Cruise to the Pacific

There’s nothing quite like crossing the international date line on board a cruise ship sailing the peaceful Pacific Ocean. The romantic islands of Fiji with its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters; Samoa’s lagoons, Bora Bora’s flower valleys and Moorea’s volcanic peaks are just some of the highlights.

Of course, much time is spent at sea as your cruise ship navigates across the great expanse of ocean and the international date line to reach many distant islands.

Other itineraries take in the South Pacific, calling at Christmas Island in the Republic of Kiribati, one of 33 Pacific coral islands positioned a few miles north of the Equator. There are great beaches for swimming, snorkelling or relaxing in the warmth of a South Seas Polynesian welcome.

At the Samoan capital Apia your ship is likely to be welcomed by traditional outrigger canoes as you enter the harbour. Besides fabulous black sand beaches, just outside Apia, you can visit a museum dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson who spent the last five years of his life in Samoa.

Noumea in New Caledonia offers South Pacific chic in the form of bistros and smart shops in addition to rich marine life which can be viewed on tours of the nearby coral reefs. The Tongan capital of Nuku’Alofa is tranquillity itself, demonstrating why Captain Cook fell for this idyllic Pacific nation.

Fiji’s main cruise port of Lautoka has a busy daily market and beautiful botanic gardens while in the north of the island of Viti Levu you will discover spectacular scenery. Tahiti’s main port and capital of Papeete is a bit of a millionaire’s playground of expensive yachts, upmarket shops and bars. Don’t let this take away from the superb surf beaches and beautiful mountain scenery.

When is the best time to go on a Pacific Cruise?

The main Pacific cruising season runs from April until October.