53 nights · California · Departs San Diego (USA) · Visiting Honolulu, Kailua-Kona, Nuku Hiva Island, Fakarava Atoll Tuamotus, Rangiroa Atoll Tuamotus, Papeete, Moorea Island, Bora Bora Island, Raiatea Island, Pago Pago, Apia, Lautoka, Noumea, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Dunedin, Bluff-Invercargill NZ, Fiordland National Park, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Whisper
Image courtesy of Silversea Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Silversea Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Silver Whisper |
| Duration | 53 nights |
| Port calls | 24 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $37,100 per person |
| Year built | 2001 |
| Guests | 466 |
| Cabins | 194 |
| Crew | 295 |
| Length | 186 m |
| Beam | 24 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
San Diego makes an easy first impression: a working harbor, sunlit waterfront and Pacific air. From the cruise terminal, the USS Midway Museum and lively Embarcadero are close at hand. Balboa Park brings world-class museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo together in one grand setting. In the Gaslamp Quarter, Victorian façades frame restaurants and bars. Nearby neighborhoods reveal Mexican heritage and coastal ease.
Honolulu brings the Pacific to your doorstep, with Oahu’s volcanic ridges rising behind a busy harbor. From the cruise pier, historic downtown and Iolani Palace are close; Waikiki’s beaches and Diamond Head lie farther east. Set aside time for Pearl Harbor, where the USS Arizona Memorial gives the islands’ modern history unmistakable weight. Then explore Chinatown’s markets and restaurants, or take a scenic drive along Oahu’s southeastern coast.
Kailua-Kona brings the Big Island’s history and marine life within easy reach of its sunny western shore. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders land near Ali‘i Drive, the waterfront route past Hulihe‘e Palace and Mokuaikaua Church. A short drive inland leads to coffee farms on Hualālai’s slopes. Snorkeling trips explore clear bays; after dark, guided manta-ray tours reveal Kona’s marine life.
Nuku Hiva, largest island in the Marquesas, pairs volcanic peaks with deep valleys. Cruise ships anchor in Taiohae Bay, where the main village faces a broad waterfront. Look for tiki and ceremonial platforms, then head inland for waterfalls, forested valleys, and Pacific views. A guided excursion to Hakaui Valley leads on a demanding walk to Vaipo Falls, one of Polynesia’s highest waterfalls.
Fakarava is a vast coral atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago, where a narrow ribbon of land encloses a luminous lagoon. It is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its reefs, lagoons and fragile island ecosystems. At Garuae and Tumakohua passes, strong currents draw divers to schools of fish and gray reef sharks. On land, Rotoava offers a quiet glimpse of Tuamotu life, far from resort crowds.
In the Tuamotu Archipelago, Rangiroa is a vast coral atoll, its reef enclosing one of the Pacific’s largest lagoons. At Tiputa Pass, currents draw dolphins, rays and reef fish close to shore, while divers explore blue-water drop-offs. On land, quiet villages, black-pearl farms and coconut palms reveal a Polynesia shaped by the sea. Come for the lagoon’s scale, and discover a slower Polynesia, measured by tides, trade winds and open water.
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.
Moorea’s jagged volcanic peaks rise above a lagoon so clear that the reef appears close enough to touch. A short ferry ride from Tahiti, this Society Islands destination offers a quieter, greener counterpoint to Papeete. Follow the coast past pineapple fields and small villages. Then climb to Belvedere Lookout for broad views of Cook’s and Opunohu bays. Swim, snorkel or take a lagoon cruise; Moorea rewards unhurried exploration as much as adventure.
Bora Bora’s volcanic silhouette rises from one of French Polynesia’s most celebrated lagoons. Mount Otemanu anchors the view, while a coral reef shelters clear water, small motu and abundant marine life. Explore by boat, snorkel among rays and reef fish, or linger on Matira Beach, the island’s best-known public beach. Beyond the resorts, Vaitape offers a glimpse of everyday island life.
Raiatea is French Polynesia’s sacred island, where history still shapes the landscape. At Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stone marae overlook the lagoon and speak to the island’s spiritual importance. The lagoon draws sailors and snorkellers, while inland, Mount Temehani shelters the rare tiare apetahi, found nowhere else. Raiatea offers a quieter, more grounded view of the Society Islands, best explored slowly by boat or on foot.
