Black Watch, Polynesian Paradise with Iconic Sydney ex Havana to Sydney
- Departs Havana, Cuba
- 29th Jan 2021
- 35 nights
- Black Watch
-
Prices from
NZ$8,831*
35 Night Cruise sailing from Havana to Sydney onboard Black Watch.
Black Watch is sleek, intimate and harks back to the days when cruise ships were revered for their style and charm. The ultimate home-from-home at sea; Black Watch is spacious with a friendly and familiar feel, and provides guests with a traditional cruise experience rather than gimmicks such as climbing walls and on board bumper cars. This is further enhanced by the ship's attentive staff who strive to offer Fred. Olsen's renowned personal service and remember the important things, such as your name, your favourite tipple and how you like your breakfast. Show less
Having undergone a thorough refurbishment in late 2016, Black Watch features a selection of stylish suites and rooms, restaurants and spacious public rooms that provide up to 804 guests with everything needed for a comfortable, enjoyable and stress-free holiday, while retaining the elegant style of a traditional cruise ship.
Sailing between two iconic cities, Black Watch will show you the stuff dreams are made of among the faraway idylls of the South Pacific. As you journey towards Australia, you’ll island-hop in Polynesia and Melanesia to immerse yourself in a world of pristine white-sand beaches, sparking lagoons, coral reefs, exotic flora and fauna, and more – a simply unforgettable experience.
You begin your epic voyage in the Americas, where diverse, culture-rich cities will be the perfect appetisers before stunning South Pacific islands appear on your horizon. After embarking your smaller ship in legendary Havana, you’ll sail first to the Panamanian port city of Colón – starting point for tours to the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake. You can learn about the construction of the canal’s impressive locks and dams, and then see them in action from on board Black Watch as you navigate one of the world’s great feats of engineering. Before heading across the Pacific, there’s a visit to Costa Rica too, where Puerto Caldera will serve as your gateway to lush nature reserves and rainforests. The nearby Carara National Park is a haven of dry and wet forests, thick with various species of trees, and is famous for providing a beautiful natural habitat for over 400 types of birds, as well as crocodiles that live in and around the Tárcoles River. Show less
You will then head for the ‘Land Down Under’, stopping at a string of spectacular South Pacific islands en route. The long list of astonishing destinations includes Nuku Hiva, where you’ll be beckoned ashore to explore by unspoilt volcanic landscapes; and Fakarava, a UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve and breathtaking natural habitat for rare species of land and water-based fauna. Paradise awaits on the idyllic islands of Tahiti, Raiatea and Bora-Bora, renowned for their postcard-perfect beaches, soaring mountains and tumbling waterfalls, while you’ll also visit the ‘island where time begins’, Tonga. An intoxicating mix of uncanny tranquillity and unmolested beauty is yours to experience at uninhabited Mystery Island and Savusavu, Fiji’s ‘best kept secret’, found well off the beaten track. Finally, after a visit to Noumea – the picturesque capital of the South Pacific archipelago – you once-in-a-lifetime holiday concludes in Sydney. You’ll be afforded time to take in Sydney’s world-famous attractions, including the instantly recognisable Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the revered Royal Botanic Garden; and even tour to Bondi Beach, to capture one of Australia’s most photographed scenes.
Highlights of this cruise:
Havana, Cuba
Havana, the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba, is famed for its colonial history and vibrant culture.The city is home to exquisite Spanish colonial architecture, classic American cars, irresistible rhythms of mambo and a confusing jigsaw of grand avenues and cobbled streets.
A stroll around Habana Vieja, Old Havana, quickly reveals the audacious Latin atmosphere within the imposing coastal fortifications and intimate, traffic-free squares. At its centre, the buildings reflect the city’s vivacious architectural mix: the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the iconic National Capitol Building, the Baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, and the Plaza Vieja are all worth the effort to uncover.
Papeete, French Polynesia
Papeete, on Tahiti, is the capital of French Polynesia, a group of islands in the South Pacific. Its very name conjures up images of Gauguin paintings, palm trees, golden beaches and blue seas, and this near-perfect Polynesian island does not disappoint.
