Panama, Peru & Polynesia: Grand Pacific Crossing from New York

Cruise Itinerary

• Day 1-2: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), USA (Overnight)

  Fly from selected UK airport to New York and embark on your 37-night cruise on board Crown Princess. There’s no place like it. From the second you step onto the street, New York City doesn’t just welcome you, it grabs you by the hand and pulls you into the action. It’s bold, beautiful, and bursting with energy. And somehow, it just makes you feel like anything is possible. Start your day with a bagel and coffee, because that’s how New Yorkers do it, then head up the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center for views that feel like you’re looking out at the world’s greatest movie set. Walk the High Line, an old railway turned sky-high park, wander through the West Village, stopping for a slice of authentic New York pizza, or head downtown to the iconic Statue of Liberty. Craving culture? Lose yourself in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or feel goosebumps rise during a Broadway show. From lazy afternoons in Central Park and strolls along the Brooklyn Bridge to the neon buzz of Times Square, New York is more than a city. It's late-night diners, yellow taxis, street music, and skyline sunsets. And here, it’s all about getting lost on purpose, just to see what you find in the ‘City that Never Sleeps’. Just don’t forget your comfy shoes.

• Day 3-4: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 5: Miami, Florida

  Be spoilt for choice on how to spend your time here. This vibrant city stretches from the serene Everglades to the stylish haunts of the rich and famous on Miami Beach. Indulge in retail therapy at Lincoln Road Mall or enjoy a touch of culture at Wolfsonian-FIU museum. Escape to the idyllic Miami Beach Botanical Garden or chill out on the white sand of South Beach. Explore the art galleries and elegant eateries at Miami's Design District or visit the historic and bohemian Espanola Way. If you're travelling with children, spend time at Jungle Island zoo and Miami Children's Museum.

• Day 6-7: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 8: Cartagena, Colombia

  Disembark in Colombia's Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Discover cobbled streets, pretty plazas, old churches, and 13km of stone colonial walls. Visit the famous Palace of the Inquisition — which is a grisly museum featuring former instruments of torture from colonial times! Next, see Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress, which dominates the skyline and includes a network of tunnels that you can enter. Enjoy beautiful buildings such as a convent founded in the 17th century and the stunning cathedral. Witness the palaces, mansions, and monasteries of the old town district — sampling local snacks and drinks on the way. Take a tour of the nearby mangroves and see colourful, local wildlife or hop on a boat to view Isla de Baru's white sand beaches and palm trees and Islas del Rosario's coral reefs.

• Day 9: Panama Canal Full Transit New Locks

  The Panama Canal bisects the country just to the west of Panama City and was opened in August 1914 with a third, wider lane of locks added in June 2016. This artificial 82km-long waterway in Panama connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The banks of the canal are covered in rain forest and national parks. Central Panama stretches out from the canal across three provinces and into two oceans to comprise everything from the mountains of the Cordillera Central to the west, to the Caribbean coral reefs and colonial fortresses in the north, to the beaches of the Pearl Islands in the Bahía de Panamá (Bay of Panama) in the south. The coast on either side of the canal's Caribbean entrance offers the remains of colonial fortresses surrounded by jungle, half a dozen beaches, and mile upon mile of coral reef. The mountains to the east of the canal hold flora and fauna and indigenous Emberá villages.

• Day 10: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 11: Manta, Ecuador

  Today, the ship drops anchor in the Ecuadorian port of Manta. This lively town has an eclectic mix of cultures and a fascinating history; equally matched by a proud tuna-fishing industry. Spend a few hours on the popular El Murcielago Beach and enjoy the lively bars and restaurants along the Malecon Escenico promenade. Step back to pre-Columbian times at the Central Bank Museum. The big waves from the adjacent Pacific Ocean make Manta a favourite spot for surfing, kite-surfing, and body boarding. No visit here would be complete without a trip to the nearby town of Montecristi; rumoured to be the birthplace of the 'sombrero de paja toquilla' - the infamous Panama hat!

