9 greatest South Pacific and Tahiti cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime journey
Cruising across the islands of the South Pacific is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for a lot of vacationers. Whereas a few of the island nations, like Fiji, are well-known to Individuals, others, like Niue, are much less acquainted. A South Pacific cruise guarantees cultural experiences, lovely landscapes and loads of water-based actions.
You could find South Pacific itineraries on luxurious, expedition and even big-ship cruise strains. Some ships sail from Hawaii to Australia with island visits all through the South Pacific, or provide weeklong cruises from Australia to a handful of the closest South Pacific islands like Vanuatu. Cruisers trying to dive deep into the wealthy historical past and tradition of the South Pacific may wish to contemplate a few of the smaller luxurious strains that depart from the islands themselves; Papeete, Tahiti, in French Polynesia is a standard port of embarkation.
South Pacific cruises are sometimes the area of retirees and honeymooners, however South Pacific cruises generally is a fulfilling journey with children or as a multigenerational trip.
Listed here are the 9 greatest South Pacific cruises to your subsequent trip.
Silversea Cruises’ 11- to 13-night Tahiti cruises
Silversea Cruises provides quite a lot of South Pacific cruises that span 9 to 19 nights, however the most well-liked choices are the 11- to 13-night round-trip sailings from Papeete, Tahiti. In 2025, Silver Shadow will name on ports like Nuku Hiva and Atuona within the Marquesas Islands, Bora Bora and Moorea. Cruisers can take pleasure in hikes and marvel at waterfalls at Nuku Hiva, whereas Moorea is thought for its ocean actions like snorkeling or sunbathing at picturesque seashores.
The cruise line provides two kinds of inclusive fares. The port-to-port fares embrace all meals and drinks onboard, butler service, gratuities and shore excursions. This package deal doesn’t embrace flights or airport transfers. The door-to-door fare package deal consists of roundtrip flights, airport transfers, a precruise lodge, all meals and drinks onboard, shore excursions, butler service and gratuities. Moreover, postcruise lodge and airport transfers are included.
Who ought to go: Silversea is thought for luxurious ships that cater to retirees. Silver Shadow options gourmand eating at a number of specialty eating places, together with the French La Dame and Italian La Terrazza. By day, gaze on the ocean from a light-filled lounge whereas having fun with a complimentary cocktail; by night time, discover your luck on the ship’s small on line casino.
Intuitive service is a Silversea hallmark. The ship has a virtually one-to-one ratio of crew to visitors, and a butler attends each suite.
Fares: From $8,900 per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy
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Associated: 5 fabulous locations for luxurious cruise followers
Windstar Cruises’ 14-night Tahitian Treasures and Magnificent Marquesas cruise
Whereas its staple itinerary is the seven-night Goals of Tahiti crusing, the all-suite 312-passenger ship is beginning a new 14-night route this yr that takes cruisers to a number of islands within the Marquesas, Bora Bora (two-day cease), Moorea, Motu Mahaea (a personal island off Tahaa), Rangiroa and Fakarava, with a number of days at sea sprinkled in. The 14-night crusing is proscribed, with simply two departures in 2024 and three in 2025.
With an in a single day in Bora Bora, you may attempt every thing from an exhilarating tank dive or scuba tour to a calming lagoon tour. These in search of a little bit of romance can e book an evening at one of many island’s many over-water bungalow resorts.
Who ought to go: This itinerary can be excellent for adventurous {couples} trying to have fun a serious life occasion like a birthday or anniversary. Star Breeze not too long ago underwent a large renovation so as to add two new eating places that includes Spanish delicacies and barbecue, an upgraded spa with steam and sauna rooms, an infinity pool and a bigger health space. Every suite has all-new bogs, and the ship’s smallest suites are fairly massive by cruise requirements at 277 sq. toes.
Fares: From $6,899 per particular person primarily based on double occupancy
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Azamara’s 15-night South Pacific Jewels cruise
Azamara’s 15-night South Pacific Jewels cruise is going down solely as soon as in 2025, with embarkation on Jan. 24. On this crusing, Azamara Onward will take visitors to islands throughout French Polynesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, with a last vacation spot of New Zealand.
In Apia, Samoa, you may enterprise into the colourful jungle to search out hidden swimming holes, whereas Tonga will lure you into the ocean with unimaginable snorkeling round coral reefs. In Bay of Islands, New Zealand, be part of an tour that takes you proper into the guts of a cave system to see glowworms.