The bustling city of Papeete is home to the world’s only Pearl Museum, which traces the history and mythology of pearls, and has many examples of black, white and pink pearls on view. The town’s fine buildings include a number of interesting religious buildings: the red spire-topped, 19th century Notre Dame Cathedral plays an important part in Tahitian society.
Beside the port, the busy Place Vai’ete fills with food carts (roulottes) in the evenings, while the large Le Marché de Papeete is a favourite daily market. Le Marché, at the heart of the city, is packed with stalls selling fruit and vegetables, oils and scented soaps, jams and pickles, clothing, hats, bags and shell necklaces. Spread out over two floors, the sumptuous displays of flowers – Tahitian homes are considered incomplete without flowers everywhere – simply have to be seen to be believed.
French Polynesia is comprised of over 100 islands and atolls, with Tahiti possibly being the most famous thanks to its soaring peaks, lush valleys, cascading waterfalls and stunning vistas. The array of natural treasures includes the Faarumai Waterfalls and spring garden of Vaipahi.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia is one of the world's most exciting, must-see modern cities. Home to the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House – two of the most iconic cityscapes on Earth – the capital of New South Wales has a visual wow factor that most other cities can only dream of.
Defined by the rugged Pacific coastline that surrounds it, Sydney is a timeless, cosmopolitan metropolis that is easy to fall in love with. The imposing Darling Harbour, plus the smaller Circular Quay Port are the hubs of waterside life, with the revered Royal Botanic Garden nearby. For the more adventurous, Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.
Compared with its Australian counterparts, Sydney is loud and brash. It has glamour and casualness in equal measure: there is a balance between the beach culture found on Bondi Beach and the fine dining and vibrant nightlife found in Kings Cross and Oxford Street.
Museums and memorials abound and include The Australian Museum, which opened in 1857 with the purpose of displaying the natural wealth of the colony, and the modern Museum of Sydney, which details the city's development. The Anzac War Memorial in Hyde Park is a public memorial dedicated to the achievement of Australia's armed forces in World War I.
The neoclassical Greek frontage of the NSW Art Gallery underlines the prominent and gregarious role art has in Sydney society. Major international exhibitions regularly arrive here and there's an outstanding permanent collection of indigenous art. And everything that’s best in contemporary Australian cuisine can be found at Circular Quay and The Rocks.
For those wanting to escape the city and go off the beaten path, the spectacular Blue Mountain or the Australian Bush offer spectacular sights and experiences. Sydney Harbour National Park protects large swathes of bushland, while Botany Bay’s history and connection to Britain is a big draw.
| Cruise Itinerary |
| Date |
Activity |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 29/01/21 |
Havana, Cuba |
|
Late Night |
| 30/01/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 31/01/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 01/02/21 |
Colon Panama |
EarlyPM |
Late Night |
| 02/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 03/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 04/02/21 |
Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica |
EarlyAM |
Late Night |
| 05/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 06/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 07/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 08/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 09/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 10/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 11/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 12/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 13/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 14/02/21 |
Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 15/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 16/02/21 |
Fakarava, French Polynesia |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 17/02/21 |
Papeete, Tahiti |
LateAM |
Late Night |
| 18/02/21 |
Raiatea, French Polynesia |
EarlyAM |
Late Night |
| 19/02/21 |
Bora Bora, French Polynesia |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 20/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 21/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 22/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 23/02/21 |
Date Line Crossing |
|
|
| 24/02/21 |
Nuku'alofa, Tonga Islands |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 25/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 26/02/21 |
Savusavu Fiji |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 27/02/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 28/02/21 |
Mystery Island, Vanuatu |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 01/03/21 |
Noumea, New Caledonia |
EarlyAM |
EarlyPM |
| 02/03/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 03/03/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 04/03/21 |
Sydney, NSW, Australia |
EarlyPM |
|
| 05/03/21 |
Sydney, NSW, Australia |
|
|
Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise line's discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.
