Oceania, a region in the South Pacific Ocean, consists of Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Tourism has a considerable contribution to the economy of all these places with millions of visitors visiting Oceania every year. Tourists from the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom come in large numbers to visit Oceania. And when it comes to travelling to Oceania, many tourists prefer cruise tours in Oceania. These tours are carried out by luxury cruises and are something worth experiencing.
Why is Oceania the best place for Cruise Tours?
Oceania includes a total of 10,000 islands, excluding Australia. Although it is not possible to visit all of them; a few of them are popular and worth a visit. Famous islands in Oceania include Bora Bora, Tahiti, Mo’orea, New Guinea, and Upolu. It is not possible and rather inconvenient to visit these islands by air, especially if you are planning on visiting more than one island in a short span. Cruise tours are the ideal mode of transport when it comes to visiting the islands in Oceania. These tours consist of a complete journey with departure and return. These tours usually last for a couple of weeks or less and include at least two stops.
You are given the ideal time on each stop to explore, relax, and enjoy. All the arrangements like food and accommodation are taken care of by the cruise service itself. Many cruises have their route designed in a way that they cover all the islands of the region they are heading towards. Full safety of you and your family is assured on these cruise tours. Most of these cruises include necessary services and amenities like air conditioning, WiFi, television, and excellent room services while you travel on the cruise. Depending on your budget, you can choose between standard or luxury cruises.
Also Read: 10 Ways to Save Money While Traveling
Best Cruise Tours in Oceania
Since Oceania has a lot of islands, it is not possible to cover all of them in a single cruise tour. Therefore, different cruise tours are designed that travel to various areas of Oceania. Some of the best cruise tours that you should try are discussed below.
1. Tour to Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania and is one of the most popular choices for cruise tours. Polynesia consists of more than 1000 islands, most famous of them being Tahiti, Bora Bora, Mo’orea, Raiatea, and New Guinea. Polynesia is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, surrounded by a coral reef and hemmed by mesmerising clear water lagoons. Generally, a cruise tour to Polynesia lasts for 10 to 12 days.
Stops in this tour include Rangiroa lagoon, a giant atoll with mesmerising underwater scenery and black pearl cultivation. Raiatea is another stop on this tour where you will find wildlife and vanilla plantations. Bora Bora is another stop that is famous for its volcanic silhouette. The Polynesia tour usually ends with a stop at beautiful Mo’orea island and then at Papeete. Combined tours that cover Polynesia along with Easter Island or Hawaii are also popular.
2. Tour to the Sub Antarctic Islands
This cruise tour covers the Sub Antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia. Sub Antarctic islands are beautiful with enchanting wildlife and untouched beauty. A cruise tour to the Sub Antarctic Islands usually lasts for 14 to 16 days. This tour is for those people who experience a different world experience where wildlife rules. Sub Antarctic islands are one of the best-preserved and protected regions of the world and are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These islands are home to rare species like albatross, fur seal, sea lions, giant petrels, etc. You will stop at Macquarie Island, which is famous for its unique geology, an abundance of wildlife and rich history. It consists of many beaches and thousands of King Penguins. You will also discover uninhabited Fiords and Milford Sound before ending on Dunedin.
3. Tour to East Coast Islands
If you are looking for untouched islands and tranquil lagoons, Australia’s East Coast Islands are the place for you. These islands include Fraser Island, Hamilton Island, Philip Island etc. A cruise tour to the East Coast Islands usually lasts for ten to twelve days. Stops during this tour include Cairns, Hardy Reef, Percy Island, Musgrave Island, Fraser Island, and Sydney.
Cairns is a beautiful city in north-east of Australia with colonial buildings and natural environment. Hardy Reef consists of unique marine biodiversity. Percy islands are suitable for immersing yourself into water. Lady Musgrave Island is good for snorkelling. Both the islands are located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The tour usually ends at the irresistible city of Sydney.
4. New Zealand Tour
New Zealand is, without any doubt, one of the most beautiful countries to visit. If you opt for a cruise tour to New Zealand, your tour will be of 10 to 12 days. The cruise for New Zealand departs from the Dunedin port in the South Island, New Zealand. You will discover Milford Sound, which consists of three coves that are surrounded by mesmerising cliffs. You will also see Doubtful Sound and Dusky sound on your way. You will even be cruising to a natural park and experience beautiful landscapes. You will then sail to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, a city famous for its bars and nightlife.
Wellington also consists of an ancient site of Maori people, a historical, ethnic group of New Zealand. You will then head to Tauranga, a harborside city famous for its historic buildings. You can also explore many treasures like geysers, rivers, volcanoes, gorges, and lakes. They range in colours from orange-tinged to deep blue. The blue waters of the Pacific surround the twin islands of New Zealand.
Cost of Cruise Tours
The cost of cruise ship tours is highly variable. On average, cruise ships cost around $80 per person per day if you go as a group of four people. However, most cruises have a deck booking system nowadays where you can book a deck for $4500 to $33,000 depending upon the number of people you have in total and the type of deck you want to book.