Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Gateway to Pacific Cruise Tours
Transpacific: Cruise Hubs
- North Pacific Cruise Gateways
- South Pacific Cruise Gateways
- Pacific Northwest & Alaska
- Tahiti & French Polynesia
- Australia & New Zealand
North Pacific Gateways:
Seattle, Washington (U.S. Homeport)
- The Hub: Primary U.S. homeport for large ocean liners (such as Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore) departing conveniently from Pier 66.
- The Package: Includes premium downtown hotel stays near Pike Place Market and effortless pier transfers.
- The Route: 7- to 10-day round-trip itineraries through the Inside Passage to Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan—ideal for families and multi-generational groups.
Vancouver, British Columbia (Glacier Bay Gateway)
- The Hub: Premier Canadian turnaround port at Canada Place, offering calm-water sailing routes to Alaska.
- The Package: Luxury hotel stays within walking distance of the Canada Place cruise terminal paired with seamless luggage transfers.
- The Route: Northbound and southbound sailings navigating the protected Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, delivering smooth cruising for seniors and families alike.
Whittier & Seward, Alaska (Anchorage Turnaround Hubs)
- The Hub: Northern turnaround ports for open-jaw, one-way "Glacier Route" sailings connecting Alaska with Vancouver.
- The Package: Comfortable hotel stays in Anchorage or wilderness lodge retreats combined with scenic train or motorcoach transfers through the Chugach Mountains.
- The Route: Serves as the perfect land-and-sea bridge to add pre- or post-cruise land tours into Denali National Park before or after your voyage.
South Pacific Gateways
Hawaii: Honolulu:
The Port: Honolulu is the primary homeport and hub for grand transoceanic crossings and year-round Hawaiian Island loops.
- Best For: The ultimate jumping-off point for multi-destination Pacific voyages and deep, immersive Hawaiian discoveries.
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Commands the Hawaiian market with year-round, seven-day inter-island itineraries (Pride of America) alongside regular transpacific repositioning sailings.
- Windstar Cruises: Features Honolulu as a prized turnaround port or highlight stop on rare, luxury transoceanic and South Pacific voyages.
Tahiti & French Polynesia: Papeete
The Port: Gateway to French Polynesia, hosting customized island-hopping itineraries sailing from spring through autumn.
- Best For: Cultural explorers and lagoon lovers wanting to experience remote islands, vibrant marine life, and overwater bungalow stays.
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Delivers premium ocean-liner comfort with seamless transit to famous lagoon ports like Bora,Bora and Moorea.
- Windstar Cruises: Intimate, small-ship yachting that drops anchor in tiny, secluded bays, offering authentic Polynesian cultural immersion up close.
New Zealand: Auckland
The Port: Premier deep-water homeports for epic cross-Tasman sailings and South Pacific loops departing October through March.
- Best For: Bucket-list travelers seeking grand voyages that blend cosmopolitan harbor cities with dramatic fjords and island archipelagos.
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Features mid-sized ocean liner sailings crossing the Tasman Sea, perfect for multi-generational families and first-time South Pacific cruisers.
- Windstar Cruises: Glides effortlessly into boutique ports, small island harbors, and New Zealand’s quiet fjords with an exclusive, uncrowded feel.
Australia: Sydney
- The Port: Sydney, New South Wales — Premier Transpacific and South Pacific homeports featuring iconic sail-aways past the Opera House, operating primarily during the October through April peak season.
- Best For: Australia Coastal & Transpacific Crossings, connecting Australia to Hawaii, French Polynesia, and New Zealand, as well as northern tropical routes taking in Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Mid-sized ocean liner sailings crossing the Tasman Sea, perfect for multi-generational families and first-time South Pacific cruisers.
- Windstar Cruises: Boutique ships gliding effortlessly into small island harbors, hidden reefs, and New Zealand’s quiet fjords with an exclusive, uncrowded feel.
Pacific Northwest to Asia Gateways (Seattle & Vancouver)
Homeports:
Seattle, WA (Pier 66) & Vancouver, BC (Canada Place).
- Seasonal Timing: Early Fall departures heading westbound toward Japan and East Asia.
- Travel Package: Includes premium pre-cruise hotel stays in downtown Seattle or Vancouver, effortless transfers to the pier, and guided city excursions before embarkation.
