Come for the expedition, stay for the expedition vessel. Here’s what you’ll experience on the brand-new Ocean Odyssey:

• Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
• All beer and wine included with dinner
• Health and wellness options including an onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
• Expert cultural lecturers and curated performances
• Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
• Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
• Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology
• Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards
• Small passenger-to-crew ratio
• Onboard medical doctor
• Boutique
• Elevator from bottom to top deck

During the course of your adventure, you will have opportunities for active walks and explorations of ancient ruins and medieval cities, including longer treks and climbs to overlooks for spectacular views. There will also be opportunities for swimming (weather dependent) and for taking kayaks or bicycles off the ship to explore your beautiful surroundings.

• Utilize your free time to explore destinations by foot — or borrow one of the bikes on board the m/s Ocean Odyssey
• Get a good workout at your ship’s gym and the fitness centers at your hotels
• Enjoy the infinity pool on board the m/s Ocean Odyssey
• Enjoy snorkeling opportunities in some of the most biodiverse waters in the world, from the Gili Islands to Sawu and Alor
• Discover Kura Kura island with leisure time to snorkel, swim, and more
• Enjoy snorkeling opportunities in the turquoise waters of Pulau Lengkuas
• Swim at the beaches of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Telegraph Island, and Eilat
• Kayak or snorkel in Sharm El Sheikh, home to one of the world’s most pristine marine environments, admiring colorful coral reefs and crystalline waters
• Enjoy extensive walking in Petra
• Take a swim in Israel’s Dead Sea or explore Old Jerusalem and other sacred sites by foot
• Follow Santorini’s narrow streets and twisting staircases during our explorations of this intriguing island. Afterwards, descend by cable car to the port area. Note that you will be tendering to shore in Santorini
• Take advantage of opportunities in Mykonos for swimming and biking
• Walk around Athens’ charming Plaka district, the old town at the foot of the Acropolis, where you can explore flower-bedecked streets and stop into a restaurant or café. Climb the hill to the Acropolis, then enjoy a walking tour that includes the Parthenon
• Hike up to Hvar Fortress for magnificent views
• Make the mile-and-a-quarter trek uphill to St. Euphemia church, in the coastal town of Rovinj
• Enjoy lovely views on the Opatija Promenade, where a round-trip walk can cover up to 7.5 miles
• Walk in the footsteps of the ancients in Delphi and Olympia
• Hike to Maran park and observe its cove enclosed by limestone cliffs
• Walk the trails around Krka National Park

A long and storied history of arts and culture await you in this enriching journey.

• See the Aboriginal rock art of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
• Learn traditional whaling techniques at Lamalera whaling village
• Visit the spectacular cliffside Uluwatu Temple
• Customize your Goa experience with a choice of tours that reveal the city’s fascinating heritage and architecture
• Get a glimpse of Indian everyday life at Mumbai’s Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundry
• Admire the elegant calligraphy, mosaics, carpets, and more at the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
• Experience the Middle East’s merchant tradition in the ancient souks of Doha, Dubai and Muscat
• Witness traditional dhow shipbuilding in Sur, Oman
• Enjoy a spectacular Egyptian folkloric show, the Alf Leila Wa Leila Fantasia 1001
• Learn about the Israeli kibbutz lifestyle at Kibbutz Yotvata
• Marvel at the fantastically preserved mosaic floors of the Houses of Dionysos, Aion and Theseus on Cyprus, OR visit the Cypriot village of Choirokoitia and observe a cheese-making and basket-weaving demonstration in a local home
• Admire the fascinating pottery, arts, and other profound cultural influences at the Acropolis, Pompeii, and other archaeological sites
• Enjoy a dinner onboard with "klapa" singers, a UNESCO protected cultural heritage of Croatia
• Discover the unique trulli homes in the town of Alberobello, localed in Italy’s Puglia region
• Visit elegant Cannes and enjoy a tour of its highlights, including a visit to the Grasse Perfume Factory and artistic St. Paul de Vence
• See the exterior of La Sagrada Família, a Roman Catholic minor basilica and masterpiece of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. You may also choose to tour the inside
• Visit the Picasso Museum in Málaga, where the artist was born
• Learn about bullfighting during a visit to an arena in scenic Ronda
• Admire the intricately designed azulejo tiles that adorn cathedrals, castles, and many other buildings in Portugal
• On the Danish island of Bornholm, explore numerous shops and studios for renowned Danish pottery and glass
• Admire a wealth of alluring architecture on your journey — from Riga’s art nouveau district to striking cathedrals and Copenhagen’s clean, modern masterpieces
• Explore St. Petersburg’s legendary Hermitage Museum, the world’s second-largest art museum, and the Winter Palace

Discover some of the most significant cultural and historic treasures in the world during your cruise, including 59 awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here’s what else:

