Cruise Around the World: Silversea’s The Curious and the Sea in 2026
The oceans are always calling and looking to see who answers — and for many travelers, the ultimate answer is to take a cruise around the world. On Silversea’s World Cruise 2026, called “The Curious and the Sea: Discover How the World Was Discovered,” you can follow in the footsteps of historic explorers, becoming intimately acquainted with the primordial waters of the modern world and the stories behind each destination.
Sailing on board Silver Dawn, guests will depart Fort Lauderdale on January 6, 2026, and arrive in Lisbon on May 27, 2026, recapturing the pioneering spirit of navigators from the past, exploring distant lands, diverse traditions, and delectable cuisine across six continents. The 140-day cruise calls at 58 ports in 30 countries.
Divided into eight segments or “chapters,” this epic trip around the world visits minute islands, bustling harbors and major metropolises on six continents. Beyond the destinations, the sailing routes have their own tales to tell, taking you along for crossings and canal transits worthy of the diary pages of an old-world explorer.
Returning to Silver Dawn in 2026, Silversea’s world cruise will incorporate its classic S.A.L.T. culinary program, dedicated to culinary exploration, as well as a range of rich food-related experiences ashore. The lineup of culinary visionaries who will join throughout the sailing, include Pia Quintana Beristain, one of Mexico’s finest chefs; Australia’s culinary innovator and storyteller Michael Demagistris, a MasterChef finalist; Celia Lam, a trailblazer in sustainable food and wellness; and Alexander Smalls, an award-winning opera singer (Grammy, Tony) and also a James Beard Foundation-winning chef. His specialty is a unique Afro-Asian American blend. These guest chefs will curate S.A.L.T.-inspired dining experiences, as well as participate in interactive culinary talks and demonstrations, bringing the world’s flavors to life.
As well, Silversea’s signature bespoke world cruise events and experiences are included in each chapter and range from an exquisite dinner in Namibia’s desert to a feast of flowers in Funchal.
Here is a look at the story of Silversea’s 2026 World Cruise, traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Lisbon, as told in eight compelling chapters.
Chapter 1: Fort Lauderdale to Lima, Peru: A Tale of Two Oceans
Native Americans inhabited the land that is now Florida for thousands of years, but the written history of Florida began in 1513 with Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.
Depart from the sunny Atlantic shores of the States to begin your in-depth cruise around the world. Kicking off the first segment: a transit of the Panama Canal, nicknamed the “eighth wonder of the world” because of its magnificent feats of engineering from the early 20th century.
First, though, the ship will wend its way through Mexico and Central America, stopping in Cozumel; Puerto Limón on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica; and Colón, Panama, on the Atlantic side of the canal.
After sailing through the canal and into the Pacific Ocean, the tale continues with a call on Manta, one of the largest seaports in Ecuador. This chapter wraps up in Callao, the seaport in Peru’s capital city, Lima. Here, the Museo Larco houses an impressive collection of pre-Columbian art, while Museo de la Nación traces Peru’s rich history of ancient civilizations.
Silversea’s signature special event in chapter one is a bon voyage gala send-off in Ft. Lauderdale.
Chapter 2: Lima to Papeete, Tahiti: An Explorer’s Paradise
The second chapter of this trip around the world lands first on Easter Island, named for the holy day when the Dutch landed there. Its original inhabitants called it Rapa Nui, but today it is a Chilean dependency.
This segment is all about Polynesia and the islands of the South Pacific. In the Marquesas, stops in Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa feel lush but are tinged with a taste of the prehistoric, thanks to the pair of volcanic archipelagos supporting sandalwood forests and fruit trees. Don’t mistake the islands’ remoteness for a lack of modern culture: Before he wrote Moby Dick, Herman Melville visited Nuku Hiva and used it as the setting for his first novel, Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. Hiva Oa, meanwhile, is the final resting place of artist Paul Gauguin (who died in1903) and famed Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel (who died in 1978).
The Tuamotu archipelago forms the largest chain of atolls on Earth. Its warm, clear water and pink sand make it a haven for divers and lovers of natural beauty. A call in Bora Bora caps off this paradisiacal chapter before the ship docks in humming Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia.
In this chapter, Silversea’s curated event, Polynesian Dreams, takes place in French Polynesia where, at a tropical beach setting, guests will dive deep into the rich, historical seagoing cultures of local communities, experiencing authentic dance displays, traditional dress, musical performances, a seafood feast, and more.
