Royal Caribbean's 17-day cruise from Honolulu to Sydney, with the Radiance of the Seas, stops off at a Tahiti and New Zealand on the way. After departing from Hawaii, the cruise operator's flagship vessel calls at Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The cruise stops at New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, and the Bay of Island before crossing the Tasman Sea to its final stop of Sydney, Australia.
Amenities and activities on board the Radiance of the Seas include both an indoor and an outdoor pool, fitness centres and spas, eight bars and nightclubs, several restaurants, including the Portofino Italian Restaurant, an indoor golf simulator and a rock climbing wall. Guests are advised to pack black-tie formal attire as well as summer clothes for day trips and, though the cruise is all-inclusive, extra-spending money will be needed for some alcoholic beverages and excursions.
Holland America's 39-day South Pacific and New Zealand Collectors' Voyage leaves the U.S., crosses the equator and then stops off at more than a dozen destinations before reaching Sydney, the disembarkation point of the trip. The Hawaii to Sydney portion is 17 days and the MS Zaandam stops at American Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia before reaching Australia.
Passengers are able to choose from interior, ocean-view and veranda suites for their time on board the musically-themed vessel. Alongside a swimming pool, bars and restaurants and a three-storey atrium, the ship displays pop memorabilia such as Eric Clapton's guitar or Bill Clinton's saxophone. The MS Zaandam also boasts a show lounge, an arts centre and a spa and salon, while younger guests are also able to take advantage of both a kids zone and a teen area.
San Diego is the departure point for this cruise and Hawaii the first stop so you will need to arrange joining the ship at this point with Holland America when you are booking your trip.
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity vessel sails from Los Angeles to Australia via Hawaii, with passengers able to join the trip after the first leg if there is space, and subject to agreement with the operator. As well as calling at Honolulu and Maui in Hawaii, the cruise also stops off at Noumea, the French-influenced capital of New Caledonia, and then Newcastle on the Australian east coast, before finishing up in Sydney.
Though there are few stops on the cruise, you are unlikely to get restless on Crystal Serenity, with the ship boasting its own fitness centres, a range of luxury boutiques, tranquil and swimming pools, bars, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs. Passengers can join in a range of classes and activities, including PGA-accredited golf instruction, art and history lectures and piano, tai-chi or yoga lessons.
