Fred. Olsen's Black Watch World Cruise

To see the entire 97-day 2009 itinerary, click here. To see all major segments of this world cruise, click here. To read more about the Black Watch, click here.

The Black Watch sets sail from southern England on a chilly January afternoon, but after four days of cruising you arrive on the sunny shores of Gran Canaria, and then a week later, the islands of Antigua (home to 365 beaches) and Curacao, plus Santa Marta on the Colombian coast.

Few journeys are more intriguing than a transit of the Panama Canal, which joins the world's two greatest oceans. Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, inspired artist Paul Gauguin, while just a few miles away, rugged green mountains and cool lagoons await in Moorea. Rarotonga's Papua Falls and the scenic Avatiu Valley are top attractions in the Cook Islands.

After crossing the international date line (where you'll lose a day), the Black Watch arrives in Nuku'alofa, the quaint capital city of Tonga, home to some of the friendliest people in the world. Then it's on to Noumea, highlighted by the architectural masterpiece known as the Tjibaou Cultural Centre.

In Australia, the restored buildings of Brisbane house stores selling native opal jewelry as well as Aboriginal art galleries. Here, the ship stays overnight, allowing for an excursion to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Then spend three days in sophisticated Sydney, where you can get a glimpse of the city's colorful past in the Rocks area. Or, shop for fine goods in the Queen Victoria Building, stroll the botanical gardens, or spend time on Bondi Beach.

Devonport on the north coast of Tasmania serves as the gateway to Cradle Mountain National Park. Melbourne is a mix of parks, Victorian architecture and modern skyscrapers, while Adelaide is probably the most European of all the Australian cities. You'll also visit Albany, Western Australia's oldest settlement, and Perth, often referred to as the world's most remote city.

After a leisurely crossing of the Indian Ocean, you'll arrive at Mauritius, where blue and green summits rise from emerald plains. In Mozambique, Maputo's colonial Portuguese architecture is best represented by the fortress built in 1787, while vibrant Durban, South Africa, lies between rolling waves and the rugged Drakensberg Mountains.

In the shadow of flat-topped Table Mountain, Cape Town enjoys one of the most spectacular settings on Earth. In this South African city, you can explore the delightful combination of bistros, bars, boutiques and museums at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. While the Black Watch is ported at Walvis Bay in Namibia, guests can travel to the resort town of Swapkamund or Namib-Naukluft National Park. In Ghana, Takoradi grew around 17th-century Dutch and English forts, while picturesque Portuguese colonial buildings abound in Mindelo in Cape Verde.

When the ship calls at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, venture to Las Canadas National Park or visit Mount Teide. Your final port is Lisbon, the Portuguese capital on the Tagus River. Return to England on Easter Monday.

Due to the unique nature of this vacation experience, we allow only the most experienced of our 400+ travel counselors the opportunity to assist our world cruise customers. When you are ready to speak with someone in our office, please call us at 1-888-381-4642 or email us for a quote or reservation.

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