Who ought to go: Vacationers in search of journey off the ship, prolonged port instances and a relaxed onboard atmosphere will love this cruise. Whereas small, the 684-passenger ship options seven eating places and cafes, a pool and a spa. All gratuities, each nonalcoholic and particular alcoholic drinks and self-service laundry are included in Azamara’s base fares. A trademark of the road is complimentary cultural night occasions that happen as soon as a cruise, both on the ship or in port.
Fares: From $4,500 per particular person primarily based on double occupancy
Nationwide Geographic Expeditions’ 9-night Pearls of the Pacific voyage
Vacationers in search of a deep dive into the historical past and tradition of the South Pacific ought to look no additional than the 9-night Pearls of the Pacific Voyage to the Society and Tuamotu Islands from Nationwide Geographic Expeditions. The 102-passenger Nationwide Geographic Orion has distinctive maneuverability, so it might probably sail via shallow water, bays and small rivers. The 2 2025 sailings depart on Jan. 29 and Feb. 28.
The cruise begins and ends in Papeete, Tahiti. Company will first sail to the Tuamotu Archipelago the place you may snorkel with reef sharks. In Fakarava, you may find out about pearl farming, whereas in Taha’a, you may discover a vanilla bean farm.
Lively vacationers will take pleasure in diving into Bora Bora’s crystal clear waters or mountaineering via a pineapple plantation in Moorea. Raiatea is the place you may go to the UNESCO World Heritage Website of Marae Taputapuatea, the place Polynesian seafarers would start their journeys. A images teacher, undersea specialist and Nationwide Geographic skilled well-versed within the area and its tradition will accompany the group on this voyage.
Who ought to go: Nationwide Geographic Expeditions is much less in regards to the onboard expertise and extra about exploring and understanding the vacation spot you are visiting. The ships have all the fundamentals, like a restaurant and communal lounge, however lack the specialty eating places and butler service of the posh cruise strains.
Nationwide Geographic Orion was constructed for perform relatively than model. On board, you may discover a mud room with lockers for expedition gear and a fleet of inflexible inflatable Zodiac boats that switch visitors from ship to shore. All the pieces from meals and excursions to alcohol and gratuities is included within the worth.
Fares: From $10,910 per particular person primarily based on double occupancy
Associated: Expedition cruises: The final word information to cruising to distant, hard-to-reach locations
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 16-night Vibrant Fiji & Polynesian Magic cruise
Those that need to dwell within the lap of luxurious and may plan a cruise a yr and a half prematurely will wish to contemplate Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 16-night Vibrant Fiji & Polynesian Magic crusing aboard Seven Seas Navigator. The ship will depart on Feb. 6, 2026, from Auckland, New Zealand, and sail to Papeete, Tahiti.
The cruise will begin with visits to New Zealand ports Whangarei and Bay of Islands, earlier than setting sail for the islands of the South Pacific. Highlights embrace Port Vila, Vanuatu, the place you may hike to the highest of a 65-foot waterfall; Lautoka, Fiji, well-known for its snorkeling; and Suva, Fiji, the place you may take part in a Fijian kava ceremony. An in a single day in Bora Bora provides you ample alternative to discover by land and sea.
The itinerary visits 9 ports, consists of six days at sea and crosses the worldwide date line.
Who ought to go: This itinerary is a splurge for vacationers trying to be pampered on the ship and see distant islands and seashores off the ship. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is among the most luxurious and inclusive cruise strains on the market. Fares embrace shore excursions, limitless drinks together with effective wine and spirits, crew gratuities, all specialty restaurant eating and Wi-Fi. You’ll be able to improve to extra inclusive fares that cowl flights, airport transfers and precruise lodge.
Fares: From $10,199 per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy
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Disney Cruise Line’s 15-night South Pacific cruise
Whereas Disney Cruise Line is generally identified for its family-friendly Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, it does sometimes ship a ship wandering across the globe. In 2024 and 2025, the two,713-passenger Disney Surprise will provide a 15-night South Pacific cruise, crossing the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to Sydney in October and from Sydney to Honolulu in February.
Each cruises go to Fiji, New Caledonia and American Samoa, however one itinerary stops in Maui whereas the opposite visits Kauai. The itinerary consists of 10 days at sea, however you may rely on Disney to maintain you entertained with exhibits, films, actions and character meet and greets, so you will not get bored throughout the lengthy ocean crossing.
