True North
Guests: 36
Crew: 20
Passenger Decks: 3
Length: 164 feet
The smallest ship in the region might lack the facilities of mega liners, but it more than makes up for it with the places it can go. With a shallow draft it can reach stunning waterfalls in the Kimberleys or cruise down jungle rivers in Papua New Guinea. There’s also a helicopter onboard if you want to venture further afield. This is the ship for adventurous cruisers, so expect to be snorkelling, diving, fishing or exploring rather than flopped by the pool.
MS Caledonian Sky (APT)
Guests: 110
Crew: 75
Passenger decks: 5
Length: 297 feet
This all-suite ship has been through a few incarnations and was branded the Caledonian Sky in 2012. Suites are spacious and around half have balconies. While entertainments are limited, there are a couple of sun decks for lounging (though no swimming pool), a lounge and bar, a small gym and a salon/massage room. Expect super fresh seafood in the dining room – the crew will either catch it themselves or buy it from local fishermen.
Silver Discoverer
Guests: 120
Crew: 96
Passenger decks: 5
Length: 338 feet
Silversea’s newest ship joined the fleet in April this year. Accommodations are all suites and come with extras like butler service, mini bar stocked to your preference and evening turn down service. This is a vessel built for adventure with a fleet of 12 zodiacs and a glass bottom boat for excursions, and a diving programme for experienced divers. There are three dining options onboard and all operate on an open seating policy, meaning you can dine where and when you want.
National Geographic Orion
Guests: 102
Crew: 75
Passenger decks: 6
Length: 338 feet
The Orion joined the National Geographic fleet in March this year and has recently undergone a refurbishment of the public areas. Toys onboard include tandem kayaks, a glass bottom boat and an underwater remotely operated vehicle that can go hundreds of metres below the surface. Education makes up a big part of journeys on the Orion, so there’s a large lecture theatre and well stocked library, and a photography instructor accompanies every voyage.
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Wind Spirit
Guests: 148
Crew: 90
Passenger decks: 4
Length: 360 feet
This four-masted sailing ship is designed to feel like your own private yacht. The atmosphere onboard is casual with no formal or theme nights and no scheduled activities. None of the staterooms have balconies and outdoor space is limited because of the complex sail machinery, but there are plenty of water sports on offer to keep you entertained including a banana boat, kayaks, sunfish sailboat, windsurfing boards, scuba and snorkelling equipment, and four Zodiacs.
Aranui III
Guests: 200
Crew: 65
Passenger decks: 6
Length: 386 feet
This is not your average cruise ship. Part passenger ship and part cargo freighter, the Aranui III plies the waters between Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands, delivering food and fuel to remote islands without an airport on a two week journey. There are plenty of creature comforts onboard, including a swimming pool, sun deck, two bars, restaurant and a small shop. The rooms are fairly basic, but most of the suites have balconies where you can watch the palm trees glide by.
L’Austral
Guests: 264
Crew: 139
Passenger decks: 6
Length: 466 feet
There’s a distinct French atmosphere onboard L’Austral, from the deck names to the interior design. It’s one of five ships operated by Compagnie du Ponant and feels like a sleek super yacht. Rooms are quite small compared to other ships in the class, but most have balconies and the transparent glass walls (with a sliding privacy panel) in the bathroom mean you never lose sight of the view.
m/s Paul Gauguin
Guests: 332
Crew: 217
Passenger decks: 7
Length: 517 feet
This ship was specially designed to sail the shallow waters around French Polynesia and is one of the most spacious on the market with a passenger space ratio of 58 (classified as excellent). Most of the staterooms and suites have balconies, and there’s an onboard retractable watersports marina for a host of activities. The staff are local Tahitians, meaning that the Polynesian experience permeates throughout the whole ship from the butlers to the wait staff and entertainers.
Seven Seas Mariner
Guests: 490
Crew: 345
Passenger decks: 8
Length: 566 feet
This ship was the first all-suite, all-balcony ship in the world when it was launched in 2001. The spacious suites are seriously plush with king size beds, walk in wardrobes, marble bathrooms and L’Occitane amenities. The Mariner and its sister ship the Voyager are both home to Signatures, the only permanent Le Cordon Bleu restaurants at sea, and on some cruises gourmet workshops themed around the ports of call are run by Le Cordon Bleu chefs.
Seabourn Odyssey
Guests: 450
Crew: 330
Passenger decks: 8
Length: 650 feet
The largest ship in the Seabourn fleet (at triple the size of its sister ships), the Odyssey came into service in 2009. More than 90 per cent of the staterooms have balconies and the ship has the second highest passenger space ratio in the industry. With all that space you can expect more features including two swimming pools, four restaurants, casino, theatre for performances, nightclub and a large spa. All suites have a large bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, a separate living area, nightly turndown service and champagne on arrival.
ms Volendam
Guests: 1,432
Crew: 615
Passenger decks: 10
Length: 781 feet
There’s a garden theme onboard the ms Volendam and you’ll be surrounded by fresh flowers as well as floral motifs on the walls and furnishings throughout the ship. It’s also known for its art collection with paintings, sculptures and even Renaissance-era Italian fountains in the public areas. Passengers staying in the top two suite categories have access to the private Neptune Lounge, which has refreshments, a personal concierge, lounges and a library.
Crystal Symphony
Guests: 922
Crew: 545
Passenger decks: 12
Length: 781 feet
Amulti-million dollar refurb of the Symphony was completed in 2012, so everything onboard feels brand new. It’s one of the few luxury lines in this region to offer a dedicated space for children and teens, and youth staff are onboard during school holiday and summer sailings. Menus at the Japanese-Pervuian Silk Road restaurant and the Sushi Bar are designed by celebrity chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, and Nobu-trained chefs are in the kitchen.
Oceania Marina
Guests: 1,250
Crew: 800
Passenger decks: 11
Length: 785 feet
The largest ship cruising in the region, the Marina has a few ultra luxe touches like a grand staircase designed by French jewellery and crystal house Lalique, and three Owner’s Suites furnished with Ralph Lauren Home products. There’s a Canyon Ranch Spa onboard from the famed American health retreat and Jacques restaurant, the first restaurant from French celebrity chef Jacques Pépin anywhere in the world.