Tahiti Island French Polynesia Cruise from Papeete to Yokohama

Cruise line	Oceania Cruises
Ship	Oceania Vista
Duration	62 nights
Port calls	37
Departures	1 sailings
Year built	2023
Guests	1469
Cabins	613
Crew	800
Length	251 m
Beam	32 m
Cruising speed	20.0 kn

Day 1

Papeete

Papeete is French Polynesia’s lively capital, set on Tahiti’s northwest coast beneath green volcanic peaks. Its waterfront, central market and shaded streets offer a vivid introduction to island life. Browse the Marché de Papeete for vanilla, pareos and tropical fruit, then pause over poisson cru, Tahiti’s lime-and-coconut-marinated fish. Beyond town, black-sand beaches and waterfalls await, while ferry links make Moorea an easy day trip. Papeete rewards a few hours on foot—and a longer look at Tahiti.

Day 2

Huahine Island

Huahine offers a quieter face of the Society Islands, with forested peaks, clear lagoons and villages set along the coast. Huahine is actually two islands: Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, joined by a short bridge across a narrow channel. Fare, the principal village, has local shops and a waterfront. At Maeva, ancient marae and stone fish traps reveal Huahine’s Polynesian past. Between stops, look for vanilla plantations and views across the lagoon to coral reefs.

Day 4

Rarotonga Island

Rarotonga is the Cook Islands’ largest island, ringed by a turquoise lagoon. Beyond the reef, a forested volcanic interior rises to Mount Te Manga. Circle the coast by bus, browse Punanga Nui Market in Avarua, or swim and snorkel from white-sand beaches. On Sundays, church services bring remarkable singing; inland, trails lead through tropical forest. Stay for the lagoon, but make time for the island’s everyday life.

Day 6

Alofi, Niue

Alofi is the compact capital of Niue, a raised coral island in the South Pacific. Here, limestone cliffs meet clear water, and coastal tracks lead to reef pools, caves and chasms. Ships anchor offshore, so arrival is by tender; conditions can affect access. Spend time in Alofi for local crafts, island life and a close look at Niue’s rugged coast.

Day 8

Vavau Islands Tonga, Tonga

Vavaʻu is Tonga at its most navigable: a sheltered archipelago of limestone islands, deep-water passages and quiet anchorages. Neiafu, the principal town, overlooks Port of Refuge, where yachts gather and cafés face the harbor. From July to October, humpback whales arrive to breed, making guided whale-watching a defining experience. Visit Swallows Cave by boat, or explore Neiafu’s market and waterfront on foot.

Day 10

Savusavu, Fiji

Savusavu, on Vanua Levu, offers a quieter, more intimate side of Fiji. Yachts frequent its deep, sheltered bay, while the compact waterfront brings shops, cafés, and local life within easy reach. Steam rises from natural hot springs beside the road; nearby, the market displays tropical fruit, fish, and island produce. Venture inland for rainforest, waterfalls, and village visits, ideally arranged with a local guide.

Day 11

Port Denarau-Nadi, Fiji

Denarau is Fiji’s gateway to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. At Port Denarau, ferries and yachts depart for reefs, beaches and island resorts. Nadi and its international airport are a short drive away. On Denarau itself, golf, resort pools and waterfront dining offer an easy pause between crossings. The marina is also the starting point for sunset cruises and fishing charters.

Day 12

Lautoka, Fiji

Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, sits on Viti Levu’s western coast, where sugar fields meet the Pacific. Known as the Sugar City, it offers a glimpse of everyday Fijian life beyond the resorts. Browse the municipal market, stroll the botanical gardens, or take in the waterfront before heading farther west. Lautoka is also a departure point for excursions to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.

Day 14

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, curves around a sheltered harbor on Efate, where green hills meet the sea. Along the waterfront, cafés, markets and shops reveal a lively blend of Ni-Vanuatu, French and island influences. Visit the National Museum to learn about Vanuatu’s cultural traditions, then browse local produce at the central market. Beyond town, Mele Cascades offers a refreshing walk to tiered falls, while nearby villages provide insight into island life.

Day 15

Lifou Island

Lifou is the largest of New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands, a coral island of pale beaches and limestone cliffs. At Jokin, the coast drops sharply to clear water; Luengoni offers a gentler shore for swimming and snorkeling. Between them, vanilla gardens and Kanak villages reveal an island shaped by custom as much as sea. Come ashore for unhurried walks, vivid reef life, and a glimpse of the Loyalty Islands beyond the usual ports.

Day 16

Noumea

Nouméa brings a distinctly French note to the South Pacific, with café terraces, bakeries and a broad, sunlit harbor. At Port Moselle’s morning market, local seafood and island produce offer a first taste of New Caledonia. Visit the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, designed by Renzo Piano to honor Kanak culture. Beyond town, the UNESCO-listed lagoon frames clear water, reef islands and inviting opportunities to get out on the water.

Day 19

Sydney, Australia

From the water, Sydney’s harbour frames the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and ferries crossing between historic quays. Beyond the waterfront, central Sydney pairs nineteenth-century buildings with contemporary architecture and leafy streets. Walk the Royal Botanic Garden for harbour views, or take a ferry to Manly for a coastal perspective. Allow time to explore The Rocks, where the city’s colonial beginnings meet galleries, cafés and a lively weekend market.

