Explore the World’s Most Iconic Capitals From a New Perspective

How do you visit a bucket list of the world’s most incredible cities in one luxurious voyage while only having to unpack once? On board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-suite, all-balcony ships, wonders unfurl before your eyes as you approach each port. Exclusive, intimate onshore excursions are matched with days at sea that disappear in a whirl of fine-dining, world-class spa and fitness facilities and an array of activities: from practicing your golf swing to cooking classes. These voyages are the ideal way to immerse yourself in the culture, history and cuisine of each port you visit in some of the world’s most vibrant cities. Read on for our top picks of upcoming sailings. 

Sacred Pagodas & Holy Temples

Hong Kong → Tokyo
14 nights
Departs 28 February 2026
From $19,530 per person for a Deluxe Veranda Suite
Up to 44 included shore excursions

Discover some of east Asia’s most fascinating sights on Regent’s 14-night Sacred Pagodas & Holy Temples cruise aboard the luxurious Seven Seas Explorer. Embark in Hong Kong where Victoria Peak, the city’s highest point, looms above incense-filled temples and gleaming skyscrapers. As the voyage gets underway, guests can anticipate lectures and presentations that delve into the history, art and traditions of the region, as well as an itinerary of insightful and expertly guided shore experiences.

At your next port of call in Taipei, visit Shifen Waterfall and release rice-paper lanterns powered by candle-flame into the sky with your wish inked inside; or visit the 18th-century Longshan Temple before unwinding with a Taipei foot massage – a signature therapy based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

As the route unfolds, Regent’s included and unlimited excursions give dimension and additional context to each destination. Think experiencing the meditative ritual of a millennia-old tea ceremony led by a Korean tea-master in Busan; learning how rare black pearls are cultivated on the subtropical island of Ishigaki in Japan; or plying the canals of ancient Zhujiajiao, known as the Venice of Shanghai, in a traditional flat-bottomed gondola.

During your days at sea, indulge your senses at Serene Spa & Wellness. Perhaps relax with one of the incredible treatments on offer, for an additional cost, including The Regent, where a blend of rosemary, sea fennel and sea buckthorn is worked into tired muscles. Or simply enjoy included and unlimited access to the ship’s pool, steam room or sauna. 

As you dock in the final port of Tokyo (pictured) and leave Seven Seas Explorer’s spacious suites, speciality dining, and nightly entertainment behind, you can choose to extend your journey with one of Regent’s three-night post-cruise land programs, which are available to add to your cruise for an additional charge. Perhaps you’ll explore Tokyo’s bustling Ginza district where serene Edo-period gardens and Buddhist temples co-exist; or spend a night in the mountainous hot-spring town of Hakone with a tram ride through Owakudani Valley before embarking on a Lake Ashi cruise beneath Mount Fuji and visiting Odawara Castle during the Tokyo & Hakone post-cruise experience.

World Holiday Spectacular

Barcelona → Cape Town
25 nights
Departs 19 December 2025
From $19,259 per person for a Concierge Suite
Up to 86 included shore excursions

Sail into the New Year on the 25-night World Holiday Spectacular odyssey aboard Regent’s all-suite Seven Seas Voyager. With the Atlantic as your backdrop, the rich cultural history of Europe and Africa unfolds as you explore the countries’  lively cities and wild landscapes.

During a four-day Regent pre-cruise itinerary in Barcelona – the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region – admire the local architecture, including Gaudí’s Art Nouveau-meets-Gothic Basílica de la Sagrada Família. Then make your way down the narrow, cobblestoned streets of Ciutat Vella (the Old Town) to Las Ramblas – a lively 1.2-kilometre pedestrian-only strip lined with bars, restaurants and shops where you can soak up the local atmosphere. Other highlights of the Spanish leg include expert-led Regent excursions visiting the flower-filled streets of ancient Cádiz, wandering through Moorish palaces in Seville and visiting the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to watch the prized Andalusian horses at work, and dipping your toes into the volcanic beaches of the Canary Islands. 

Seven Seas Voyager will then make its way west where Regent’s guides take guests ashore on a half-day trip to Lanzarote’s north. Here you’ll see Haría, the ‘Village of 1,000 Palms’ where a tree is planted for each child born; a mountaintop former pirate lookout; and subterranean grottoes that are home to rare blind albino crabs.

Once your European adventure has wrapped up, you’ll spend several days at sea journeying to your next destination. Take advantage of the downtime and indulge with a hydrating Sea Lavender and Samphire Body Polish at the Serene Spa before enjoying a long lunch at the ship’s flagship restaurant, Compass Rose, which serves Continental-style dishes such as Iberico ham with piquillo peppers and lamb rack with ratatouille.

Disembarking in the port of Dakar, the capital of Senegal – the westernmost country of West Africa – you’ll shop for traditional silk boubou robes in open-air markets, admire historical colonial architecture and sip bissap (hibiscus tea). From The Gambia’s village-like capital, Banjul, excursions include a four-wheel-drive adventure into the countryside to spot baboons and exotic birdlife, watching performances and browsing works from local artists at The African Cultural Event. Then get ready to dive into the great outdoors while uncovering more of the African continent. One day you could be trekking to the orchid-laced peak of São Tomé – a volcanic island in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of central Africa – and the next you’ll venture into the vast red-hued desert expanse of Namib-Naukluft National Park, a striking natural preserve of massive sand dunes and remarkable flora and fauna such as jackals, wildcats and hyenas. The journey culminates in Cape Town (pictured) in South Africa, where you can take in fabulous views over Table Mountain. Post-cruise, there is an option to add a three-night land program, including big-game spotting at Kruger National Park and a two-night stay at the spectacular Kruger Shalati: Train on the Bridge hotel.

