![True North in the Kimberley region, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/portrait_quarter/102071-best-small-ship-cruises-to-australia.jpg)
Duration
78 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Canada
Ports
38 Ports
11 September
Setting sail from Vancouver
Cosmopolitan Vancouver is a city that rewards exploration, an eminently liveable place and an easy gateway to the natural beauty of British Columbia. The culinary scene here is a particular draw, with seafood galore and some fantastic Asian restaurants, and the city has also been at the forefront of the craft beer movement. Verdant Stanley Park is a favourite of locals and visitors alike, while Kitsilano's beaches and wooden houses are wonderfully picturesque. Cultural attractions tend to be on a smaller scale than you'd expect from a city of this size, but the thrill of stumbling across one of Vancouver's quirky little galleries is all part of the city's appeal.
![Vancouver at night](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_half/7489-vancouver-at-night.jpg)
![Grouse Mountain, Vancouver](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/7513-vancouver-grouse-mountain-low.jpg)
Don't miss
Grouse Mountain – just minutes from the centre, and reached via the Grouse Mountain Skyride, a one-mile aerial journey for amazing panoramic views of the city, sea and surrounding mountains.
12 September
At sea
13 September
United States: Ketchikan
![Creek Street, Ketchikan, Alaska](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/19453-the-creek-street-ketchikan.jpg)
Ketchikan is a great introduction to Alaska’s natural attractions, situated at the foot of towering Deer Mountain and within easy reach of the Misty Fjords. The colourful wooden buildings of Creek Street, the old red light district, are a reminder of Ketchikan’s former status as a rough and ready frontier town; these days, things are rather more civilised!
14 September
United States: Sitka
![Russian church in Sitka, Alaska](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/33282-sitka-alaska-russian-church.jpg)
Sitka was founded by Russian fur traders in 1799 as the city of New Archangel, and there is still a discernible Russian influence here, including the distinctive St Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. The town also enjoys spectacular natural surroundings, facing the Pacific Ocean and dramatic Mount Edgecumbe.
15-16 September
At sea
17 September
United States: Valdez
18 September
United States: Seward
![Boats in Seward harbour, Alaska](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/11972-boats-seward-harbour-alaska.jpg)
The tiny city of Seward, home to just 3,000 people, enjoys a spectacular setting on the edge of Resurrection Bay, on Alaska’s southern coast. Surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Kenai Fjords National Park, it’s a great base for exploring the Harding Ice Field and the stunning scenery of the Kenai Peninsula.
19 September
United States: Kodiak
![Kodiak brown bear, Alaska](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/35463-kodiak-brown-bear.jpg)
Kodiak is known as Alaska’s ‘Emerald Isle’ thanks to the lush green countryside, a landscape crisscrossed by gushing salmon-filled streams that provides a home to around 3,000 Kodiak bears, the world’s largest. Ships dock in Kodiak city, an important fishing port with a fascinating Russian heritage.
20 September
At sea
21 September
United States: Dutch Harbor
![Dutch Harbor, Alaska](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/35469-dutch-harbor.jpg)
Dutch Harbor is the port that serves the city of Unalaska, and is known for the hardy fishermen who brave the turbulent, icy seas off the Aleutian Islands. Points of interest include the remains of defensive fortifications built during the Second World War and the striking Russian Orthodox church.
22-29 September
At sea
30 September - 1 October
Japan: Sapporo
2 October
At sea
3-5 October
Japan: Tokyo
![Sunset over Tokyo, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/12331-tokyo-skyline-sunset.jpg)
In a state of constant renewal and forever looking to the future, densely populated Tokyo is a dazzling introduction to Japan and its utterly unique culture. With more neon than Las Vegas and more Michelin stars than Paris, it’s a real assault on the senses.
6-7 October
Japan: Shimizu
![Shimizu and Mount Fuji, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/68524-shimizu-port-mount-fuji.jpg)
Shimizu is one of the most spectacular ports in Japan, a sweeping bay in the shadow of the iconic Mount Fuji. You can spend some time admiring the views and wandering through peaceful pine groves, or visit the unique Shimizu Sushi Museum at the S-Pulse Dream Plaza shopping mall.
