11 October

Canada: Québec City

Québec City, the capital of French-speaking Canada, is one of the North American continent’s most beguiling cities. The pretty old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a joy to behold; the cobbled streets and church spires are enclosed within the old city walls, and many of the buildings date back to the 17th century

12 October

Canada: Saguenay

The stunning Saguenay fjord is the fourth largest in the world, and the only fjord in North America navigable by cruise ship. The point where the fjord meets the colder waters of the St Lawrence river is rich in krill, which makes this a great destination for whale watching.

13 October

Canada: Sept-Iles (Québec)

14 October

Canada: Havre-Saint-Pierre

15 October

Canada: Corner Brook (Newfoundland)

16 October

Canada: Sydney

Sydney is the only real city on Nova Scotia’s beautiful Cape Breton island, a former steel and coal town that is reinventing itself as a cultural and culinary hub. The revitalised waterfront area is particularly appealing, and there are some interesting Loyalist-era buildings in the city’s North End district.

17 October

Canada: Halifax

The natural harbour at Halifax is the second largest in the world after Sydney, and this charming city has a proud maritime heritage. Take a stroll along the historic waterfront, delve into the vibrant arts scene or explore the beautiful coastal scenery of Nova Scotia.

18 October to 19 October - At sea

20 October

Bermuda: King’s Wharf

King’s Wharf is the port of choice for the larger cruise ships that visit Bermuda, originally built as a base for the British Navy. Attractions in the immediate vicinity include the National Museum of Bermuda and the Arts Centre, and you don’t have to travel far to find one of Bermuda's beautiful pink sand beaches.

21 October to 22 October - At sea

23 October

Bahamas: Nassau

Nassau, the lively Bahamian capital, is home to duty free shopping, a burgeoning restaurant scene and elegant Georgian architecture. There are some interesting museums where you can learn about the pirates and slave traders of yesteryear, and the surrounding coastline boasts some truly stunning beaches.

24 October

United States: Miami

Downtown Miami is a destination in its own right, with a host of world class galleries, but it's still Miami Beach that draws the biggest crowds. The Art Deco district around South Beach is very much back in vogue, with new restaurants, bars and luxury developments sprouting up all over the place.

25 October - At sea

26 October

Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman

Far more than just an offshore tax haven, Grand Cayman boasts the staggeringly beautiful white sands of Seven Mile Beach and some fantastic snorkelling in crystal clear waters. The capital, George Town, is a compact and friendly place, home to some interesting architecture and a suspiciously large number of registered companies.

27 October - At sea

28 October

Colombia: Cartagena

Cartagena was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1533, and the beautifully preserved centre is a real highlight of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The walled old town, the Ciudad Amurallada, is a camera-friendly collection of cobbled streets and colourful, colonial-era buildings.

29 October to 30 October - At sea

31 October

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.

1 November - At sea

2 November

Guatemala: Puerto Quetzal

Puerto Quetzal is the jumping off point for exploring the fascinating interior of Guatemala, and the highlight of this intriguing country has to be UNESCO-listed Antigua. This colourful colonial town, 90 minutes from the port, enjoys a spectacular setting against a backdrop of volcanoes, and is well worth the trip.

3 November - At sea

4 November

Mexico: Acapulco

It’s true that Acapulco has suffered from overdevelopment, and has lost some of its lustre since its heyday as a magnet for Hollywood stars. But it’s still a buzzing party town, and even the forest of high rise hotels can’t spoil the setting, a beautiful bay where the Sierra Madre mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.

5 November - At sea

6 November

Mexico: Puerto Vallarta

The resort town of Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, has bags of charm in spite of its popularity. Spend some time exploring the pretty old town, with its cobbled streets and quirky boutiques, or relax on the beach. Humpback whales breed out in the bay during the winter months, and dolphins can be spotted year round.

7 November

Mexico: Mazatlán

Mazatlán is one of the most popular beach resorts on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and tourists tend to congregate in the Zona Dorada, where the majority of the hotels are concentrated. The old town is much more interesting, however, with elegantly faded colonial architecture and a vibrant cultural scene.

8 November

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.

9 November to 10 November - At sea

11 November

Arriving in 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.