Ocean Discovery – Vila, Lelepa & Brisbane

About this cruise

7 nights, 2 ports, all from Brisbane on January 28, 2028. The route visits Port Vila and Lelepa Island Vanuatu and the whole thing just flows. It starts gently with sea days, so by the time you reach the first port you'll have explored the ship and actually feel on holiday. Big cities, reef snorkelling, and New Zealand's green mountains. Genuinely varied. You get around 11 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Ovation Of The Seas takes the food seriously, with 16 restaurants to choose from. 6 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Brisbane has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. While everyone else deals with the January cold, you'll be somewhere warmer. And floating. Good route, good ship, good timing. It all lines up.