South Pacific Cruises

"South Pacific" covers two quite separate markets. One is French Polynesia, sold mostly by small-ship lines out of Papeete: Windstar keeps a ship there all year - its only year-round region - and since February 2024 that has been the 312-guest Star Breeze, with a water-sports platform off the stern for kayaking and swimming straight from the ship. A typical seven-night loop takes in Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine and an overnight at Bora Bora; longer trips reach the Tuamotu atolls and the remote Marquesas. The other is the big-ship circuit from Sydney to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji, priced and paced for Australian holidaymakers.

The seasons are reversed from the north. In French Polynesia the drier, clearer months run from about April to October, and June to August is the busiest stretch. November to April is the hot, humid wet season, with heavy downpours and the occasional cyclone - cheaper and quieter, but the time when an itinerary is most likely to change.

Some sailings in this category are one-way crossings - Honolulu to Papeete, or Papeete to Sydney or Auckland - which string together a week or more of sea days between islands. They are a way to reach the region with a ship moving between seasons rather than a dedicated island cruise, and they need flights at both ends.

French Polynesia suits couples and honeymooners who would otherwise be paying resort prices on Bora Bora, and snorkelers who want a different lagoon most days. The small ships matter here: they reach lagoons and motus a megaship cannot, and an overnight at Bora Bora is what lets you see it after the day-trippers leave.

Sources: cruisemapper.com, celebritycruises.com, cruiseweb.com