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

Join us for this adventurous 10 night South Pacific voyage from Auckland to Port Vila. Explore the world famous Bay of Islands before sailing to the historic penal settlement of Norfolk Island and then on to the picturesque Isle of Pines. Experience the amazing Melanesian 'Ring of Fire' with visits to the volcanic islands of Anatom and Tanna, highlighted by an exciting evening excursion to the rim of the crater of the spectacularly active volcano, Mt Yasur. Then soak up the French flavour of Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Highlights of this cruise:

Auckland
In the Maori language Auckland is known as Tamaki Makau Rau, the city of 100 lovers, having earned the name because it was a place desired by all and conquered by many. The setting is spectacular, the city being nestled upon three harbours - the Waitemata, the Manukau and the Kaipara. Don't miss the chance to dine out in Auckland as the city has perfected the style of cuisine called "Pacific Rim", blending Asian and Pacific flavours. Seafood features prominently on restaurant menus so be sure to try New Zealand green lipped mussels and succulent Clevedon Coast oysters - all matched with an excellent New Zealand wine.

Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is rich in History and Culture from Captain Cook's discovery in 1774 to modern times. When the First Fleet arrived at Port Jackson in January 1788, Phillip ordered Lieutenant Philip Gidley King to lead a party of fifteen convicts and seven free men to take control of the island and prepare for its commercial development. They arrived on 6 March 1788.

Although much of the land has been cleared for cropping and pasture, the once-dominant Norfolk Island pines remain a notable feature of the landscape. The island has a wide variety of flora; fauna includes geckos, bats, turtles, plentiful fishes, and numerous seabirds.

Before European colonization, most of Norfolk Island was covered with subtropical rain forest, the canopy of which was made of Norfolk Island Pine. Historic attractions include museums, the penal settlement and the culture arising from the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives, who settled on Norfolk after the mutiny of the HMS Bounty.

Isle of Pines
"Such a lovely spot of God's creation" was the journal entry of Andrew Cheyne, the first British sandalwood trader to reach Isle of Pines' shores 165 years ago. Known as Kunie to its Melanesian inhabitants, the island is part of the French-Pacific territory New Caledonia. Today there are roughly 2,000 inhabitants, 95% of whom are Melanesians or Kanaks.

For traditional, cultural and social reasons, these indigenous Kunie people are formed into eight tribes, each with their own 'little chief' and governed as a whole by a High Chief.

We will be anchoring in Kuto Bay, famous for its fabulous white sand beach.

Wander the island, meet the locals (a little French will come in handy) or swim in the azure waters of the bay. Explore the ruins of the convict settlement that housed 2,000 deported prisoners in the 1870's invite exploration or just grab a mask and fins for snorkelling.

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.