Indonesia, New Guinea & Cultures Of Oceania Cruise

Day 1 - Darwin, Australia

Arrive: Sat 12 September 2026 / Depart: Sat 12 September 2026 at 17:00

Despite its small size, Darwin is a modern, multi-cultural city, and its proximity to Asia makes it ideal for travel. Named after the famous scientist, Charles Darwin, the area was originally settled by the Larrakia Aboriginals. The Dutch arrived and mapped the land in the 1600s, followed by the British in 1939, when the town was given its English name. Darwin has a beautiful coastline, as well as numerous parks and gardens, making the city a top spot for outdoor activities.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Ambon, Indonesien

Arrive: Mon 14 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 14 September 2026 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, West-Papua

Arrive: Wed 16 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 16 September 2026 at 18:00

Day 6 - Misool Islands, Indonesien

Arrive: Thu 17 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 17 September 2026 at 18:00

Day 7 - Yenwaupnor, Indonesia

Day 8 - Manokwari

Arrive: Sat 19 September 2026 at 11:00 / Depart: Sat 19 September 2026 at 18:00

Day 9 - Cenderawasih Bay

Day 10 - Cenderawasih Bay

Day 11 - Jayapura, Indonesien

Arrive: Tue 22 September 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Tue 22 September 2026 at 23:00

Day 12 - Vanimo

Arrive: Wed 23 September 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 23 September 2026 at 15:00

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - Garove Island (Witu Inseln)

Arrive: Fri 25 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 25 September 2026 at 16:30

Day 15 - Duke-of-York-Inseln, Papua-Neuguinea

Arrive: Sat 26 September 2026 / Depart: Sat 26 September 2026 at 12:00

Day 15 - Rabaul

Arrive: Sat 26 September 2026 / Depart: Sat 26 September 2026

Day 16 - At Sea

Day 17 - Gizo (Insel), Salomonen

Arrive: Mon 28 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 28 September 2026 at 17:00

Day 18 - Honiara

Arrive: Tue 29 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 29 September 2026 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: Thu 01 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 01 October 2026 at 18:00

Day 21 - Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

Arrive: Fri 02 October 2026 at 09:30 / Depart: Fri 02 October 2026 at 16:30

Day 22 - At Sea

Day 23 - Lautoka

Arrive: Sun 04 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 04 October 2026 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 - Vulaga, Fiji

Day 26 - Pangai Motu

Arrive: Wed 07 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 07 October 2026 at 13:00

Day 26 - Nukupule Island, Ha'apai Group

Day 27 - Vavau, Tonga Islands

Arrive: Thu 08 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 08 October 2026 at 17:00

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: Sat 10 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 10 October 2026 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 30 - At Sea

Day 31 - Aitutaki

Arrive: Mon 12 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 12 October 2026 at 17:00

Day 32 - At Sea

Day 33 - Raiatea

Arrive: Wed 14 October 2026 at 09:00 / Depart: Wed 14 October 2026 at 18:00

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: Thu 15 October 2026 / Depart: Thu 15 October 2026 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: Fri 16 October 2026 / Depart: Fri 16 October 2026

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.