Duration
21 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Australia
Ports
20 Ports
11 September
Setting sail from Darwin
More of a large town than a city, Darwin is less about what's contained within the city limits and more about the huge expanse of wild landscape that's outside it. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney, the city really does feel remote in its tropical perch. There are a number of waterfront restaurants and pretty parks, making it a pleasant place to relax after a long flight. For those with the energy we highly recommend a visit to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks.
Our tip
Visit Litchfield National Park and embark on a crocodile-spotting boat trip, where you can see these intimidating, prehistoric beasts jump clean out of the water for a meal.
12-14 September
Australia: Victoria Settlement (Garig Gunak Barlu National Park), Banthula (Elcho Island), Yirrkala
15 September
Australia: Thursday Island
Thursday Island is one of the Torres Strait Islands, situated to the north of Cape York. Proximity to Papua New Guinea makes for an interesting cultural mix, and the island has a fascinating military history. Be aware that swimming off the beautiful beaches is not recommended due to the presence of crocodiles and marine stingers.
16 September
At sea
17 September
Papua New Guinea: Alotau
Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay province, on the remote eastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea. Milne Bay was the scene of heavy fighting during the Second World War, and today you can dive amongst the wreckage left behind. Alotau also serves as a base for visiting the nearby islands, including the fascinating Trobriand archipelago.
18 September
Papua New Guinea: Fergusson Island
Fergusson Island is the largest of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, with a landscape of volcanoes, mud pools, hot springs and geysers. The Dei Dei hot springs are particularly impressive, and you may spot locals cooking food in the boiling hot water using baskets made from palm and pandanus leaves.
18 September
Papua New Guinea: Dobu
Dobu is a small island that belongs to the D’Entrecasteaux group, and was once feared by outsiders as a hotbed for black magic. The island is also part of the Kula ring, a fascinating and unique ceremonial practice in which the inhabitants of 18 different islands exchange armbands and necklaces.
19-20 September
Papua New Guinea: Kuyau Island, Jacquinot Bay (New Britain)
21 September
Papua New Guinea: Rabaul
Looming over Rabaul is smouldering Mount Tavurvur, an active volcano that buried much of the city when it erupted in 1994, and which still periodically belches smoke and ash. Rabaul is also an appealing destination for history buffs, with several World War II sites still scattered with rusting wreckage.
22 September
At sea
23-25 September
Solomon Islands: Kasolo Island, Njari Island, Lumalihe Island, Marove Lagoon, Rauhi Island
26 September
Solomon Islands: Santa Ana
The lush island of Santa Ana, also known as Owaraha, is home to just three villages, and visitors are usually welcomed to the island with traditional songs and dances. You will find a few stalls where you can buy locally-made souvenirs, and you can also snorkel in the surrounding lagoon.
27 September
At sea
28 September
Vanuatu: Ambrym Island
Ambrym is known as the ‘Black Island’ due to its dark volcanic soil, with two active volcanoes, Mount Marum and Mount Benbow. The island is also known for its magic and sorcery, and for its traditional Rom dances, when locals don elaborate masks and costumes.
29 September
Vanuatu: Champagne Beach
Champagne Beach is a stunning stretch of perfect white sand on the east coast of Espiritu Santo, the largest of Vanuatu’s islands. The beach is named after a bizarre natural phenomenon, in which gas escaping from volcanic rocks on the sea floor causes the water to bubble and fizz at low tide.
30 September
At sea
1 October
Fiji: Yasawa Islands
The sparsely populated Yasawa Islands are famous for their stunning beaches and hilly volcanic terrain. You can indulge in all the usual activities such as sunbathing and snorkelling, along with a visit to the unique Sawa-i-lau caves, accessible by swimming through an underwater tunnel.
2 October
Arriving in Lautoka
Lautoka is Fiji's second largest city, known as the 'Sugar City' due to its important role in the local sugarcane industry. The waterfront area is pleasant enough, but we'd recommend using Lautoka as a jumping off point to visit some of the smaller surrounding islands, or the forests and waterfalls of the interior.
For once-in-a-lifetime tailor-made itineraries, Mundy Adventures specialises in expedition cruises to some of the most wonderful places on earth; places often only accessible by water.
Your home from home
The intimate and popular Silver Cloud is reborn as a stylish expedition ship, following an extensive refurbishment in August 2017.
What we love
The lovely Silver Cloud is now part of Silversea's Expeditions fleet, with a reduced capacity, an ice-strengthened hull and 18 zodiacs making this one of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea.
Capacity | 254 guests (240 guests in polar regions) |
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Crew | 208 International Staff |
Style | Cosy, welcoming, stimulating, exciting - this ship has it all! If you enjoy the finer things in life but have an adventurous spirit, you will find yourself in congenial company on board. |
Inclusions |
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Year built | 1994 |
Last refurbished | 2017 |
Tonnage | 16,800 grt |
Length | 514 feet |
Breadth | 71 feet |
Cruising speed | 18 knots |
Tailor-make your trip
Where to stay near Darwin
Don’t hang around in Darwin itself; if you want to see more of the Top End, we recommend Bamurru Plains.
Visit the Red Centre
From Darwin take a flight to the Red Centre to see the magical sites of Uluru and Kings Canyon, yet another one of those once in a lifetime experiences!