Destination Reviews
Duration
29 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from United States
Ports
10 Ports
24 July
Setting sail from San Francisco
Renowned for its food, its misty mornings and its vertiginous streets, cosmopolitan San Francisco is quite unlike any other American city. The birthplace of the hippie movement and the centre of the dot-com bubble, it's an open-minded and forward-looking place with an undeniably European feel. Highlights include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the delightful waterfront and the bohemian quarter of Haight Ashbury, while a boat trip across to the notorious prison island of Alcatraz makes for a fascinating half-day excursion.
Our tip
Book your tickets to go to Alcatraz in advance. It gets sold out, and this really is an unmissable visit.
25 July
At sea
26 July
United States: Los Angeles
Los Angeles is an energetic, creative place with cultural riches to match any world city, home to Hollywood glamour, the iconic beaches of Venice and Santa Monica, and affluent, image-conscious Beverly Hills.
27-28 July
At sea
29 July
Mexico: Cabo San Lucas
The sister towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo sit at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The towns themselves are mostly given over to luxury hotels and boisterous nightlife, but the surrounding landscape is characterised by arid arroyos, bristly cacti and rocky coastal outcrops.
30 July - 1 August
At sea
2 August
Costa Rica: Puntarenas
Situated on a peculiarly shaped peninsula on the Gulf of Nicoya, Puntarenas is a popular weekend beach destination for residents of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. The port itself is not pretty, but the beachfront Paseo de los Turistas is a nice place to relax with a drink or enjoy a seafood lunch.
3-5 August
At sea
6 August
Aruba: Oranjestad
The tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba, located just off the coast of Venezuela, lies outside of the hurricane belt, meaning it enjoys a largely dry climate, and boasts some of the best beaches in the region, if not the world.
7-8 August
At sea
9 August
United States: Fort Lauderdale
These days Fort Lauderdale is a sophisticated place awash with upmarket hotels and excellent restaurants. The glorious weather and swathes of golden beach are still a huge draw, but there are also plenty of cultural attractions, such as the Museum of Art and the Museum of Discovery and Science.
10-11 August
At sea
12 August
Bermuda: Hamilton
Hamilton is Bermuda’s charming capital, filled with pretty pastel-hued buildings and bursting with British colonial history. Learn more about this past at the Royal Naval Dockyard, take a stroll along colourful Front Street, or relax on one of Bermuda’s beautiful pink sand beaches.
13-17 August
At sea
18 August
Portugal: Funchal
Funchal, Madeira’s bustling capital, tumbles down a dramatic hillside towards a beautiful sweeping bay. Highlights include colourful markets, wine lodges and the spectacular cable car ride up to the village of Monte, home of the famous toboggan run.
19 August
At sea
20 August
Spain: Cádiz
The crumbling, sun-baked seafront city of Cádiz is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the western world, founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC. Although the city lacks any obvious landmarks, it’s rich in atmosphere, and plays host to one of Spain’s most colourful carnivals.
21 August
At sea
22 August
Arriving in Barcelona
Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, is one of our favourite ports of call. From the warren-like medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic to the fantastical modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí, from the dizzy heights of Mount Tibidabo to the golden sands of Barceloneta, there's never a dull moment in this most beguiling of cities. Take a stroll along the Ramblas, soak up the wonderful art of Picasso and Miró, or experience the electrifying atmosphere of a match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona is truly a city with something for everyone.
Don't miss
Gaudí’s crowning masterpiece, the church of La Sagrada Familia, is an utterly unique building, a soaring structure that’s rich in bizarre little details. It’s also still not finished; despite the fact that construction began in 1882, the current completion date is scheduled for 2026!
Your home from home
Named by Her Majesty the Queen, Cunard’s newest luxury liner still recalls the rich heritage of the first Cunarder to bear the name.
What we love
Modern features combined with traditional and elegant décor reminiscent of the golden age of cruising makes this ship a firm favourite with her passengers. We particularly like the excellent Queens Grill accommodation which offers additional space and access to the exclusive Queens Grill restaurant, along with dedicated lounges and deck areas.
| Capacity | 2,081 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1,005 International Staff |
| Style | Traditionally formal cruising with the evening attire always expected to be refined even on 'informal' evenings. |
| Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay in San Francisco
It depends where you want to be, but we love the hip Argonaut at Fishermans Wharf.
See more around San Francisco
Get out of the city – Napa Valley, Yosemite, Carmel…
Where to stay in Barcelona
The lovely Hotel Arts on the sea front is perfectly located for a pre- or post-cruise stay, and has great restaurants too.
Explore Catalonia
Take a day trip to the attractive city of Girona, with its fascinating mix of Gothic, Moorish and Modernist architecture, as well as an exceptionally well preserved Jewish Quarter.
