13-night South Pacific Cruise: Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands

Arrive in Cairns and meet your fellow guests. Later, board your luxurious small ship and embark. Enjoy a welcome reception on board this evening.

Cruise north toward Papua New Guinea as your enrichment program begins with engaging presentations by the A&K Expedition Team.

Today, cruise into Milne Bay and come ashore in the Papua New Guinea port of Alotau. Once ashore, you might explore traditional village life, learn about the legacy of the war canoe or visit the Milne Bay War Memorial.

Your Captain charts a course for Fergusson Island, a stunning enclave of mountains, rainforests and geysers. Here, you might venture into the rainforest in search of exotic bird species and remote hot springs. Alternatively, swim before heading back to the ship. Then, cruise to Dobu, a remote island renowned for its vibrant Indigenous culture. You may choose to come ashore and visit a local village, or snorkel or dive.

The largest of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands of Papua New Guinea, Fergusson Island contains rain forests and several mountainous regions, including three volcanoes.

Your Captain charts a course for Fergusson Island, a stunning enclave of mountains, rainforests and geysers. Here, you might venture into the rainforest in search of exotic bird species and remote hot springs. Alternatively, swim before heading back to the ship. Then, cruise to Dobu, a remote island renowned for its vibrant Indigenous culture. You may choose to come ashore and visit a local village, or snorkel or dive.

Dobu is a lush green island in Papau New Guineau. This garden island features beautiful mangroves, and swimming coves that will have you never wanting to leave.

Cruise to Cape Nelson and come ashore amid the fjord lands surrounding the port of Tufi. Here, you might explore local Indigenous traditions, enjoy some birdwatching, relax on the beach, or dive or snorkel the reefs.

Today, explore the Tami Islands, a small group of coral atolls surrounded by reefs and cays. The largest island is renowned for a crystal-clear lagoon abundant with marine life and stunning coral formations. Here, you may choose to dive or snorkel amid Spanish dancer jellyfish, blue sea star and pelagic fish. Alternatively, explore the flora, fauna and colorful birds that call this island paradise home.

Cruise to the Trobriand Islands, a remote bastion of traditional Indigenous culture. You might choose to come ashore on Kuiawa Island, where you visit a local primary school and learn about traditional dancing, woodcarving and gardening. Or, you might opt to snorkel or dive amid surgeonfish, rabbitfish, clownfish, damselfish and snapper, as well as table, bran and leather corals.

Sail east toward the Solomon Islands today, taking the opportunity to enjoy the amenities, enrichment lectures and conversations with your Expedition Team.

Your exploration of the Solomon Islands begins in Gizo, the historic port town of Ghizo Island. Once ashore, you may choose to visit Gizo’s markets and learn about its renowned woodcarving tradition. You may also take advantage of the island’s world-class snorkeling and diving. Cruise onward to Njari, an uninhabited island renowned the world over for its spectacular diving and snorkeling. Here, you can opt to dive into an underwater realm of coral gardens, blacktip reef shark, damselfish and octopus.

Your exploration of the Solomon Islands begins in Gizo, the historic port town of Ghizo Island. Once ashore, you may choose to visit Gizo’s markets and learn about its renowned woodcarving tradition. You may also take advantage of the island’s world-class snorkeling and diving. Cruise onward to Njari, an uninhabited island renowned the world over for its spectacular diving and snorkeling. Here, you can opt to dive into an underwater realm of coral gardens, blacktip reef shark, damselfish and octopus.

Sail southeastward to the Russell Islands of Pavuvu and Mbanika, two islands that served as Allied bases during World War II. When these bases were abandoned in 1945, much of the military machinery was dumped into the sea. Snorkel and explore with your Expedition Team, or opt for a local village visit revealing the island’s cultural traditions, natural wonders and rich World War II history.

Sail into Roderick Bay, a tropical postcard framed by sandy island beaches. Go ashore to learn about the local Indigenous culture; take in the wreck of the ‘World Discoverer,’ a ship that beached here in 2001; or snorkel or dive the bay’s stunning reefs.

Roderick Bay is a port located in the Solomon Islands. Discover the surrounding underwater utopia with ship wrecks and the diverse marine wonderland providing scuba diving and snorkeling unlike anything you have ever experienced. Enjoy the friendly people of the small village and visit the half sunken cruise ship in Roderick Bay.

Today, explore Rennell Island, one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls and home to Lake Tegano, a former lagoon that now harbors a wealth of endemic species. Go ashore in search of the island’s exotic birds, snakes, snails and crabs; hike the cliffs surrounding the UNESCO listed Lake Tegano; or snorkel the vibrant reefs of Kangava Bay.

This morning, transfer to the airport and return home.