Sail to Some of the World’s Most Dramatic Horizons
Channel 4’s Cruising to the Ends of the Earth brings Princess Cruises to screen in an eight-part travel series filmed on board Princess ships. Rather than treating the ship as a backdrop, the programme follows both guests and crew as they travel through strikingly different regions, from Alaska’s icy landscapes to the Mediterranean, Japan and South Korea.
About the Series
Produced by Crackit TV, Cruising to the Ends of the Earth follows three contrasting voyages, giving viewers a sense of how ocean cruising connects far-reaching destinations on a single journey. Channel 4 describes the series as travelling from the frozen peaks of Alaska to the coastlines of South Korea and Japan, while also exploring ancient history in the Mediterranean.
The appeal lies in the balance. There are the obvious big-screen moments – glaciers, volcanic landscapes, harbour arrivals and historic ports – but the series also looks at the people behind each sailing. Viewers meet guests on shore and crew at sea, with the programme highlighting the work that goes into making a modern cruise feel effortless.
Filmed aboard Sun Princess, Discovery Princess, Royal Princess and Diamond Princess, the series is narrated by actor Greg Wise.
When to Watch
Cruising to the Ends of the Earth premiered on Channel 4 on Sunday 26th April 2026 at 8 pm. The series is made up of eight episodes and is available to watch or stream on Channel 4.
Check out the key details below:
- Channel: Channel 4
- First aired: Sunday 26th April 2026
- Time: 8 pm
- Series length: 8 episodes
- Catch up: Stream on Channel 4
Destinations Featured in the Series
Across the series, Princess Cruises showcases a broad mix of landscapes, cultures and shore experiences.
In the Mediterranean, the programme connects ancient landmarks, coastal towns and volcanic scenery. Princess highlights destinations including Athens, Crete, Bar in Montenegro, Corfu, Messina and Barcelona, with Mount Etna among the notable natural landscapes featured in the wider Mediterranean journey.
In Alaska, the focus shifts to glaciers, wildlife and frontier landscapes. Princess links the series with experiences including Mendenhall Lake, Nugget Falls, whale watching, Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness, Tongass Forest and Juneau’s gold-mining history.
The Japan and South Korea sections bring a different pace again. Highlights include Aomori’s Nebuta Festival, Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village, traditional tea culture, temples, coastal walks and views of Sakurajima from Kagoshima’s Kinko Bay area. On board Diamond Princess, the Izumi Bath offers a distinctly Japanese-style retreat at sea.
What to Expect On Board
The series does not only focus on where the ships go. It also gives space to the rhythm of life on board, from the bridge and navigation team to food and beverage, activities and entertainment. Princess’s own series page introduces crew members, including Captain Craig Street, Bridge Manager Sam Williamson, First Officer Palma Arpino, Food & Beverage Director Peter Priestley, dancer Jess Wallace-Warby and Activity Manager Sarah Vanderplank.
Expect the programme to explore:
- How cruise ships connect remote, coastal and culturally rich destinations
- The contrast between life at sea and immersive days ashore
- Behind-the-scenes work from crew across different departments
- Guest experiences shaped by wildlife, food, history, landscapes and local traditions
It is a strong watch for anyone curious about how ocean cruising works in practice, especially when the itinerary moves between such different parts of the world.
Start Planning Your Own Adventure
Inspired by the series? Princess Cruises offers holidays across the regions featured in Cruising to the Ends of the Earth, including Alaska, the Mediterranean, Japan and wider Asia. The programme gives a useful glimpse of what makes these routes so appealing: ambitious destinations, varied shore experiences and the comfort of returning to life on board between each port.
For travellers weighing up their next cruise, the series is less about one single destination and more about the feeling of range. One journey might bring glaciers and wildlife into view; another might lead through ancient cities, volcanic landscapes or busy Asian harbours. That sense of contrast is where Cruising to the Ends of the Earth finds its charm.
From Discovery Princess to Royal Princess, and all inbetween... you can expect the Princess Cruises standards on whichever ship you choose!