- The Route: Grand 15- to 16-day transpacific sailings navigating the protected waters of Alaska's Inside Passage before crossing the North Pacific to Yokohama or Tokyo.
Alaska Gulf Repositioning (Seward to Japan)
Homeports:
Seward, Alaska (Gulf of Alaska turnaround hub) connecting to Yokohama or Osaka.
- Seasonal Timing: Late summer departures as ships conclude their North American season.
- Travel Package: Features luxury wilderness lodge or Anchorage city hotel stays paired with scenic train or motorcoach transfers through the Chugach Mountains.
- The Route: Immersive 14- to 16-day transoceanic voyages crossing the International Date Line, passing tidewater glaciers, and arriving directly into Japan’s major deep-water cruise ports.
Japan & East Asia Hubs (Yokohama & Tokyo)
Homeports:
Tokyo / Yokohama, Japan (Yokohama International Passenger Terminal).
- Seasonal Timing: Spring departures heading eastbound back across the North Pacific toward Alaska and North America.
- Travel Package: Includes multi-night pre- or post-cruise hotel stays in central Tokyo with pre-arranged private port transfers.
- The Route: Paired with guided city tours, temple excursions, and free time in Ginza or Shibuya before embarking on cross-ocean voyages back to Vancouver or Seattle.
Tahiti & French Polynesia (Papeete)
Deep Water Ports for Large-Ship Voyages: (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Papeete (Tahiti), French Polynesia
- The Hub: The primary homeport for deep South Pacific cruising, serving as the main base for round-trip island loops and cross-ocean sailings.
- The Packages: Includes premium resort hotel stays right on the lagoon. These packages are a favorite for multi-generational families, combining smooth transit to the ship with easy beach days, local market visits, and boat tours before departure.
- The Experience: Sailing on NCL’s beautifully updated mid-sized ocean liners, which offer extensive dining choices, broad entertainment venues, and great multi-generational spaces.
- The Access: The ship docks securely at the deep-water hub in Papeete (Tahiti) for seamless city hotel arrivals. For pristine lagoon stops like Bora Bora and Moorea, the ship anchors smoothly offshore in deeper water, utilizing comfortable tender boat transfers to take guests right to the island piers.
Sydney, Australia
- The Hub: The primary Australian homeport for NCL’s cross-Tasman routes, featuring iconic sailings right past the Sydney Opera House.
- The Packages: Includes city hotel stays perfect for families. These packages combine easy port transit with excellent multi-generational activities, like guided trips to the Taronga Zoo, historic harbor walks, and easy access to local beaches.
Auckland, New Zealand
- The Hub: The main New Zealand turnaround port for one-way open-jaw cruises across the Tasman Sea.
- The Packages: Includes hotel stays in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant waterfront. It features seamless port transfers paired with great options for all ages, including scenic harbor lookouts, museum visits, and local food tours.
The Cross-Tasman Sailing Itinerary (one-way (open-jaw)
- The Route: Grand 10- to 12-day seasonal sailings connecting Sydney and Auckland across the Tasman Sea on mid-sized ocean liners like the Norwegian Spirit. Ships sail through New Zealand's majestic fjords (Milford Sound) and call at accessible ports including Melbourne, Hobart (Tasmania), and Tauranga with direct pier docking for easy shore excursions.
- Southbound / Westbound: Auckland to Sydney
- Northbound / Eastbound: Sydney to Auckland
Lautoka, Fiji | Australia | New Zealand | Eastern Islands
- The Hub: A vital island turnaround hub used for unique itineraries connecting Fiji with Australia, New Zealand, and the eastern islands.
- The Packages: Includes comfortable hotel stays surrounded by scenic coastal views. Packages combine simple pier transfers with choices for cultural village tours, beach breaks, or garden walks that work beautifully for all age groups.
Aloha from Rose,
No fee concierge travel services are complimentary, no fees are added to the cost of your travel package. Licensed travel agencies are paid by the operators of the package inclusions.
Together we will create an itinerary for your dream vacation, or cruise with hotels and excursions for any destination. Take advantage of my 20+ years of experience, specializing in destinations in the Pacific regions.
Rose Royse: Cruise & Travel Concierge