Cruise from New Zealand to the South Pacific Islands
After many cruises on the massive ships of most of the world's leading cruise lines, it was time to check out a smaller and more intimate ship. As a known "foodie," I decided to test a ship from the company that wins the title of the world's best culinary cruise line every year: Oceania Cruises. And if I was going to test it, I had to do it properly: on an 18-night cruise at the other end of the world: a voyage on the Oceania Regatta from Auckland, New Zealand to Tahiti in French Polynesia, on a route that includes a great variety of exotic islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
Information about Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises was founded in 2002 by veteran cruise industry professionals, experts in luxury cruises. It was established as a luxury boutique cruise line for those seeking high-quality cruises in a relaxed atmosphere, with an emphasis on service, culinary excellence, and itineraries. Since 2014, the company has been part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings corporation, with Sunorama as its official representative in Israel (representing Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara).
The company currently operates six cruise ships:
4 smaller ships, weighing approximately 30,300 tons with a maximum of 684 passengers and over 400 crew members. All these ships have undergone significant renovations in recent years, including both passenger cabins and all public areas, including decks and pools.
The company's 2 larger ships weigh approximately 66,000 tons (still small and intimate) with a maximum of 1,258 passengers and 800 crew members.
Two additional ships weighing 67,000 tons, designed for approximately 1,200 passengers, are expected to join the company's fleet starting from 2023.
From these figures, it can be seen that the ratio of passengers to staff is about 1.6-1.7, which means personal, pampering, and exceptional service.
Most of the passengers on the company's ships are American and Canadian, but there are also many British, as well as Europeans, Australians, and people from all over the world. Israelis have also started to discover the company and its advantages. The passengers' ages are mostly 50+, with the average age increasing the longer the cruise is.
The company is not suitable for families because it has no children's or teen entertainment facilities, nor playrooms and children's programs.
"Foodies" will love sailing on Oceania ships, known for their fine cuisine. Every year, the company is chosen by the most prestigious tourism and cruise magazines and websites as having the best culinary offering among cruise lines. Many, including Michelin-starred chefs, claim that the level of food on the company's ships competes successfully with Michelin-starred restaurants. Of course, fans of fine wines will also enjoy it.
Did you know? The company's motto is:
SAVOUR THE WORLD WITH THE FINEST CUISINE AT SEA
Oceania's ships feature impressive dining rooms, gourmet restaurants, high-quality buffets with full service, cafes, and bars.
The cruise price includes meals at the company's luxurious specialty restaurants, unlimited soft drinks including bottled water, sports drinks for athletes, and fresh smoothies and fruit juices for free. Cappuccino, espresso, and all types of fine coffee are also included in the cruise price, unlimited.
In addition, the price includes free 24-hour room service and free, unlimited internet.
Hard liquor is not included in the cruise price, but you can purchase liquor packages if you wish.
On most of the company's cruises, you can choose a benefit called "OLife Choice," which includes a liquor package or shore excursions (the number of excursions depends on the length of the cruise) or onboard credit (also depending on the length of the cruise).
A string trio in the dining room:
The itineraries offered by Oceania on its ships are very special and diverse. Most cruises are 10 days or longer, and they also offer unique annual year-long cruises around the world. Usually, each cruise is different from the one before or after it, so you can combine several cruises together on the same ship. In most cases, the cruises begin in one destination and end in another, which allows for experiencing different countries and sometimes even different continents before and after the cruise. Another advantage of the company's itineraries is that they often stay in port for two days (including overnight), which allows for experiencing the destination better and without pressure, while still being able to return to eat, sleep, and be pampered on the ship between trips.
Furthermore, because the ships are relatively small, they can reach many ports that are not suitable for mega-ships, so the variety of destinations and options is extremely extensive, including many exotic destinations.
Bora Bora:
The company has cruises all over the world: in the Caribbean, Europe, all over Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, North America, including Alaska and Hawaii, and in Central and South America.
Thanks to the relatively small number of passengers on the company's ships, you almost never feel crowded or experience lines. Everything is spacious, calm, and flows. No matter what you need, a waiter or crew member will immediately appear to fulfill your request. The atmosphere is intimate and also allows for developing new friendships and acquaintances. The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant, not aloof or pretentious like on luxury cruises of other companies.
Although there are no facilities like ziplines or ice skating, there is a spacious and well-equipped gym, where there are varied and free group sports and fitness classes.
