17 Night Fiji Transpacific Cruise

Once you experience the tropical paradise of Samoa while on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand, you’ll be quickly enamored by the South Pacific. Most people come here for the beaches, but Apia is a hidden gem where some of Samoa’s best beaches are just a short car ride away. If you’ve ever heard of the American reality TV show “Survivor,” you’ve likely seen some of the Samoan landscape featured in this long-running series, which has been shot on the island. Apia cruises offer travelers a unique glimpse into daily life in the South Pacific. Beachy and ideal for nature lovers, in Apia you can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe while surrounded by lush rainforest. Get in touch with your inner kid when you slide down the Papaseea Sliding Rocks, natural water slides formed by rock formations. Or spend an afternoon learning about the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson at the museum dedicated to him in Apia. No matter how you choose to enjoy your cruise to Samoa, there’s plenty of fine dining, nature excursions, and quaint local markets to keep you occupied.

Suva is the capital of Fiji built on a peninsula jutting out into the sea. Its architecture is a mixture of modern and traditional colonial buildings. You'll discover it's natural beauty in as many as 78 parks, including the new Takashi Suzuki Garden, and Thurston Gardens, which was opened in 1913 and displays flora from throughout the South Pacific. Stroll through the narrow roads of the shopping areas, most notably Cumming street, where you can step back in history for a vibrant and colorful shopping experience among original colonial buildings.

Sugarcane is the official crop of Lautoka but there is so much more to this paradise. Fiji's second largest city welcomes you with white sand beaches, turquoise water and friendly smiles from the locals. Relax on the beach, shop in the markets for beautiful pottery, or experience the exotic culture. Your visit here will leave you relaxed and refreshed.

Located on the southern most point of the Vanuatu archipelago, this little jewel of the South Pacific is completely uninhabited. Formerly used as an allied forces landing strip during WWII, today only palm trees and sweet seclusion grow from the white sand of Mystery Island. The locals live across the waters on Tanna and visit the island during the day to spread their warmth, culture and wares. It's the perfect spot for couples, beach lovers, or anyone looking to lounge in an ocean of beauty and literally get away from it all.

Nouméa is the capital city of the French overseas province of New Caledonia and a hidden gem in the middle of the South Pacific. When leaving from Australia or New Zealand for your Nouméa cruise, you’ll discover the history of the peninsula, including the rich past of its indigenous Kanak population and later French colonialism on the island. Take day trips to the nearby islands via boat or water taxi, like the resort isle Îlot Maître, where white bungalows sit on the edge of impossibly blue waters. Or climb to the massive stairwell of the Amédée Lighthouse for views of Nouméa in the near distance. Kids will love the Aquarium of the Lagoons, plus the city has a variety of museums and parks to keep you occupied during your trip. Nouméa is also a foodie’s paradise, home to gourmet, French-inspired bistros and restaurants as well as traditional Kanak dishes like bougna, where chicken or fish and vegetables are wrapped in fresh banana leaves and slow cooked for several hours. Despite its relative anonymity as a tourism destination, Nouméa strikes a delicate balance as both casual and upscale.

Considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney offers just about anything—from beaches and wineries to stunning landmarks and world-class shopping. Tour architectural marvels like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, view life below the surface from Sydney Aquarium’s underwater walkways, or take it all in from above on a tour of the Sydney Tower.