Vasco da Gama ship. Photo: Nicko Cruises Nicko Cruises has rolled out a new world-cruise itinerary that gives travelers the chance to circle the globe at a relaxed pace. The company is inviting guests to join a 126-day voyage on the VASCO DA GAMA between November 2026 and March 2027. The idea behind the route is simple: slow travel, long stops, and time to really take in each place rather than racing from port to port.
The itinerary is split into seven segments, all of which connect Hamburg with Tokyo by way of the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, and Asia. It’s a long journey, but Nicko Cruises is positioning it as an opportunity to see the world more thoughtfully. As the company puts it, guests will be able to “rediscover the world” and experience destinations “as they really are.”
Japan. Source: Nicko Cruises The trip starts in Hamburg and heads toward warmer weather almost immediately. After calling in Portugal, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde, the ship crosses the Atlantic and begins working its way through Brazil and the Caribbean. Ports like Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, and the ABC Islands offer classic beach days, while Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama add a mix of culture and wildlife. One of the biggest moments of the entire voyage happens early on: the daylight transit of the Panama Canal, something many travelers keep on their bucket list for years.
Bora Bora. Source: Nicko Cruises photoOnce in the Pacific, the itinerary becomes a string of South American and South Pacific highlights. Guests visit Ecuador and Peru before the ship heads toward Tahiti, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, and the Solomon Islands. Long sea days are part of the appeal here, and the company emphasizes that many of the stops in the South Pacific are far from crowded cruise routes.
The final weeks move into Asia, with visits planned for China and Japan before the cruise ends in Tokyo. Nicko Cruises says this last leg, especially the time in Japan, tends to be a favorite among past world-cruise guests.
On board, the VASCO DA GAMA offers the usual mix of dining, entertainment, fitness, and family-friendly spaces. The ship carries around 1,000 passengers, which helps keep things a bit more personal. Guests also receive added perks such as an included photo voucher, wellness credit, and laundry service. An early-booking discount of 25% is available through January 31, 2026.