There is no climbing wall or standard-size basketball court, but there is a walking track around the deck, shuffleboard, ping-pong, a golf course, and of course a pool and hot tubs that are never too crowded.
As on the large ships, there is a casino and spa (for an extra charge), smaller and more intimate, but they include everything you are looking for and love.
There is no two or three-story performance hall and no Broadway-style productions, but there are small halls with shows, lectures, demonstrations, and parlor games. Before docking at a destination, guest lecturers present the history, background, culture, and customs of the place.
On Oceania ships, there are no "formal nights" where you are required to wear a tuxedo or suits, but like the whole atmosphere, the dress code is informal or rigid, but rather "sport-elegant." Everyone wears what is comfortable for them and what suits them.
In summary:
A cruise with Oceania is suitable for those looking for quality, comfort, service, high value for money, gourmet food, a successful itinerary in a relaxed atmosphere without the noise of children and without the need to walk through endless corridors to get from place to place.
It is not suitable for families and also not for those looking for a wild nightlife, grandiose productions, and a lot of action.
Information about the Oceania Regatta ship
Regatta was built in 1998 and became an Oceania Cruises ship in 2003. It has since undergone two major renovations, with the last one in 2019, where all furniture was completely replaced, both in the cabins and in all public areas, all decorations, lamps, and works of art, and the design was completely changed, and of course, many of the ship's facilities (kitchens, restaurants, halls, bars, etc.) were also changed.
The ship has 9 decks with very few inside cabins (only 25), cabins with windows, and mostly cabins with balconies and suites. All cabins are well-equipped with luxurious Bvlgari toiletries. All cabins of all levels have a minibar stocked with soft drinks.
The ship has an impressive main dining room called the Grand Dining Room, and lunches and dinners can be accessed at a flexible time, even for dinner. There are no set times. There is an abundance of small tables for those who prefer to eat only with their partner or another couple, but also a variety of larger tables.
The dinner menu changes daily, even on a 20-day cruise and longer. The variety is immense. There are also fixed dishes that you can always order. The menu also includes filet steak, lobster, and other luxurious dishes at no extra cost!
The ship has two more gourmet restaurants: an Italian one called "Toscana" and a steakhouse grill called "Polo Grill." Every passenger can eat at these restaurants several times at no extra cost (the number of meals is determined according to the length of the cruise and the cabin type).
On the company's larger ships, there is also an Asian restaurant and a French restaurant.
Regatta also has a rich and varied buffet called the Terrace Café, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, where waiters serve you the food at each food station. There are no lines and no crowds, and the service even at the buffet is personal and fast. Here too, the menu is completely different every day.
On the deck near the pool, there is a grill restaurant called Waves Grill, open in the morning for a light breakfast, and at lunch it becomes a grill restaurant with a variety of dishes and side dishes, a rich salad bar, and amazing smoothies and ice creams for dessert.
The grill closes at 4:00 PM, and that is the exact time for the "four o'clock tea," a snack which is a true celebration: fine tea in personal pots served by white-gloved waiters alongside tea sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and an array of dreamy cakes and cookies. All this pampering is accompanied by the playing of a string trio of familiar and popular tunes.
Coffee lovers will not miss the opportunity to spend time at "Baristas," a wonderful coffee bar with cookies and sandwiches, and most importantly, high-quality Italian coffee. In the evening, the place becomes a wine bar.
To burn off all the calories, the ship also has a variety of options for sports activity: starting with a well-equipped and spacious gym with cold towels and cold sports drinks. Every day you can join (free of charge) yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais, spinning, and more classes.
For those who prefer activity in the open air, there is a walking/running track on the top deck, plus sports games and competitions of bean bag toss, shuffleboard, ping-pong, and golf, as well as dancing.
On the main deck, there is one outdoor swimming pool and two hot tubs. Another large hot tub is located behind the spa.
The ship has a beautiful library, a game room, a computer room, and a casino.
In addition to the "Regatta" hall where most of the shows and lectures are held, my favorite place on the ship is the "Horizons" lounge at the bow of the ship on the top deck with huge windows and comfortable armchairs, where many parlor games, 4 o'clock tea, quizzes, and a variety of events are held.
Extremely useful (and almost non-existent on other ships) is the ship's laundry room, where there are several washing and drying machines for the passengers to use for free. Additionally, there is no need for laundry powder or liquid. This is also free! Very useful and convenient, especially on long cruises of ten days or more. Of course, there is also a paid laundry service for the ship's laundry, including ironing.
