South Pacific Cruise ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
Brisbane , Australia | Noumea , New Caledonia | Lifou , Loyalty Islands | Port Vila , Vanuatu | Brisbane , Australia
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Brisbane, Australia
AN AUSS-OME TIME
The Airtrain effortlessly connects Brisbane city with the airport. If you have time pre-departure, step out of the city centre and explore the inner-city suburbs. Affluent Paddington is known for its thrift stores, cafes and independent boutiques. Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown, the James Street shopping district and great weekend markets.
The Airtrain effortlessly connects Brisbane city with the airport. If you have time pre-departure, step out of the city centre and explore the inner-city suburbs. Affluent Paddington is known for its thrift stores, cafes and independent boutiques. Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown, the James Street shopping district and great weekend markets.
in Brisbane
Head South
You can't miss South Bank when in Brisbane. Take in the view from the Wheel of Brisbane, the city's version of the London Eye. Stroll through the Arbour, a walkway awning with expertly curated plants and flowers. Take a dip at Streets Beach – Australia's only inner-city man-made beach – before heading to one of the neighbourhood's upmarket eateries.
Get a 360 View
See Brisbane from several different perspectives. Check out the wide-angled view from Mt Coot-tha Lookout, then face your fears and do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Next, see the sunset from Kangaroo Points Cliff Park, or hop on a free CityCat ferry for skyline views from the Brisbane River.
Local Cuisine
It's always patio season in Brisbane. For the best riverside dining, check out Eagle Street Pier, which is bustling with city workers once the clock strikes 5 p.m. And don't miss Eat Street Northshore, a wharf that becomes a hub for forward-thinking street food on Friday and Saturday nights, where you can get a slice of Japanese pizza or a dessert of decadent churros.
INSIDER TIP
Take advantage of the free CityCat ferries on the Brisbane River.
CRUISING
CAN'T-MISS FAVOURITES
Things to Do
A BOLDER BOULDER
Rise to the occasion and take on the signature Rock Climbing Wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 12 metres (40 feet) above deck. Included in your fare, no reservation required.
ON PAR FOR ADVENTURE
Hit the links on the high seas! Refine your mini-golf game on a green that overlooks a sea of blue. Included in your fare, no reservation required.
Noumea, New Caledonia
WITH FRENCH FLAIR
Noumea is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Head to Anse Vata Bay and jump on a kiteboard, go sailing or snorkel. Hike through large swathes of lush, green land at Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park, or head to the Dumbea gorges for swimming or canoeing. Later, flex your connoisseur taste buds at one of the many up-market restaurants blending French and island flavors into dishes like prawns and pineapple in rum and coconut milk.
Noumea is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Head to Anse Vata Bay and jump on a kiteboard, go sailing or snorkel. Hike through large swathes of lush, green land at Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park, or head to the Dumbea gorges for swimming or canoeing. Later, flex your connoisseur taste buds at one of the many up-market restaurants blending French and island flavors into dishes like prawns and pineapple in rum and coconut milk.
in Noumea
Wet and Wild
Noumea has every water sport imaginable. Head on over to the Bay of Anse Vata to speed across the water with a kite-surfing lesson. From Anse Vata Beach, catch a water taxi to Duck Island ('Ile aux Canards') and snorkel in the majestic underwater world.
Walk with Nature
Stretch your land legs and take a tour around the Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park. Full of lush greenery and unique species of fauna native to New Caledonia, the park lets you catch glimpses of giant geckos, flying foxes and exotic birds, including New Caledonia's national bird, the kagu.
Kanak Culture Lesson
Although New Caledonians speak French, their native culture is called Kanak. The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre is a spectacular feat of architecture that celebrates Kanak culture and educates visitors on its core beliefs. Check out traditional Kanak totems and artefacts, as well as recreated traditional huts.
