South Pacific & New Zealand

South Pacific cruises are extremely popular with increasing numbers of ships domiciled in or visiting the region each year.

At some time in our lives we'd all love to leave our footprints on a white sand beach in Fiji, Noumea, Vanuatu, or Tahiti, or explore the contrast of the Australian Coast; or snorkel the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef or enjoy the magnificent scenery of New Zealand.

It is here, in Australia and the South Pacific, that natural beauty abounds. Fascinating people inhabit peaceful islands and charming cities.

A cruise from Australia to New Zealand and/or the South Pacific, can fulfill almost every exotic adventure that a serious traveller could dream of. The beauty of many of these itineraries is that you can see as much of the South Pacific as you like in one cruise.

An Australia/South Pacific Cruise can take you to many ports, depending upon your ship and sailing date.
Some of the Australian and South Pacific cruises are now part of world cruise itineraries and can include fly/cruise options.

Cruise types

The range of cruises available means travelers are spoilt for choice and include:

French Polynesia has two major cruise ships based their year round as well as a Freighter cruise operator and a small crewed yacht operator – something for everyone. Cruises operate from Tahiti or Bora Bora and cover the Society Islands and the Marquesas. The islands have a rich history and culture, rugged beauty.

Fiji has two resident small ship operators offering 3, 4 and 7 day cruises primarily through the Yasawa islands which are north and west of the main island of Viti Levu.

New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vanuatu are all cruised to from Australia. A year round series of cruises to these destinations keeps ships busy from Sydney. Melbourne and Brisbane. The Australia New Zealand cruises are often operated by visiting ships to the South Pacific and operate from November to March as they cruise around the south of New Zealand’s South Island.

Trans Pacific and World cruises give a choice of longer ocean crossings. They cross the International Date Line so east bound cruises gain a day and west bound cruises lose a day in their itineraries.

Cruise seasons

Local cruises operate year round from Australia, Fiji and Tahiti. The Australia/New Zealand cruises sail between October and March as do the Trans Pacific/World sectors

Main ports

Cruises from Australia depart from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and Auckland is the main port for New Zealand. Fiji cruises depart from Lautoka and Tahiti cruises depart from Papeete or Bora Bora.

Weather
Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia experience warmer and rainier months from November to April, the rest of the year is pleasant and drier. New Zealand cruises operate in its summer so days are pleasant but it is cooler round the bottom of the South Island and warm clothes and rain gear are useful.

Photo Credit: John Simos

Ports of Interest