Here are six of the best cruises that explore the culture, traditions and rich histories of the Pacific while showcasing stunning scenery and beaches.
Scenic Eclipse
Ultra luxurious Scenic Eclipse II offers an 11-day Treasures of the Pacific cruise from the Yasawas to New Zealand. Leaving from Fiji, it visits exotic ports in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand. A highlight is New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island, an official Dark Sky Sanctuary, recognised for excellent stargazing. It’s a twitcher’s paradise and home to Buller’s Shearwaters, Australian Gannets, Little Blue Penguins, White-faced Storm-petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, Little Shearwater and Black Petrel. It departs October 29 2024.
Cunard
Cruise on the elegant Queen Elizabeth that caters for 2081 passengers and is known for its art deco elegance. It leaves Sydney on February 20 2024 for a 15 or 20 night cruise. Highlights include Lifou, the largest of the Loyalty Island in New Caledonia, where locals recommend a visit to Luengoni Beach known for its silky soft sand that resembles icing sugar and a trek to the secluded hilltop Notre Dame de Lourdes Chapel built by Catholic missionaries in 1898.It will be repeated in January 2025.
Viking
Relax on a 29-day, five country South Pacific Sojourn cruise with 16 guided tours on the chic Viking Venus, an all-verandah ship that accommodates 930 guests. It leaves Bangkok on November 25 2024 and combines the Komodo & the Australian Coast and Bangkok, Bali & Beyond cruises. Visit the Komodo National Park to see the prehistoric looking lizards, the largest in the world. The cruise finishes in Sydney and features overnight stays in Darwin, Bali, Jakarta and Bangkok.
Azamara
A 15-night South Pacific Jewels voyage leaves from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia that’s home to tropical blue lagoons and scenic hiking trails in the shadows of ancient volcanic mountains on January 25 2025. A highlight is Bora Bora with its crystal clear water where you can feed sharks and stingrays and stop at Pago Pago in American Samoa, Apia Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. The sleek Azamara Onward features seven restaurants, lounges and cafes.
Seabourn
Seabourn Pursuit is introducing its first-ever expedition season to the South Pacific this year. Its newest expedition ship will visit ports in Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Guam, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. It is led by an expedition team of 24 experts, including scientists, scholars and naturalists, with cruises leaving March, April and September and October. Highlights include the Yasawa Islands of Fiji where guests can explore the limestone formations of the Sawa-I-Lau Caves, plus mysterious Ambrym Island and Pentecost Island of Vanuatu.
Silversea
Elegant Silver Cloud, Silver Seas’ first hybrid ship, offers four dining options. The ship caters for 254 passengers and leaves Darwin on September 11, 2024, for a 21-day cruise crossing the Arafura Sea to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. History buffs can visit to Kennedy Island, previously Plum Pudding Island, where former US president John F Kennedy rescued an injured seaman after their boat was hit. Beach lovers should head to Vanuatu’s famous Champagne Beach with its crystal-clear waters and powdery white sands.
