Embarking. Departure at 17:00PM

Your guide to New York.

Whether you know it as the ‘Big Apple’ or the ‘City That Never Sleeps’, New York is a shoppers’ paradise, crammed full of exceptional sights and experiences, and pulsing with a palpable energy. Divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens, the city sits on the country’s east coast at the mouth of the Hudson River. It’s in Manhattan that New York’s most famous attractions can be found, from Times Square and Central Park to the iconic Empire State Building. Venture to Little Italy and Chinatown, see an award-winning show on Broadway or take a ferry to visit nearby Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Exploring.                                                       

A few days is required to do New York justice. Central Park alone extends over 800 acres and fans of The Beatles may wish to visit Strawberry Fields, the tribute to John Lennon. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) are all worthy of a visit. The Empire State Building observatory offers spectacular city views, while the 9/11 Memorial is a poignant reminder of the events of that fateful September day. Both Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty are accessible by ferry, while Times Square and the theatre district of Broadway can be found centrally in Midtown.

Eating and drinking.

No matter what type of cuisine appeals, you’re guaranteed to find it in New York. The city is home to some 18,000 unique restaurants, as well as street vendors offering a variety of portable snacks on the go. Pizza is in vast supply and a slice or two is usually sufficient to satisfy most appetites. Chinese and Italian is also heavily represented, most prominently in Chinatown and Little Italy, respectively. Greenwich Village and Hells Kitchen offer a number of independent eateries, the latter being a popular location for a pre-theatre bite. While Jewish Delis are a staple of the city and the place to grab a hallowed New York Bagel.

Shopping.

Not without reason, New York has emerged as one of the world’s foremost shopping capitals and, like its culinary offer, shopping in the city varies from district to district. Macy’s, Bloomingdales and SAKS Fifth Avenue are popular department stores, and a one-stop shop for fashion and beauty buys. Fifth Avenue is New York’s most famous shopping street, with many flagship designer stores. Madison Avenue also offers its share of luxury labels and is where Barneys is based, while Williamsburg, Soho and Greenwich cater to quirky boutiques and smaller, independent, brands. Shops in New York typically stay open late and it’s not unusual for tills to ring past 8pm.

Beyond New York City.

Despite plenty to keep you occupied in New York City, the wider New York State has an equal share of impressive attractions to tempt visitors. Long Island, in the southeast, is home to some of the state’s best beaches and Montauk Lighthouse, which dates back to the 1700s. Upscale, The Hamptons are a favourite summertime getaway of New York’s elite, while Brotherhood, America’s oldest winery is located in Washingtonville. A visit to Cold Springs provides opportunity to explore Hudson Fjord, a rare sight in this part of the U.S and fans of Washington Irving’s Sleepy Hollow can visit the author’s grave, as well as spend time in this charming waterfront village, just 20 miles outside of New York City.

Day and night, there are endless enterainment opportunities.  Dance lessons, Martini Mixology, cookery domonstrations, spa relaxation.  The hardes decision you will need to make is what to do next.

Arrives at 06:30 Am. Disembarking.

Your guide to Southampton.

Located in the picturesque English county of Hampshire, Southampton is a vibrant waterfront city, serviced by direct trains to London, an airport, and an international cruise terminal. Explore the city’s maritime heritage and links to RMS Titanic in the Sea City Museum, see contemporary British art in the Cultural Quarter, or walk the medieval walls in the Old Town, paying a visit to the Tudor House and Garden. Further afield you’ll find The New Forest National Park, Winchester Cathedral, Stonehenge, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Isle of Wight, while the city’s thriving craft beer and culinary scene will leave you spoilt for choice when hunger strikes. 

Exploring.

Southampton’s central attractions are a short distance from port and the city offers many self-guided walks, including The Titanic Trail, the QE2 mile and the City Walls. For a taste of history, head to the Old Town, where you’ll find the 15^th Century Tudor House and Garden and the 950 year-old St Michael the Archangel Church. Further north, in the Cultural Quarter, brings you to Southampton City Art Gallery and the Sea City Museum as well as the more contemporary John Hansard Gallery and The Nuffield Theatre. If aviation history appeals, Solent Sky Museum reveals Hampshire’s legacy as the birthplace of the Spitfire, just a short walk from the attractive Ocean Village marina.

Eating and drinking.

Southampton’s many cafes, bars and restaurants are spread over a wide area and represent a diverse mix of cuisine. There are places to grab a light bite, such as Westquay Shopping Centre, as well as fine dining options. Along Oxford Street, you’ll find elegant café bars and restaurants serving the best of British cuisine. Bedford Place, is more relaxed and offers some excellent sushi options as well as Mauritian street food by MasterChef UK champion Shelina Permalloo. Southampton has a lively craft beer scene with many independent tasting rooms around town. The Dancing Man, set in a medieval wool house, is one of the best and just a short distance from port.

Shopping.

If shopping appeals, you won’t fall short of options in Southampton. The city offers a superb array of shops, from department stores and independents to undercover shopping malls. Westquay Shopping Centre, located in the heart of the city, boasts over 90                stores spread over two floors (the third is a food court). Here you’ll find British retailers such as M&S and John Lewis, a variety of fashion labels, as well as lifestyle and beauty brands. The smaller Marlands Shopping centre caters more to independent retailers, while a handful of gift shops can be found on the High Street, and in the city’s museums and art galleries.

Beyond Southampton.

Southampton is well connected by water and rail, making it easy to explore the many attractions nearby. A 25-minute catamaran journey brings you to Cowes on the Isle of Wight while the historic cathedral city of Winchester, home to King Arthur’s round table, is around 15-minutes by train from Southampton Central. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers chance to visit the Mary Rose Museum as well as explore HMS Warrior and HMS Victory while the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge can be reached by organised excursion. If spending time outdoors appeals, the New Forest National Park offers pretty villages and rural walks within 90,000 acres of protected parkland.