Japan to Australia Ocean Liner Elegance

09 Mar 2028

In 1859, Yokohama became the first major Japanese Treaty Port opened to foreign trade, so there is interesting maritime and international flavour to one of the country’s most accessible and second largest cities.

It’s an exciting city filled with Japanese charm and culture, and is less than 30 minutes’ train ride from Tokyo, so there’s an opportunity to sample two of Japan’s greatest urban centres.

Once a small fishing village, the trigger for Yokohama’s evolution came in 1853 when Japan opened several of its ports for commerce. Yokohama’s once sleepy settlement expanded and the Port of Yokohama officially opened in 1859, instantly becoming the base of foreign trade for the entire country.

British and Chinese traders came to the city, creating settlements and laying the foundations for the international character still present in the city today. A setback in the city’s history occurred in 1923 when the Great Kantō earthquake destroyed many structures and buildings. However, Yokohama experienced immense post-war growth with major urban development creating a modern and affluent identity.

10-15 Mar 2028 - At Sea

16 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning
Departs Evening

Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province and the largest of Papua New Guinea’s beautiful off shore islands. The town lies in the shadow of three volcanoes and is one of the most outstanding in Papua New Guinea. Occupied by the Japanese during World War II, the region is a mecca for scuba diving, with many WWII wrecks accessible in Simpson Harbour. The still active Mt Tavurvur volcano also frequently puts on a display for spectators and a camera is a must to record the occasional plume of smoke rising from its peak, as well as the town’s wartime history.

17-19 Mar 2028 - At Sea

20 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning
Departs Afternoon

Laid-back Cairns is located in the tropical Far North of Queensland. It’s the remarkable gateway to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, a spectacular location renowned for snorkelling and diving amongst kaleidoscopic marine life and coral.

A mecca for divers and a haven for lovers of the great outdoors, Cairns is a unique city and home to two World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park. A visit to Cairns offers an ultimate tropical discovery.

Cairns’ cruise port is situated next to the vibrant city centre. Here you’ll find extensive shopping and dining experiences, and direct access to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Tropical Rainforests. 

21 Mar 2028
Arrives Morning
Departs Evening

With waters that radiate turquoise intensity, sands as white as snow and forests the colour of emeralds, the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays are the definition of paradise - so beautiful you’ll hesitate to leave. 

Sandwiched between the coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday’s beaches rank among the best in the world. In Airlie Beach itself, you’ll find a laid-back coastal town with surf boutiques, charming souvenir markets and inviting bistros serving a plethora of seafood. Its star attraction, however, is a swimming lagoon of mirage-like proportions. Be sure to wear your swimmers or you’ll kick yourself when you see it.

22-23 Mar 2028 - At Sea

24-25 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning

The stunning harbour city, Sydney, is Australia’s oldest and largest urban centre. Gold mining and sheep breeding propelled Sydney’s development, and today it’s the largest port in the entire South Pacific. Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”.

Blessed with a natural harbour, countless golden beaches and world-class restaurants, Sydney is a dazzling metropolis and international gateway to Australia’s east coast. The city is famed for the quality of its outdoor living, yet a visit here offers more than a chance to soak up the sun. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, world-famous Opera House and the constant bustle of the harbour itself make Sydney one of the world’s most dynamic destinations. Venturing outside the capital of New South Wales unlocks mysterious protected coves, miles of sandy beaches and the dramatic landscape of the breath-taking Blue Mountains.