Travellers can sail on a cruise from Vancouver to Barcelona, Spain that checks off multiple bucket-list destinations on a luxury ship...but the catch is you'll have to have a lot of free time on deck soon.
Titled the Grand Journey Connecting Continents, the Explora Journeys voyage offers a chance to see everything from the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast to some balmy stops in Mexico before transiting through the awe-inspiring Panama Canal and making its way across the Atlantic to Europe (see slide two).
The voyage departs at the beginning of May and spends 44 nights at sea, so some prospective passengers may not have enough notice to enjoy the full cruise.
Locals wanting a taste of luxury without breaking the bank (or who don't have as much time) can also hop off the ship in California. There is a shorter voyage that costs a fraction of the price and will allow passengers to get off in Los Angeles. There are also alternate places to "join ship" at various points en route to Europe.
Alternatively, Explora lists several 2025 sailings with similar itineraries online, which means plenty of time to plan for a six-week cruise of a lifetime.
What cities do you see on the 44-day cruise?
The Grand Journey cruise departs Canada Place terminal in Vancouver on Monday, May 6, spends a day at sea, and then docks in Astoria, Oregon on Wednesday, May 8.
After making a handful of stops in sunny California, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, the cruise hits the popular spots on Mexico's Pacific coast, including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Passengers can enjoy stops in Guatemala and Costa Rica before stopping in Panama City and then transitioning through the Panama Canal - a feat only small to moderate-sized vessels may achieve.
Before stopping in vibrant Miami, the cruise visits two idyllic spots in Colombia: colourful Cartagena and Santa Marta. Next, passengers will enjoy stops in St. Barts and Antigua before visiting the Canary Islands.
The cruise makes two stops in Morocco before visiting several stops along Spain's knee-bucklingly beautiful coastline.
| Date | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Monday, May 6 | Vancouver, B.C., Canada | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Tuesday, May 7 | At Sea | ||
| Wednesday, May 8 | Astoria, OR | 8:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, May 9 | At Sea | ||
| Friday, May 10 | San Francisco, CA | 9:00 a.m. | 11:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 11 | At Sea | ||
| Sunday, May 12 | Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA | 7:00 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Monday, May 13 | San Diego, CA | 7:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, May 14 | At Sea | ||
| Wednesday, May 15 | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Noon | 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, May 16 | Mazatlan, Mexico | 9:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, May 17 | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | 8:00 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 18 | At Sea | ||
| Sunday, May 19 | At Sea | ||
| Monday, May 20 | Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala | 10:00 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, May 21 | At Sea | ||
| Wednesday, May 22 | Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 7:00 a.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, May 23 | At Sea | ||
| Friday, May 24 | Panama City, Panama | 8:00 a.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 25 | Panama Canal (Full Transit) (Cruising) | ||
| Sunday, May 26 | San Blas Islands, Panama | 8:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Monday, May 27 | Cartagena, Colombia | 9:00 a.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, May 28 | Santa Marta, Colombia | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 29 | At Sea | ||
| Thursday, May 30 | At Sea | ||
| Friday, May 31 | Miami, FL | 7:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 1 | At Sea | ||
| Sunday, June 2 | At Sea | ||
| Monday, June 3 | St. Barts | 1:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, June 4 | Antigua | 10:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, June 5 | At Sea | ||
| Thursday, June 6 | At Sea | ||
| Friday, June 7 | At Sea | ||
| Saturday, June 8 | At Sea | ||
| Sunday, June 9 | At Sea | ||
| Monday, June 10 | At Sea | ||
| Tuesday, June 11 | Santa Cruz, La Palma, Canary Islands | 8:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, June 12 | Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands | 9:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, June 13 | At Sea | ||
| Friday, June 14 | Casablanca, Morocco | 7:00 a.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 15 | Tangier, Morocco | 10:00 a.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, June 16 | Malaga, Spain | 8:00 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
| Monday, June 17 | Cartagena, Spain | 10:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, June 18 | Alcudia, Majorca, Spain | 11:00 a.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, June 19 | Barcelona, Spain | 8:00 a.m. |
Cruise from Vancouver to Barcelona like royalty
Passengers will sail on the Explora Journeys ship, Explora 1, offering 461 ocean-front suites with large terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and high-end amenities.
Balcony prices for these voyages start at US$13,343.22 or about $C18,450.07. However, that price will include meals, entertainment, and accommodation on a posh vessel. While these options have great views, they won't include living and dining room areas.
For extra space, passengers staying in Grand Penthouses will have a private living room area with seating for four people, a pair of binoculars, a bottle of champagne on arrival, a dining area on their terrace, and a species bathroom with a walk-in shower and heated floors (see slide three).
In the Ocean Residences, passengers will enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows that lead into a spacious sun terrace with a private whirlpool. They'll also enjoy having a private butler to anticipate their every need (see slide two).
On the rest of the ship, cruisers can enjoy dips in one of the three outdoor or one indoor pools, or sips in one of the 10 bars and lounges. There's also a casino, an art gallery, a large gym, and several fine dining options.
While you can book online, you might score a lower price by calling in and speaking to an agent, particularly if you don't plan to cruise for the entire journey. With these smaller, luxury lines, it is better to book over the phone because other options may be available to you.
