South Pacific Cruise: Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands

Arrive in Cairns and meet your fellow guests. Later, board your luxurious small ship and embark. Enjoy a welcome reception on board this evening. Stay: Le Laperouse (D)

Cruise north toward Papua New Guinea as your enrichment program begins with engaging presentations by the A&K Expedition Team. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Today, cruise into Milne Bay and come ashore in the Papua New Guinea port of Alotau. Once ashore, you might explore traditional village life, learn about the legacy of the war canoe or visit the Milne Bay War Memorial. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Your Captain charts a course for Fergusson Island, a stunning enclave of mountains, rainforests and geysers. Here, you might venture into the rainforest in search of exotic bird species and remote hot springs. Alternatively, swim before heading back to the ship. Then, cruise to Dobu, a remote island renowned for its vibrant Indigenous culture. You may choose to come ashore and visit a local village, or snorkel or dive. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Cruise to Cape Nelson and come ashore amid the fjord lands surrounding the port of Tufi. Here, you might explore local Indigenous traditions, enjoy some birdwatching, relax on the beach, or dive or snorkel the reefs. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Today, explore the Tami Islands, a small group of coral atolls surrounded by reefs and cays. The largest island is renowned for a crystal-clear lagoon abundant with marine life and stunning coral formations. Here, you may choose to dive or snorkel amid Spanish dancer jellyfish, blue sea star and pelagic fish. Alternatively, explore the flora, fauna and colourful birds that call this island paradise home. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Cruise to the Trobriand Islands, a remote bastion of traditional Indigenous culture. You might choose to come ashore on Kuiawa Island, where you visit a local primary school and learn about traditional dancing, woodcarving and gardening. Or, you might opt to snorkel or dive amid surgeonfish, rabbitfish, clownfish, damselfish and snapper, as well as table, bran and leather corals. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Sail east toward the Solomon Islands today, taking the opportunity to enjoy the amenities, enrichment lectures and conversations with your Expedition Team. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Your exploration of the Solomon Islands begins in Gizo, the historic port town of Ghizo Island. Once ashore, you may choose to visit Gizo's markets and learn about its renowned woodcarving tradition. You may also take advantage of the island's world-class snorkelling and diving. Cruise onward to Njari, an uninhabited island renowned the world over for its spectacular diving and snorkelling. Here, you can opt to dive into an underwater realm of coral gardens, blacktip reef shark, damselfish and octopus. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Sail southeastward to the Russell Islands of Pavuvu and Mbanika, two islands that served as Allied bases during World War II. When these bases were abandoned in 1945, much of the military machinery was dumped into the sea. Snorkel and explore with your Expedition Team, or opt for a local village visit revealing the island's cultural traditions, natural wonders and rich World War II history. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Sail into Roderick Bay, a tropical postcard framed by sandy island beaches. Go ashore to learn about the local Indigenous culture; take in the wreck of the ‘World Discoverer,' a ship that beached here in 2001; or snorkel or dive the bay's stunning reefs. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Today, explore Rennell Island, one of the world's largest raised coral atolls and home to Lake Tegano, a former lagoon that now harbors a wealth of endemic species. Go ashore in search of the island's exotic birds, snakes, snails and crabs; hike the cliffs surrounding the UNESCO listed Lake Tegano; or snorkel the vibrant reefs of Kangava Bay. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)

Disembark in Honiara, the main port of Guadalcanal, an island that witnessed one of the most decisive battles of World War II. Once ashore, tour historic military sites such as Henderson Field. Then, catch a charter flight back to Cairns, where you transfer to the Crystalbrook Riley. Stay: Crystalbrook Riley (B/L/D)

This morning, transfer to the airport and return home. (B)