47-Day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole

Nestled along the sun-drenched shores of Florida's Atlantic coast, Fort Lauderdale beckons with its pristine beaches, vibrant culture and world-class amenities.

In the oldest city in the New World get ready for history, hand-rolled puro cigars and island rum. Sample shore excursions: Santo Domingo Historical Walking Tour; The Tomb of Columbus & Three Eyes Lakes.

In the land of the great liberator, S mon Bol var, visit the plantation where he lived his final days; view a dazzling collection of Tayrona gold pieces; take in the rich aroma of fresh-brewed Colombian coffee. Sample shore excursion: Santa Marta City Tour & Folkloric Show.

Explore the lush rainforests, mangrove swamps, numerous volcanoes and crystalline waters of this Central American isthmus, then meet the laid-back 'Ticos' locals that call it home.

Located west of Panama City at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador is a gateway to exploring the many faces of this unique Central American country. The impressive engineering of the canal itself is a wonder to behold; a quick trip to the Miraflores Locks' visitor center with its panoramic observation decks offers the chance to watch behemoth barges thread their way through the legendary manmade waterway. Just minutes from the cruise port, the recently opened Biomuseo is a Frank Gehry–designed natural-history museum dedicated to Panama's ecological marvels. And Fuerte Amador sits within easy taxi distance of Panama City, the bustling, multicultural capital metropolis where visitors can wander a conquistador-era UNESCO World Heritage Site, sip coffee in street cafés and peruse modern malls. For a rural escape, it only takes an hour or two by car to trade the city for the tropical rain forests of Soberanía National Park, where an aerial tram carries passengers through treetops, or to meet Emberá tribespeople in their traditional village along the Chagres River.

An important port city in the Province of Manabí, located in a dry forest area, with some of the most beautiful beaches in South America.

To the north is the "Lordiest City" of Trujillo, founded in 1535 and still rich in ornate colonial detail. At its edge, far older and long abandoned by the Chimu Indians, sits the eerie adobe metropolis of Chan Chan. Sample shore excursions: Trujillo and the Temples; Ch n Ch n Citadel/Dragon Huaca/Totora Caballitos.

The colourful capital of Peru, Lima has long been renowned for its rich history.

General San Martin was named for José de San Martín who, nearly 200 years ago, liberated Peru from Spanish rule. This thriving harbor is your gateway to the Nazca Lines geoglyphs, the ancient spires of Macchu Picchu, and the port of Pisco. Visit the Paracas National Reserve, a refuge for seals, penguins, flamingos and more. Sample shore excursions: Ballestas Island Wildlife Sanctuary Cruise; The Route of Pisco; Tambo Colorado & Paracas Museum.

Chile’s northernmost city, Arica, is characteristically arid for the region, which is home to the world’s driest desert, the Atacama. The climate and terrain may not seem hospitable for long-term living, but for a visitor just passing through, they’re critical: These were the conditions that created the attractions that bring travelers here. Those attractions include a fascinating archaeological museum that claims to have the world’s oldest mummies, and a village that dates to the pre-Hispanic era and retains some of its mystical allure. There’s also a cathedral featuring a door that came straight from Eiffel’s Parisian workshop (yes, that Eiffel) and a local wine called Pintatani made from grapes that grow in an unusually fertile part of Arica. Fresh seafood straight from the Pacific Coast is the highlight of most menus in Arica, and it plays a starring role in displays at the local markets as well, where picture taking and people-watching are two ideal ways to while away a morning or afternoon.

Unless you went to school in South America, it’s likely you never learned about a pivotal moment in the continent’s history. In the late 1800s, the War of the Pacific, fought between Bolivia and Peru on one side and Chile on the other, reshaped the three countries’ borders. Once Chile was victorious, in 1883, it took possession of the horseshoe-shaped bay along which stretches the long, narrow city of Antofagasta. And just like that, Bolivia lost its coast and became a landlocked country, while what would become Chile's second-largest city grew rich from mining in the Atacama Desert. As a gateway to the town of San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta is again drawing visitors from the world over, though these days they aren't prospectors drawn by the desert’s mineral riches but adventure travelers looking to experience its natural beauty. Antofagasta’s allure tends toward simple pleasures like taking in the sunset over the Pacific Ocean or strolling the harbor to watch sea lions and pelicans. Just outside the city are two other attractions: La Chimba National Reserve, in the Chilean Coast Range, and the national monument La Portada, a stone archway perched in the sea below the cliffs that run along this part of Chile’s coast.

This large, modern port serves Chile’s capital, Santiago, a city with Spanish colonial charm and a vivacious spirit. Encircled by the Andes and the Coastal Range, Santiago is centered around the Plaza de Armas, with several of the city’s landmarks: the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral the Palacio de la Real Audencia from 1808, the City Hall and the National Museum of History. North of San Antonio lie the picturesque old port and university town of Valparaíso and the colorful seaside resort of Viña del Mar. In between the coast and the capital are valleys filled with some of Chile’s most famous wineries, all inviting you to come and taste.

Gateway to the scenic Lake District, a series of fragrant eucalyptus and pine forests, icy lakes, Bavarian hamlets and luminous snowcapped volcanoes. Sample shore excursions: Alerce Mountain Lodge & Lake of Reflections; Petrohué Rapids & Frutillar.

Here in the heart of the Chilean archipelago, discover stunning scenery: dense rain forests, bright-blue lakes and snow-covered mountain peaks. Sample shore excursions: Sights of Patagonia; Lake Elizalde Adventure.

Perched on the windswept shores of the Falkland Islands, Stanley beckons with its remote charm and rugged beauty.

Nestled along the windswept shores of Argentina's Patagonia region, Puerto Madryn beckons travellers with its rugged coastal beauty and abundant wildlife.

Founded as a Spanish citadel in the eighteenth century, Montevideo has grown into a bold, intellectual and cosmopolitan city.

Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina, dances to the rhythm of tango and pulses with cultural energy.