Ocean Discovery – Sydney, Brisbane & Noumea

About this cruise

This is the kind of cruise where you actually have time to go back to a port highlight you missed the first time. 28 nights from Sydney on March 28, 2027, visiting Brisbane, Noumea and Lifou Island, with additional stops along the Australia & New Zealand. The sailing ends in Seattle. The itinerary clusters several port calls together. Fast-paced for a few days, then the sea days hit and you can catch your breath. Crossing 4 borders through the Australia & New Zealand: Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji and United States. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. You get around 10 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Noordam takes the food seriously, with 7 restaurants to choose from. 5 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. One of the underrated parts of a longer cruise: you actually get to know people. The couple from dinner, the group at trivia, the bartender who remembers your drink. Suits retirees, remote workers, or anyone who doesn't need to be anywhere else for a while. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Sydney has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. A March departure catches that sweet window of warm-enough weather before the summer rush. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 28-night sailing is a strong place to start.