Short video about the pampering and entertainment on the Regatta ship:
Cruise route in the Pacific Ocean:
The cruise departed from New Zealand from the port of Auckland to the Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand and from there to the islands: New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and three islands in French Polynesia: Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Taha'a.
Most cruises in the South Pacific Ocean take place in the winter months: December-March, which are actually the rainier months in the South Pacific and also the months when the chances of tropical storms are higher. There are two main reasons for this: the first and main one is that these are the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, and since most tourists come from there (mainly from the USA and Europe), they are looking to escape the cold and snow to a warm and exotic destination.
The second reason is that in the summer months, the islands are much more crowded and are less interested in having more tourists for a single day who will flood the islands.
The described cruise took place from mid-February to early March, and except for one rainy and gray day in the middle of the sea and one more rainy day at times on one of the islands, the weather was perfect: sunny with a light breeze, ideal for spending time by the pools, on the beaches, and enjoying the decks and the abundance of sports activities and active and sunny vacations. The sea was calm, and it did not seem that any of the passengers suffered from seasickness, even though this is a relatively small ship.
♦ Departure Port - Auckland - New Zealand
The cruise began in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, located on the North Island, which has an international airport with direct flights from many destinations around the world (of course not from Israel...)
It is recommended to tour the beautiful city for at least two days before
boarding the ship, and of course, it is worth visiting many other
destinations in amazing New Zealand if you are already arriving there.
The port is located in the city center near the main shopping street, Queen Street, and many tourist sites. The view of the city from the top deck is impressive. There is nothing like playing mini-golf or shuffleboard against the background of Auckland's skyscrapers after a wonderful lunch and knowing that 18 days of pampering and magic are beginning now.
It is worthwhile to take advantage of the day to get to know the ship and if necessary (if you haven't done so online) to book a place in the high-quality restaurants and for a final coordination of the shore excursions and other important arrangements, because the very next morning the ship arrives at the first port.
♦ "Bay of Islands" in the north of the North Island of New Zealand.
This is the only destination on this cruise that is not one of the South Pacific islands, but you will definitely discover a multitude of islands and wonderful nature there.
It is important to note that in this port, the ship is anchored and does not
tie up to the dock, so anyone who has not purchased an excursion from the
ship needs to take a "ticket" to go ashore and descend at the appropriate
time according to the color of the ticket. Since the whole process is a bit
long and cumbersome, it is recommended to try to get off as early as
possible on the first "tender" boat.
♦ New Caledonia - Noumea Port
From the Bay of Islands, the ship continues to New Caledonia. You can take advantage of the two days at sea to spend time on the ship and its facilities, for rest, and mainly to enjoy gourmet meals and service like no other.
In the port of Noumea, New Caledonia, the ship ties up to the dock located in the city center near the ferry port and the city's visitor center, where you can stock up on maps and information. Because the ship stays on the island until the next day at noon, there is a day and a half to enjoy it. It is recommended to use the first day, when there is no time limit, for a longer trip, for example: sailing to one of the magical small islands, snorkeling among sea turtles, fish, and wonderful corals.
ÎLarégnère - Turtle Island near Noumea
You can dedicate the next morning to the city itself: a walking tour of the city center, the large and vibrant market, and spending time on one of the beautiful beaches or visiting the aquarium.
At noon, when the ship leaves the port, it is highly recommended to be on the deck or on the balcony and watch the scenic sailing between islands and bays in a narrow and impressive passage.
More details in my article: Trip in Noumea.
♦ Vanuatu - Port Vila Port
Already the next morning, the ship arrives at another country located on another chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean: Vanuatu. The ship arrives at the country's capital: Port Vila, located on the main island of Vanuatu, which has a large port located about a ten-minute drive from the city center. Here too, the ship ties up to the dock, which is very convenient. A colorful market is set up on the dock with an abundance of handicrafts and souvenirs that you should dedicate time to before going back to the ship. In Port Vila, there are several beautiful beaches and also markets and duty-free shops, but it is highly recommended to go out for a trip on the island outside the city that combines tropical nature including: a blue lagoon, waterfalls, a river, and rich vegetation with a cultural and music trip at one of the country's cultural centers, where the indigenous people are happy to teach, explain, and demonstrate their way of life.