Day 21

Mooloolaba, Australia

Set on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba pairs a broad, patrolled beach with a working marina and an easygoing seaside centre. Walk the Esplanade for cafés, boutiques and views across the water, or follow the coastal path towards Alexandra Headland. Mooloolaba prawns are a local speciality, best enjoyed overlooking the marina. SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast offers a look at the region’s marine life. Beyond the shore, the hinterland rewards a longer excursion with villages and the Glass House Mountains.

Day 23

Airlie Beach, Australia

Airlie Beach is the mainland gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, on Queensland’s Coral Sea coast. Boats leave its marina for island beaches, reef snorkelling and sailing, on day trips or overnight cruises. The foreshore lagoon offers a saltwater swim and bay views; cafés and shops line the town centre. Conway National Park’s rainforest trails provide a quieter inland counterpoint.

Day 24

Cairns, Australia

Cairns puts two World Heritage landscapes within reach: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Boats leave the marina for coral reefs and islands. Inland, the scenic railway and Skyrail connect Cairns with Kuranda, a mountain village above the rainforest. The Esplanade’s waterfront lagoon offers a refreshing pause in the tropical city. Allow time for Cairns itself: its markets, cafés and relaxed waterfront reward a slower pace between excursions.

Day 28

Darwin, Australia

Darwin is Australia’s northern gateway, where the Timor Sea meets a city shaped by tropical heat and Asian influence. Its compact waterfront puts the harbour within easy reach. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers insight into Indigenous cultures and the region’s wartime past. Beyond town, Kakadu’s wetlands and Litchfield’s waterfalls reward a longer stay. Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clear, warm days.

Day 32

Komodo Island Indonesia, Indonesia

Komodo is a rare landfall where the world’s largest lizard still lives in the wild. The island lies within Komodo National Park, a UNESCO-listed landscape of dry hills, clear bays and coral-rich waters. Ranger-guided walks offer a chance to see the dragons, while boat trips reach quiet coves and rewarding snorkeling. Expect heat and uneven trails; the island rewards those who explore at an unhurried pace.

Day 33

Lembar, Indonesia

Lembar is Lombok’s working harbour, where ferries connect the island with Bali. The port lies about 25 kilometres south of Mataram, Lombok’s compact capital. Explore Sasak heritage in traditional villages, surf beaches in the south, and rice fields across the inland foothills. The island’s best experiences lie well beyond the waterfront, so plan to travel.

Day 34

Benoa, Indonesia

Benoa is Bali’s principal cruise gateway, set on the island’s sheltered southeast coast. From the pier, Bali’s contrasts are close at hand: Nusa Dua’s resorts and Sanur’s seafront. Denpasar offers markets, museums, and a glimpse of daily life beyond the resort belt. Allow time for traffic; journeys inland can take longer than the map suggests. For a deeper excursion, Ubud pairs galleries and rice terraces with a lively arts scene.

Day 36

Semarang, Indonesia

Semarang rewards travelers who look beyond the harbor. Kota Lama’s Dutch-era warehouses and civic buildings recall the city’s trading past. The domed Gereja Blenduk anchors its historic square. Sam Poo Kong, a Chinese temple complex associated with 15th-century admiral Zheng He, reflects Java’s layered heritage. For a longer excursion, Borobudur, the celebrated Buddhist temple complex, lies about 100 kilometers inland. Make time for lumpia, Semarang’s famed spring roll.

Day 37

Jakarta, Indonesia

Cruise ships dock at Tanjung Priok, north of central Jakarta; allow extra time for traffic. Jakarta is Indonesia’s capital, where Dutch-era streets and modern towers share a crowded horizon. Begin in Kota Tua, the old town, with colonial façades, museums and Fatahillah Square. Monas commemorates independence, while the National Museum explores Indonesia’s history; save room for nasi goreng or satay.

Day 39

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.

Day 41

Koh Samui Island Thailand, Thailand

Ko Samui rewards those who look beyond its beach resorts. Thailand’s Gulf island pairs coconut groves and fishing villages with polished dining and quiet coves. From Nathon, explore the island’s temples, including the gold-toned Big Buddha, or follow the coast to Chaweng and Lamai. Boat trips reach Ang Thong Marine Park, where limestone islands rise above clear water. Choose a driver for the day; distances and heat make leisurely exploration easier.

Day 42

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s principal seaport, set on the Gulf of Thailand beside a fast-changing coastal city. Its beaches, including Otres and Independence, offer a break from the busy port district. Nearby Ream National Park protects mangroves, river estuaries and coastal forest. Take a boat to offshore islands, or travel inland to Kampot for riverside scenery and colonial-era architecture.

