complimentary popcorn. Between the dining rooms, casual grills and a toast in one of the bars, these are the days many guests remember most, a slow, social stretch of the voyage before the rainforests of Puntarenas and the Panama Canal.

Panama City is where past and future meet. Stroll the cobbled lanes and pastel balconies of the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo, then look across the bay to a gleaming modern skyline. Watch ships pass through the Miraflores Locks and see the canal's engineering up close, before you cross it yourself.

This is one of the unforgettable days of any world cruise. Rise early and watch the ship climb through the canal's giant Cocolí and Agua Clara locks, across the jungle-fringed waters of Gatun Lake and down into the Caribbean. From the open decks, you'll feel the scale of one of the greatest feats of engineering ever built.

One of the most romantic cities in the Americas, Cartagena wraps its UNESCO-listed old town inside centuries-old walls. Colourful balconies spill over with bougainvillea, horse-drawn carriages clip through the plazas, and the fortress of San Felipe watches over the bay. Sip a Colombian coffee and enjoy the Caribbean rhythm.

Aruba is sunshine on demand, with year-round warm, dry weather and a steady trade-wind breeze. Stroll the pastel Dutch-style streets of Oranjestad, relax on the soft white sand of Eagle Beach, or explore desert landscapes of cacti and rugged coast. The island's cheerful motto, “one happy island”, suits it perfectly.

Barbados mixes British charm with Caribbean spirit. Wander the UNESCO-listed historic centre and garrison, tour a rum distillery in the birthplace of the spirit, and swim from golden beaches washed by gentle turquoise water. Don't miss the national dish of flying fish and cou-cou.

Possibly the oldest city in Western Europe, Cádiz sits on a sliver of land surrounded by the sea, with golden light, white plazas and a beloved tapas culture. Or take the day to Seville, with its Moorish Alcázar, soaring cathedral and orange-scented streets. Andalusia at its most romantic.

The mighty Rock of Gibraltar rises straight from the sea, a British outpost at the gateway of the Mediterranean. Ride up for sweeping views across to Morocco, meet the cheeky Barbary macaques, the only wild monkeys in Europe, and browse the shops on Main Street. It's small, quirky and completely unforgettable.

Corsica is known as the Isle of Beauty, and Ajaccio is a sunlit gateway to it. Napoleon was born here, and you can visit the house where his story began. Stroll the pastel harbour, sample island cheeses, charcuterie and wine at the market, and look to the wild mountains rising behind the bay.

This is your door to Tuscany. Choose Florence, where the cathedral dome, the Uffizi and Michelangelo's David await, or Pisa and its Leaning Tower, framed by emerald lawns. Wherever you go, the trattorias of Tuscany will reward you with exquisite food and wine.

Elba is a small island with a big story. Napoleon lived here in exile, and you can visit his elegant villa high above the harbour. Between the ochre-coloured fortress walls and the glittering Tuscan sea, you'll find quiet coves for a swim and long, lazy lunches in the sun.

All roads lead to Rome. Step inside the Colosseum, wander the Roman Forum, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and gaze up at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Three thousand years of history in a single day, followed by a plate of pasta in a piazza.

A hidden treasure on Spain's southeast coast, Cartagena has more than 2,000 years of history layered into one walkable harbour city. Explore a beautifully restored Roman theatre, climb to hilltop castle views and enjoy fresh seafood in the sun. Far from the crowds, it feels like a genuine discovery.

Spread across seven hills above the Tagus, Lisbon is a city of tiled facades, vintage yellow trams and breathtaking viewpoints. With a late night in port, wander the Alfama's lanes, taste warm custard tarts, and let the soulful sound of fado drift out of a candlelit restaurant. Lisbon is a place you'll want to linger.

Galway is where Ireland sings. Musicians play on cobbled streets, pubs hum with traditional music and the Latin Quarter bursts with colour. Beyond the city, Connemara's mountains and lakes and the dramatic Cliffs of Moher showcase the wild Atlantic coast at its finest.

In County Donegal, one of Ireland's wildest corners, Killybegs is a proper working harbour with a warm welcome. Nearby, the Slieve League cliffs plunge into the Atlantic from heights among the greatest in Europe. It's raw, beautiful, uncrowded Ireland.

The Firth of Clyde opens the door to Scotland's best. Explore Glasgow's grand Victorian streets, world-class museums and legendary music scene, or head to Loch Lomond, where mist rolls over the hills and the water shimmers like glass. Scottish hospitality is a given.

Your seaside gateway to Dublin, a city of storytellers. See the ancient Book of Kells at Trinity College, walk beneath the Georgian doorways and raise a pint of the black stuff in a traditional pub. Or stay by the water, where the Victorian harbour and its long pier are perfect for a sea-breeze stroll.

Rows of bright houses climb the hill above Cork Harbour, crowned by the spires of St Colman's Cathedral. This was the Titanic's final port of call, and its story is told in a moving local exhibition. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone, then enjoy lively Cork's markets and food.

Your journey ends beneath the White Cliffs of Dover. Gather on deck as England’s famous coastline comes into view, share a final toast with the friends you’ve made across oceans and continents, and step ashore with a head full of memories. From here, London, Canterbury and the rest of Britain are waiting, whether you head home or carry on exploring.