This 17-night Ponant Explorers itinerary links Darwin to Vila, threading 5 ports of call through 4 countries with 10 days at sea to unwind aboard Ponant Explorers Paul Gauguin.
Why sail this route
You unpack once and let the ship do the travelling: 4 countries over 17 nights, starting in Darwin and finishing in Vila, with a new port waiting most mornings instead of airports and hotel check-ins.
The pacing runs to 5 port days and 10 days at sea — time to enjoy the ship between stops.
Good to know
- Best for
- Repositioning & bucket-list cruisers
- Season
- Spring sailing
- Route
- Darwin → Vila
- Pace
- 5 port days · 10 sea days
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Hover a day to find it on the map.
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The Ship
Your home for all 17 nights aboard Ponant Explorers Paul Gauguin — so you unpack once and wake up somewhere new each morning.
About This Cruise
The 17 Night Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji is a 17-night one-way itinerary aboard Ponant Explorers Paul Gauguin. You board in Darwin and disembark in Vila, calling at 5 ports across 4 countries along the way.
In sequence the voyage takes in Australia (Darwin, Thursday Island), Papua New Guinea (Alotau, Alotau), Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal, Guadalcanal) and Vanuatu (Vila, Vila).
As a one-way sailing you'll fly into Darwin and home from Vila, so it's worth checking the two gateways before you book. Longer hops are crossed on the 10 days at sea, keeping daylight hours for the ports. Sailing dates, cabin availability and fares vary by season — use Check Dates & Prices for live pricing, or call our team to talk through the options.