Papeete to Brisbane
Say goodbye to Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, as we head to the romantic shores of Moorea, a cluster of peaks wrapped in a blue lagoon; Raiatea, a magical place steeped in local mythology; and honeymooners’ favorite, lush Bora Bora, where we overnight. Two leisurely days at sea then take us Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, which shelters in the lee of mountains draped in rainforest. Next, we head to Apia in Samoa, crossing the International Date Line, where the great Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent his final years. Another day at sea brings us to the dreamy island nation of Fiji, where we call first at the capital, Suva, and then Lautoka. A lazy day at sea takes us to Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, where you can walk in the rainforest and buy handicrafts at the market. Lifou, the largest of the Loyalty Islands in the nation of New Caledonia, is the very picture of a tropical paradise. Noumea, capital of this island chain, brings yet more gorgeous beaches plus French bistros and chic shopping. Then we arrive in L’Iles des Pins to take a refreshing dip in the sea pool and explore a grotto created for a local queen. Next, watch the world go by as we spend two days at sea bound for the Bay of Islands on New Zealand’s North Island, rich in nature, before arriving in cosmopolitan Auckland, where there are natural and cultural treasures to discover. From here, we head along the east coast to the historic harbor of Tauranga, then Napier to see its Art Deco treasures and the statue of Pania, a character from Maori mythology. Wellington, the country’s bustling modern capital, brings our tour of North Island to a close as we cross to South Island and Lyttleton, which provides a gateway to Christchurch, a green city with more Maori history to share. Next, Dunedin stuns with its extensive Victorian and Edwardian architecture before we embrace nature with three days cruising in spectacular surroundings: first Dusky Fjord, then Doubtful and Milford Sounds. We spend a couple of days sailing to Australian shores. In the vibrant port of Burnie, Tasmania, waterfalls and bush walks are within easy reach. Then we cross the Bass Strait to Melbourne, bursting with museums and galleries, and sail for a day to Sydney, for yet more culture, iconic sights such as the Opera House, and one of the world’s most famous beaches at Bondi. Lesser known, and less busy, beaches await in Newcastle, where you can raise a glass to the talented winemakers in the nearby vineyards of the Hunter Valley. Another day at sea guides us along the east coast to the exciting city of Brisbane, our final port.
Crystal Cruises - originally founded in 1988 - offers a range of stylish luxury and expedition cruises, bringing a sense of occasion and high-end service to far-flung parts of the world. For over three decades, Crystal has gained awards and accolades by the shipload – and it’s not hard to see why.
Operating a fleet of impressive ships decked out with opulent décor and contemporary innovations, Crystal Cruises takes comfort and adventure to the next level. From succulent dining to perfectly-organised onshore excursions, not to mention helicopter trips and submarine expeditions, the cruise line boasts of serious attention to detail, for the ultimate trip of a lifetime.
With an industry-leading space to guest ratio across an array of social areas, Crystal Serenity offers the utmost comfort, quality, personalisation and choice.
