Little-Known Treasures of Melanesia

Discover Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, where tropical landscapes, wildlife, and Aboriginal heritage shape the region. Explore nearby Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock art, or visit Litchfield National Park to see its waterfalls and magnetic termite mounds. Take a river cruise on the Adelaide River to spot jumping crocodiles, or stroll through George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens to see native palms, orchids, rainbow lorikeets, and cockatoos.

Discover Polynesian traditions through Tahitian dance classes, traditional craft workshops, and activities for all ages. Attend a presentation by a guest speaker or join a cooking class led by the executive chef. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or book a treatment at the Algotherm Spa. Take advantage of your day at sea to enjoy onboard amenities, learn about local customs, and prepare for upcoming destinations.

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 at the ready to share their Polynesian culture, with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages. The day is yours to spend as you like. Perhaps 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.

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.

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.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? The onboard hosts are at the ready to share their Polynesian culture, with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages. The day is yours to spend as you like. Perhaps 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 to 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.

Part of the Florida Islands, Roderick Bay is surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches and fringing coral reefs. These clear warm tropical waters give rise to a myriad of colorful corals only meters from the shore. To add to this stunning environment, nosed up onto a nearby beach, listing heavily to its starboard side is the wreck of the World Discoverer; an expedition cruise ship beached here in 2001 after striking a charted rock at the northern entrance to Sandfly Passage. Venture ashore for a welcome ceremony, take a walk through the village or snorkel around the wreck to witness the marine environment attempting to reclaim this invader.

Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? The onboard hosts are at the ready to share their Polynesian culture, with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages. The day is yours to spend as you like. Perhaps 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.

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 at the ready to share their Polynesian culture, with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages. The day is yours to spend as you like. Perhaps 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.

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.