Charming Coasts & Treasures

Rome → Barcelona
14 nights
Departs 25 October 2025
From $13,790 per person for Deluxe Veranda Suite
Up to 147 included shore excursions

In historic Rome you can catch a glimpse of ancient times at the Colosseum (the largest amphitheater ever built), toss a coin into the impressive 18th-century Baroque Trevi Fountain (pictured) and stand in awe beneath Michelangelo’s Renaissance frescoes in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican – all in one afternoon. As the starting point for this voyage, the Italian capital sets the tone for a 14-night Mediterranean escape aboard Seven Seas Grandeur, with each port visited offering insights into the local history, cuisine and coastal splendour. 

Regent’s diverse onshore excursions let you lead the way, whether you'd rather chase Riviera glamour, delve into the country’s dynamic past or seek authentic Italian flavours. You’ll visit Naples, gateway to Pompeii’s ash-laden ruins, which reveal the lives of the ancient Roman city’s residents before the eruption of towering Mount Vesuvius. Sicily’s harbour city of Messina, in the north-east of Italy’s largest island, beckons next, serving as the entry point to cinematic Taormina, a bougainvillea-draped hilltop town spilling down to the Ionian Sea. 

Further south, Malta’s capital of Valletta is dotted with narrow alleys that lead to exotic flora in the San Anton Gardens and the famed St John’s Co-Cathedral. In Florence, the ​​birthplace of the Renaissance, admire Michelangelo’s renowned David sculpture before heading to Pisa to marvel at the city’s iconic leaning tower, which tilts at a daunting 3.99 degrees.

On the northern coast of the Mediterranean along the French Riviera, Monaco is a city-state renowned for its glimmering marina, high-end shopping and the jet-setting visitors it attracts.  Immerse yourself in the glamour of the capital Monte Carlo, taking a Regent excursion to the Fragonard Perfume Factory in the medieval town of Èze, where you’ll learn the art of fragrance making. From there, visit the French towns of Nice and the stunning Côte d'Azur as well as the sundrenched beaches of Cap d’Antibes before arriving in Spain. 

With your Regent guide, you’ll explore the port of Palma on the island of Mallorca, renowned for its seafood-laden paella and lustrous pearls, before finishing up your trip in Barcelona – a living masterpiece of bold architecture spanning myriad styles and Catalan culture and food. 

Say farewell to the suite life aboard the luxurious Seven Seas Grandeur and opt to extend your holiday with a post-cruise, five-day land program that takes you from Barcelona to Madrid through World Heritage cities and centuries-old landmarks. Your Regent representatives will guide you through ancient hill towns, exploring grand basilicas and royal palaces, and highlighting the cultural layers that have shaped Spain throughout the ages.

Aussie Bites & Kiwi Sights

Sydney → Auckland
15 nights
Departs 28 December 2025
From $16,568 per person for a Deluxe Veranda Suite
Up to 39 included shore excursions

As Seven Seas Explorer departs Sydney’s Circular Quay for the 15-night Aussie Bites & Kiwi Sights voyage, the last glimpse of the sunlit city will be perfectly framed by the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The next two nights will be spent sailing the Tasman Sea en route to Melbourne, so make the most of your time at sea by enjoying the included onboard speciality dining and drinks while taking in expansive vistas of the east coast of Australia. Once in Melbourne, you can explore its sophisticated shopping boutiques and famous laneways or take an excursion through the city with a Melbourne local. A stop at Victoria’s Phillip Island – 140-kilometres south of Melbourne – gives you the chance to watch the resident little penguins embark on their evening march to nest on land. 

As the ship heads south, travel by coach to Wings Wildlife Park, which has the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife in Australia. See Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, bettongs, quolls, potoroos and more fauna in this family-owned outdoor park. 

In New Zealand’s Fiordland, three serene days are spent gliding through Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds – where the silence is broken only by crashing waterfalls, leaping dolphins, or the wingbeat of an albatross. Kayak ashore to explore lush rainforest and visit remote and historical huts.

In the city of Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll learn about the isle’s rich gold-rush heritage and have the option to join a Regent Choice Shore Excursion (additional charges apply) to ride the iconic Taieri Gorge Railway near Dunedin through landscapes reachable only by train, or soar by chartered plane above ancient forests, vast glaciers, and 22 of New Zealand’s highest peaks.

As the ship journeys towards Christchurch, spot seals along the Otago coastline before continuing to New Zealand's "Garden City", famous for its 1200-plus parks and gardens – including the lush 165-hectare Hagley Park in the centre of town. In New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, you’ll find a blend of culture, vibrant creativity and sustainable, fresh local cuisine.

The voyage concludes in Auckland, which rests between the historic Waitematā and Manukau harbours. Quench your thirst at the local cafés and bars in Britomart, Auckland’s cultural and entertainment hub, and see an extensive display of Māori and Pacific works at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in Wellesley Street East. While you’re there, take the ferry to nearby Waiheke Island to explore its vineyards, olive groves and beaches.

SEE ALSO: 34 of the Best Daytrips From Europe’s Biggest Cities