Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific Cruises
Sydney Harbour, New Zealand’s fjords and the lagoons of Tahiti and Fiji — best during the southern summer.
Get Up to 5 Free Cruise QuotesCruising Australia & the South Pacific
The South Pacific divides into two quite different kinds of cruise:
Australia & New Zealand
Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef, and New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and the fjords of Milford Sound. Round-trip from Sydney or one-way between Sydney and Auckland.
Tahiti & French Polynesia
Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea — mostly on small and luxury ships, many sailing year-round from Papeete.
Pacific islands
Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga, often on round-trips from Australia or as part of longer voyages from Hawaii.
At a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Season | Australia and New Zealand: roughly October through April. Tahiti: year-round. |
| Typical length | 7–14 nights; longer around Australia or across the Pacific |
| Main homeports | Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Papeete |
| Good for | Bucket-list trips, nature and beaches, honeymoons (French Polynesia) |
Smart Traveler tips
- US citizens need an Australian ETA or eVisitor visa; New Zealand requires an NZeTA.
- Allow at least two nights in Sydney or Auckland before sailing to recover from the long flight.
- Ships from North America to Australia (and back) sail each spring and fall — long, relaxing repositioning voyages.
Plan Your Australia & the South Pacific Cruise
Flights
Flights to the South Pacific · Flights to Australia. Plan to arrive at least a day before the ship sails.Pre-cruise hotels
SydneyShore excursions
Find shore activities by portBrowse Australia & the South Pacific cruise lines, deals and specialists on the Official Cruise Directory: Australia & New Zealand · South Pacific.
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Get Free Cruise QuotesAustralia & the South Pacific Cruise FAQ
When is the best time to cruise Australia and New Zealand?
The southern summer, roughly November through March, has the warmest weather and the most sailings. Shoulder months (October, April) can be quieter and good value.
Can I cruise Tahiti year-round?
Yes. Several small and luxury ships sail French Polynesia all year from Papeete. The drier, slightly cooler months are about May through October.