Who ought to go: Households with younger children (or homeschooled kids) or adults in search of an upscale Disney trip will take pleasure in these uncommon Disney Surprise itineraries. This repositioning cruise is an effective worth for a Disney cruise, with inside cabins beginning at $170 per particular person, per night time, primarily based on double occupancy. For comparability, a seven-night cruise to Alaska on Disney Surprise begins at $236 per particular person, per night time, primarily based on double occupancy.
Disney Surprise has devoted areas for teenagers like Disney’s Oceaneer Membership and Lab, the place counselors lead kids in video games and actions from morning till night time. Grownups trying to unwind can achieve this on the Quiet Cove Pool, which is completely adults-only and an excellent place to hang around on sunny sea days. Everybody can take pleasure in energetic leisure and themed eating, in addition to assembly favourite Disney characters with out the lengthy waits you’d encounter at a Disney theme park.
Fares: From $5,111 per cabin, primarily based on double occupancy
Royal Caribbean’s 7- to 9-night South Pacific cruises from Brisbane
For the final word mixture of distinctive locations and thrilling issues to do on board, Royal Caribbean’s South Pacific cruises from Brisbane, Australia, are excellent. The sailings happen on the 4,905-passenger Quantum of the Seas in 2025 and the 4,000-passenger Voyager of the Seas in 2026.
Ports of name for both season’s weeklong sailings embrace Thriller Island, Vanuatu, the place you may snorkel round coral reefs, and Port Vila, Vanuatu, the place zip lining over the jungle cover is an exhilarating tour. The nine-night crusing consists of three Vanuatu stops and one in New Caledonia, the latter of which is nice for swimming with sea turtles.
Who ought to go: Should you’re in search of an activity-filled huge ship that is not overwhelmingly big, these Royal Caribbean ships will go well with you. Voyager provides extra onboard sights for teenagers, equivalent to water slides and minigolf, whereas Quantum has a extra grownup vibe with distinctive lounges and the indoor adults-only solarium.
Fares: From $589 per particular person primarily based on double occupancy
Oceania Cruises’ 10-night South Pacific cruises
Step aboard Oceania Cruises’ 10-night South Pacific cruise, crusing round-trip from Papeete, Tahiti. Sailings takes place on the 670-passenger Nautica or Regatta.
The itinerary consists of visits to Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa and Raiatea, French Polynesia. Choose itineraries embrace an in a single day in Bora Bora the place you may examine into an overwater bungalow if desired. Bora Bora can also be an excellent snorkeling vacation spot the place animals like manta rays could be seen gliding via the water.
Who ought to go: Older adults in search of a luxurious cruise to a few of the most lovely islands within the South Pacific will love this crusing. Whereas on board, visitors can discover a cozy spot to calm down within the library, take pleasure in enrichment classes led by consultants, gamble within the on line casino or simply sit again on the bar and chat with the bartenders whereas they combine cocktails. The out of doors pool and sports activities deck are nice spots to soak up the view of the ocean.
Oceania Cruises is thought for its meals, and the ship has an abundance of eating choices for a smaller vessel. Whereas the principle eating room is your default for dinner, the specialty eating places are actually the star right here. Toscana highlights regional Italian delicacies, whereas Polo Grill dishes out dry-aged steaks and tableside Caesar salads.
Fares: From $2,999 per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 14-night South Pacific cruise
Head to the South Pacific from Hawaii on Norwegian Cruise Line’s 14-night South Pacific cruise that begins in Honolulu and ends within the capital of French Polynesia — Papeete, Tahiti. The July 2025 crusing on the 1,936-passenger Norwegian Solar begins with a go to to Hawaiian island ports in Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and Hawaii, the place visitors can snorkel, sunbathe and surf, or go to historic, cultural and pure websites — together with an lively volcano.
The ship will cross the Pacific throughout 4 days at sea and make its strategy to French Polynesia, the place visitors can discover Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea and Papeete. Raiatea provides a incredible day of exploration; go to French Polynesia’s largest out of doors temple and tour essentially the most sacred island within the South Pacific.
Who ought to go: Cruisers who prefer to calm down and make their very own enjoyable will take pleasure in this crusing on Norwegian Solar. The ship is an older, smaller vessel that does not have all the bells and whistles that Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest ships have. Eating choices are plentiful with 14 venues across the ship, from the complimentary poolside buffet and two fundamental eating rooms to an extra-fee steakhouse and Mexican restaurant. The highest deck, whereas small, is nice for taking within the panoramic ocean views whereas sitting in a lounge chair.
Fares: From $2,299 per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy
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