Island Wonders of the South Pacific
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Darwin to Lautoka
18 expedition nights aboard Silver Cloud from Darwin through the island maze of West Papua, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to Lautoka on Fiji. The voyage opens up remote reefs, traditional villages and volcanic landscapes that no line cruise reaches. You snorkel over colourful coral gardens, witness drum and dance ceremonies in coastal villages and observe seabirds, giant clams and reef sharks. Premium all-inclusive with butler service and premium wines quietly maintains the typical Silversea elegance.
Route highlights
- Darwin opening the voyage at Australia's Top End
- Islands and atolls of the Arafura and Bismarck Seas
- Cenderawasih Bay with whale sharks (seasonal)
- Madang and Rabaul in Papua New Guinea against a volcanic backdrop
- Rarely visited Solomon Islands with wartime history
- Ambrym in Vanuatu with an active volcano
- Arrival in Lautoka as gateway to the main islands of Fiji
Early booking advantage: Voyages in 2027 fill quickly - premium cabins are often reserved 18-24 months in advance. An early booking enquiry is non-binding and secures your preferred cabin category.
The Route
Darwin
18 nights
Lautoka
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SAT · 25 Sep 2027Darwin · EmbarkationDeparture 20:00
Darwin is the gateway to the Northern Territory's outback and to Australia's wild Top End. Kakadu National Park (UNESCO World Heritage), with its rock paintings, waterfalls and crocodiles, begins just a few hours away.
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SUN · 26 Sep 2027At sea
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MON · 27 Sep 2027At sea
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TUE · 28 Sep 2027Cape YorkArrival 06:00 Departure 11:30
Cape York in Queensland is the northernmost point of the Australian mainland, where the continent meets the Torres Strait. The remote headland marks the divide between the Coral Sea and the Arafura Sea.
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TUE · 28 Sep 2027Thursday IslandArrival 14:00 Departure 18:30
Thursday Island lies in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea and is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait Islands. Indigenous culture and a colonial-era pearling history shape its character.
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WED · 29 Sep 2027At sea
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THU · 30 Sep 2027AlotauArrival 07:30 Departure 18:00
Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay Province at the south-eastern tip of Papua New Guinea and the starting point for voyages through the Louisiade and D'Entrecasteaux Islands. The region was the site of the 1942 Battle of Milne Bay, the first defeat of a Japanese landing in the Pacific War.
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FRI · 01 Oct 2027Dei Dei Hot Springs (Fergusson Island)Arrival 07:00 Departure 12:30
On Fergusson Island in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands of Papua New Guinea, the Dei Dei hot springs bubble with steaming pools, boiling mud and rising geysers. The volcanic landscape bears witness to the region's geothermal activity.
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FRI · 01 Oct 2027Dobu IslandArrival 14:30 Departure 18:30
The small volcanic island of Dobu in the D'Entrecasteaux group off Papua New Guinea is part of the traditional Kula exchange ring. Hot springs and steep forested slopes shape its character.
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SAT · 02 Oct 2027Kuiawa IslandArrival 07:30 Departure 18:00
Kuiawa belongs to the Trobriand Islands off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea, an archipelago of low coral islands. The region is known for its vivid cultural traditions.
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SUN · 03 Oct 2027Jacquinot Bay (New Britain)Arrival 07:30 Departure 18:00
On the south coast of the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea, the secluded Jacquinot Bay cuts deep into dense tropical rainforest. The bay was an Australian naval base during World War II and today hosts traditional Tolai villages, whose inhabitants maintain shell money and ancient mask dance traditions, untouched by modern mass tourism.
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MON · 04 Oct 2027RabaulArrival 07:30 Departure 22:00
Rabaul lies on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. The port town sits in a volcanic caldera and has been markedly changed since the Tavurvur eruption of 1994.
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TUE · 05 Oct 2027At sea
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WED · 06 Oct 2027Kennedy IslandArrival 14:00 Departure 18:30
Small, densely forested island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It owes its name to John F. Kennedy, whose patrol boat PT-109 was sunk in surrounding waters in 1943 and who found refuge here with his crew.
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THU · 07 Oct 2027Kolo Hite IslandArrival 06:00 Departure 12:00
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FRI · 08 Oct 2027Santa Ana (Solomon Islands)Arrival 14:00 Departure 18:30
In the eastern Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, the small island of Santa Ana lies off the main island of Makira. The traditional dances and wood carving of its inhabitants make this isle an authentic destination.
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SAT · 09 Oct 2027At sea
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SUN · 10 Oct 2027Champagne Beach (Espiritu Santo)Arrival 08:30 Departure 19:30
Champagne Beach lies on the north-east coast of Espiritu Santo island in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. The white sandy beach owes its name to the freshwater bubbles that rise from the sand at low tide, while the sea offshore shimmers in several shades of turquoise.
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MON · 11 Oct 2027Ambrym IslandArrival 06:30 Departure 13:00
Ambrym in the central Vanuatu archipelago of the South Pacific is a black volcanic island whose two active calderas Marum and Benbow contain permanent lava lakes. The island is the spiritual heart of Vanuatu, with traditional sand drawing and the famous Rom dance masks.
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TUE · 12 Oct 2027At sea
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WED · 13 Oct 2027Lautoka · DisembarkationArrival 08:00
Climate & best time to sail
Embarkation: Darwin
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 25 |
| Sea °C | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 22 |
| Rain mm | 100 | 115 | 130 | 125 | 120 | 130 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 75 | 85 | 78 |
Long-term monthly normals · Reference: South-east Australia (Sydney)
Disembarkation: Lautoka
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air °C | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 |
| Sea °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
| Rain mm | 250 | 240 | 180 | 140 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 70 | 80 | 110 | 180 | 320 |
| Season | wet | wet | wet | wet | dry | dry | dry | dry | dry | dry | wet | wet |
Long-term monthly normals · Reference: Tahiti / Society Islands
Silver Cloud Expedition
Silver Cloud Expedition was converted in 2017 from luxury liner to expedition ship: ice-reinforced hull, Zodiac fleet, 296 guests. What remained: Silversea service, the all-inclusive philosophy and a standard of comfort unmatched in the expedition class.