8 October
Japan: Osaka
![Osaka, Japan by night](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/37406-osaka-at-night.jpg)
Osaka, Japan’s third largest city, is a pulsating commercial hub, famous for its food, and the cityscape rivals Tokyo for neon-lit futurism. If you need respite from the urban sprawl seek out Osaka Castle and the surrounding Nishinomaru Garden, a particularly pretty spot during the cherry blossom season.
9-10 October
Japan: Hiroshima
![Atomic Dome, Hiroshima](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/12822-hiroshima-atomic-dome-low.jpg)
On 6 August 1945 the world witnessed the terrifying power of nuclear weapons for the first time, unleashed on the unsuspecting Japanese city of Hiroshima. The modern city's sobering Peace Memorial Park commemorates that fateful day, which left more than 140,000 dead.
11 October
Japan: Beppu
![Red hot spring in Beppu, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/55148-red-hot-spring-beppu.jpg)
Steam rises over the spa town of Beppu, home to numerous onsen (hot springs) and the surreal red waters of the macabre-sounding ‘blood pond hell’. Beppu is also close to Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan, and the ancient temples of the Kunisaki Peninsula.
12 October
Japan: Kagoshima
![Kagoshima, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/68511-kagoshima-skyline-japan.jpg)
The friendly southern Japanese city of Kagoshima enjoys a balmy climate, and sits just across the bay from the very active Sakurajima volcano, which erupts so regularly that an ‘ash forecast’ is included in local weather reports.
13 October
Japan: Nagasaki
![Aerial view of Nagasaki, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/12817-nagasaki-view-of-the-bay-low.jpg)
Three days after Hiroshima was flattened by an atomic bomb, Nagasaki suffered the same horrifying fate. The reconstruction of both cities has been quite extraordinary; Nagasaki today is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place, with a fascinating history that goes back a lot further than 1945.
14 October
At sea
15 October
Taiwan: Keelung (Taipei)
![Taipei 101, Taiwan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/11571-taipei-101.jpg)
Keelung is a fairly unremarkable port city close to Taipei, Taiwan’s capital. Taipei draws on an interesting mix of Chinese, Japanese and Western influences, and is home to attractive temples, a burgeoning street food scene and Taipei 101, which was the world's tallest building until it was eclipsed by Dubai's Burj Khalifa in 2010.
16 October
At sea
17-19 October
Hong Kong SAR China: Hong Kong
![View of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/11019-hong-kong-view-from-victoria-peak.jpg)
Hong Kong is a striking mix of ancient and modern, Chinese and British, and there is a lot more to the city than just skyscrapers and high finance. It's also a fantastic destination for foodies, a melting pot of culinary influences from around Asia and beyond.
20 October
At sea
21-22 October
Vietnam: Ha Long Bay
![Junk boat in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/71706-junk-boat-ha-long-bay-vietnam.jpg)
Almost 2,000 limestone islands and karst formations are scattered across the remarkable World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, said to have been created when a dragon fell to earth. A cruise on a small junk boat is the best way to see the many islands and caves, and it's also a great place to explore by sea kayak.
23 October
Vietnam: Chan May (Hue / Da Nang)
![View from Marble Mountains near Da Nang, Vietnam](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/81343-view-from-marble-mountains-da-nang.jpeg)
The port of Chan May is close to a number of central Vietnam's star attractions. Just to the north lies Hue and its crumbling Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while to the south is the city of Da Nang, a major US airbase during the Vietnam War, and pretty Hoi An, a dreamy tropical haze of teetering merchant houses, bustling markets and Chinese temples.
24 October
At sea
25-27 October
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City
![City Hall, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/55323-city-hall-ho-chi-minh-city.jpg)
Saigon, as it was known then, was the capital of the South during the Vietnam War, and American-style capitalism has been embraced more enthusiastically here than in the North, with a clutch of shining skyscrapers standing as testament to Vietnam’s surging economic growth.
28 October
At sea
29-30 October
Cambodia: Sihanoukville
![Sokha Beach, Sihanoukville](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/75308-sihanoukville-sokha-beach.jpg)
The once sleepy backwater of Kompong Som, renamed after the former king Norodom Sihanouk, is the rising star of the Cambodian coast’s burgeoning tourist industry. Here you’ll find beautiful sandy beaches and a string of laid back islands that are still largely undeveloped.