Local Cuisine
Discover the abundance of French-influenced food found on Noumea. Head to Baie de Citrons to find the best restaurants, bistros and bars. Cruise to Noumea and sample French classics like slow-cooked lamb shanks and escargots, or experience island-inspired twists on Old World cuisine, like choucroute (a filling platter-style meal typical in Alsace) with sweet potato, cabbage, papaya and pumpkin. And look out for the bakeries – they stock bread worthy of a Parisian cafe.
Shopping
There are two main shopping attractions in Noumea: grocery shops and open-air markets. Head to the Casino (a grocery shop) and indulge in the array of French goodies – pick up some hard-to-find French wine to take home. At the market, you'll find local spices, including regionally produced vanilla, alongside Kanak artefacts. For souvenirs, browse the market for Melanesian masks or tribal turtle sculptures.
INSIDER TIP
Taxis will only come to the port if ordered by phone, so plan in advance.
Lifou, Loyalty Islands
EXPLORE CORAL CASTLES
Stretch your legs on Luengoni or Luecila Beach, home to powdery white, flour-like sand. Jinek Bay is a must for snorkeling enthusiasts — Lifou has one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Peruse the village of Easo and experience the local culture: Check out the quaint church of Notre Dames de Lourdes, perched on a cliff that offers great views of bay, and see the traditional huts that still exist in the gardens of many modern homes.
Stretch your legs on Luengoni or Luecila Beach, home to powdery white, flour-like sand. Jinek Bay is a must for snorkeling enthusiasts — Lifou has one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Peruse the village of Easo and experience the local culture: Check out the quaint church of Notre Dames de Lourdes, perched on a cliff that offers great views of bay, and see the traditional huts that still exist in the gardens of many modern homes.
in Lifou
Rainbow of Fish
Jinek Bay is a marine reserve, a natural swimming pool and a delightful aquarium. In its aquamarine waters, you'll snorkel among 2,000 varieties of fish darting around the pristine coral reef. Each visitor makes a donation that goes towards the upkeep of this natural marvel.
Wander the Water's Edge
Lifou's beaches are long stretches of postcard perfection. Sand as soft as talc powder and oceans as blue as the lapis lazuli will tempt you to stay forever. Luengoni Beach is a prime spot to work on your island tan. If you want to do some exploring, take a special tour of the nearby limestone caves.
Get Cultural
Native culture still thrives in Lifou. The Melanesian people on the island follow a meaningful traditional way of life in harmony with nature. Find out more about their culture by visiting one of the traditional huts — while most are private, a few are marked with signposts that invite visitors to view them, including one on the route to Notre Dame de Lourdes church.
Local Cuisine
Try the native dish bougna, a melt-in-your-mouth combination of crab and island yams cooked to perfection in banana leaves during your Lifou cruise. The dish is sometimes served with chicken instead of seafood and often contains sweet fruits like taro or pawpaw. The marketplace is near the port and is the perfect place to grab lunch on the go.
Shopping
At the open-air marketplace, you'll find vendors dressed in traditional island garb selling native creations. The local culture is called Kanak, and they create beautiful tribal masks and jewelry you can take home as a keepsake. While you shop, grab a freshly hulled coconut to stay hydrated island-style.
INSIDER TIP
Respect the culture of the island, and always ask before entering a beach, grotto or hut.
Port Vila, Vanuatu
ECLECTIC ISLAND PARADISE
Small, bustling and surrounded by sky blue waters, Port Vila is the perfect spot to soak up Vanuatu's natural beauty. Learn about the islands' rich history at the Vanuatu Cultural Center, which showcases indigenous artefacts and features exhibitions on the practice of sand drawing. Marvel at rainforest-surrounded waterfalls of Mele Cascades. Or ride a water taxi to nearby Pele Island and soak up the sun on a powdery white beach.
