Cruising offers an incredibly well planned, convenient holiday for travellers who like to experience as much as possible in a short time frame. While travelling between sights can take unnecessary time and stress, cruise guests get to relax and enjoy the voyage from one port to another – and only have to unpack once!

Add to that the inspiring vistas and colourful cultures that the South Pacific offers, and it’s easy to see why South Pacific cruising is gaining popularity. We aren’t just talking about the standard big-name cruises out of Australian ports either – we are talking about quality operations in-country, that support the local (and often tourism reliant) economies.

Read on for our top picks for South Pacific Cruises – and don’t forget that our team is available to discuss your options and provide custom quotes. Give us a call on 1800 800 722 or pop online today.

Captain Cook Cruises, Fiji

If you’re seeking an authentic Fijian holiday experience with the attention to detail of small-ship cruising, then Captain Cook Cruises has just what you need. The M.V. Reef Endeavour has four accommodation types and caters to up to 130 passengers on each sailing.

The beauty of travelling on a smaller vessel means that remote islands and shallow bays are more accessible, ensuring you get to see the true Fiji and have a genuine cultural experience. The services onboard include two bars, a dining saloon, gift shop, swimming pool, and WiFi. The crew is staffed with chefs, marine biologists, spa therapists and dive masters, ensuring your every need is catered to by qualified team members.

Captain Cook Cruises also has a longstanding commitment to education, sustainability and research ensuring that the natural environment in which they operate continues to thrive for generations to come. Are you travelling with limited mobility? Read about their accessibility guidelines here to help you make an informed choice.

Recommended itinerary: 7 night Yasawa and Mamanuca Island Cruise

Paul Gauguin Cruises, Cook Islands and Tahitian Islands

The Gauguin has become a name synonymous with luxury cruising in the Islands of Tahiti. As another small-shop operator they are poised to excel in service, which is supported by their crew to guest ration of 1:1.5 which is one of the highest of any luxury cruiser. The vessel offers three dining options, a water sports marina, day spa, laundry, fitness centre and PADI dive certified program, and caters to a maximum of 330 guests. Guests of The Gauguin are also offered exclusive access to two private experiences onboard their sailings. These are Motu Mahana, an islet near Taha’a, and a private beach in Bora Bora. Your friends and family at home will be incredibly jealous!

Recommended itinerary: 11 night Cook Islands and Society Islands Cruise

Bilikiki Cruises, Solomon Islands

For dive lovers the Solomon Islands is a wonderland of wreck dives, shore dives, and wildlife galore. In fact, it is home to some of the most incredible but least explored sites in the world! What better way to immerse yourself into the underwater magic than with an adventure on the Solomon Islands first liveaboard, with Bilikiki Cruises. The M.V. Bilikiki features just 10 cabins allowing for a very intimate small group sailing. While this isn’t a luxury experience it is certainly one that will linger in your heart and mind for years to come.

Bilikiki Cruises have always sought to support the remote villages and communities they sail to. They hand out seeds, which the villagers plant, and then sell back to the crew, creating not only an income stream but providing guests with the freshest of ingredients also. They also run medical trips with a local foundation, and encourage guests to bring aboard gifts to hand out in the villages such as soccer balls and school equipment.

Recommended itinerary: 10 Night Solomon Islands Cruise

Aranui Cruises, Tahitian Islands and Pitcairn Island

The Aranui 5, jewel in the Aranui Cruises crown, provides a unique sailing experience unlike others in the South Pacific. The vessel is a passenger-freighter that resupplies the small island communities encountered on its cruises, while still delivering a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere to its guests.

It is also the only cruise operation to visit the distinctive Pitcairn Islands! The Aranui 5 accommodates up to 230 passengers across 9 cabin types, ensuring you can select a standard of accommodation that is perfect for you. Meals are served in an informal, family style setting, allowing guests to know each other and the crew very well. There is a spa on board, a library, a boutique, WiFi, and even a licensed Marquesan tattoo artist for the ultimate souvenir!

Culture is at the heart of the Aranui offering, with the desire to have Polynesians provide a traditional and authentic Polynesian experience for guests being an integral part of the crew’s aspirations. It forms part of the social responsibility commitment of the brand, which also includes economic and environmental participation.

Recommended itinerary: 10 Night Tuamotu, Gambier, & Pitcairn Islands Cruise

Your cruise journey awaits

Whether you choose small ship cruising through the Fijian Islands, exploration cruises into remote island chains in French Polynesia, or a dive liveaboard in the Solomons, your cruise cabin is ready and waiting for the South Pacific adventure of a lifetime. To enquire about availability or a tailored cruise package contact our team online or give us a call on 1800 800 722.

Photos Courtesy of Captain Cook Cruises, Fiji & Paul Gauguin Cruises, Tahiti