31 October - 2 November
Thailand: Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
![Wat Arun temple at night, Bangkok](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/27884-bangkok-wat-arun-temple-at-night.jpg)
Thailand’s sprawling capital is an assault on the senses, an invigorating blend of tradition and modernity. Soaring skyscrapers, air-conditioned shopping malls and an efficient public transport system combine with shimmering golden temples, ancient palaces, floating markets and at times gridlocked rush hour traffic.
3-4 November
At sea
5 November
Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang)
![Kuala Lumpur city skyline, Malaysia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/33088-kuala-lumpur-city-skyline-low.jpg)
Malaysia’s capital is a hot and humid cultural melting pot, defined by its distinctive Malay, Chinese and Indian communities. The dazzling Petronas Towers are KL’s most recognisable landmark, while at street level you’ll find temples and mosques, elegant colonial buildings and bustling markets.
6 November
Singapore: Singapore
![Singapore skyline at dusk](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/55362-singapore-skyline-dusk.jpg)
Singapore’s heritage as an important trading post means that there is a real cultural mix, with four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Step away from the gleaming towers and you’ll find yourself transported into another world amongst the intoxicating streets of Chinatown and Little India.
7 November
At sea
8-9 November
Indonesia: Jakarta
![Jakarta, Indonesia by night](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/36122-jakarta-at-night.jpg)
Indonesia’s capital is noisy, chaotic and choked with some of the worst traffic in Asia, a sprawling megacity that’s home to over 10 million people. If you can get past all of that then Jakarta has plenty to offer, with the country’s best museums and restaurants, an atmospheric old harbour and a rich mix of cultures from all over the Indonesian archipelago.
10 November
Indonesia: Semarang
![Sunrise over Borobudur, Indonesia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/48675-sunrise-borobudur.jpg)
The sweltering city of Semarang, on the north coast of Java, is an intriguing mish-mash of Chinese, Islamic and Dutch colonial influences. We recommend escaping the heat with a trip up into the mountains to visit a coffee plantation, or joining an excursion to the extraordinary temple complex at Borobudur.
11 November
Indonesia: Surabaya (Java)
![Tugu Pahlawan National Monument, Surabaya, Indonesia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/54383-tugu-pahlawan-national-monument-surabaya.jpg)
Surabaya, situated on the northeast coast of Java, is Indonesia’s second largest city and the place where the country’s struggle for independence began. The warren-like Arab Quarter is worth exploring, though many visitors use the city as a base for visiting nearby Mount Bromo.
12-13 November
Indonesia: Benoa (Bali)
![Pura Ulun Danu temple, Bali](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/22744-bali-pura-ulun-danu-temple-low.jpg)
The beaches, spectacular volcanic scenery and lush green rice terraces lend Bali a natural beauty that seems to dovetail perfectly with the island’s distinct Hindu culture, which adorns the landscape with stunning temples.
14 November
Indonesia: Lombok
![Mount Rinjani, Lombok](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/19822-lombok-mount-rinjani-low.jpg)
Quieter and less developed than neighbouring Bali, the island of Lombok is an appealing alternative. To the north, the landscape is dominated by the huge crater of Gunung Rinjani, while the south and west coasts are home to some stunning beaches.
15 November
Indonesia: Komodo Island
![Boats in Komodo National Park, Indonesia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/22753-boats-komodo-national-park.jpg)
Komodo Island is situated within an area of spectacular natural beauty, home to the famous Komodo dragon. The stunning beaches are tinged with pink thanks to the high concentration of red coral just offshore, and the waters draw intrepid divers from all over the world.
16 November
At sea
17-18 November
Australia: Darwin
![Sunset in Darwin, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/10926-sunset-in-darwin.jpg)
More of a large town than a city, Darwin is less about what’s contained within the city limits and more about the huge expanse of wild landscape that’s outside it. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney, the city really does feel remote in its tropical perch.
19 November
At sea
20 November
Australia: Thursday Island
![Sunset over Thursday Island, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/48392-sunset-thursday-island-australia.jpg)
Thursday Island is one of the Torres Strait Islands, situated to the north of Cape York. Proximity to Papua New Guinea makes for an interesting cultural mix, and the island has a fascinating military history. Be aware that swimming off the beautiful beaches is not recommended due to the presence of crocodiles and marine stingers.
21 November
At sea
22 November
Australia: Cairns
![Cairns esplanade by night, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/72089-cairns-esplanade-by-night.jpg)
Cairns is a buzzing tourist hub, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. A snorkelling trip out to the reef is the most obvious excursion to take here, but other options include riding the Skyrail cableway over the rainforest canopy or swimming in the croc-free saltwater lagoon.
23 November
Australia: Townsville
![Townsville, Queensland, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/71376-townsville-queensland.jpg)
Sunny Townsville is a great introduction that everything that Queensland has to offer, sandwiched between palm-fringed beach and rugged outback. It’s a friendly and walkable city, with a fascinating museum and an aquarium that gives you a taste of the Great Barrier Reef.
24 November
Australia: Airlie Beach
25 November
At sea
26 November
Australia: Brisbane
![Brisbane skyline](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/12793-brisbane-skyline.jpg)
Brisbane has plenty of shopping malls and, with great weather, a fantastic café culture. Amongst the steel and glass skyscrapers are some interesting historic buildings, and with plenty surrounding the city there’s enough on offer to make for an interesting short stay.
27 November
At sea
28 November
Australia: Newcastle (New South Wales)
![Nobby's Lighthouse in Newcastle, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/48410-nobbys-lighthouse-newcastle-australia.jpg)
The port of Newcastle, just to the north of Sydney, is the second oldest city in Australia. Historically associated with convicts and coal mining, Newcastle is reinventing itself as a hip post-industrial city, with plenty of cool bars, restaurants and cultural attractions. It’s also the gateway to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s most famous wine regions.
29 November
Arriving in Sydney
One or our favourite cities in the world, we love pretty much everything about Sydney. Offering outdoor living at its best, the city is known for the excellent beaches but offers so much more, including a thriving and varied food scene inspired by Asian and European flavours. Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and admire the amazing views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from Mrs Macquarie's Chair, enjoy the cafés and bars in The Rocks district, walk across the top of the Harbour Bridge (or enjoy the easier option of a view from the top of one of the stone towers) or just relax on the beach.
![Sydney skyline, Australia](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_half/72000-sydney-skyline.jpg)
![Circular Quay, Sydney](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/16986-circular-quay-sydney.jpg)
Our tip
Rather than go to Bondi, take a local ferry from Circular Quay (an attraction in itself) to the relaxed northern beaches for a (slightly) less crowded experience.
Your home from home
![Viking Star in Flam](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/lanscape_half/100353-vikingstar-flam.jpg)
![Viking Ocean Cruises - Viking Star Deluxe Veranda Stateroom](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/21103-viking-ocean-cruises-viking-star-deluxe-veranda-stateroom.jpg)
![Viking Ocean Cruises - Viking Star main pool with roof open](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/21104-viking-ocean-cruises-viking-star-main-pool-roof-open.jpg)
What we love
The airy contemporary style of the ships, with fresh Nordic décor, is most appealing. Add to that the huge choices in dining and other facilities, and veranda staterooms throughout, not to mention included shore excursions and an excellent spa, and you have a winner. In 2024 and 2025, Viking will add two new ships to the fleet, Viking Vela and Viking Vesta respectively, which are slightly larger, carrying 998 guests each.
Capacity | 930 Guests |
---|---|
Crew | 602 International Staff |
Style |
On Viking it is all about the destination. Back on board, expect to socialise with like-minded travellers, in an easy, spacious and understated hotel style environment. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
![Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/3536-rosewood-hotel-georgia-vancouver.jpg)
Our favourite hotel in Vancouver
If you’re not committed to the waterfront where the ships come in, we love the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.
![Grizzly bear at Knight Inlet, Canada](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/7496-vancouver-knight-inlet-grizzly-bear.jpg)
Stay a little longer in Canada
If you’ve time, set aside a couple of days to travel to Knight Inlet Lodge for bear viewing.
![Park Hyatt Sydney](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/16881-park-hyatt-sydney.jpg)
Our favourite hotel in Sydney
So many to choose from, but we love the Park Hyatt – make sure you upgrade to a room with a view.
![Jamison Valley, Blue Mountains](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/16987-jamison-valley-blue-mountains.jpg)
Around Sydney
The Blue Mountains is a beautiful area of hikes, waterfalls and unusual rock formations, and a place to learn about the Aboriginal dreamtime.