Follow Arcadia around the world

Arcadia has set sail on her 2025 Epic World Explorer cruise. Follow along each month as we dive into every port of call on her 99-night, globe-spanning adventure.

6 min 26 Mar 2025

Editorial Team

Author

If your New Year’s resolution was to see more of the world in 2025, you can do it vicariously through Arcadia’s Epic World Explorer cruise. This is Arcadia’s 15^th trip around the globe – her first world cruise was back in 2009 – so it’s safe to say she’s up to the task. Over 99 nights, from 3 January to 13 April, Arcadia will visit remote tropical beaches, glittering world-class cities and everything in between. Join us for the next three months as we follow in her wake, exploring incredible destinations and embarking on bucket-list adventures.

March: Bali to Walvis Bay

3 March: Bali, Indonesia

‘Lush’ might be the first word that comes to mind when you think of Bali, courtesy of its canopies of dense jungles, verdant rice paddies and volcanic soils. ‘Tropical’ might be another, if you’re imagining its swaying palms, soft-sand beaches and turquoise waters. And ‘peaceful’ might be yet another – the island is renowned for its spiritual side, after all. But no words can do Bali justice – only by immersing yourself in this lush, tropical spirituality can you truly appreciate its beauty. Get to the heart of the island by exploring sumptuous gardens, clifftop temples, charming villages, tranquil rice fields and beachfront resorts.

5 March: Jakarta, Indonesia

Departing the serene shores of Bali, Arcadia showed guests an entirely different side of Indonesia. The capital, Jakarta, is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city full of culture and history. Foodies might struggle to tear themselves away from the restaurants and street-food traders, where authentic dishes like satay, gado gado and nasi goreng are plentiful, affordable and absolutely delicious. The city’s Chinatown, Glodok, is a stimulating place to spend an afternoon – its bustling, narrow streets and alleyways are home to temples, shopping malls and street vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and veg to bargain-price electronics.

7-8 March: Singapore

From one epic city to another… Arcadia’s next stop was sensational Singapore, where guests had two full days to explore thanks to an overnight stop in port. What makes this destination so special is its diversity – its towering modern skyscrapers and sprawling green spaces, its blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arab and European cultures. And naturally, a diverse setting means visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences. For nature lovers, there are parks galore to explore, such as the UNESCO-listed botanic gardens and the East Coast Park with its hiking and cycling tracks and water sports. Foodies can find their fill everywhere, from cheap-and-cheerful hawker stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants. And of course, a visit to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without trying its namesake cocktail, the Singapore Sling – where better than at Raffles Bar, where it was invented?

Singapore shines just as brightly at night. A good place to get in on the action is the River District and its three quays – Boat, Clarke and Robertson. Each have their own charms: Boat Quay, the oldest, is home to brilliant bars and restaurants; Clarke Quay is a nightlife mecca; and Robertson Quay has a relaxed vibe with wine bars and walking paths. For sightseers, there’s a nightly light show at Gardens by the Bay that sees the garden’s iconic Supertrees all aglow in a light and music show. Or you can see the city in all its sundown glory by taking a ride on the Singapore Flyer – the 165m-high observation wheel gives you stunning skyline views.

9 March: Port Kelang (tours to Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia

Arcadia continued her tour of amazing Asian cities with a stop in Port Kelang for Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. It’s well worth the 90-minute drive from the port (there are plenty of shore experiences that can take you there) to experience the contrasts of this diverse metropolis. Skyscrapers such as the Petronas Twin Towers sit alongside British colonial-era landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Historic districts like Chinatown showcase the city’s vibrancy through shops, restaurants and bars, while peaceful temples, mosques and shrines offer respite from the hustle and bustle. And a diverse population makes for a unique cuisine – you haven’t had Malay classics like roti canai, rendang and laksa until you’ve had them here.

