Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji

Darwin, the vibrant capital of Australia's Northern Territory, offers a compelling blend of natural wonders, diverse wildlife, and deep-rooted Indigenous heritage. Located on the country's "Top End," the city is defined by its tropical climate and expansive wetlands. It is the gateway to remarkable national parks, including UNESCO-listed Kakadu—renowned for ancient Aboriginal rock art—and Litchfield, where cascading waterfalls and towering magnetic termite mounds dominate the landscape. Encounter saltwater crocodiles on the Adelaide River, or retreat to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, where palms and orchids thrive, and rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos bring the canopy to life.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines? This group of Tahitian performers introduces you to Polynesian traditions through dance lessons, traditional craft demonstrations, music, and cultural activities for all ages. Make the most of your day at sea by attending a talk from a guest expert or joining a cooking class with the executive chef. Spend time relaxing by the pool, book a treatment at the Algotherm Spa, or enjoy both. With a range of cultural experiences and leisure options, you can shape your day around your interests before reaching your next destination.

Immerse yourself in the island’s cultural mix of Asian, European, and Pacific Island influences at the Gab Titui Cultural Center. At Green Hill Fort, built as a defense against Russian invasion and later a World War II military base, admire military artifacts and splendid views, as well as exhibits that pay homage to the island’s pearl fishing history. Or join a deep-sea fishing expedition.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? The onboard hosts are ready to share their Polynesian culture with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and various activities for all ages. The day is yours to make what you want of it. Take in a lecture by one of the special guests or take part in cooking lessons with the executive chef. Or maybe, unwind poolside or treat yourself to a visit to the Algotherm Spa… or why not both? A day at sea offers ample time to relax and plan your next adventure.

Discover the hidden gem of Alotau on Papua New Guinea's southeastern shore, a tropical paradise home to pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Warm and welcoming locals are proud to share their rich cultural heritage, notably their traditions of dance and music. Local cuisine tantalizes with a fusion of seafood, exotic fruits, root vegetables, and the ubiquitous coconut. Here you can journey inland to see cascading waterfalls crowning untouched wilderness and dive in to crystal-clear waters in search of majestic sea turtles.

Once an important trading center, Samarai Island was evacuated, and its buildings were destroyed to prevent it from falling into Japanese control during World War II. It has since been rebuilt — though not to the same scale as its glory days. Take a stroll along the pleasant pathway that encircles its pretty town, view spectacular marine life on a SCUBA diving expedition, or simply relax on the beach.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? The onboard hosts are ready to share their Polynesian culture with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and various activities for all ages. The day is yours to make what you want of it. Take in a lecture by one of the special guests or take part in cooking lessons with the executive chef. Or maybe, unwind poolside or treat yourself to a visit to the Algotherm Spa… or why not both? A day at sea offers ample time to relax and plan your next adventure.

The largest of the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal is best known for the six-month battle between Allied and Japanese forces that marked a turning point in the Pacific theater during World War II. The island still brims with World War II relics, monuments, and memorials, as you may discover. Perhaps, explore its tropical interior, with its excellent birdwatching. Or see for yourself why the island is revered for its superior snorkeling and diving.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? The onboard hosts are ready to share their Polynesian culture with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and various activities for all ages. The day is yours to make what you want of it. Take in a lecture by one of the special guests or take part in cooking lessons with the executive chef. Or maybe, unwind poolside or treat yourself to a visit to the Algotherm Spa… or why not both? A day at sea offers ample time to relax and plan your next adventure.

On the northern coast of Espiritu Santo lies Champagne Beach, a place of striking natural purity. Its remarkably fine pale sand borders striking turquoise waters, with the light of the Pacific revealing the full softness of the landscape. This setting, ideal for relaxation, swimming or discovering the marine life, offers a moment marked by simplicity and enchantment.

Luganville, Vanuatu’s second-largest town, located on the southern coast of the island of Espiritu Santo, owes its name to the Breton sailor Armand Lugan, who found it in 1870. Turned into an American military base during the Second World War, the town has retained traces of its history, such as the wide Higinson Boulevard, designed to allow four tanks to pass side by side. Today, Luganville invites visitors to experience a welcoming local community living in harmony with nature, and is a gateway to unspoiled landscapes where traditions and tropical beauty blend with authenticity.

Located on the island of Éfaté, Vanuatu’s enchanting capital is a tropical paradise of pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and lush landscapes—key among them the Mele Cascades, a series of tiered waterfalls and refreshing pools. Explore the Erakor Rainforest, a verdant sanctuary of winding trails with wooden bridges and towering trees home to abundant birdlife including colorful parrots and elusive kingfishers as well as tree-dwelling geckos and dazzling butterflies. Or choose snorkeling, sailing, and jetboating adventures in Mele Bay surrounding the Pango Peninsula.

Originally known as Inyeug, Mystery Island is an uninhabited island with a discreet charm, located in the southern part of the Vanuatu archipelago. During the Second World War, the island was used as an airstrip, and its isolated location made the arrival of Allied aircraft mysterious to the enemy, hence its name. Today, the island is a truly idyllic haven, where white-sand beaches, wind-swayed palm trees and turquoise waters form a pristine refuge in which the beauty of untouched nature is revealed.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? The onboard hosts are ready to share their Polynesian culture with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and various activities for all ages. The day is yours to make what you want of it. Take in a lecture by one of the special guests or take part in cooking lessons with the executive chef. Or maybe, unwind poolside or treat yourself to a visit to the Algotherm Spa… or why not both? A day at sea offers ample time to relax and plan your next adventure.

Suva is the largest urban area in the South Pacific, outside of Australia and New Zealand. It’s been the capital of Fiji since 1883 and offers a unique mix of modern and colonial ambiance, making it a great place for history and architecture buffs to explore on foot. More interested in the views? Suva is perched on a hilly peninsula between two postcard-perfect harbors.

Once you arrive in Lautoka (known as “Sugar City” for the green-gold sugarcane that surrounds the city), there’s much to explore. Stroll its palm-lined streets, experience everyday life in a traditional village, or hike in Koroyanitu National Heritage Park.