Ocean Cruising: What you need to know

There’s a WORLD of exploration to be had when ocean cruising, and once you’ve settled into your cabin the old cliché that ‘you only have to unpack once!’ rings gloriously true.

How long is an ocean cruise?

The French have a wonderful expression for the high seas: ‘le grand large’. Everything about it expresses that stunningly vast expanse of ocean, the horizon ever distant, as you head off on a seabound adventure.

It’s a concept that is hard to grasp for those who’ve never travelled by sea, but that incredible feeling of ‘scale’ – of being so small, setting out on an ocean so large – can be enormously addictive. Particularly when you feel the power of a supership eating up the kilometres beneath you.

245 Days

It’s little wonder, then, that there are lots of dyed-in-the-wool cruise-goers whose journeys stretch longer and longer each year, some over 100 days and more. In August 2019, the purported longest-ever continuous world cruise set sail on a 245-day circumnavigation of the world. Viking’s Ultimate World Cruise is taking in six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, including 22 in-port overnights (to prevent cabin fever, we’re thinking) aboard the 465-stateroom Viking Sun.

167 Days

With super-long itineraries and expedition cruising both clearly a ‘thing’, Silversea made some quite serious waves of its own in 2019 as it announced a ‘world-first’ Expedition World Cruise in 2021. Described as an ‘Uncharted World Tour’, the 167-day epic journey aboard the luxe Silver Cloud glues together the line’s more immersive, experiential bits as it crosses the globe from Ushuaia across to Tromsø via the ultimate adventure destination wishlist, including Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and India, Iceland and the Arctic Svalbard region.

12-17 Days

While longer cruises are seeing a surge in popularity, some cruise lines are best suited, by their very nature, to a less lengthy epic journey. The boutique nature of Star Clippers’ tall ships, for example, means its version of an epic voyage is one of its 15- to 16-night ocean crossings. If shorter and closer to home is more appealing, then its just-announced 11-night itinerary out of Ko Samui and calling on Cambodia on the luxury Star Clipper, is set to sail in April 2020.

Where can you go on an ocean cruise?

You’re not lugging around heavy backpacks, or wrestling luggage into overhead compartments to see the best of the world. Plus most cruise ships allow 32 kilos, so you can bring along your creature comforts and buy souvenirs along the way!

Depending on your itinerary, you could be waking up every day in a new destination.

Sure, sometimes you could only spend half a day in a port, but you also get to experience multiple destinations in a shorter amount of time – ideal if you have limited holiday leave. And the organised tours and activities keep things running smoothly around some of the most popular sights on the planet, enabling you to see and learn things you normally wouldn’t travelling alone.

And, of course, cruise ships are famous for their onboard activities to keep you entertained at sea too: think putt-putt golf on a real lawn (Celebrity Edge), 3D cinema (Explorer of the Seas), a waterslide with 65-kilometre-per-hour turns (Carnival Legend), wine tasting in a 35,000-bottle cellar (Queen Mary 2), even the Rijksmuseum at Sea (ms Westerdam).

Then there are kids’ clubs, luxury spas, rock walls, yoga classes, lectures, and Broadway-style shows including We Will Rock You (Anthem of the Seas) and Jersey Boys (Norwegian Bliss). Indeed, there’s so much to do on land and sea, that while it’s true you only have to unpack once, you’ll certainly find it tough packing to leave.

The famed pine trees on the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

The Pacific

Tropical, relaxing, friendly and fun, the Pacific is an ever-popular ocean to cruise, particularly for Australians with cruises departing from the East Coast and New Zealand. It’s a top choice for people who love the sun, the great outdoors, snorkelling and diving, and chilling out.

Ports include the famous South Pacific islands of Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa and Tahiti. The quick trip across the Tasman to New Zealand around the north and south islands with special stop off in the wondrous Milford Sound is another popular itinerary.The most not miss destination is the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

Hawai‘i, Tahiti and the far flung Pitcairn Island are less often visited by the large cruise lines, typically on a relocation cruise.

Pride of America is the only ship home ported in Hawai’i and her seven day itineraries are very very popular.

In Tahiti, the Aranui 5 is a cargo ship with very comfortable accommodation.

Hawaii, USA

View on Napali Coast on Kauai island on Hawaii, USA

The Atlantic (& Mediterranean)

From the East Coast of the USA and Canada, to the Caribbean and Bahamas, from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina to South Africa, Morocco, Spain and the UK, this ocean is home to such a unique mix of destinations.

And pass through the Strait of Gibraltar and you hit the wonders of the Mediterranean.

Quantum of the Seas – 1st arrival in New York November 10, 2014

But perhaps the most iconic cruise in these waters is the Transatlantic, which occurs when ships are repositioning from Europe to the Americas, or vice versa (the classic is between Southampton and New York).

If doing a Transatlantic cruise, be sure to pick a ship that you’ll be happy to spend up to five consecutive days at sea on.

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The Indian ocean

If you’re after exotic lands and luxury destinations, the Indian Ocean is a fabulous place to cruise. Ports include the east coast of Africa (Cape Town, Zanzibar, Madagascar), breathtaking islands such as the Maldives, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, as well as Asian destinations that formed part of the ancient ‘Spice Route’ like India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Myanmar.

Cruising the Antarctic, ranked #16 in our countdown of '100 Ultimate Travel Experiences of a Lifetime'. — Cruising the Antarctic, ranked #16 in our countdown of ‘100 Ultimate Travel Experiences of a Lifetime’.

The Southern & Arctic oceans

Not many can say they’ve ventured to these remote seas, and not many will. Antarctica voyages are singularly spectacular. Lucky cruisers to the great southern continent are treated to an overwhelming array of fauna. The birdllife is immense. the penguins beguiling and in the later months of the southern summer, whales and killer whales are wondrous.

There is no denying crossing the Drake passage, known as the ‘drake shake’ can be a little uncomfortable if not a lot frightening but the pay off is worth it. Aurora Expeditions do offer some sailings where you can avoid the ‘shake’ with flights to and from Antarctica.

The do not miss destination is South Georgia, teeming with penguins, birds and seals. Although few cruise itineraries will include it as it is an additional week cruising.

Panoramic view over glaciers and icebergs in Neko Harbour, Antarctica.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.