Grand Spice Route Quest - Auckland to Cape Town

Stretched over a volcanic field on New Zealand’s North Island is the country’s largest city, multicultural Auckland.

Nestled on the northeastern coast of New Zealand's North Island, the Bay of Islands beckons with its pristine beauty and rich history.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

From the Sydney Opera House to Bondi Beach, man and Mother Nature contribute in equal measure to this splendid city.

Nestled along the picturesque coastline of New South Wales, Newcastle emerges as a vibrant city teeming with history, culture and natural beauty

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of North Queensland, Townsville is a vibrant coastal city that effortlessly balances a relaxed tropical lifestyle with modern urban charm.

A friendly city loved by residents and popular with tourists. More than just a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns offers plenty to do.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Nestled on the northern coastline of Australia, Darwin stands as a vibrant gateway to the country's untamed wilderness and a testament to resilience.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

One of 17,000 islands in Indonesia, Komodo Island is famous for its bright blue waters, steep sloping hills, and the four thousand giant lizards who call the island home.

Beautiful Bali is everything you imagine it will be; humbling temples, tranquil lakes, traditional villages, idyllic sands and thriving paddy fields.

Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to religious sites such as cliffside Uluwatu Temple. To the south, the beachside city of Kuta has lively bars, while Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua are popular resort towns. The island is also known for its yoga and meditation retreats

Surabaya is the gateway to a world of wonders, from Buddhist temples to Arab quarters. You will notice the vast differences in architecture as you move around the various neighborhoods. In particular, tour the Sampoerna Museum, a well-preserved historical site built in the 19th-century Dutch colonial-style. Also, visit the Grand Mosque of Surabaya and witness the tall minaret, with exquisite bright blue and green mosaic titles on the top of the pyramid-looking roof and dome. It’s a 21st-century masterpiece showcasing stylish religious structural design and layout. There’s plenty to do in the city center of Surabaya, whether you’re a history buff, a relentless shopper or an intrepid foodie.

Semarang is a city on the north coast of the island of Java, Indonesia. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, the city is known in Indonesia for its large ethnically Chinese population. Today, Semarang is a commercial port and administrative capital of Central Java. More a business center than a city for tourists, it is, however, an excellent gateway to the mountainous interior of Central Java and only some 60 miles away from world-famous Borobudur.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Diamond-shaped Pulau Ujong is Singapore's main island and it's bursting with colour, energy and culture.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

The 3,000-mile Mekong River runs throughout Asia and affords an experience of the continent like no other.

Nha Trang, on the south-central coast of Vietnam, supports a population of 300,000 or so but retains a welcoming small-town ambience. A resort town, it is flanked by nearly 10 kilometres of glorious shore, lapped by seas that are pleasantly tepid year-round.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

The 3,000-mile Mekong River runs throughout Asia and affords an experience of the continent like no other.

A busy, cramped and frenetic city, Bangkok has a reputation of bombarding your senses. Centuries of history collide with a fast-paced modern lifestyle.

Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island. Surrounded by eighty smaller islands, this stunning, natural beauty has been relatively undiscovered until recent years. Rumor claims that in 1971 the first tourists to set foot on Koh Samui were hippies who arrived by way of a coconut boat from Bangkok. While Koh Samui still exports up to 2 million coconuts to Bangkok every month, recent urban developments include a no-frills airport and an ostentatious Reggae bar.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Diamond-shaped Pulau Ujong is Singapore's main island and it's bursting with colour, energy and culture.

In the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, head straight for the city where historic temples unite with fashionable skyscrapers and lush parks.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Penang is a must-visit jewel in the Malaysian crown. Popular with tourists for generations and valued by lovers of both food and culture.

When most of us think of paradise, the vision that springs to mind is likely to resemble the spectacular landscapes of Phuket.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Sri Lanka's naturally wonderful landscape has been shaped by Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and European influences for a fascinating multicultural heritage.

Cultural Cochin - ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ - is surrounded by historical towns and considered the regional centre for the arts.

A major port on the Arabian Sea located in Southern India, Mangalore derives its name from a goddess. The city has a rich historical past, part of it even dating back to major epics that are the bedrock of the Hindu mythological pantheon. Mangalore has 11th century temples, scintillating beaches dotted with coconut palm trees, museums and lighthouses. Red-roofed houses against the lush greenery provide a much-needed escape from the ordinary.

A popular beach-side base, this part of southern India offers more than yoga retreats and tie-dye market stalls.

As one of the wealthiest and most populous regions in Asia, Mumbai (known as Bombay until 1995) has been an inspiring tourist hotspot for years – and with its jaw-dropping architecture, culture and food, it’s easy to see why.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

On the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates, this exotic destination boasts world-renowned structures, enviably glamorous resorts and pioneering industry.

Khasab is an eclectic and off-the-beaten-path port with pristine seas and jagged peaks. It’s location at the northern tip of the peninsula makes this city the apex of the triangle between Dubai and Muscat. Choose to take a dhow cruise along the Strait of Hormuz or go on a humpback dolphin watching excursion on the bay, either way your experience will be far from ordinary.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. Its terrain is defined by white-sand beaches such as those in the popular resort area of Beau Vallon, and granite peaks including the rainforested Morne Seychellois. The island is also home to Victoria, Seychelles' capital, known for Creole architecture and a colorful covered market with wares like fish, fruit and clothing

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Unique plants and animals, a staggeringly impressive landscape and inviting bays make Madagascar a must-see destination.

Mayotte is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. It’s a department and region of France, though traditional Mayotte culture is most closely related to that of the neighboring Comoros islands. The Mayotte archipelago is surrounded by a coral barrier reef, which shelters a lagoon and marine reserve that are popular diving destinations

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Discover the relaxed charm of Maputo with its wide, European style boulevards, lush with jacaranda, bougainvillea and other tropical foliage, where old colonial palaces are mixed in with modern high-rise buildings. Visit The Cathedral built in 1944 in the shape of a cross, then the lively Mercado Central. Enjoy a snack of freshly roasted cashews and a cold bottled drink. Stop by the National Museum of Art then stroll along the Avenida Julius Nyerere, browsing the boutiques, vendors, and restaurants. Look for African waxprint and woven fabrics, beautiful wooden boxes and picture frames. Seek out the surreal Pancho Guedes buildings, reminiscent of Gaudi. Visit the Praça de Trabalhadores designed by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century. Sip coffee in one of the many outdoor cafés as you watch the world go by in this vibrant seaside capital.

Durban, South Africa’s sultry subtropical jewel, stretches along the sun-kissed beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Located at the endpoint of South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route, Port Elizabeth is nicknamed “The Friendly City.” While regarded as one of the country’s most important seaports, Port Elizabeth is also considered the water sports capital of South Africa. Visitors enjoy the area’s beaches, scuba diving, game fishing, surfing and whale watching.

Sea days are the perfect time to relax and enjoy watching the world go by in the Observation Lounge. Head to Serene Spa & Wellness for some well-deserved pampering, why not unwind with a massage? Shop in the Boutiques and treat yourself to an exclusive fragrance. In the evening Compass Rose exudes elegance with its continental cuisine.

Cape Town, a jewel nestled at the foot of the awe-inspiring Table Mountain, pulses with an unmatchable rhythm of diversity.