• Visit Bali’s Uluwatu Temple, perched on the edge of a seaside cliff
• Explore Old Phuket, including the Sino-Portuguese shophouses erected during the region’s tin mining boom
• Learn about the impact of Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi on Indian and world politics during an onboard lecture
• Explore the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Luxor, and Karnak — all part of the UNESCO site of Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis
• Step into prehistory at the archaeological site of Akrotiri, frozen in time by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BC
• Stroll the cobbled streets of Rhodes, Europe’s oldest still-inhabited medieval enclave
• Walk the ancient lanes of Ephesus and perhaps hear the echoes of St. Paul, who once preached here
• Explore the Acropolis of Athens, grandly perched atop a dramatic hill overlooking the city
• Visit Jerusalem, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee
• Step inside the trulli homes in UNESCO-listed Alberobello
• Uncover Maltese history in its historic capital, Valletta, and in a 5D movie experience
• Tour the ruins of ancient Pompeii
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace while taking in Split’s spectacular seaside beauty
• Stop in at Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s summer residence on Elba Island
• Tour Tempio Pausania, the ancient capital of the Sardinia region, and discover historic churches, houses, and mansions
• Explore San Sebastián’s historic Parte Vieja (Old Town)
• Visit the Benedictine abbey of Mont Saint-Michel
• Visit Oviedo, where the original Way of St. James began
• Discover Normandy's D-Day beaches and its dramatic history
• Enjoy stunning coastline vistas and a slice of ancient architecture at Hammershus, the largest castle ruin in northern Europe
• Trace the Solidarity Route to the historic shipyards of Gdańsk, Poland
• See Stockholm’s Vasa Museum, featuring the amazing “ghost ship” of the same name, the world’s only fully intact 17th -century warship

The soul-stirring beauty of the natural world greets you at every turn, from Australia’s billabongs to  France’s Brittany coast.

• Visit UNESCO-listed Kakadu National Park and enjoy a boat cruise through its wetlands
• Seek out Komodo dragons at Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Enjoy snorkeling opportunities in the turquoise waters of Pulau Lengkuas
• Visit Mount Bromo and photograph its smoldering volcano
• Explore the paradisiacal island of Phuket, known for its beaches and rugged karst islands
• Go on an elephant safari at Minneriya National Park as part of your overnight excursion in Sri Lanka
• Explore the tidal estuary of Khor Kalba, the oldest and largest mangrove swamp in Arabia
• Behold the spectacular fjords of Musandam on a dhow cruise along the Straits of Hormuz
• Experience Petra, a prehistoric city carved into the pink sandstone cliffs of Jordan’s southwestern desert
• Take in the stark beauty of the Dead Sea as you float upon its famously buoyant waters
• Sail the Aegean, passing through the Cyclades island cluster
• Visit Krka National Park, where waterfalls tumble into dramatic gorges
• Discover Hvar, an island known for its vast fields of lavender, ancient olive trees, and fruit orchards
• Visit several volcanic sites, including Etna and Pompeii
• Take in the beauty of Cinque Terre on a private boat tour
• Choose between two tours of breathtaking natural scenery: In Provence, a hike to the red cliffs and ochre quarries of Roussillon, or a half-day safari through Camargue National Park
• Embark on a narrated cruise up the Guadalquivir River and through the beautiful wetlands of UNESCO-listed Doñana National Park
• Step ashore on the Rock of Gibraltar and take in the expansive views of both Europe and Africa
• Explore Oslo on a city tour and learn about this innovative city
• With your choice of tours, you can visit Gothenburg’s Botanical Garden, home to more than 16,000 species of plants
• Take a boat ride through Copenhagen’s canals and learn how these marvels are utilized today

Few things reveal as much about a culture and its people as the food they eat. This journey is curated to introduce you to the most distinctive cuisine of the regions we visit.

• Try traditional cuisine at a home-hosted lunch in Pulau Lengkuas
• In Malacca, enjoy a traditional meal of Nyonya cuisine, which melds Chinese ingredients with Malay spices and techniques
• Enjoy a traditional kerala lunch in India
• Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch at the Magna Grecia Greek Farm. Sample its house made wine and olive oils while being regaled with local entertainment
• Visit Jurlinovi Dvori, a local village estate, for a lunch of local specialties and wine
• Home-hosted lunch with pizza-making demonstration at a local farm outside Pompeii
• Purchase Mediterranean Sea salt in the town of Erice, and see how it’s made
• Visit a locally owned farm and vineyard in Siena, where you’ll enjoy a farm-to-table lunch complete with a tasting of their wines and olive oils. Or, savor traditional Florentine cuisine at a local restaurant
• Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant after exploring the villages of Cinque Terre
• Try Roman specialties at a local restaurant during an included lunch in Rome
• Enjoy dinner at the bull farm of a Seville family, featuring traditional favorites prepared by your hosts
• Savor seafood and French fare on the island of Belle-Île
• Sample pastéis de Belém custard pastries, Portugal’s favorite treat, in Lisbon
• Request restaurant reservations with our worldwide Concierge — specially in Bordeaux, where you’ll have access to many Michelin-starred French restaurants
• Enjoy an oyster tasting and “Taste of Normandy” tour in Honfleur
• Depending on which tour you choose, sample local beer and waffles in Bruges and Ghent
• Attend a chocolate making demonstration in Belgium
• Enjoy opportunities to dine on your own throughout your journey

