South Pacific from Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is a large city on the Brisbane River. Clustered in its South Bank cultural precinct are the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, with noted interactive exhibitions. Another South Bank cultural institution is Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, among Australia’s major contemporary art museums. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, site of Brisbane Botanic Gardens

Espiritu Santo, Santo for short, sets a quiet pace amid pristine surroundings. Renowned for its world-class diving, luxurious island resorts at Million Dollar Point and some of the best beaches in the Vanuatuan archipelago, refresh your adventurous spirt in Santo. Santo came to prominence as an Allied military base in World War II and the locals are renowned for being some of the friendliest people on earth.

Port Vila or, simply, Vila to those in the know is the bustling capital and vibrant hub of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Vanuatu’s largest seaport city, located on Efate Island’s southern coast, offers a relaxed and friendly vibe. The sunshine beams on the local faces as radiantly as the year-round Pacific skies — producing the warmest welcome imaginable on a Port Vila cruise with Carnival. It may be oceans away, but the welcome will make you feel right at home. From the moment you arrive you’re greeted with a big ol’ smile.

Port Denarau is located on Denarau Island, which is situated on the west coast of Fiji’s mainland. Say “bula”, or hello, to Fiji island paradise when you and your family set sail on a Port Denarau cruise. Fiji is not just known as paradise in the Pacific, but it is also shopper’s heaven for retail enthusiasts. The duty free shops, offering a range of international brands, provide bargain hunters in Fiji with cosmetics, electronics and designer fashion mementoes, as well as traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, to treasure.

Virtually untouched for thousands of years and with a population of only 150, Dravuni Island is both a step back in time and paradise on earth. This tiny Fijian island, measuring just 2kms long and 0.5km wide, provides unspoilt splendour and a heart-warming local embrace on a Dravuni Island cruise with Carnival.

Carnival transports you to the heart of Noumea, in its vibrant capital city of New Caledonia. Renowned as the Paris of the Pacific, you can channel French-style savoir-faire. Aside from ordering delicious croissants (in perfect French of course), there’s plenty of other great stuff to keep you busy. All you gotta do is choose which is more your style. Are you more in the mood for a day at the beach? Or would you rather the hustle and bustle of the city? Perhaps a bit of both?

Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is a large city on the Brisbane River. Clustered in its South Bank cultural precinct are the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, with noted interactive exhibitions. Another South Bank cultural institution is Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, among Australia’s major contemporary art museums. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, site of Brisbane Botanic Gardens