The Ship
Cabins
Owner's Suite
The most prestigious suite on board, available with a second bedroom. A separate living and dining area, a generous marble bathroom and a private veranda overlooking the sea. Butler service included.
Grand Suite
The most spacious suite on Silver Cloud, available with two bedrooms. An elegant living and dining area, two bathrooms and a large veranda in the forward position. Ideal for the highest demands on space. Butler service included.
Royal Suite
A stately suite with a separate living and dining area, available with a second bedroom. A marble bathroom and a private veranda with sweeping forward views. Butler service included.
Medallion Suite
A generous midship suite with a sitting area, a marble bathroom and a veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Butler service included.
Silver Suite
A stylish suite with a separate living area, a marble bathroom with bathtub and separate shower, and a particularly large veranda. Butler service included.
Vista Suite
An elegant suite with a large picture window instead of a veranda, a cosy living area and a marble bathroom. Butler service included.
Deluxe Veranda Suite
A comfortable veranda suite in a particularly central location, with a seating area, a marble bathroom and a private veranda. Butler service included.
Veranda Suite
The classic Silversea suite: a welcoming living area, a marble bathroom and a private veranda with panoramic ocean views. Butler service included.
Deck plan · Silver Cloud Expedition
Standard inclusions of the ship voyage
On board
- Luxurious suite with ocean view or veranda, every category with personal butler service
- Full board in all onboard restaurants (main restaurant, speciality restaurants, casual dining) at no extra charge
- 24-hour room service and an individually stocked minibar in the suite
- Premium beverages on board: selected wines, champagne, international spirits, cocktails, beer, soft drinks, speciality coffees, tea and water
- Gratuities for the entire crew are included in the fare
- Unlimited Wi-Fi on board for all guests
- Use of pool, gym, sauna, steam bath and classes (yoga, stretching)
- Evening programme: live music, shows, themed lectures and onboard events
Not included
- Personal expenses on board (boutique, hairdresser, photos)
- Spa and wellness treatments, massages and personal trainer
- Laundry and pressing service (partly included in higher suite categories)
- Premium restaurants with a reservation or cover charge (e.g. La Dame, Kaiseki/Seishin, Silver Note on repeat visits)
- Selected fine spirits, rare wines and vintage champagnes beyond the standard premium package
- Shore excursions or private tours, unless explicitly stated in your booking confirmation.
- Medical care on board, doctor consultations and medication
- Travel insurance (cancellation, international health cover)
- Visa fees, entry taxes and biometric registration in the destination
- Airport taxes and security fees when arriving under your own arrangements
- Travel to the home airport outside the Door-to-Door radius
- Flight upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class (bookable for a surcharge on the Door-to-Door fare)
- Personal telephone calls and satellite calls from the suite
Further options
Additionally included depending on the fare booked:
- Shore excursions: on classic cruises at least one excursion per port depending on the fare; on expedition voyages all Zodiac outings and guided landings
- On expedition voyages additionally: lectures by the expedition team experts, a parka to keep and rubber boots on loan
- Economy-class flights from and to your home airport on Door-to-Door and many All-Inclusive fares (business upgrade for a surcharge)
- Airport transfers between airport and ship on the Door-to-Door and All-Inclusive Plus fares
- On Door-to-Door and selected expedition voyages: a hotel night before and after the cruise
- On Door-to-Door (home airport within about 80 km): private chauffeur service from your door to the airport and back
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this voyage?
Send us a non-binding enquiry via the form on this page. Our team replies personally within 24 hours with availability, cabin options and a tailored offer. No enquiry fee, no upfront payment.
What is included in the price?
The base price per person (twin cabin) includes the cabin in your chosen category, full board, all port fees and the onboard programme. Flights and transfers are quoted separately. 18 nights from EUR 16.960 p.p. With Silversea, selected wines and beverages at meals are included.
How many guests sail on the Silver Cloud Expedition?
A maximum of 254 guests - extraordinarily intimate compared to standard cruise ships. The high crew-to-guest ratio ensures personal attention throughout the voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes - all itineraries are subject to weather, port availability and the captain's decisions. This is part of the charm of small-ship cruising: flexibility allows for unexpected discoveries.
Are there specials for early bookers or solo travellers?
Yes. Early bookers receive discounts for timely booking. Solo travellers often benefit from a reduced or waived single supplement. Simply mention your preferences in the enquiry.
Is my booking protected?
Yes. As a German tour operator, ivent-sailing provides a travel protection certificate (Reisesicherungsschein) under German law. Your payment is fully insured.
What about flights and transfers?
We arrange flights and transfers on request as part of your personal offer. This allows us to find the best connections for your specific departure date and home airport.
Are there shore excursions?
Yes. All cruise lines offer shore excursions - from guided cultural tours to nature experiences. The concepts vary by fleet. We are happy to provide details on available excursions for your chosen voyage.
What water sports and activities are available?
Depending on the ship and route: snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, diving, and Zodiac landings (on expedition voyages). Many ships have a marina platform for direct access to the water. We will be happy to tell you exactly what is available on your voyage.
When is the best time to sail this voyage?
For embarkation in Darwin the best time to sail is November to March (southern summer); for disembarkation in Lautoka it is May to October (dry season).
Non-binding enquiry
Your enquiry reaches a person familiar with this voyage and ship.
