A Silversea South Pacific Cruise that will blow your mind: Alan and I enjoy South Pacific cruises so much that we keep booking them—again and again. At last count, we’ve cruised the South Pacific six times. But this page is all about our 64-day Silversea South Pacific Cruise experience. We call it La-La because the small ship luxury cruise began and ended in Los Angeles.
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The journey was a Silversea Cruises Grand Voyage known as Southern Cross 2015. And this Grand Voyage started out in style with a gala event and night’s stay at the Montage Beverly Hills. Ooh-la-la. (Do you remember how much I loved the Montage Kapalua Bay?)
Silversea South Pacific Cruise: 64 days of boomer cruising adventure
And then the 64 days of cruising on Silver Spirit began. What do you think of our itinerary that 29 ports and lot of sea days?
Los Angeles
Marquesas Islands: Nuka Hiva
French Polynesia: Rangiroa—the snorkeling was awesome, Moorea—we swam with stingrays, Papeete, Bora Bora
Cook Islands: Rarotonga
New Zealand: Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin—the hike on Mt. Cargill was so much fun, Stewart Island—with a walk on Ulva Island, Milford Sound, Dusky Sound
Australia: Melbourne, Tasmania (Burnie and Hobart), Sydney, Brisbane
New Caledonia: Noumea, Lifou
Vanuatu: Villa
Fiji: Lautoka, Savusavu
Samoa Islands: Apia
Kiribatu: Fanning Island
Hawaii: Kaui, Oahu—Alan toured the Mighty Mo, Maui—we opted for a jeep excursion on Lanai, and the Big Island
Los Angeles
By now, you’d think that we would have visited any South Pacific port worth seeing. But one reason Alan and I chose this itinerary were the new-to-us ports, including Tasmania and most of the New Zealand ones. We also checked items off our boomer bucket list with visits to Milford and Dusky Sounds and Tasmania.
Alan and I loved relaxing days at sea, spa time and the guest lecturers onboard not to mention those 11 formal nights. Yes, we like to get dressed up and dance the night away.
What do I pack for a long, warm weather cruise? Take a look at my tropical cruise gear for items that you might not think about when it comes to a trip like this. And, if you’re a woman of a certain age who’s confused on how to dress for a luxury cruise, you’ll appreciate my advice on cruise wear for over 50 women.
Just so you know, this grand voyage was on our own dime, although Silversea kindly offered some cruise excursions and several dinners at Le Champagne, the only Relais & Château restaurant at sea.
Have I inspired you to cruise the South Pacific? Start your luxury cruise planning here.
Our favorite shoree excursions from this South Pacific cruise
Most of our shore excursions centered around fun in the warm South Pacific waters. In New Zealand and Tasmania, we enjoyed hikes and caves, not to mention the beautiful Milford Sound.
I have so much to write about this cruise that I may never be finished. Be sure to bookmark this page or subscribe to our weekly broadcast so you’ll be the first to know!
Rangiroa Snorkeling is the Best!
I’m standing in the warm tropical waters of French Polynesia giggling as hundreds of colorful fish flit around me in the crystal clear water. Check out why Alan and I think Rangiroa Snorkeling is the Best!.
Swimming with Stingrays in Moorea
Motu Island and Snorkeling Adventure is a 6-hour Silversea excursion that includes lunch on a tropical islet with plenty of time for communing with stingrays. Check out our day Swimming with Stingrays in Moorea.
Mt Cargill Walk in Dunedin
Alan and I chose a Mt Cargill walk in Dunedin while on a Silversea cruise around New Zealand. On long cruises, we take the opportunity to stretch our legs on land as much as we can. This New Zealand hike was a winner! Learn about our Mt Cargill Walk in Dunedin: A Hiking Cruise Excursion.
Exploring Ulva Island
Apart from an Antarctica cruise, a trip to Ulva Island may be the closest Alan and I will get to the end of the world. Walking the trails of Ulva Island introduced us to unspoiled New Zealand. If you’re a nautre love, read more about Exploring Ulva Island on a Silversea Cruise Excursion
Cruising Milford Sound
Alan and I marveled as Silver Spirit cruised by Milford Sound’s numerous amazing waterfalls and steep rain-forested cliffs. Lucking out with a bright, sunny day, we enjoyed Milford Sound from the top deck of the ship. To read more about our experience, click on Cruising Milford Sound With Silversea Cruises.
Touring the Mighty Mo on Oahu
When the Silver Spirit called on Honolulu, Hawaii, during our Grand Pacific Voyage, Alan decided to tour the Heart of the Missouri. And he wrote about it! Don’t miss the interesting read about his experience Touring the Mighty Mo With Silversea Cruises.
Exploring Lanai on a Jeep Safari Cruise Excursion
We’ve visited Maui a number of times, so on our recent cruise, we took the opportunity to visit Lanai, a former pineapple plantation. The shore excursion was a short ferry ride from Maui. Take a look at our time Exploring Lanai on a Jeep Safari Cruise Excursion .
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