10 March: Penang, Malaysia

Sailing up the western coast of Malaysia, Arcadia’s next stop was the vibrant island of Penang. The capital, George Town, is full of beautifully preserved Colonial-era buildings (enough of them to earn the city UNESCO World Heritage status) that blend beautifully with colourful Chinese, Indian and Islamic architecture. Tropical rainforests cover much of the island, providing a lush home for exotic flora and fauna. You can see over 100 species of butterflies at Entopia; check out the Penang Botanic Gardens and its orchids, cactus, bamboo plants, flowering trees and cheeky long-tailed Macaques; or take a trip to Orang Utang Island, a 35-acre breeding sanctuary and rehabilitation and conservation facility for this endangered species. If you’re craving some beach time, the Golden Sands resort in Batu Ferringhi is one of the most popular in Penang.

17 March: Port Louis, Mauritius

Arcadia spent a few days sailing across the Indian Ocean before arriving on the pristine shores of Mauritius. The African island nation is a paradise of soft white sands, turquoise seas and tropical forests, but it offers so much more. The capital and cruise port, Port Louis, is a bustling multicultural and multilingual city, and from here you can embark on any number of adventures. You could visit the Casela Nature Parks and Yemen Nature Reserve where you can spot zebras, antelopes, ostriches, wild boar, giant tortoises, monkeys and more on a safari. Or why not check out some natural wonders like the Trou aux Cerfs crater (formed from a dormant volcano high on the island’s central plateau), the Grand Bassin lake (sacred to the Hindu community) and the Chamarel Waterfall with its surrounding landscapes of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow earth?

18 March: Réunion

A relatively short sail brought Arcadia from one bijou island to another – Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. The island’s Gallic influence can be seen in the Creole-style architecture and cathedrals, but la vrai beauté of Réunion is in its natural landscapes. See how lush greenery gives way to lunar surfaces on a trip up Pas de Bellecombe to gaze at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Visit the UNESCO-listed Réunion Island National Park, which covers more than 42% of the island’s surface and is home to flora and fauna that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. Or taste the bounty of the island – vanilla, sugarcane and lychee all thrive here.

23-24 March: Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a visual feast. The South African stunner is set at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula and is surrounded by dramatic scenery – think mountains, green valleys and sandy coastlines. But perhaps none are more iconic than the flat-topped Table Mountain. A trip up it via cable car (or a hike, if you’re feeling fit) will give you a bird’s-eye view of the city, Table Bay and Robben Island. Once you’ve got the lay of the land, a good place to start your city exploration is the V&A Waterfront, 123 hectares of restaurants, bars, shops and attractions and a prime spot to relax and take in the views with a glass of wine. If your interest in wine extends beyond the glass, head to the nearby Stellenbosch region for tours and tastings at some of the world’s most highly regarded vineyards.

Cape Town is also a feast in the traditional sense, and with an overnight in port, you can discover its many gastronomical delights, from street food through to fine dining, and find out why it’s called the culinary capital of Africa. If you’re not sure where to start, try the Time Out Market, where 13 kitchens and four bars bring you a tantalising taste of the Mother City. If you’ve got an appetite for nightlife, you’ll find an endless array of places to go ‘out out’ on Long, Kloof and Bree Streets, from glamorous cocktail bars to cosy pubs.

27 March: Walvis Bay, Namibia

Departing South Africa, Arcadia continued up Africa’s west coast to Namibia and the fishing village of Walvis Bay. Here’s, it’s all about the wilderness. Venture into the shifting dunes of the Namib Desert on an off-road expedition. Immerse yourself in wetland wildlife at Sandwich Harbour – wedged between the sea and the dunes, it’s one of the biggest natural wetlands in the Southern Hemisphere, where migratory shorebirds, waders and flamingos gather. Spot seals, dolphins, pelicans and cormorants at Walvis Bay Lagoon. And in the Welwitschia Valley, the landscape is dotted with the prehistoric Welwitschia Mirablis plant and a lunar landscape of eroded valleys and canyons. Beyond the extraordinary landscapes, you can get a glimpse of Namibian life in rural communities such as Mondesa and Swakopmund.

The final stretch…

Thank you for following along as we’ve tracked Arcadia’s Epic World Explorer cruise. She only has four stops to go – St Vincent, Cape Verde (4 April), Tenerife (7 April), Lanzarote (8 April) and Lisbon (10 April) before arriving back in Southampton on 13 April. We wish the ship, guests and crew all the best on their continued adventures and a safe journey home.