6 January to 11 January - At sea

12 January

Ecuador: Guayaquil

Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and most important commercial centre, and acts as the gateway to the Pacific coast and the wildlife haven of the Galapagos Islands. It’s a busy, buzzing sort of place, centred around the pleasant riverfront Malecón promenade.

13 January

Ecuador: Machala

Machala is often described as the ‘banana capital of the world’, and hosts the World Banana Fair every September, when buyers from across the globe come in search of the perfect banana. As well as banana plantations, the area is also home to nature reserves rich in birdlife and the Puyango petrified forest.

14 January to 15 January - At sea

16 January to 17 January

Peru: Lima (Callao)

Peru’s underrated capital enjoys a fine setting on the Pacific coast, and the handsome colonial-era buildings surrounding the Plaza de Armas give clues to Lima’s distinguished history; for three centuries this was the capital of the Spanish Americas, when the city grew rich on the back of plundered Inca gold.

18 January

Peru: General San Martín (Pisco)

Pisco is best known for its eponymous grape brandy, the key ingredient in a pisco sour cocktail. From here you can explore the desert landscapes of the Paracas Reserve, discover the rich marine life of the Ballestas Islands or fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines.

19 January - At sea

20 January

Chile: Iquique

Situated in the far north of Chile, the golden sands of Iquique attract both sunseekers and thrillseekers; surfing and paragliding are particularly popular here thanks to the clear skies and the wind coming in off the Pacific. The city is also home to some charming old mansions, remnants of a 19th century nitrate mining boom.

21 January to 26 January - At sea

27 January to 28 January

Chile: Easter Island

The enigmatic moai statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) remain one of the world’s most intriguing archaeological mysteries. Descendants of the Polynesian settlers who carved them still live here, though these days the island belongs to Chile, despite being separated from the mainland by over 2,000 miles of Pacific Ocean.

29 January to 2 February - At sea

3 February

French Polynesia: Nuku Hiva

Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas, an island of towering basalt peaks, cliffs and canyons, carpeted with verdant jungle. From the pretty little capital, Taiohae, you can strike out into the unspoilt countryside in search of the island’s many archaeological sites.

4 February

French Polynesia: Hiva Oa

Hiva Oa is the last resting place of the artist Paul Gauguin, who spent the final years of his life here, and the Gauguin museum in Atuona documents his time in the South Pacific. This beautiful island is also home to some evocative archaeological sites, including ancient petroglyphs and stone tiki statues.

5 February - At sea

6 February

French Polynesia: Fakarava (Tuamotu Islands)

The Fakarava atoll surrounds a deep lagoon in the west of the Tuamotu island group, scarcely populated and home to a host of rare wildlife. The entire atoll has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the shallow coastal waters make for excellent snorkelling.

7 February

Cook Islands: Avatiu (Rarotonga)

8 February to 9 February

French Polynesia: Papeete

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia, situated on the northwest coast of Tahiti. The port is not the most magical spot, so we advise venturing forth to luxuriate in the turquoise lagoons, relax on the white sand beaches fringed with palm trees, and explore the rugged mountain peaks.

10 February

French Polynesia: Mo'orea

Mo’orea is one of the real highlights of the South Pacific, a picture perfect landscape of jagged green mountains and dazzling cobalt bays. The warm waters of the lagoon are perfect for a host of watersports, while the lush island interior can be easily explored by scooter or bicycle.

11 February

French Polynesia: Bora Bora

Bora Bora is the very definition of idyllic, a diminutive Polynesian island dominated by rainforest-clad volcanic peaks, overlooking an electric blue lagoon ringed by coral reefs. The beaches and over-water bungalows are particularly popular with honeymooners, and the clear waters of the lagoon are perfect for snorkelling.

12 February - At sea

13 February

Cook Islands: Aitutaki

The sleepy island of Aitutaki is big on natural beauty, thanks to its stunning reef-enclosed lagoon. It’s also a deeply spiritual place: in the village of Arutanga you’ll find the oldest church in the Cook Islands, dating back to 1829, and services here are a spellbinding spectacle, with hymns featuring unaccompanied four-part harmonies.

14 February to 16 February - At sea

17 February

Tonga: Nuku'Alofa

Nuku’Alofa, the ‘Abode of Love’, is the capital of Tonga, the last surviving Polynesian monarchy. The city's main attraction is the Royal Palace, an attractive wooden building dating back to 1867, while the island of Tongatapu offers wild beaches, cute villages and intriguing archaeological sites.

18 February to 20 February - At sea

21 February

New Zealand: Whangarei

22 February

New Zealand: Auckland

Auckland offers a buzzing waterfront and a vibrant arts scene, and provides a fascinating introduction to New Zealand’s proud cultural heritage. The centre is home to excellent shopping and a number of fantastic restaurants, and to the west is the city's oldest wine region.

23 February

New Zealand: Tauranga

Tauranga is the largest city on the Bay of Plenty, and is said to be one of the sunniest spots in the whole of New Zealand. There’s a real boom town feel here, with new restaurants, bars and hotels opening all the time, and neighbouring Mount Maunganui is a popular beach destination.

24 February - At sea

25 February

New Zealand: Napier

When Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 the city was rebuilt entirely in the Art Deco style, making this a fascinating architectural time capsule. It’s a lovely, sunny seaside city, and a visit to the surrounding Hawke’s Bay wine region makes for an enjoyable day trip.

26 February

New Zealand: Wellington

New Zealand’s cosmopolitan capital is arguably the country’s most likeable city. Hemmed in by forest-clad hills, Wellington is compact and easily walkable, with a lovely waterfront area where you’ll find the must-see Te Papa national museum. The city is also renowned for its strong winds, so make sure you hold on to your hat!

27 February

New Zealand: Picton

The pleasant little town of Picton, situated on a sheltered bay at the north eastern tip of the South Island, is the arrival point for ferries arriving from Wellington, and serves as the gateway to the stunning flooded river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds.

28 February

New Zealand: Kaikoura

Kaikoura sits amongst spectacular South Island scenery, and is renowned as a marine wildlife hotspot. The meeting of subtropical and cold southern ocean currents sustains an abundance of species including sperm whales, orcas, pilot whales, humpbacks, dolphins and seals, as well as birds including albatross, shearwaters and penguins.

1 March

New Zealand: Christchurch

A garden city where punts glide down the Avon River, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were still in the UK when arriving into Christchurch, New Zealand’s most English of cities.

2 March

New Zealand: Timaru

Situated halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin on the east coast of the South Island, the pleasant town of Timaru has a well-preserved Edwardian centre, some interesting museums and galleries, a good range of shops and a nice coastal park along Caroline Bay.

3 March

New Zealand: Dunedin (Port Chalmers)

Visitors to Dunedin are amazed by the extraordinary Victorian and Edwardian buildings dating back to the gold rush, which bring to mind the city's Scottish roots - not least when the sound of the pipes echoes through the streets.

4 March

New Zealand: Stewart Island

Stewart Island is New Zealand’s rarely visited third island. A landscape of lush rainforest and beautiful beaches is home to abundant birdlife, and it’s one of the best places in the country to see kiwis in the wild. You can also have a drink at New Zealand’s southernmost pub in Oban, the only town on the island.

5 March to 8 March - At sea

9 March

Arriving in Sydney

One or our favourite cities in the world, we love pretty much everything about Sydney. Offering outdoor living at its best, the city is known for the excellent beaches but offers so much more, including a thriving and varied food scene inspired by Asian and European flavours.