Pago Pago’s deep harbor lies beneath steep, green volcanic ridges, among the South Pacific’s most striking arrivals. On Tutuila, American Samoa’s largest island, the town balances Polynesian tradition with an unmistakable American presence. In Fagatogo, local shops and harbor life give the waterfront its everyday character. Above town, Mount Alava rises over rainforest protected within the National Park of American Samoa. Allow time for the views—and for the warmth of Samoan hospitality, best met at an unhurried pace.
Step ashore in Apia and meet Samoa’s everyday life, from its busy waterfront to markets scented with tropical fruit. The capital sits on Upolu’s north coast, where leafy streets, colonial-era buildings and the harbour define its character. Browse Fugalei Market for produce and handicrafts, then visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral near the centre. Inland, Robert Louis Stevenson’s former home at Vailima offers a glimpse of the writer’s final years in Samoa.
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.
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.
Northland’s Bay of Islands rewards a day ashore with sheltered water, Māori history and access to New Zealand’s oldest settlements. Its 144 islands scatter across a blue gulf, where ferries link Paihia with historic Russell. At Waitangi, the Treaty Grounds mark the signing of New Zealand’s founding document in 1840. Take a boat for coastal views, or stay ashore for cafés, galleries and a waterfront walk.
Few cities bring water so close to daily life as Auckland. Set between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, New Zealand’s largest city is shaped by the sea. From the waterfront, ferries reach Waiheke Island, with vineyards, beaches and coastal walks. Climb volcanic Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, for sweeping views across the city and its harbours. Back downtown, Viaduct Harbour offers galleries, restaurants and a vivid sense of Auckland’s maritime life.
Tauranga opens onto the Bay of Plenty, where a working harbour meets long beaches and a distinctly easy pace. At Mount Maunganui, climb Mauao’s well-marked paths for sweeping views across the coast and harbour. In Tauranga, discover Māori and maritime stories, or browse cafés along the waterfront. Rotorua’s geysers, hot pools and Māori cultural experiences make a rewarding inland excursion, about an hour away by road.
Lyttelton is Christchurch’s historic harbour, tucked beneath the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula. Explore its compact centre, where seafaring heritage meets hillside streets and a lively arts scene. A short drive through the Lyttelton Road Tunnel connects the port with Christchurch. Choose the city’s gardens and museums, or venture farther across Banks Peninsula for coastal bays, wildlife and walking tracks.
Your ship docks at Port Chalmers, a compact harbour town about 13 kilometres from Dunedin. Dunedin reflects Scottish roots and gold-rush prosperity. Granite and sandstone buildings frame the centre; its ornate railway station is a standout. The Otago Peninsula offers chances to see royal albatross, penguins and fur seals. Visit a wildlife centre, or follow the peninsula road to Larnach Castle and harbour viewpoints. It is a rewarding port for architecture, wildlife and coastal views.
Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city and a grounded introduction to Southland. Broad streets, Victorian buildings and open skies set an unhurried pace. From Bluff, about 27 kilometres south, travel inland to Queens Park’s gardens, museum and heritage buildings. Bill Richardson Transport World adds a remarkable collection of vehicles and transport history. Beyond town, Southland’s coast and the route to Stewart Island reveal the region’s scale.
Fiordland is not a town but a vast wilderness on New Zealand’s southwest coast, best approached by sea. Steep-sided peaks rise above deep, glacier-carved sounds, where waterfalls spill through rainforest after rain. Milford Sound is the best-known landmark, while Doubtful Sound offers a quieter passage into the park. Watch for dolphins and seals, and, in season, Fiordland crested penguins. Short walks ashore reveal the scale of this remarkable landscape.
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.
Hobart gives you a rare pairing: a handsome harbour, a lively food scene and wilderness within easy reach. Founded in 1804, Tasmania’s capital sits beneath kunanyi / Mount Wellington, whose changing weather shapes the city’s skyline. Browse Salamanca Place’s sandstone warehouses, then sample local oysters, cheese and cool-climate wine along the waterfront. Beyond town, MONA offers a provocative art collection, while Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula reward a longer excursion.
Melbourne is a city best explored with curiosity, a good appetite and comfortable walking shoes. From Station Pier, the centre is roughly six kilometres away, with tram and taxi connections into town. Explore its arcades and laneways, lined with shops, espresso bars and street art, then visit the National Gallery of Victoria. At Queen Victoria Market, browse local produce and Australian specialties; along the Yarra, find restaurants and skyline views.
Published September 14, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
