Holland America makes the run from Los Angeles to Sydney once a year in September on Volendam, a ship with a capacity of 1,440 passengers and 647 crew members. The cruise is 23 nights with 13 days at sea. There are stops in Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia and then on to Sydney.
A special attraction on the Volendam is the Culinary Arts Center with a state-of-the art show kitchen.
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, with a passenger capacity of 2,092 passengers and 900 staff members departs every January for a 23-night run with 15 days at sea. The run includes stops in Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and then the final stop in Sydney.
The Queen Elizabeth boasts of ocean views for 85 percent of the staterooms. All rooms include Wi-Fi access.
The two Seaborn vessels that make the run from Los Angeles to Sydney are Odyssey and Sojourn. They only carry 450 passengers and 330 crew members each. The smaller size and ratio of staff to passenger allow for highly personalized service and a luxurious experience. The two vessels alternate each year in January.
The Odyssey run is 34 nights with 18 days at sea. The stops include the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Cook Islands, New Zealand and ending in Sydney. All rooms feature spacious bathrooms with granite counters and separate tub and shower. Ninety percent of the rooms feature a private veranda.
The Sojourn has a 31-night run with 18 days at sea, laying over in the same areas as the Odyssey. This is an all-suite vessel with large windows and private verandas. There is a built-in marina where guests can swim, water-ski, snorkel, kayak and wind-surf without having to leave the ship.
