With year round trips, inspiring destinations, a range of itineraries and on-board entertainment, a cruise around the South Pacific is a holiday everyone will enjoy.
No wonder the Pacific Islands is the most popular cruising destination for Australians, with the number of passengers up 31% in 2013 according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
Plan a unique experience on-board and ashore with our guide to exploring the world’s biggest ocean by boat.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises has the largest shore tour program in the region, having recently started trips to the Cook and Solomon Islands, as well as Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
P&O’s Pacific Dawn is the first cruise ship to return to Vanuatu post-Cyclone Pam with cruisers arriving in Port Vila next week. P&O’s Pacific Dawn, Jewel and Pearl have 7, 10 or 14 day trips throughout the year.
The cruise company is renowned for organising unique on shore experiences at each of its destinations – see talented locals make crafts in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, do a cheese and wine tour in New Caledonia or explore the port of Santo, the gateway to the wonders of Espirito Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu and home to the world’s most intact and accessible shipwreck – the 22,000-tonne President Coolidge.
A canoe ride along the crystal clear waters of the Riri River is a Vanuatu experience not to be missed as Rugby League star Paul Harragon will show you.
For shorter South Pacific trips from Sydney and Brisbane the new Pacific Aria and Eden (due to launch in Nov 2015) will feature P&O’s largest ever range of dining experiences including ‘The Pantry’, which replaces the traditional cruise buffet with a variety of food outlets from Mexican street food to gourmet delicatessens.
Find out more here.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Spirit calls Australia home year round and offers a range of 2 – 5 day, 6 – 9 day or 10+ day cruises for 2,124 guests to the Pacific Islands during the summer and winter months.
In September 2014, Spirit was joined by her sister ship, Carnival Legend, who sails seasonally from Sydney on 8 – 12 day cruises to Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Carnival Cruise Lines are known as the ‘fun ships’ boasting some of the best stage shows, nightlife and acts from around the world.
Enjoy casinos, 24 hour pizza and a day spa, and have just as much fun on board as you will snorkelling over the pristine waters in Fiji, seeing marine life and dramatic natural landscapes in Vanuatu and experiencing French culture and food in New Caledonia.
Find out more here.
Lindblad Expeditions
For a more boutique cruising experience board the National Geographic Orion, which was designed and purpose built in Germany in 2003 specifically for expedition travel and accommodates only 102 guests in elegant surroundings.
The ship is fitted with 14 Zodiacs that offer ideal transport for up-close exploration and extra diving material for underwater adventure.
If you’d prefer to stay dry, Orion is equipped with a glass-bottom Zodiac so you can spot marine life from the comfort of your boat. Varied itineraries on the super-modern ship include Polynesian Discovery from Fiji to the Cook Islands, Hidden South Pacific from the Solomon Islands to Fiji and Tales of the Pacific from Tahiti to Easter Island, with expeditions departing from September 2015.
Find out more here.
Royal Caribbean
The Legend of the Seas accommodates 2,076 passengers and cruises the South Pacific on 8 to 11 day cruises departing from Brisbane during the Summer months of December through to April.
Stopover highlights include Champagne Bay, Vanuatu where locals sell freshly caught lobster to Lifou on the sparsely populated Loyalty Islands where you’ll experience magnificent cliff-top views and discover small hidden beaches. With a 9-hole miniature golf, outdoor movie screen, four whirlpools and an adults-only Solarium with a sliding roof, there’s something for all the family to enjoy on board too.
Find out more here.