• Day 12-13: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 14-15: Lima (Callao), Peru (Overnight)

  The capital of Peru lies on the country's Pacific coast. It’s a bustling metropolis and one of South America's largest cities. While visiting, explore ancient archaeological sites, or see the elegant cathedrals and palaces which date back to Spanish colonial times. Head to downtown Lima where you'll come across a busy beach and a range of dining options and shops. Experience the local culture by watching one of the live Folklore shows performed around the city.

• Day 16: Pisco (General San Martin), Peru

  Known for the grape brandy of the same name, Pisco is a city located on Peru's southern coast. Visit the nearby Paracas National Reserve and take a tour to view the rolling hills and wildlife. The town is popular for fishing and the reserve has an information centre, a small fishing village and some rather dramatic sea-shore cliffs. Take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands to see the sea lions and hillside Candelabra; a huge etching of mysterious origins.

• Day 17-20: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 21: Easter Island, Chile

  Easter Island is a Chilean territory and a remote triangular-shaped volcanic island in Polynesia. Also known by its native name of Rapa Nui; it is famous for its archaeological sites including nearly 900 13th to 18th-century monumental statues known as moai. These carved human figures rest on ahus stone pedestals and have oversized heads; one of the best examples is the Ahu Tongariki group of upright moai. Search for ancient petroglyphs at Papa Vaka, Ana Kai Tangata, and Orongo. See the artefacts on display at The Anthropological Museum, swim with turtles in Hanga Roa Harbour, or check out Ana Kakenga Cave at Rapa Nui. Enjoy a few hours of beach time at Ovahe Beach and Anakena Beach. No trip here would be complete without feasting on fresh tuna, lobster, mahi mahi, and exotic kana kana in a local eatery.

• Day 22-23: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 24: Pitcairn Island

  Scenic Cruising

• Day 25-26: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 27: Tahiti (Papeete), French Polynesia

  The largest island in French Polynesia; Tahiti is shaped like a figure-eight and is divided into Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti. It is known for its black-sand beaches, beautiful lagoons, waterfalls, and two extinct volcanoes. Head to the shoreline of La Plage de Maui to see the volcanic black hue or step back and take a look at the spectacular Fautaua Waterfall; an even better visit in the rainy season as more water makes it appear even more dramatic. Robert Wan Pearl Museum will educate you on the history of pearl jewellery, while Paul Gauguin Museum is dedicated to his life and art works. Browse Papeete Market for fresh produce as well as a variety of handmade goods or Point Venus nestled on the coast is the perfect location to admire pretty views in the distance.

• Day 28: Moorea, French Polynesia

  Moorea is a South Pacific island and part of French Polynesia's Society Islands. You'll find abundant sandy beaches, crystalline lagoons, fjord-like bays, and turquoise seas with jagged volcanic mountains as the perfect backdrop. To the north of the island, Mount Rotui stands proudly overlooking Opunohu Bay and the settlements around Cook's Bay. Pay a visit to the Belvedere Lookout to take in the panoramic views of the island's peaks, Tahiti, and beyond. From April to October, the quiet waters of the lagoon and the annual trade winds create the perfect environment for paddle boarding, kite boarding, water-skiing, and surfing. Try scuba diving and snorkelling to encounter stingrays, sharks, and marine turtles, while ashore enjoy quad biking and horseback riding. Venture inland and follow the hiking trails which wind through the rainforest on the slopes of Mount Tohivea.

• Day 29-30: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 31: At sea

  Cross International Date Line

• Day 32-33: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 34: Auckland, New Zealand

  New Zealand's largest city of Auckland is an urban jungle with natural beauty on its doorstep. Auckland is packed with things to see and do; discover lush green rainforests and dramatic black sand beaches in the west and golden sandy beaches sheltered by red-flowering trees in the east. The rolling hills and country gardens are met by the 48 volcanic cones dotted around the Auckland region. Each provides spectacular panoramic views of the city and harbour, Rangitoto Island is the most iconic and an ideal location for day trips. The city centre is a shopaholic's paradise with its diverse range of boutiques and markets. The nightlife is buzzing at city centre hotspots such as Wynyard Quarter, the Viaduct Harbour and the Britomart precinct, where you'll also find a variety of restaurants which offer cuisines from around the world.

• Day 35-37: At sea

  Days at sea

• Day 38: Sydney, Australia

  Disembark and make your way to the airport for your return flight back to the UK