The world’s religious sites often add a powerful spiritual and deeply personal meaning to any journey. Here are some soul-stirring places you’ll visit during your trip:

• Learn about the Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist traditions of India during your narrated tours and onboard lectures
• Visit some of the most impressive mosques of Islam at Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi
• Learn how Islam guides the daily lives of Omani families when a local woman comes aboard to discuss traditional social mores in contemporary Oman
• Tour Israel and take in some of the most moving sites of biblical history such as Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Capernaum, the Basilica of Annunciation, and more
• Visit the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have walked on water
• Visit Rhodes and its enormous Grand Masters Palace, built by the Knights of St. John
• View the Panagia Tourliani Monastery in Mykonos, built by monks in 1542 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary
• Visit Nazareth, where Jesus lived with Mary and Joseph, and marvel at the mosaic-filled Basilica of the Annunciation
• See the Seville Cathedral and have the opportunity to climb to the top of La Giralda Tower
• Witness the glory of Gaudí’s La Sagrada Família with ticketed entrance and an outside visit in Barcelona
• Visit one of the largest fortresses in the Arab world in Andalusia
• See some of the Jerónimos Monastery during a tour of Lisbon
• A full-day exploration of the Santiago de Compostela, one of the most sacred places in the world for Christian pilgrims
• Explore San Sebastián’s Santa Maria Church and Good Shepherd Cathedral
• Visit Riga Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltic states, and tour its Jewish District
• Visit St. Mary’s Church as you follow the Solidarity Route through Gdańsk

Raise a glass to celebrate your discoveries! You’ll also enjoy opportunities to dine on your own and discover regional wines.

• Enjoy a selection hand-picked local wines aboard the 5-star Ocean Odyssey, with the presence of a sommelier to inform your tastings
• Join in on a traditional Greek lunch at Magna Grecia Greek Farm. Sample its house made wine and olive oils while being regaled with local entertainment to boot
• Visit Jurlinovi Dvori, a local village estate in hills of Primosten, famous for its strong Babic wine, that you will try during included lunch there
• Enjoy a wine tasting at a private Sicilian winery in Erice
• In Taormina, choose the Mount Etna tour for a winery visit and tasting
• In Sardinia, you may choose to visit famous Surrau Winery
• From Bastia, head to the Patrimonio wine region and enjoy a tasting at local winery
• You may choose to visit Siena and San Gimignano while docked in Livorno, which includes a visit to a local winery, lunch, and a tasting
• While docked in Sete, you may choose to embark on a half-day tour of Montpellier and Chateau de Flaugergues, which holds centuries of wine-making tradition
• Included port wine tasting in Porto
• Spend two full days in Bordeaux, with an opportunity for a wine tasting in UNESCO-listed Saint-Emilion
• Enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting at Bordeaux’s La Cité du Vin wine museum, founded in 2016

You’ll enjoy a spectrum of picturesque sights and scenes on this journey. Here are a few tips to help you photograph them along the way — from timeless monuments to sweeping seascapes to intimate portraits of daily life. Here are a few tips to help you photograph them along the way:

• Don’t be afraid of the dark! Exploring cities and landmarks at night offers different lighting and unique new perspectives — just make sure you have a tripod or your camera comes equipped with a night feature!
• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle, for example. Climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high or, alternately, get low and shoot a scene from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace this artistic challenge by getting out of your comfort zone!
• Take a selfie! You’ll be glad to have a few portraits of yourself at the distinctive landmarks you’ll find on this journey
• Look beyond the landmarks. Sometimes everyday scenes are just as inspiring and provide a lesson in embracing the unexpected and seizing the moment in front of you!

Your voyage has been enhanced with special features catering to independent travelers, including:

• Complimentary biking options — take a spin alongside your Concierge, who will lead small-group bike rides, or explore independently with our complimentary locks, helmets, and biking maps
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations

Your onboard Vantage Concierge will be available throughout your entire cruise to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Special celebrations. Do you have a big birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and he or she can make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, a celebration in the Captain’s Club, and more.
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests, and he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call ahead to reserve your table.
• Special excursions. Maybe you need a limo to take you for a special night on the town. Perhaps you’re interested in tracking down long-lost relatives. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on.
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more.
• Concierge-guided bike tours using the 20 available complimentary bicycles your ship has onboard.

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. Call 1-888-982-6824 or email concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log in to My Portfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.