Chapter 3: Papeete to Auckland, New Zealand: Treasure Islands
Guests round out chapter three of this cruise around the world with a treasure trove of islands, and the real treasure may be experiencing one of the world’s lesser-known places. Eight islands form a path of discovery between Tahiti and New Zealand — beginning in the Cook Islands on Aitutaki, with its stunning, abundant lagoon.
Norfolk Island, an overseas territory of Australia, immediately draws you in with its jagged cliffs and endemic pines. Its fascinating back story, however, keeps you engaged as you learn about the descendants of the Bounty Mutineers and first penal colonies who have made the island home for generations.
The Bay of Islands is a dazzling precursor to New Zealand proper — a subtropical micro-region with 144 islands, replete with scenic overlooks and wildlife as varied as penguins and whales. This awe-inspiring chapter finishes in Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand, which offers big-city delights between two large harbors.
Silversea’s signature event will take place in Vanuatu. In The Magic of Mystery Island, dancers from various islands surrounding Vanuatu will perform a fusion of cultural rituals in a display of local heritage, while guests dine on catch of the day.
Chapter 4: Auckland to Perth, Australia: New Worlds of the Ancients
Beginning with a partial circumnavigation of the Australia, Chapter 4 in the 2026 World Cruise takes you to offbeat ports in southwestern Australia — the “down” and “under” of Down Under — anchored by Melbourne. The first call is Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, which has a vibrant farm-to-table dining scene.
Guests then depart for Phillip Island, a nature park that Aussies often use as a day trip. Each day it hosts a Penguin Parade at sunset, which is exactly what it sounds like: penguins dashing ashore in groups, a full-on dose of adorable. After a stop in Melbourne, the trip heads to a Penneshaw on the Dudley Peninsula of Kangaroo Island. Idyllic beaches are joined by a sculpture trail and even a winery during this port call. It’s about 70 miles north to Adelaide, the charismatic capital city of South Australia. Seafood lovers will embrace the stop in Port Lincoln, one of the country’s fresh seafood capitals and a maritime hub.
The name of the coastal town Esperance means “hope and expectations,” and it certainly delivers. Visually captivating, this port of call in Western Australia is a contrast of cerulean seas, white sand and bubblegum-pink lakes. Wildflowers poke through its craggy coastline as kangaroos hop along the shore.
Edging into the Margaret River region, the ship will dock in Busselton. Its retro timber jetty stretches more than a mile and invites you into the family-friendly fray of this Western Australia vacation destination. You’ll end this dynamic leg of your voyage in Fremantle, the port for Perth.
Chapter 5: Perth to Singapore: The Call of the Wild
Chapter 5 signals that you are halfway through your global expedition story. This segment continues the navigation of Australia and begins to get a little … wild.
Visit Exmouth on the eye-popping Coral Coast before landing in Broome, an otherworldly destination in the Kimberley Region.
Along the Indian Ocean, Broome is a blend of First Nations culture as well as Asian and European cultures, thanks to immigrants who came here to work on its pearl farms. Visit a farm or ride a camel on the beach; whatever you do, it’s hard not to be blown away by the untapped wilderness of the Kimberley surrounding you.
Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is the final stop before heading into the Timor and Java seas toward Indonesia. Sail into Benoa, considered the gateway port of Bali, before passing farther into Indonesia with a call in Lembar, a lesser-known destination touting equally desirable beaches and temples.
You’ll want to spend plenty of time exploring Singapore during this final stop on this segment. The Merlion is the mythical mascot (part fish, part lion) of the Southeast Asian city-state, which has Chinese, Malay, Indian and many other global influences, making it a destination at the top of nearly every trending list.
Enjoy Silversea’s unique experience in Bali, on this route. From Paddy to Plate will be set amongst Bali’s rice paddies, this exclusive event will pay testament to Southeast Asia’s sacred grain. Authentic Balinese performances and displays of traditional dress will dazzle guests as they interact with locals and indulge in Balinese culture.
Chapter 6: Singapore to Mahe, Routes of Silk and Spices
This cruise chapter is about following the ancient trade routes.
The transport of spice traces back to as early as 2000 B.C. Cinnamon, for instance, came from Sri Lanka and headed toward the Middle East. Many important traditional and medicinal spices grew only in the tropical regions of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India, as well as the south of China, which makes their long journeys more understandable. The Silk Roads originated in China, but the value of these fine materials made itself known much further away.
