Australasia

If you like the idea of cruising in Australia, Southeast Asia or the Orient, just remember that the flying time from Europe to your embarkation port and ship is long and it’s usually a good idea to get there at least two days before your cruise departure to enable you to get over the initial symptoms of jetlag. The far-flung islands of the South Pacific have been a cruise destination since the days of Captain Cook, and, while no one can claim to be the first to sail them these days, they do offer a great opportunity to go somewhere and get off the beaten track to explore some of the most beautiful corners of the world.
Australasia features the rugged islands of New Zealand, the diversity of Australia, the jungles of Papua New Guinea and tropical Indonesia (Bali). Normally part of a world cruise itinerary, there are a growing number of ships serving the region. From the Far East you can cruise to Bali, Darwin and the North End, the Barrier Reef, photogenic Sydney and all the major cities of Australia and NZ.

Australia North and East

Starting or ending in Singapore or Hong Kong, world sector cruises will visit Indonesia (often Bali) and the virgin rainforest of Papua New Guinea before descending to Darwin to explore the wonders of the Kakadu National Park. Cruise eastwards and around Cape York to Australia's west coast to find Cairns and the incredible Great Barrier Reef. Here you can take day and longer cruises within the reef and its islands. Further south is Brisbane and the wonderful beaches of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. Sydney must be one of the world's best arrival ports for cruise ships - pass through the Heads into a magnificent harbour and cruise towards the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

New Zealand

Much of the coastline of New Zealand is very much like the Norwegian-fjord coastline. Island life is slow paced and informal and surprisingly rich in history, with magnificent beaches seas rich in marine life and that offer wonderful deep-sea fishing and some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving anywhere in the world. Trans Tasman cruises between Australia and New Zealand offer the opportunity to circumnavigate both North and South Islands. Cruises to and from New Zealand leave from Sydney or Melbourne in Australia and Auckland in NZ. You can cruise round New Zealand to visit the Bay of Islands, Tauranga for the Rotorua Thermal Reserve, Wellington, Christchurch and Milford Sound, the undisputed jewel of Fiordland National Park. These cruises will often call at Tasmania for its mountains, forests and wildlife.

South Pacific

South Pacific culture is still alive and thriving and islanders happily exhibit their centuries old traditions and customs for visitors. Village markets also offer a unique taste of social life with artisans hard at work on their arts and crafts. It has the added attraction of being the most untouched commercially, and therefore the most natural.

Papua New Guinea, second behind Australia in terms of size and the most northerly of the islands, is almost inaccessible to anything other than by ship or boat so cruisers have a big advantage. A tour along Sepik River can take you back hundreds of years to a region almost untouched by modern life, whilst the Trobriand Islands are a glimpse of tropical paradise with white coral beaches and people who still insist in gift exchanges and traditional music and dance to welcome all visitors. The traditional side of life in the area of Port Moresby is still evident in the stilt villages of Koki, Hanuabada and Tatana so cameras are a must! Cruise visitors do not require any special visas either.

Australia South

It is also possible to cruise from Melbourne across the Great Australian Bight calling at Adelaide, the city of churches, Fremantle for Perth, the capital of Western Australia and up the eastern coast of the continent past great reefs and beaches to Broome and then Darwin to complete the circumnavigation.

When to Cruise

When it comes to the climate here, beware. It is some of the most humid territory in the cruise world. So, when you venture out of the ship’s air conditioned interior, expect temperatures in excess of 120F (48C) and perhaps 100% humidity. Most cruises take place in the northern winter (southern summer) when cruise ships take world cruises or are relocated to the region. Temperatures will be warm to hot depending on the latitude. Local cruises of The Barrier Reef are offered year round.