Unique Itinerary – Sydney to the South Pacific

Back from a bit of a hiatus, this week’s Unique Itinerary departs from Sydney, Australia on a line you may not associate with The Land Down Under: Royal Caribbean.

Departing from Sydney on Saturday, November 27, 2010 aboard Rhapsody of the Seas, this unique seven-day voyage spends two days at sea before docking in Nouméa, the exotic capital of New Caledonia.

Nouméa only has a population of roughly 97,000 people, and not only are the beaches spectacular and the locals friendly, but the city lends itself well to travel by ship: air service to Nouméa is rather limited. 

Next, you journey to the exotic Isle of Pines, New Caledonia .  Often nicknamed “the closest island to Paradise”, Isle of Pines is what many Caribbean islands probably resembled before Diamonds International and Margaritaville hit the scene.  In fact, the entire population of the island itself is only two thousand – meaning it really is an unspoiled paradise.  Rhapsody of the Seas herself has a greater population!

After your stop in Paradise, two days of relaxing cruising are in order before arrival back in Sydney on Saturday, December 4th.  Prices start at just $779.00 per person for an oceanview cabin, and due to the length of the voyage (not to mention the fifteen-plus hour flight to Sydney from most West Coast cities), this is an excellent itinerary for those looking to combine a cruise with a land stay in Australia.

For more information on this itinerary, be sure to visit Royal Caribbean’s website for full details.