Sun, sand, swaying palm trees, the scent of topical flowers in the air and breathtaking island scenery set the stage for a South Pacific cruise vacation.  Princess Cruises will take passengers on a variety of island voyages in 2011-2012 with a full schedule of cruises to Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific.  The company will offer 43 sailings of 10 itineraries to 33 ports throughout these idyllic islands.

Cruise passengers will find that each of these island destinations has its own charms.  In Hawaii they’ll enjoy the spirit of Aloha throughout the island chain, while Tahiti and the other islands of French Polynesia showcase a unique mix of South Seas appeal and French culture.  Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu each offer their own style and island allure, and all feature the stunning vistas found throughout the South Pacific.

Travelers interested in the convenience of a roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles can choose to sail aboard Golden Princess or Sapphire Princess to the Hawaiian Islands or on a new 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific cruise aboard Sapphire Princess.  Cruisers to Tahiti will enjoy the small ship ambiance of Ocean Princess on several itineraries, and Princess’ Aussie-style sailings from Down Under feature Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess sailing roundtrip from Sydney or Brisbane.

“Everyone dreams of running away to an idyllic Pacific island,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.  “Our cruises can bring these wonderful islands to life, with more choices than ever to find the perfect vacation.”

The Hawaiian Islands each have their own personality.  On Oahu, the state capital of Honolulu offers a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions, including famous Waikiki Beach, America’s only royal residence the Iolani Palace, and Pearl Harbor.  The Big Island, the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, has the most varied in landscape – with striking black sand beaches, tropical rain forests, and the famed Volcanoes National Park, home to three volcanoes, including the actively erupting Kilauea.

Known as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai offers lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls and geological wonders, such as the dramatic Nã Pali Coastline, and spectacular Waimea Canyon.  The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui boasts some of the world’s most superb beaches and dramatic mountain landscapes.  Visitors can also explore the port town of Lahaina which was once King Kamehameha’s capital. 

Made up of more than 130 islands, French Polynesia includes some of the most dreamed about South Seas islands, such as Tahiti and Bora Bora.  This is the South Pacific of Melville, Gauguin and Michener.  Particularly immortalized by Gauguin’s paintings, Tahiti evokes exotic island images and the South Seas state of mind.  Nearby Moorea boast precipitous mountains that reach for the sky, creating picture postcard views.  No name captures the imagination of paradise as well as Bora Bora.  Perhaps the most stunning island in the South Pacific, its majestic landscape was sculpted by ancient volcanoes, showcasing a shimmering lagoon and barrier reef. Passengers on Ocean Princess’ 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia itinerary will enjoy a full Two-Day Experience in Bora Bora with extra time to enjoy the island’s charms.

The two islands of Huahine are surrounded by a deep lagoon encircled by a coral necklace.  Connected by a bridge, both islands boast white-sand beaches, vanilla and banana plantations, and some of Polynesia’s most significant cultural sites.  The largest atoll in French Polynesia, divers from all over the world flock to Rangiroa, to explore the undersea world of its 42-mile aquamarine lagoon filled with unique marine life and magnificent underwater scenery.

Samoa and American Samoa lie at the heart of the South Pacific. Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa, the southernmost territory of the United States.  Here abundant rain creates a lush green landscape marked by ancient volcanoes and thriving coral atolls.  Apia, the main township of Samoa, personifies the fa’a Samoa (the Samoan Way), and conjures up images of the perfect South Seas island town.

Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific cruises:

Princess Cruises ships sail to the Hawaiian Islands, between Hawaii and Tahiti and throughout the island paradises of the South Pacific.

Hawaiian Islands Cruises – Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess will sail from Los Angeles on a 14-day roundtrip voyage to the Land of Aloha with calls at Hilo on the Big Island, Honolulu, Kauai, and Lahaina on Maui, plus Ensenada, Mexico.  The ships will sail between September 28, 2011 and April 25, 2012.

Tahiti & Polynesia – This classic Princess itinerary sails roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti for 10 days among the islands of Polynesia, with two overnight visits. Ocean Princess starts with an overnight in the Tahitian capital and then calls on Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora (Two-day Experience includes two full days and an overnight), and Moorea.  Sailings depart on December 17, 2011; January 18 and 28, 2012.

Hawaii & Tahiti – Travelers can enjoy the intimacy of a small cruise ship on a voyage that features both the Polynesian paradises of Hawaii and French Polynesia. These 11-day sailings between Papeete and Honolulu on Ocean Princess include calls at Moorea, Bora Bora, Hilo, Maui, and Kauai.  Sailings depart December 27, 2011; January 7, February 7 and 18, 2012.

Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa – This new 28-day itinerary aboard Sapphire Princess offers an unusual roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles, to three island groups in one convenient roundtrip sailing.  The ship calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Pago Pago, Apia, Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete.  The sailing departs on October 22, 2011.

South Pacific & New Zealand Cruises – Sailing between Sydney and Papeete, Ocean Princess offers a 16-day voyage including Tauranga, Auckland, Suva (Fiji), Apia, Pago Pago, Bora Bora, and Moorea.  The ship departs on December 2, 2011 and February 29, 2012.

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific – Sea Princess sails across the Pacific between San Francisco and Sydney on a 29-day voyage to Honolulu, Maui, Moorea, Papeete, Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Suva, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park scenic cruising.  The sailings depart on September 17, 2011 and April 15, 2012.

Aussie Experience Voyages

Sailings aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess head to the islands from Sydney or Brisbane and feature onboard amenities to appeal to Australian tastes.

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific – Dawn Princess will sail on a 35-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney, with calls at Nuku’Alofa (Tonga), Apia, Hilo, Kilauea Volcano scenic cruising, Maui, Honolulu, Kauai, Kona, Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Suva and Nouméa (New Caledonia).  The ship sets sail on April 13, 2012.

New Caledonia & Vanuatu – Dawn Princess takes a 12-day jaunt roundtrip from Sydney to call at Nouméa, Isle of Pines and Lifou in New Caledonia; and Vila, Wala and Champagne Bay in Vanuatu.  The ship sails on May 13, 2011.

Fijian Jewels – Sun Princess sails roundtrip from Brisbane on an 11-day journey to Nouméa and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; three Fiji ports, Suva, Port Denarau, and Dravuni Island; and Vila (Vanuatu).  The ship sails on January 11 and February 5, 2012.

Fiji & South Pacific – A popular roundtrip sailing from Sydney featuring 14 days with calls at Lifou, five ports in Fiji: Vila, Port Denarau, Suva, Savu Savu, and Dravuni Island; plus Nouméa. Available on Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Sun Princess, sailings depart October 5, November 1 and 28, 2011; February 6 and March 16, 2012.