2029 Grand World Odyssey Segment Sydney to Civitavecchia (for Rome) 49-nights

Your world cruise starts in Sydney, Glide out beneath the Harbour Bridge and past the sails of the Opera House as the city sparkles around you, with the Pacific and four months of adventure ahead. Whether it's your hometown or a long-planned start line, this is the sendoff that sets the tone for the whole journey.

Sunny, subtropical Brisbane rolls out the welcome with river breezes, leafy parks and a thriving South Bank of cafés and lagoon pools. Cuddle a koala at a nearby sanctuary, ride a CityCat along the river, and feel the Queensland warmth before the island hopping begins.

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.

Few cruise ships ever reach the Kingdom of Tonga, the Pacific's last Polynesian monarchy. Visit the Royal Palace, wander the busy market where handwoven mats and tapa cloth are sold, and discover a culture that has kept its traditions proudly intact. It's a rare, authentic glimpse of island life.

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.

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.

Tenerife is a world in one island. Rise to the volcanic crater of Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, wander through ancient laurel forests, or relax on a black-sand beach. Back in Santa Cruz, the sunny plazas and seafront cafes make it easy to enjoy the Spanish island life.

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.

Your voyage ends in Italy, with the Eternal City on your doorstep. Rise early as Grand Princess glides into Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, then head for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain and St Peter’s in Vatican City, all within reach of the port. Say a last farewell to the friends you’ve made across oceans, then step ashore with a head full of memories and a plate of pasta in a piazza still to come.