4 incredible getaways that don't start with a flight

Cruise from your doorstep with Norwegian Cruise Line’s select South Pacific itineraries.

Cruising to the South Pacific (and surrounds) is the most scenic and stress-free way to leave Australia without waiting around for a plane before the holiday can begin. It’s no wonder Australia’s appetite for cruising is on the rise as savvy travellers embrace the chance to sail internationally, starting from home.

Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) calls into four of the South Pacific’s most iconic destinations thanks to select departures from Sydney.

So guests can relax in their ships’ award-winning spas, be captivated by incredible entertainment at sea, and enjoy world-class dining with more variety of cuisine than any other cruise line for an elevated culinary journey.

Visit Vanuatu’s picturesque beaches and lagoons. (Image: Getty/ mvaligursky)

1. Vanuatu

Cruise among Vanuatu’s 80 emerald islands on NCL’s 11-day South Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu & Lifou sailing aboard Norwegian Spirit, which includes a stop in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, as well as Mystery Island. Explore the local markets in Port Vila for handicrafts and fresh tropical fruit, and dive into idyllic blue waters or visit the popular Mele Cascades, where you can swim underneath a thundering waterfall or settle into one of the natural pools on the hillside.

Sail along the fringe of the reef system of Mystery Island in the south. Rimmed with powder white sand and a shallow sloping gradient into the sea, the tiny island is the perfect place to spend the day unwinding.

Here, visitors can indulge in their own tropical idyll, feasting on fresh lobster, meeting the locals from the neighbouring island of Aneityum, indulging in a massage, or visiting the tiki bar. It’s an easy day that allows you to catch some sun, walk around the entire island, or simply appreciate the isolation and beauty of the South Pacific.

Sail the South Pacific on Norwegian Sun.

2. Fiji

Here, find gorgeous wild swimming spots, bathe in natural hot springs, lower yourself into volcanic mud pools and snorkel among schools of curious tropical fish.

But as astonishing as its beauty is, it’s the people that make Fiji so special: their warmth and gracious hospitality is a highlight of the 14-day South Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu & Airlie Beach itinerary from Sydney aboard Norwegian Sun. Guests can visit a local village and join a kava ceremony in a unique cultural immersion.

Discover the colourful Fijian culture. (Image: Getty/ Lana Canada)

Cruising with NCL allows you to visit better-known destinations in Fiji, like Denarau, while also seeing less populated spots, like Dravuni Island, where time slows down. Visit a cacao plantation and chocolate factory in a tropical rainforest in Savusavu on the 11-day South Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu & Lifou Norwegian Spirit sailing, be awed by spectacular firewalking during a cultural show in Suva, and bask in the cooler mountain air at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant on Viti Levu.

Step into nature at Fiji’s Garden of the Sleeping Giant. (Image: Getty/ Leamus)

3. New Caledonia

Mixing French sophistication and Pacific beauty, New Caledonia is a cruise destination different to all others in the South Pacific.

Visiting the world’s largest enclosed lagoon with NCL’s South Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu & Lifou sailing, you can sip coffee in the city at a Parisian-style cafe on the waterfront one day, then swap it for the swaying palm trees of the Loyalty Islands the next.

In the capital, Noumea, discover how cosmopolitan French culture deeply influences city life. Indulge in the city’s incredible gastronomic scene, stroll along the promenade at Anse-Vata, and don’t miss the archaeologically striking Tjibaou Cultural Centre, dedicated to Kanak and Oceanic art and culture.

Discover local life in Lifou, where traditional customs thrive. Guests cruising with NCL have the opportunity to visit the Melanesian village of Hnathalo or explore a vanilla plantation in nearby Jokin village.

Amazing scenery awaits in New Caledonia. (Image: Getty/ Mlenny)

4. New Zealand

New Zealand is a wilderness best viewed from the water. With many departures available, sail through isolated Milford Sound on the 14-day Australia & New Zealand: Melbourne & Milford Sound itinerary; carved by glaciers, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjord is surrounded by vertical cliffs, with unpredictable rainfall causing spectacular, spontaneous waterfalls.

See New Zealand’s Milford Sound. (Image: Getty/ Boucher Photo Studio)

Of course, not all New Zealand’s beauties belong to Mother Nature. Dunedin on the South Island is famous for its Edwardian and Victorian buildings, including Larnach Castle, while Napier on the North Island is known for its Art Deco architecture, and Auckland is a bustling modern oasis.

When in New Zealand, it would be a shame not to try a local tipple. While there are plenty of onboard bars where you can try a drop, head out on a shore excursion to explore the Hawkes Bay wine trail from Napier, visit the country’s largest wine region in Marlborough, or visit two wine regions in one on the West Auckland wineries shore excursion, available on NCL’s selection of immersive itineraries.

Admire Napier’s memorable architecture. (Image: Getty/ Karen Lewis)

Learn more at ncl.com or contact your local travel agent.