More details in my article: Trip in Port Vila - Vanuatu
The Blue Lagoon:
After three full and tiring days in port, there is nothing like a day of sailing in the middle of the sea to recharge the batteries. Don't miss out on the "four o'clock tea" with scones and other treats, and of course the pleasant music.
♦ Fiji
The next country is Fiji, where we are in two ports one day after the other: a day in the port of Lautoka and a day in the port of Suva, the country's capital. Both ports are located on the main and most populated island in Fiji: Viti Levu. Lautoka is located in the northwest of the island, while Suva is in the southeast of the island.
Lautoka
Lautoka is primarily a commercial and industrial city with a large factory for sugar processing and production. There are no beautiful beaches or impressive tourist sites, and it serves mainly as a starting point for a day sailing trip to one of the magical small islands, for example: Mamanuca Islands where there are wonderful beaches, excellent diving, and snorkeling sites.
This is also an opportunity for a meeting with the locals, including the possibility of a visit to a local school. Alternatively, you can leave Lautoka for a visit to the fascinating city of Nadi, where the highlight is a colorful Indian temple and the tourist area with successful resorts located near it: Denaru Island. It is also highly recommended to combine a visit to the most beautiful gardens in Fiji: the "Garden of the Sleeping Giant" located between Lautoka and Nadi, where in addition to an abundance of orchids and tropical vegetation, there are also waterfalls and a "zipline" - gliding on a zipline above the waterfalls.
The ship anchors at a distance of a kilometer from the city center. There is a regular shuttle service on buses from the ship to a large shopping center in the city center and back. You can also walk on foot in a relaxed walk of about a quarter of an hour, most of it along the promenade near the sea.
The main attraction in Lautoka is a visit to its huge and colorful urban market.
Suva
Suva, the capital of Fiji, is the political, economic, and commercial center of Fiji. It also has no attractive beaches, but near it is a nature park full of waterfalls and natural pools where you can bathe, and also an "Orchid Island" with a local cultural center. The port of Suva is located in the heart of the city next to the large and diverse urban market, and you must not miss the visit there and to the nearby handicraft market and a large shopping center. On one day of touring on a guided tour, you can see and travel in the best of Suva and its surroundings.
Before the ship left the port, after all the passengers had returned from their trips, a show was held in the central hall by a very successful local band. The show included authentic Fijian songs and dances alongside Indian dances (half the country's population is of Indian descent), Hawaiian dances, and Polynesian dances. It was undoubtedly one of the most successful and exciting shows on the cruise!
♦ Sea Days - Pampering entertainment on the ship
The original route of the cruise included, after another day of sailing between the islands, a visit to Samoa: a day in the port of Apia, Samoa, and a day in the port of Pago Pago in American Samoa. These are two neighboring but separate countries, between which passes the "International Date Line"; meaning: when moving between them, you must move a whole day back! For example, when it is 28.2 in Apia, Samoa, the date in Pago Pago, American Samoa, is 27.2 at the exact same time!
The ports of Samoa and American Samoa were canceled on this cruise. This cancellation caused five consecutive sea days between Suva - Fiji and arriving at the next country: French Polynesia.
Wonderful days that passed in a flash, where the ship's excellent entertainment staff, led by the amazing "Cruise Director," went out of their way to amuse the passengers with a variety of diverse activities. Here the advantage of a small and intimate ship with plenty of space for everyone was also discovered. The pool, hot tubs, lounge chairs, small clubs, library, game room, and computers - were not crowded at any given moment. You meet passengers you've already befriended earlier again and again in activities, and also the excellent staff members. Many activities were held in groups, which slowly turned into permanent groups.
The activities are high-quality, when alongside lectures on nature and culture, there are trivia, parlor games, and scavenger hunts. At the end of each competition, game, or quiz, the winners (and sometimes all participants) receive "points" that can be redeemed on the last day for great gifts. Many officers and ship staff participate in the activities, including the highest-ranking ones such as the Captain and his deputy.
This is how a "sports day" went, where officers competed against passengers in various shooting, ping-pong, etc., and a colorful fair where each department prepared a stand with activities related to its field such as: smelling spices and guessing what they are by the Head Chef alongside other cooks, knot tying by the deck crew, a poker game with giant cards by the casino staff, destination picture trivia by the tour organizers' staff, and much, much more.
Thanks to the warm and pleasant weather, many activities, including parties and dancing, were held on deck, even in the evening hours.
