The Departure Lounge Travel & Cruise

03 9769 5722

enquiries@tdlb.com.au

EXPLORING THE SPICE ISLANDS - Stay Free* Exclusive Offer

Validity Dates 04 Dec 2024 to 30 Dec 2024
Start Price AU $13,900 per person
Cruise Le Soleal, 11 Night The fascinating nature of Melanesia ex Darwin, NT, Australia Return
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Soleal
Destination South Pacific & New Zealand
Brief Description Cruise & Stay 11 nights from Darwin to Darwin with Ponants Le Soleal
Type of Special Cruise and Stay
Departure Date 10 Sep 2025
Inclusions Package duration: 13 nights Cruise & Stay
Package starts: 8th September 2025 - at Darwin hotel
Cruise starts: 10th September 2025 - from Darwin
Cruise/Package ends: 21st September 2025 - into Darwin
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HIGHLIGHTS:
- An unprecedented expedition cruise to discover the little-known gems of Western Melanesia, marked by spellbinding natural surroundings, an astonishing seabed and ancestral legacies.
- Zodiac outings and shore visits with your team of naturalists.
- Exploring the Maluku Islands, a natural paradise on the Spice Route.
- Four days in the Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat, in the very heart of the "Coral Triangleā€: a natural sanctuary and a real haven of peace.
- Gain an insight into the History, culture and the diversity of flora and fauna from your expert expedition team.
- Landscapes: tropical forests, karst formations, breathtaking waterfalls, multicoloured lagoons, paradise beaches, a magnificent seabed, coral reefs.
- Possibility of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
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BONUS STAY FREE + BIG SAVINGS!
Twin PR4 Prestige Balcony was $15,245 - your special price from $13,900pp
Twin PR5 Prestige Balcony was $15,925 - your special price from $14,580*pp
Twin PR6 Prestige Balcony was $16,755 - your special price from $15,410pp
Twin PS5 Prestige Suite was $31,525 - your special price from $29,120*pp
Single PR4 Prestige Balcony was $16,210 - your special price from $14,260*pp

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EXPLORING THE SPICE ISLANDS Cruise & Stay package includes:
- FREE! 2 nights hotel stay in Darwin with breakfast
- 11 night West Papua and Indonesia expedition cruise aboard Le Soleal from Darwin roundtrip
- All meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation)
- Captain`s welcome cocktail and gala dinner onboard
- Open Bar (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands) during cruise
- Evening entertainment and events
- Room service 24h (special selection)
- Highly qualified bilingual French/English expedition team
- Zodiac excursions and off ship excursions
- Park entry fees into protected areas (where applicable)
- Port taxes
Special Conditions *Conditions Apply: All prices shown here are per person share twin (unless stated as single) in AUD, based on best available cruise fare at time of publication (09Oct24). Some cabins may have obstructed views. A passport is required to travel on this cruise as it visits international waters. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the prices in our booking system at time of reservation. Offer ends 30Dec24 or sold out/withdrawn and is subject to availability at time of booking. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Travel insurance is mandatory on expedition cruises and not included.
Sailing Dates
10 Sep 2025
Cabin Twin
Prestige Deck 4 AU $13,900
Prestige Deck 5 AU $14,580
Prestige Deck 6 AU $15,410
Prestige Deck 5 Suite AU $29,120
Pre-cruise Itinerary
Date Activity
8 Sep 2025 Make your own way to Darwin hotel by 08 September 2025 and check in hotel
9 Sep 2025 Darwin at leisure
10 Sep 2025 Check out hotel, make own way to Darwin port, embark Le Soleal
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
10 Sep 2025 Darwin, NT, Australia 6:00 PM
11 Sep 2025 At Sea    
12 Sep 2025 Kei (Kai) Islands, Indonesia
13 Sep 2025 At Sea    
14 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
15 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
16 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
17 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
18 Sep 2025 Kitikiti Waterfall, Mommon, Indonesia
19 Sep 2025 Banda Neira, Indonesia
20 Sep 2025 At Sea    
21 Sep 2025 Darwin, NT, Australia 7:00 AM
Post-cruise Itinerary
Date Activity
21 Sep 2025 Disembark ship, holiday ends
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

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