Small, bustling and surrounded by sky blue waters, Port Vila is the perfect spot to soak up Vanuatu's natural beauty. Learn about the islands' rich history at the Vanuatu Cultural Center, which showcases indigenous artefacts and features exhibitions on the practice of sand drawing. Marvel at rainforest-surrounded waterfalls of Mele Cascades. Or ride a water taxi to nearby Pele Island and soak up the sun on a powdery white beach.
in Port Vila
One for the History Books
The history of Port Vila alone is impressive – add that to the story of the entire South Pacific, and you've got the Vanuatu Cultural Centre. It houses one of the most extensive collections of South Pacific artifacts on the planet. Outrigger canoes, photos, videos and traditional sand drawing exhibitions await.
Natural Heat Remedy
It gets pretty hot and sticky on a tropical island. Do like the locals do and cool down at the Mele Cascades Waterfall. At 45 metres high, the spray alone is refreshing. A bus ride and a brief walk up the valley gets you to this spectacular feat of nature.
Find the Perfect Hideaway
A quick drive and a water taxi trip will bring you to the tiny Hideaway Island. Jump right in and snorkel in crystal clear waters teeming with rainbows of fish. Jump onboard a Port Vila, Vanuatu cruise to swim to the world's only underwater post office, and post a waterproof postcard to your friends back home.
Local Cuisine
For cheap eats, go to Mama's Market, where you can sample taro root pancakes, Vanuatu French fries – delicious flakes of coconut deep fried and salted to perfection – or traditional lap lap, grated yam and banana cooked with coconut cream in an earthen oven. Or dine al fresco along the waterfront: Modern eateries serve up French-inspired takes on local fish and grass-fed beef, which is some of the world's best.
Shopping
Along Wharf Road in the centre of town, you'll see the charming Vanuatu Handicraft Market. Here, local vendors sell authentic Vanuatu wooden carvings, as well as prints and other crafts. If you're looking for something a bit more tailored during your cruise, pop in at the nearby Pandanus shop, which supports local creators.
INSIDER TIP
Public buses are cheaper than taxis and don't follow a set route. Just tell them where you want to go.
CRUISING
FOR FOODIES
Things to Do
AL DENTE INDULGENCE
A casual Italian trattoria, Giovanni's Table offers rustic dishes with a contemporary flair, including fresh pastas, braised meat dishes and stews.
AS VIP AS CAN BE
Located in an intimate, exclusive spot onboard, this private epicurean experience for a limited number of guests, treats you to a five-course menu and wine tasting.
CRUISING
SHOW-STOPPERS
Things to Do
THEY'RE PLAYING YOUR SONG
Select the genre you like and you're likely to find a band of talented musicians onboard to match, from live jazz to cover bands, quartets, Latin and acoustic performers across the fleet nightly.
DINNER AND A MYSTERY
Reserve your spot at this funny dinner whodunit starring our professional cast of highly suspicious characters – and you. Will you be the first to solve the murder?
Brisbane, Australia
SUNNY SIDE UP
When you visit Australia's Sunshine State, you have to spend a day at the beach. Head one hour south of the city to the Gold Coast; a hire car or public transit will get you there. Local favourites include Burleigh Beach, Rainbow Bay and Currumbin Creek – you won't go wrong with any of these beaches.
When you visit Australia's Sunshine State, you have to spend a day at the beach. Head one hour south of the city to the Gold Coast; a hire car or public transit will get you there. Local favourites include Burleigh Beach, Rainbow Bay and Currumbin Creek – you won't go wrong with any of these beaches.
in Brisbane
Get Wild
Take a drive north to the Sunshine Coast – you will find not only pristine beaches but also the untouched beauty of the region's hinterlands. Get onboard a Brisbane cruise to experience the volcanic peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, or walk through the rock pools of Gardners Falls.
Shopping
Queen Street Mall is Brisbane's biggest shopping street. Meanwhile, James Street is lined with boutiques stocking some of Australia's favourite designers. For a unique souvenir, purchase a handmade treasure from Collective Markets in South Bank with Australia cruises. The market is made up of stalls where artisans of everything from jewellery to home décor set up shop.
© 2019 Royal Caribbean International
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INSIDER TIP