Transpacific Cruising

 Cruising the Pacific Ocean, bound for new lands.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Most of you have probably heard of the famous Transatlantic Crossings.  After all, some of the greatest ships to ply the seas sailed the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and North America.  But few are as familiar with transpacific crossings.

Usually offered in the shoulder seasons of April and October, Transpacific crossings can be a tremendous way to see parts of Asia and Australia without the need for costly roundtrip airfare.  They've been around every bit as long as their more illustrious cousin, and they're slowly finding a rebirth thanks to modern cruising.

The best part of these voyages is their diversity: you can sail from Anchorage to Tokyo, Los Angeles to Papeete, or San Diego to Sydney.  There are voyages that start in Hawaii and end in Auckland, and ones that begin in Sydney and end in Hong Kong.  You can even sail all the way from Vancouver to Los Angeles, via Asia, Australia, the South Pacific and Hawaii – if you have the time.  A crossing of that nature can take well over two months!

While an Atlantic crossing can be completed in as little as six days aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2, transpacific crossings take a little longer, with the average length hovering around 16 days.  Unlike transatlantic crossings, a transpacific crossing can be very port-intensive, offering passengers a chance to see some of the most unique places in the world with a comfortable mix of sea days thrown in.

There's also another fun quirk to a transpacific crossing: the International Date Line.  Westbound voyages lose a day, while Eastbound cruises gain one.  It becomes very important to look carefully at your itinerary when choosing a transpacific cruise; that 15 day voyage may actually be 16.  Your boss may not care, but your airline might if you miscount the date of your return flight! 

Looking to get your feet wet in the Pacific?  Here's two of our favorite transpacific voyages on offer for 2011, but be sure to have a look for at your favorite line - there's more available than you'd think!

Volendam - 17 Day Japan & Alaska - May 2, 2011 - Holland America Line
May 2 - Kobe, Japan - Depart 11:59pm
May 3 - At Sea
May 4 - Yokohama, Japan - Arrive 7:00am to Overnight
May 5 - Yokohama, Japan - Overnight to 5:00pm
May 6 - At Sea
May 7 - Hakodate, Japan - 8:00am to 5:00pm
May 8 - Kushiro, Japan - 8:00am to 5:00pm
May 9 - At Sea
May 10 - At Sea
May 11 - At Sea
May 12 - Cross International Date Line
May 13 - At Sea
May 14 - Kodiak, Alaska - 8:00am to 5:00pm
May 15 - At Sea
May 16 - Sitka, Alaska - 7:00am to 1:00pm
May 17 - Cruise the Inside Passage
May 18 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Arrive 8:00am

Prices for this unique voyage start at only $1,758 per person in an inside stateroom.  See the Holland America Line website for more details.

Royal Princess - 12 Day Papeete to Honolulu - March 13, 2011- Princess Cruises
March 13 - Papeete, Tahiti - Overnight aboard ship
March 14 - Papeete, Tahiti - Depart 4:00am
March 14 - Moorea, Polynesia - 8:00am to 5:00pm
March 15- Raiatea, French Polynesia - 8:00am to 4:00am (overnight)
March 16 - Bora Bora, French Polynesia - 7:00am to 4:00pm
March 17 - At Sea
March 18 - At Sea
March 19 - At Sea
March 20 - At Sea
March 21 - Hilo, Hawaii - 7:00am to 4:00pm
March 22 - Maui, Hawaii - 8:00am to 6:00pm
March 23 - Kauai, Hawaii - 8:00am to 5:00pm
March 24 - Honolulu, Hawaii - Arrive 7:00am

Pricing for this cruise starts at $1,888.25 per person in an inside stateroom.  For more information, visit the Princess Cruises website.