Day 43

Laem Chabang, Thailand

Bangkok makes its first impression in motion: river boats, temple roofs and traffic threading between modern towers. At the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and ceremonial halls reveal the city’s royal heritage. Nearby, Wat Pho holds the famous Reclining Buddha; a Chao Phraya boat ride offers a quieter view of old neighborhoods. Come hungry: markets and street kitchens serve fragrant curries, grilled seafood and mango with sticky rice. Allow time for heat and distance; Bangkok rewards an unhurried visit.

Day 45

Saigon, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City rewards curious travellers with a vivid collision of old Saigon and modern Vietnam. French-colonial landmarks, busy markets and motorbike-filled streets make the centre a study in contrasts. The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering account of the conflict, while local cafés invite a slower pause. For a deeper look at Vietnam’s wartime history, the Cu Chi tunnels make a memorable excursion beyond the city.

Day 47

Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang is Vietnam’s most appealing blend of city energy, broad beaches and easy access to remarkable heritage. The Museum of Cham Sculpture offers an exceptional introduction to the ancient kingdom of Champa. The Marble Mountains rise above the coast; Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is about 30 kilometres south. Choose a beach day, a museum visit or an outing into central Vietnam’s layered past.

Day 48

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Hạ Long opens onto a singular seascape: thousands of limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Tonkin. From the modern cruise port, boat trips lead into sheltered coves and dramatic grottoes. Some itineraries visit a floating fishing village, where families once made their living from the bay. Back ashore, Bai Chay has cafés and seafood restaurants. Choose a longer cruise for the best perspective: the karsts are most striking from the water.

Day 50

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong is best approached from the water, where the Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour beneath a skyline of towers. Ride the Peak Tram for sweeping views of the harbour and surrounding islands. In Central, colonial landmarks stand beside glass towers; across the harbour, Kowloon’s markets and temples offer a different pace. Cantonese kitchens range from dim sum teahouses to polished dining rooms. Leave time for the harbour after dark, when the city’s lights come into focus.

Day 53

Shanghai, China

Shanghai is a city of striking contrasts, where historic lanes meet a skyline that ranks among the world’s most recognizable. Walk the Bund for views across the Huangpu to Pudong’s soaring towers, then explore the former French Concession’s tree-lined streets. At Yu Garden, classical pavilions and rockeries offer a quieter counterpoint to the city’s pace. Allow time for a meal: Shanghai’s restaurants range from traditional xiaolongbao shops to contemporary kitchens.

Day 56

Incheon, Korea

Incheon has long connected Korea with the wider world, and remains a gateway to Seoul. The port opened to trade in 1883; the Open Port district still reflects that history in its streets and buildings. Nearby, Incheon Chinatown offers lively color and Korean-Chinese cuisine. For a striking contrast, head to Songdo, where contemporary towers frame canals and expansive Central Park.

Day 58

Nagasaki City, Japan

Few Japanese cities combine harbor scenery and layered history as compellingly as Nagasaki. Its steep streets rise above a sheltered harbor that once linked Japan with Dutch and Chinese traders. At Dejima, the former Dutch trading post, exhibits trace the city’s unusual role during centuries of restricted foreign contact. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum offer a moving, carefully documented account of 1945. Come for the history; stay to see how a resilient port city lives beside its past.

Day 59

Hiroshima City, Japan

Hiroshima is a modern city with a history that reaches far beyond the events of 1945. At Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and museum offer a moving, carefully documented account of the bombing. Across the city, local trams make it easy to reach Shukkeien Garden, lively Hondori and the riverside. A short train and ferry journey reaches Miyajima, famed for Itsukushima Shrine and its great torii gate.

Day 60

Kochi City, Japan

Kochi rewards curious visitors with Shikoku’s history and easygoing, open-air pleasures. At its heart, Kochi Castle is one of Japan’s twelve castles to retain its original keep. Nearby, the Sunday market and Hirome Market reveal local life through seasonal produce and katsuo no tataki, seared bonito. Follow the coast to Katsurahama, where a statue of samurai reformer Sakamoto Ryoma faces the sea.

Day 61

Kobe-Osaka, Japan

Osaka rewards travellers who look beyond its famous appetite. Japan’s third-largest city blends merchant heritage, bold architecture and everyday energy. At Osaka Castle, stone walls and broad moats frame a defining chapter of the city’s past. Follow locals to Dotonbori, where neon reflects on the canal and takoyaki comes hot from the grill. Excellent rail links make Osaka a practical gateway to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

Day 62

Shimizu, Japan

Shimizu offers a memorable arrival: on clear days, Mount Fuji rises beyond the blue waters of Suruga Bay. Shimizu is a working harbor famed for tuna. Across the bay, Miho-no-Matsubara’s pines frame a celebrated view of Fuji. At Nihondaira, take in the panorama, then ride the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu, a richly decorated shrine honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Day 63

Yokohama, Japan

Yokohama is Japan’s most cosmopolitan port city, with Tokyo less than an hour away by train. Stay here, though, and you’ll find a city with its own strong character. Explore waterfront promenades, the historic Red Brick Warehouse, and one of Japan’s largest Chinatowns. Yokohama opened to foreign trade in 1859. Its international past still shapes the food, architecture, and relaxed pace of the city today.

Tahiti Island French Polynesia Cruise from Papeete to Yokohama — 63 Days