Princess Cruises 2021 World Cruise Becomes Fastest Selling World Cruise in Line's History (Article)

Itinerary for this cruise:

Airlie Beach is a remote North Queensland destination near the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. The pristine beaches and lagoons in the area make Airlie Beach a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and other water activities. For those wishing to stay dry, there is plenty to do, including shopping in local markets, whale watching, horseback riding, parasailing, and visiting a nearby wildlife park.

Yorkeys Knob (Cairns), Queensland, Australia:

Named after local fisherman George “Yorkey” Lawson, Yorkeys Knob may have a funny name, but with it go great tropical beaches, a world-class marina and friendly residents. Here, you can swim, snorkel, windsurf, sail, and dive on the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll also be well-located in North Queensland: just 15 minutes away from Cairns City and close to the World Heritage Rain Forests.  
  

Darwin, Australia:

Discover the friendly Outback quality of Darwin, a cosmopolitan yet casual city, where residents are said to drink more beer than anywhere else in the world. The city was named by a sea captain after his most famous passenger, naturalist Charles Darwin. East of Darwin, the Kakadu National Park is famous for its stunning Aboriginal rock art and its abundance of bush wildlife.

Bali (Benoa), Indonesia:

Benoa’s recently built seafood restauraunts along the coast allow visitors to pick their fish out of the tank and watch it be cooked, ensuring that they receive the freshest food around. Benoa is a popular spot for windsurfing. Small boats for sailing are also available for rent, allowing travelers to sail at their leisure around the picturesque port. As the sun sets, the beach is enveloped in a cozy feeling which lasts throughout the calm, peaceful nighttime.

The diverse roots of this diminutive island are reflected in its ethnic neighborhoods. Tourists are presented with a mix of high-rises in the city, tea houses in Chinatown, mansions in the colonial district, Victorian-style government buildings, Hindu temples and Arabian bazaars. Most shore excursions here are half-day tours with stops in the Little India area and at the Museum at Empress Place. An excursion to Jurong Bird Park for a walk through the aviaries is also a good choice.

Strait of Malacca (Cruising at Sea):

Settled between West Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Strait of Malacca is one of the most important shipping channels in the world –- even above the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal. The shipping lane connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and ushers thousands of vessels carrying a quarter of the world’s traded goods from China, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.  
  

Langkawi, Malaysia:

A secret labyrinth of 99 islands awaits you in Langkawi, along with many lovely white-sand beaches and blue lagoons. Relax and absorb the natural scenery and wildlife or participate in the recreational activities Langkawi offers, such as sailing, snorkeling, horseback riding, or golfing at one of the several challenging courses.

The Suez Canal runs 100 miles between the sand dunes of the Sinai Peninsula and the Nile River delta. Cruise ships often dock toward the canal's north end at Port Said, a gateway to Cairo. From the port of Safaga at the south end, passengers are offered shore excursions to the ancient city of Luxor, where Tutankhamen was entombed.

Jerusalem/Bethlehem/Tel Aviv (Ashdod), Israel:

The port town of Ashdod serves as the gateway to one of the most revered cities in the world. Jerusalem, which is central to three world religions, includes both an old walled city and a modern urban area surrounding the wall. As you stroll inside the wall, you'll eventually "discover" some of the most magnificent holy shrines in the world, including the Mosque of Omar (also known as the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina); the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (marking the so-called site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Christ); and the Western ("Wailing") Wall, once part of Solomon's Temple. Outside the walls of the old city is the beautiful Franciscan church, the Church of All Nations, on the slope of the Mount of Olives; the church is built around the rock in the Garden of Gethsemane.    
  

Kusadasi, Turkey (for Ephesus):

Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire, and now it is one of the world's most impressive and best-restored archaeological sites. Walk the marble-paved streets and see the spectacular ruins of the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days and the amphitheater where St. Paul once preached. Kusadasi is a Turkish resort known for its extensive marina and miles of beaches, but it is famed for the ancient treasures just minutes away: Miletus and its Greco-Roman theater and Temple of Athena, Didyma and its Temple of Apollo, and the most glorious of all, the marble city of Ephesus.

This miniature Mediterranean island is marked with medieval castles, palaces, minarets and grand churches. Various excursions visit Mdina (the old capital of Malta), the Palace of the Grand Masters, and St. John's Co-Cathedral. Or, explore the Malta Crafts Centre on your own.

Catania, Sicily, Italy:

Catania is a fascinating island at the base of Mount Etna. Etna's many eruptions, combined with a massive earthquake in 1693, have given the island a strange, almost fantasy-like vibe, with strange lava formations rising from the water of the bay and sections of the city covered in purple-grey ash. Take a walk through the Bellini Gardens, named after famous opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, and the Duomo, featuring the sarcophagus of Costanza, wife of Frederick III of Aragón.    
  

Sorrento, Italy (for Capri & Pompeii):

Sorrento claims one of the Amalfi Coast's most picturesque harbors. A number of great excursions are offered here. One of the best takes in the whispering groves of lemon trees along the Amalfi Drive, while another puts passengers aboard a hydrofoil to the serene and sunny island of Capri. Others choose the tour to Pompeii, the fascinating ruins of a city covered in lava and ash from the A.D. 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. And finally there is the bustling city of Naples, with a unique culture that the natives still hold strong.

Arrecife, on the island of Lanzarote, offers some of the most fantastic volcanic scenery to be found among the Canaries' lunar-like landscapes. Take a camel ride to Fire Mountain for a thrilling half-day excursion. The island's volcanic origins provide a considerable diversity of nature, especially among its reefs, so there are excellent opportunities for snorkeling.

Santa Cruz, La Palma, Canary Islands:

Located on the eastern part of La Palma, Santa Cruz is the capital and largest city of the island. Spanish for “Holy Cross,” the city has a population of nearly 20,000 residents and acts as the major port for the island. For visitors looking to explore outside of the city, Breña Baja offers a panoramic view of La Gomera, the second-smallest of the Canary Islands.    
  

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida:

Fort Lauderdale lies about 30 minutes north of Miami on Florida's lower Atlantic Coast. It is about five hours from Jacksonville, FL, and four hours from Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL. Fort Lauderdale is sometimes known as the "Venice of America" because of its expansive and intricate canal system. In addition to its museums, beaches and nightlife, Fort Lauderdale is home to a large indoor/outdoor flea market and the site of the world's largest drive-in movie theater. The International Swimming Hall of Fame is located on Fort Lauderdale beach and houses a large aquatic complex as well as a museum, theater and research library.

Since this port was discovered as a prime vacation spot in the 1960s, it has become home to luxury resorts and beautiful villas. But, the city's tranquil past is still evident in its charming courtyards, cobblestone streets and markets. The most popular excursions visit Gringo Gulch, the town square and unique cathedral. There's always shopping and horseback riding or relaxing on the beach.

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