Not only is it cheaper, but cruising to the South Pacific in winter is a perfect way to shake off the chill.
Baby, it’s cold outside. But not everywhere. Off the north-east coast of Australia, the South Pacific is a magical region where the sun is always shining, the water is warm and temperatures are a balmy 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are endless reasons to take a cruise in winter, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top three.
Weather
In winter, much of Australia experiences temperatures above 59 degrees Fahrenheit. In the South Pacific, it’s going to be a reliable 70 degrees – or higher.
The weather here is consistent all year round, so it will be only slightly cooler than it is in summer.
In fact, winter can actually be a more pleasant time to visit as it’s the dry season, so you can expect lots of sunshine, hardly any rain and very low humidity.
The sea is also invitingly warm, usually no less than 71 degrees. That means the South Pacific is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving, which you can easily organize on a shore excursion.
Instead of waiting for the bus in the rain or trying to squeeze into a train carriage full of people in overcoats, you could be sipping piña coladas under the South Pacific sun. Seems like an easy choice to us.
Value
Cruising is good value at any time of year. Fares are all-inclusive, so once you step on board, your meals, activities and entertainment are all covered (with a few exceptions).
In winter, the deals get even better, so you’d best subscribe to Carnival’s emails to keep you in the loop on the hottest deals.
Compare that to a land-based holiday, where you’ll have to pay for transport, accommodation, meals and recreation, and the numbers start to look even better.
Let’s go!
Carnival Splendor is based in Sydney year-round and sails to the South Pacific regularly.
Cruises last from eight to 17 nights and visit places like Noumea, Mare, and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia and Port Denarau and Suva in Fiji, as well as a few pristine uninhabited islands.
You’ll also have a couple of days at sea as you sail out of Australian waters (and the same on the way back). Use those to take advantage of the swimming pools and sun lounges, and get your tan underway before spring arrives.