From Port Klang, the largest port in Malaysia, your ship will sail along a route of discovery to Phuket, Thailand; the resort city of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka; Colombo, Sri Lanka’s most populous city; and Kochi (Cochin) in India’s coastal state of Kerala.
Along the way, Galle, Sri Lanka, is a standout port of call, whose 16th century Portuguese fortifications and Old Town are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you might still see people stilt fishing, a practice that started because of food shortages after World War II.
On this segment, Silversea celebrates the region with The Exotic Marigold and More, in India’s Cochin, where guests will experience a tuk-tuk ride, and journey into the beautiful backwaters of Alleppey for an afternoon of traditional entertainment, including Kerala drummers and martial artists.
Chapter 7: Mahe to Capetown
This chapter focuses on the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Africa’s east coast before culminating in Capetown. One highlight is a visit to the enchanting, electric city of Durban, which became transformed by hosting hte 20210 World Cup and is now a melting pot of ethnicity; expecit Asian influences everywhere you go and it has the largest population of Indians outside of India. In East London, like many areas of South Africa, game parks are popular for local wildlife lovers.
Port Elizabeth, also known as Nelson Mandela Bay, is home to Route 67, a collection of 67 artworks honoring the 67 years that Mandela dedicated to achieving South Africa’s freedom. PE’s proximity to the excellent nature parks at Addo and Lalibela makes it an ideal destination for game lovers. Both of these parks are a little way from the city (70 and 90 kilometers east respectively) and they offer a chance to revel in South Africa’s no-holds-barred natural beauty. Addo even boasts the Big Seven (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard, as well as the great white shark and Southern right whale).
One highlight of this leg of The Curious and the Sea is that it offers three mid-voyage land adventures to places like Siviti Tornybush Safari, Tswalu Kalahari – Safari of the Spirit, and Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Due to its location in the heart of the Eastern Cape, Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers abundant wildlife, fauna and flora exclusive to the area, alongside with a five-star luxury adventure with unforgettable wildlife encounters. Shamwari is seen as the most prestigious wildlife reserves in the greater Addo area and has been host to Hollywood movie stars, prime ministers and presidents.
This chapter also emphasizes relaxation with a number of sea days, and culminates in Capetown. South Africa’s best-known city, it’s a blend of spectacular mountain scenery, multiculturalism, and relaxed ocean charm, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine in laid-back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring cool urban culture.
One other unforgettable experience will be Silversea’s Diamonds are Forever, its signature event in Cape Town. It will be held at the world-class Vergelegen Conservatory, hosted in partnership with South African Michelin-star chef, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen.
Chapter 8: Capetown to Lisbon
First up: two stops in Namibia. The scorched desert that surrounds Luderitz means the city’s collection of German art nouveau architecture couldn’t look more unusually placed along the Namibian coastline. This quirkiness is what gives the destination its charm. See gangs of playful penguins skipping across the waves, pink flamingos wading by the coast, and dolphins leaping into the air near Penguin Island and Seal Island.
One of many unforgettable things about Namibia’s Walvis Bay is that its sun-scorched Namib Desert just minutes from the city features the highest sand dune in the country, with sands piling up 380 meters. A visit here is perfect for a picnic, or a pulse-raising desert sport, like sand skiing or sandboarding. Climb to the top for views from its heights, or you can take a flight tour to see further afield and spot some of the extraordinary land animals that roam the landscapes. Walvis Bay is also known for its flocks of pink flamingoes.
On this chapter, Walvis Bay, an overnight port of call, is the site of a five hour evening dining extravaganza. Upon arrival at the privately set up desert site, enjoy sparkling wine, fresh Swakopmund oysters and dine while watching the African sunset over the incredible dunes.
Traveling along Africa’s western coast, you’ll visit Angola and Gambia before heading to the tropical Canary Islands. Explore Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife before venturing to Portugal, where ports of call include volcanic Madeira and Portimão before concluding in Lisbon.
Madeira will host Silversea’s ode to the region with Feast of Flowers in Funchal. The event will celebrate this unique festival and the local customs, as guests reflect on the memories made in true Silversea style.
As you reach the finale in this remarkable journey of curiosity, you will straddle Europe and Africa until coming into the harbor in Portugal, home to some of the world’s most prolific explorers.
It will be hard to absorb all of the things you have seen and done on this curious reacquaintance with the sea, but much easier to digest with one of Lisbon’s custardy pasteis de nata — an excellent way to wrap up an adventure you will savor all your life.