Of course, many activities revolve around food, after all - it is attraction number 1 on the ship, or perhaps more accurately, a type of religion... The various chefs demonstrate various cooking dishes,
There are special meals: a "Sunday Brunch" - a buffet like I have never seen in terms of richness and variety in the main dining room, a "chocolate" buffet, and more.
♦ French Polynesia
Tahiti
After five days in a pampering paradise called "Regatta," the ship arrives at Papeete, the largest city in
Tahiti, the capital of
French Polynesia. Since this is also the final destination of the ship after visiting neighboring islands in the country, we dedicated the day to a tour of the city of Papeete itself and left the rest of the trip on the island for after the end of the cruise.
The cruise port is located in the city center, adjacent to the visitor center and the large urban market, and connected to many tourist sites by a long and vibrant promenade along the sea.
Papeete constitutes the commercial, cultural, and political heart of the country, full of markets, shops (including many pearl shops), government buildings, performance halls, and events. In the city, there is also an interesting pearl museum.
The passengers are greeted by local musicians and singers, welcoming them with characteristic clothes, and each passenger receives a local flower with a wonderful scent.
For those interested in a nature trip, it is recommended to join a half-day nature trip in the dramatic nature of the west of the island or the east and center of the island, where towering green mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and rich tropical vegetation can be found.
At every stop, you will be rewarded with dramatic views that have come out of the most beautiful picture postcards.
In the article about Tahiti, there are many recommendations for successful tours by local tourism companies.
You will find more details in my articles about trips in French Polynesia.
But without a doubt, the cherry on top of this cruise was saved for the last three days:
A visit to islands that are part of the "Society Islands" chain of French Polynesia.
Two full days in Bora Bora, one of the most exotic islands in the whole world, and a final day on the neighboring islands of Raiatea and Taha'a.
"BORA BORA"
Bora Bora is the most famous and popular island in French Polynesia. It is an island a few kilometers long, surrounded by a coral reef along which there are smaller islands. The reef creates a lagoon with turquoise colors with calm and clear water, which is a paradise for diving and snorkeling fans thanks to the abundance of corals and fish living in it, including giant and friendly stingrays, and sharks of various types (they too are very friendly).
The island is also famous for its amazing hotels, which have over-the-water bungalows and beaches with soft white sand. Even cruise ship passengers can, by booking in advance or as part of an excursion on behalf of the ship, relax at one of these magical resorts and use their facilities.
In addition to relaxation and water activities, you can also take jeep or ATV tours on the island that reach spectacular viewpoints over the island and also include explanations about the nature, culture, and history of the island. Bora Bora has no port, and the ship anchors in the lagoon, a short boat ride of about five minutes from the largest "city" on the island: Vaitape. It is one street with a marina for yachts and cruise ships, a visitor center, shops, restaurants, and stalls. There is not too much to do there, and it is worthwhile to leave there for a trip by boat or jeep. Here too, the passengers arriving from the ship by "tender" boat are welcomed by local musicians and receive flowers. There is no doubt that the heartfelt welcome from the warm locals is a wonderful opening for two wonderful days in Bora Bora.
The islands of Raiatea and Taha'a
The last port on the cruise is on the island of Raiatea, located near the island of Taha'a. Both islands are surrounded by one large coral reef. Although these are islands that are much less touristy, Raiatea actually has a port with a dock suitable for cruise ships. At the dock is the island's visitor center, and it is adjacent to the marina and tour boat dock. Sailing is the main means of transport on these two twin islands, as not everywhere has paved roads, and additionally, they are surrounded by small islands inside the lagoon shared by both. Although arriving in Raiatea, it is recommended to use the day for a trip in Taha'a, known as the "Vanilla Island" thanks to the many vanilla crops on it. The island is also known for the high-quality pearls produced on it, especially black pearls. The island is green and full of tropical vegetation, beaches with white sand, calm and clear turquoise water, and lagoons. There are far fewer tourists there than in Bora Bora or Moorea, and it is much more virgin. Don't miss out on snorkeling in the "Coral Garden" and the Motu – Lagonarium, in addition, of course, to a visit to a vanilla and pearl farm.
With the end of the trip on the charming island, you return in time to enjoy one last time the "four o'clock tea" that we had already become addicted to, for a final gourmet dinner, and of course for a closing show where you say goodbye to representatives of all the dedicated staff departments.
In the morning, you wake up again in the port of Papeete and leave with sorrow the ship that was our home for 18 of the most wonderful days imaginable...
