# South Pacific Cruises *By James Hills, cruisewestcoast.com — Updated September 2023* If you’re looking for a unique and luxurious vacation experience that is even more exotic than Alaska or Antarctica, South Pacific cruises from California should be at the top of your list. These amazing voyages allow travelers to explore some of the most stunning and exotic locations on Earth while enjoying an array of amenities aboard some of the most luxurious cruise ships available today. While South Pacific cruises are often the domain of small luxury cruise lines, large ships also offer a variety of itineraries. These can range from repositioning cruises from San Diego or Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia. Sometimes there are even loops such as the 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas cruise offered by Holland America Line, which sails round trip from San Diego. ## Some Highlights of South Pacific Cruises Include One of the most popular stops along these routes is Honolulu, Hawaii's glittering capital city. Here guests can get up close and personal with some of Oahu's most iconic attractions, from Diamond Head and Waikiki beach to numerous historical and cultural landmarks such as Iolani Palace and the USS Arizona memorial. From there, they will sail south, soon arriving in Bora Bora, the “Jewel of French Polynesia”. This paradise island is home to numerous beautiful lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and picture-perfect palm tree beaches—all making it one of the best places to relax and soak up some sunshine during this journey. Another popular port is Papeete, the bustling capital of Tahiti. Guests here can explore local markets filled with brightly colored treasures from all over the world; take part in exciting water sports like jet skiing or parasailing; or simply relax on white sandy beaches such as Matavai Bay where Captain Cook first made landfall in 1769. Most of these cruises will then end up in Sydney Harbor where guests can continue their adventure by exploring Australia and or New Zealand. There are many different South Pacific islands that cruise lines can select from for cruises like this make sure to work with your travel advisor to select the best itinerary that goes to those destinations that you've been dreaming of. ## Line-Crossing Ceremony Many guests on these South Pacific cruises have probably already visited resorts on some of these islands and so those stops individually aren't the bucket list reason for taking a cruise like this. Instead, simply the act of crossing the equator on a ship and the "Equatorial Baptism" or "Line-crossing Ceremony" is the experience that these guests are chasing.  No matter if you are in the cheapest inside cabin on a Carnival cruise or the most luxurious suite on Regent, this is a special event for everyone on board that is something you simply won't be able to experience if you cross the equator on an airplane.  This is a ritual steeped in maritime history and tradition that only a few will be able to achieve each year and that seems like a pretty good reason to book a South Pacific cruise to us! We Love Virgin Voyages Cruises, I Know You Will Too! 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Expert cruise reviews, port guides, and personalized trip planning. *Source: [South Pacific Cruises](https://cruisewestcoast.com/south-pacific-cruises.html) — cruisewestcoast.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Cruise ship reviews and comparisons](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-ships/) - [West Coast cruise port guides](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-ports/) - [Plan your trip with our cruise specialist](https://cruisewestcoast.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent)