There’s a new destination on the horizon that’s worth keeping an eye on, especially if you enjoy South Pacific cruises. Lelapa Island is a brand new private island destination being developed by Royal Caribbean, and it’s set to open in Vanuatu in the next couple of years. Unlike some private islands that feel heavily commercialised, the goal with Lelapa is to create something that feels more connected to the local culture and natural environment. What Lelapa Island Is Expected to Look Like From what’s been released so far, Lelapa looks like it will focus on relaxed South Pacific vibes, not just waterparks and thrill rides. Some of the planned features include: • Pristine beaches with calm swimming areas • Local food and drink experiences inspired by Vanuatu • Cultural activities highlighting Ni-Vanuatu traditions • Snorkelling and water sports • Premium beach cabanas and private spaces • Nature-focused design that blends into the island environment It’s being built on Lelapa Island which sits just off the coast near Port Vila. Why This Matters for Australian Cruisers For those of us cruising from Sydney or Briabane, this is actually pretty exciting. Most South Pacific itineraries from Australia already visit Vanuatu, so Lelapa is likely to become a regular highlight stop on future sailings. That means: • More reliable beach days • Better facilities than many traditional ports • A consistent, high-quality island experience • Something genuinely new in a region many cruisers have visited multiple times If you’ve done Noumea, Mystery Island, or Port Vila before, this could feel like a fresh twist on familiar itineraries. My Take Personally, I’m really interested to see how this develops. Private islands can be hit or miss depending on how they’re designed. Some feel like theme parks, others feel like paradise. If Lelapa delivers on the nature-first and culture-first concept, it could become one of the standout stops in the South Pacific. And if you cruise regularly in this region, there’s a good chance you’ll be visiting it sooner rather than later.

I was onboard Oceania Riviera in December and pulled together a ship tour video. It was a beautiful ship so be sure to check it out. Have you sailed on Oceania before?

I’ve been a bit quiet in here since the holidays so thought I’d check in - what’s everyone’s plans for 2026? Personally, I’m on a Royal Caribbean cruise next month and then a Princess one in March for my birthday. Then some time in New Zealand in April… beyond that is still to be determined :)

Earlier this year I was on Royal Princess for my birthday. It was a quick 3-night sailing from Sydney but I managed to get quite a bit of footage while onboard. I’ve finally gotten around to arranging the footage into a ship tour so if you’re thinking about sailing on the Royal Princess, be sure to check it out for a sneak peak at what it’s like onboard! Has anyone else sailed on Royal Princess before?

I had the pleasure of hopping aboard Aurora Expeditions’ new Douglas Mawson this week while she was sitting proudly in Sydney. The first thing that caught my eye was the UX-Bow. I’ve heard plenty about it, but seeing it up close… it really is something else. Designed to slice through rough seas more smoothly, it means a quieter, more comfortable ride on those big expedition days. You can feel this ship is built for true adventure. Small, intimate, and purpose-made for the polar regions. The kind of vessel that makes you think… maybe it’s time to tick that bucket list voyage off sooner rather than later. Tell me… is Antarctica on your bucket list?