Linda and I sailed aboard Celebrity Edge on its 19-night Tahitian Treasures cruise, departing Honolulu on October 1, 2025, and arriving in Sydney on October 21. Along the way, we visited French Polynesia and New Zealand.
The islands and cities gave us plenty to see, but the sea days were part of the appeal too. Trivia, theater shows, unhurried meals, and watching the ocean from our cabin became our routine.
Would we do another long Pacific crossing? Absolutely—especially on an Edge-Class ship. The important question is whether you like the days between ports as much as the destinations.
Our Itinerary
| Dates in October 2025 | Where we were |
|---|---|
| 1 | Departed Honolulu |
| 2–6 | At sea |
| 7–8 | Moorea overnight |
| 9 | Papeete, Tahiti |
| 10 | Raiatea |
| 11–12 | At sea |
| 13 | International Date Line |
| 14–15 | At sea |
| 16 | Tauranga |
| 17 | Auckland |
| 18 | Bay of Islands |
| 19–20 | At sea |
| 21 | Arrived in Sydney |
Our voyage included 11 sea days. Crossing the International Date Line westbound advanced the calendar by a day, which explains why our October 1–21 voyage was a 19-night cruise.
Celebrity gave us a certificate commemorating the Date Line crossing—a keepsake from an unusual part of the journey.
Breaking Up the Journey in Hawaii
Coming from Florida, we stayed one night at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa before boarding. After the long flight, waking up near Waikiki Beach gave us a welcome pause before starting the cruise.
We used Hawaii to break up the return journey too. After disembarking in Sydney, we flew to Honolulu and spent three more nights at the same hotel before heading home.
Those stays added to the trip’s cost and length, but we appreciated having a break in the travel.
Our Cabin and Life at Sea
We booked an Infinite Veranda stateroom. Rather than a separate outdoor balcony, it has a large window whose upper section lowers. We liked the light, ocean views, and feeling of space. It is a different arrangement from a conventional balcony, so look closely at the layout before booking—particularly if sitting fully outdoors matters to you.
Celebrity Edge’s four main dining rooms gave us enough variety that we never felt the need to book specialty dining. Evenings brought musical revues and magic shows in the theater.
During the day, general and music trivia gave us something to do and a way to meet other passengers. Linda also found her happy place in the casino. Between those activities, meals, and time looking out at the water, we settled into a comfortable rhythm.
French Polynesia: Moorea, Tahiti, and Raiatea
Moorea brought our first views of French Polynesia’s mountainous islands and clear lagoons. We stayed overnight, spanning October 7 and 8. We prefer excursions lasting four hours or less, and the Celebrity tours we chose suited that preference.
Papeete, Tahiti, followed on October 9. It felt more urban and energetic than the quieter islands. We explored the waterfront and local markets rather than taking an all-day excursion.
In Raiatea, on October 10, our half-day excursion took us through bays, villages, and places connected with Polynesian heritage. We appreciated its quieter character.
These stops gave us different impressions of French Polynesia while letting us return to the same cabin each evening.
New Zealand—and an Unexpected Festival
After another stretch across the Pacific, we reached Tauranga on October 16, where we took a short Celebrity excursion.
Auckland, on October 17, became a favorite. We were impressed by the city and the surrounding countryside, with its green hills and coastal views.
The Bay of Islands, on October 18, gave us an unexpected bonus: a local festival was taking place during our visit. Music, food stalls, and the community gathering made the stop especially memorable. We had happened upon something that added more to the day than we could have planned.
We used tender boats to get ashore a couple of times during the cruise, including in the Bay of Islands. Tendering is worth considering if boarding a smaller boat could be difficult for you.
Two final sea days followed before our arrival in Sydney on October 21, with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
What We Paid
We booked in December 2024. Our final cruise charge was approximately $8,800 for two people, including taxes, port fees, a beverage package, and basic Wi-Fi. As best we can determine, daily crew gratuities were additional and paid when we settled our onboard account. Flights, Hawaii hotel stays, and other trip expenses were also additional.
This is what we paid for that particular sailing. Prices and package inclusions vary, so compare the full trip cost rather than the advertised cruise fare alone.
Is This Trip Right for You?
This crossing suited us because we liked both parts of the trip: exploring ashore and spending time aboard Celebrity Edge.
Before booking a similar voyage, consider:
- Sea days: Our crossing began with five consecutive days at sea. You need to be comfortable making the ship itself part of the vacation.
- Excursions and mobility: Shorter tours worked well for us, but duration alone does not indicate difficulty. Check walking distances, steps, terrain, and tender arrangements.
- Travel at either end: Our Hawaii stopovers broke up the flights but added hotel nights and transfers. Allow enough time and budget for the journey to and from the ship.
- Your priorities: If you want a new destination every morning, a long crossing may feel too slow. If you like having time for shipboard activities—or simply looking out at the ocean—it may be a good fit.
The ports gave us variety, while the ship gave us time to settle in. For us, that combination made the long crossing work.
