Indonesia, New Guinea & Cultures Of Oceania Cruise

Day 1 - Darwin, Australia

Arrive: Thu 26 August 2027 / Depart: Thu 26 August 2027

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Ambon, Indonesia

Arrive: Sat 28 August 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 28 August 2027 at 17:00

See the Tiahahu Monument, a tribute to a young female Maluku freedom fighter, the Siwalima Museum’s ethnic arts and crafts, visit Soya Atas village, or the “Sacred Eels” of Waai.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Kokas, Indonesia

Arrive: Mon 30 August 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 30 August 2027 at 18:00

Day 6 - Misool Islands

Arrive: Tue 31 August 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 31 August 2027 at 18:00

Day 7 - Yenwaupnor, Indonesia

Day 7 - At Sea

Day 8 - Manokwari

Arrive: Thu 02 September 2027 at 11:00 / Depart: Thu 02 September 2027 at 18:00

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Cenderawasih Bay

Day 11 - Jayapura

Arrive: Sun 05 September 2027 at 22:30 / Depart: Sun 05 September 2027 at 23:00

Day 12 - Vanimo

Arrive: Mon 06 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 06 September 2027 at 15:00

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - Garove Island (Witu Islands)

Arrive: Wed 08 September 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 08 September 2027 at 16:00

Day 15 - Duke of York Islands, Papua New Guinea

Arrive: Thu 09 September 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 09 September 2027 at 12:30

Day 16 - Rabaul

Arrive: Fri 10 September 2027 at 13:30 / Depart: Fri 10 September 2027 at 23:30

Day 16 - At Sea

Day 17 - Ghizo Island

Arrive: Sat 11 September 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 11 September 2027 at 15:00

Day 18 - Honiara

Arrive: Sun 12 September 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 12 September 2027 at 18:00

The Solomon Islands is a sovereign nation consisting of multiple island groups, scattered in the South Pacific east of Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Honiara, on the island of Guadalcanal. Many of the outlying islands in the nation are relatively untouched, but Honiara is a busier hub of international commerce. The islands’ recent history is scarred by the desperate battles fought between the Japanese and American forces during World War II. In 1942, the Japanese launched their last great land offensive in the islands, which culminated in the Battle of Henderson Field fought at Honiara. Of the estimated 36,000 Japanese troops on Guadalcanal at the beginning, only 1,000 survived, the rest having either been killed directly, or succumbed to disease and starvation. Ghostly evidence of this horrific warfare dots the island, and it is memorialized at the American Memorial overlooking the town and at a smaller Solomons Peace Memorial erected by the Japanese outside the city. On a lighter note, traditional arts and crafts are on display at the National Museum, which also boasts a display of eight traditional Melanesian houses from various parts of the country. Behind the museum is a cultural center. Above town there is a pleasant botanical garden, and the bustling Central Market is a great place to get a feel for everyday life in Honiara. Although English is the official language, only a small percentage of Solomonese speak it. The common language is Pijin.

Day 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - Vanikoro, Solomon Islands

Arrive: Tue 14 September 2027 at 06:00 / Depart: Tue 14 September 2027 at 13:00

Day 21 - Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

Arrive: Wed 15 September 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Wed 15 September 2027 at 16:00

Day 22 - At Sea

Day 23 - Lautoka

Arrive: Fri 17 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 17 September 2027 at 17:00

A major seaport, Fiji's second-largest city, Lautoka is the main center of the sugar and timber industries. Towering royal palms march in a long, orderly row from the main street to the harbor and into the heart of the city. Although Lautoka grew up around the Fijan village of Namoli, it is a very Indian town today.

Day 24 - Kadavu, Fiji

Day 25 - At Sea

Day 26 - Pangai Motu

Arrive: Mon 20 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 20 September 2027 at 17:00

Day 27 - Vavau, Tonga Islands

Arrive: Tue 21 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 21 September 2027 at 19:00

Vava?u is the island group of one large island and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. It is part of Vava?u District which includes several other individual islands. According to tradition the Maui god finished up both Tongatapu and Vava?u, but put a little more effort into the former.

Day 28 - At Sea

Day 29 - Apia

Arrive: Thu 23 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 23 September 2027 at 17:00

A total of sixteen islands comprise the Samoas, considered to be the heart of Polynesia. It was from these islands that early Polynesians sailed to populate other Pacific Islands. Today this chain of islands is divided into two political units - the U.S. Territory of American Samoa and the independent country of Western Samoa. Much of the charm of the Samoas lies in the simple village life and the friendly people, combined with a striking landscape of soaring mountain peaks, rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches and tropical rainforests rich in flowering plants. Western Samoa consists of a total of nine islands with the two main ones, Savi'i and Upolo, separated by a narrow strait. The country's capital Apia, resembling an old South Seas port during the early trading days, perches on the north coast of Upolo. Colonial-style wooden buildings and churches line the tree-shaded main street that curves around the harbor. The primary attractions include Parliament House, the village green, Independence Monument and the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, now the residence of Western Samoa's head of state. A trip around the island passes mile after mile of stunning landscape, interspersed with tumbling waterfalls, breathtaking views, tiny villages, and coconut and cocoa plantations.

Day 29 - Cross International Dateline

Day 29 - At Sea

Day 30 - At Sea

Day 31 - Aitutaki

Arrive: Sat 25 September 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 25 September 2027 at 17:00

Day 32 - At Sea

Day 33 - Raiatea

Arrive: Mon 27 September 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 27 September 2027 at 17:00

The second-largest of the Society Islands is practically twinned with its neighbor Taha’a. Actually they are connected by a reef in the same lagoon and may have been one island in the past. The main town, Uturoa is where most of the population lives. It’s lively, although no competition for Tahiti. Called the Sacred Island, Raiatea’s name means “bright sky,” and it was probably the first human community in the islands. The ancient sacred site of Taputapuatea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and may have been the place from which Polynesian migrations to Hawaii, the Cook Islands, New Zealand and the rest of the South Pacific started. Although less touristed than Tahiti, caring for visitors has grown in importance. Agriculture is mainly given over to coconuts, pineapples and vanilla. Vanilla orchids are hand-pollinated, since Raiatea has no insect pollinators for vanilla blossoms. South Seas pearls are farmed in the lagoon in various colors. A hike up Mt. Tapioi rewards with stunning views of the lagoon and sea, and tall Bora Bora on the far horizon. Another favorite hike leads to the island’s three waterfalls. The tallest peak, Mt. Temehani, is the place to look for the unique, five-petaled Tiare Apetahi flowers that grow nowhere else. The lagoon is dotted with tiny motus, which are mostly coral sand beach, and are popular for castaway swimming and snorkeling adventures.

Day 34 - Huahine, French Polynesia

Arrive: Tue 28 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 28 September 2027 at 17:00

Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Leeward Islands group. At the 2017 census it had a population of 6,075.

Day 35 - Papeete

Arrive: Wed 29 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 29 September 2027 at 17:00

The islands of French Polynesia are acclaimed as the most beautiful in the South Pacific. Tahiti is the largest of the Polynesian islands and home to the capital city of Papeete, a delightful blend of cultures. Papeete, meaning the "water basket," was once a gathering place where Tahitians came to fill their calabashes with fresh water. Today, it is the gateway to the country, and boasts romantic resorts, fine dining, vibrant markets, pearl shops, and boutiques. Tahiti's mountainous interior is adorned with deep valleys and scenic waterfalls, while the rugged coastal lands are home to fields of tropical flowers, and glorious white and black sand beaches.