10 Night Cruise sailing from Port Vila to Rabaul aboard Orion.

Orion's 10 night South Pacific voyage will explore islands unspoilt by tourism. This unique itinerary will balance authentic cultural experiences with sheer relaxation and sights no other cruise provides. Orion's unique cultural program gives guests a fascinating inside look at the traditions and customs of the Polynesian people living on the remote islands of Utupua and Santa Ana and the opportunity to purchase fine carvings and original artworks. Enjoy the gentle sea breezes of Marovo Lagoon and snorkel extensive coral reefs. Orion's guests will enjoy a warm welcome at every destination, with plenty of music, uninhibited rhythmic dancing and singing. A paradise in every sense.

Highlights of this cruise:

Port Vila
Port Vila is the capital and largest town of the republic of Vanuatu, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Located on Mele Bay on the southwest coast of Efate, Vila is a port and the commercial centre of the island group.

In the 19th century, French settlers established the municipality of Franceville, which declared independence in 1889 and became the first self-governing nation to practice universal suffrage without distinction of sex or race.

Although the population at the time consisted of about 500 native islanders and less than 50 whites, only the latter were permitted to hold office. The town is French in appearance, but the population is multinational, including British, French, Vanuatuans, and Vietnamese.

Malakula - Wet Landing
Malakula is the second largest island in the Vanuatu group, once known as The Cannibal Islands due to the fierce reputation of the predominant tribal groups known as the big and small Nambas. The island is also the most diverse, culturally and linguistically, with over thirty distinct languages spoken.

Sandalwood does not grow on the island and so it attracted little interest from the ruthless sea traders of the 1800s, leaving the culture virtually intact and the inhabitants unscathed by the slaving and introduced Western diseases prevalent elsewhere in the South Pacific.

Santa Ana - Wet Landing
Orion will navigate through the picturesque channel separating Santa Ana and Santa Catalina Islands before dropping anchor on the west coast of Santa Ana just outside shallow Mary Bay. The islanders are well known for preserving ancient traditions, so as we step ashore from the Zodiacs don't be surprised if we are greeted by songs and elaborately costumed dancers.

The craft work from Santa Ana includes magnificently carved fishing floats, ceremonial black bowls inlaid with shells and intricate animal designs.

Rabaul
Set at the eastern end of the island of New Britain, the tropical port town of Rabaul has always been famous for its spectacular setting. Nestled beside Simpson Harbour, the township is surrounded by six volcanoes, one of which, Mt Tavurvur, is still active today. During more than 100 years of settlement, Rabaul has been rocked by massive volcanic eruptions and war, a testament to the resilience of the townsfolk who have rebuilt after each event.

The most recent major volcanic eruption was in September 1994 when Tavurvur and Vulcan covered much of Rabaul and surrounding villages with volcanic ash. This eruption saw the growth of the nearby coastal town of Kokopo which has now become the administrative and tourism centre for Rabaul.

The area played a significant role in WWII and the Japanese occupation in 1942 saw the building of hundreds of kilometres of tunnels underneath the town and the Gazelle Peninsula as protection against constant Allied bombing raids. It is almost hard to miss the rusting relics left over by the retreating forces. In one tunnel are five huge barges that were pulled along rails to the shore and back by prisoners of war. Dozens of sunken aircraft and ships dot the harbour and to the north are sea caves used as a drop-off point by Japanese submarines.