18 February to 20 February - At sea

21 February

Peru: Paracas

The port of Paracas is surrounded by the spectacular landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert meets the ocean along a coastline of sandy beaches and spectacular cliffs teeming with birdlife. Look out for species including pink flamingos, Humboldt penguins and condors.

22 February to 23 February

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.

24 February

Peru: Trujillo (Salaverry)

Salaverry is the nearest port to Trujillo, northern Peru’s most important city. Located amongst the verdant Andean foothills, Trujillo is home to a host of beautiful colonial buildings, and is also known for the spectacular nearby ruins of Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian city in South America.

25 February - At sea

26 February

Ecuador: Manta

The Ecuadorian port of Manta is known as the “tuna capital of the world”, and you’ll see plenty of fishing boats as you arrive. The beach is a popular destination for local tourists, but you may find that the nearby town of Montecristi, home of the Panama hat, makes for a more interesting excursion.

27 February - At sea

28 February

Panama: Chapera Island

1 March

Panama: Panama City

The port of Fuerte Amador sits at the southern edge of Panama City, near the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The shining skyscrapers of the Panamanian capital are a testament to the city’s status as a key financial centre, while the tiny Casco Viejo is home to pretty colonial streets, hip hotels and happening bars.

2 March - At sea

3 March

Costa Rica: Quepos

The little town of Quepos is the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, a nature-lover’s paradise that’s home to monkeys, iguanas and the reclusive three-toed sloth. The area around Quepos also boasts some of the best beaches in Costa Rica, and the town itself has some nice restaurants.

4 March - At sea

5 March

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.

6 March - At sea

7 March

Mexico: Huatulco

Huatulco, on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, was developed for tourism with a low-rise, eco-friendly approach, a far cry from the likes of Cancún or Acapulco. Four of Huatulco’s nine beautiful bays have been designated as ecological reserves, and there are several villages showcasing traditional Mexican crafts.

8 March - At sea

9 March

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.

10 March - At sea

11 March

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.

12 March to 13 March - At sea

14 March

United States: San Diego

Laid-back, friendly and blessed with near-perfect weather all year round, San Diego is one of America’s most likeable cities. Enjoy a stroll through Balboa Park, dotted with beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style architecture, take a whale watching trip along the coast, or sample the nightlife of the trendy Gaslamp Quarter.

15 March

United States: Santa Barbara

Sunny Santa Barbara is one of the loveliest cities on the Californian coast, with a beautiful stretch of beach against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez mountains. Architectural highlights include the 18th century Spanish Mission church, and there are plenty of excellent bars, restaurants and shops.

16 March - At sea

17 March to 18 March

Arriving in San Francisco

Renowned for its food, its misty mornings and its vertiginous streets, cosmopolitan San Francisco is quite unlike any other American city. Highlights include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the delightful waterfront and the bohemian quarter of Haight Ashbury.