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Westbound Transpacific Cruise Guide

Westbound Transpacific Cruise Guide

Embark on a Westbound Transpacific Cruise, crossing the vast Pacific Ocean from North America to captivating destinations like Tokyo, Shanghai, or the serene South Pacific islands. Start in dynamic cities like San Francisco, Vancouver, or Los Angeles, then set sail for these breathtaking shores. Enjoy luxury at sea and world-class entertainment as you immerse yourself in diverse cultures and stunning natural beauty. Choose a Westbound Transpacific Cruise for an extraordinary voyage bridging the Western world with the allure of the East and the tranquil South Pacific islands.

Honolulu
Papeete

Key Westbound Transpacific Cruise Information

Ships & Cruise Lines

The ships that undertake Westbound Transpacific crossings are as varied as the ports they visit, catering to different travel styles and preferences. The routes are served by a mix of luxury, premium, and contemporary lines, including Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, and Carnival. Travelers can choose between intimate, smaller vessels like Azamara's 'Onward', 'Pursuit', and 'Quest', which are known for their destination-focused itineraries and longer stays in port, or larger, amenity-rich mega-ships such as the 'Carnival Luminosa' or vessels from Celebrity's fleet. The choice often depends on the traveler's priorities: smaller ships foster a strong sense of community onboard, while larger ships offer a vast array of dining, entertainment, and recreational facilities, which is a significant advantage on a voyage with many consecutive sea days.

Given the extended duration of these cruises, with an average length of 61 nights, onboard amenities are paramount. Ships well-suited for this journey feature robust enrichment programs, including guest lecturers who speak on topics like history, astronomy, and the culture of upcoming destinations. Extensive libraries, comfortable lounges, multiple specialty dining venues, and comprehensive spa and wellness centers are essential for ensuring passenger comfort and engagement over several weeks. Cruise lines like Cunard are famed for their traditional ocean liner experience, complete with formal nights and grand ballroom dancing, which enhances the sense of occasion. Ultimately, the best ships for this route are floating destinations in themselves, providing a comfortable, stimulating, and luxurious environment for the epic journey across the Pacific.

Last updated on June 20, 2025

Best Time to Cruise

The best times for Westbound Transpacific cruises are typically during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, which coincide with the major repositioning of global cruise fleets. The fall season, from September through November, sees ships moving from regions like Alaska to winter homeports in Australia, Southeast Asia, or the South Pacific. During this period, you can expect mild to warm weather as you travel south, though it's important to be aware of the tail end of the typhoon season in the Western Pacific. The spring crossings, primarily in May and June, reverse this pattern, moving from Asia and the South Pacific towards North America for the summer season. Weather is generally pleasant, and these voyages often feature lower crowds and more attractive pricing due to the high number of sea days.

Cruises are also available during other months like January, February, March, July, and August, often as segments of longer 'World Cruise' itineraries. Travelers during the winter months (Jan-Mar) should be mindful of the cyclone season (November to April) in the South Pacific, which can potentially impact itineraries. Packing for a Transpacific cruise requires careful planning for multiple climates. It's essential to bring layers: warm clothing for cooler northern latitudes, lightweight and breathable fabrics for the tropics, and rain gear for unpredictable weather. Don't forget swimwear, sun protection, and more formal attire for evening dinners and events, as the numerous sea days provide ample opportunity to enjoy all the ship's amenities. Planning for a range of temperatures and activities is key to a comfortable and enjoyable voyage.

Last updated on June 20, 2025

Who Should Go

Westbound Transpacific cruises are perfectly suited for seasoned travelers, retirees, and anyone with the luxury of extended time. With an average duration of 61 nights, these voyages appeal to individuals who cherish the journey as much as the destination. The experience is ideal for those who love the relaxing rhythm of sea days, enjoy lifelong learning through onboard lectures, and have a deep curiosity about the diverse cultures spanning from the idyllic islands of French Polynesia to the bustling metropolises of Asia and Australia. Given the median price of around $148 per person per day, the total cost necessitates a healthy travel budget. This type of cruise is for the patient explorer who wants to unpack once and wake up to a new horizon, whether it's the volcanic peaks of Papeete or the iconic skyline of Sydney.

Conversely, these long-haul sailings are generally not a good fit for travelers seeking a fast-paced, port-intensive vacation or for families with young children who may find the numerous consecutive sea days challenging. The leisurely pace might feel slow to those with limited vacation time. While modern ships offer excellent accessibility, travelers with mobility concerns should carefully research the infrastructure of specific ports, as it can vary from highly developed cities like Tokyo to more remote island tenders. The activity level is highly customizable, catering to both those who wish to relax by the pool and those who want to partake in adventurous shore excursions. Ultimately, this is a dream trip for the maritime enthusiast and the cultural connoisseur, but those who prefer land-based travel or a quick getaway might want to consider alternative vacation styles.

Last updated on June 20, 2025

Best Westbound Transpacific Cruise Deals

16 Night Los Angeles to Tokyo cruise
September 23, 2025
Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas
S M L XL
Los Angeles Sapporo Hakodate Tokyo
$1,289
$81 per day
Balcony
56 Night London to Auckland cruise
July 4, 2026
Crown Princess
S M L XL
London London Lerwick Reykjavik Grundarfjordur Isafjordur St. John's Corner Brook Quebec City Saguenay Charlottetown Sydney Halifax New York Miami Cartagena Manta Lima Pisco Easter Island Pitcairn Island Papeete Moorea Auckland
$3,046
$54 per day
Inside
16 Night Seattle to Tokyo cruise
September 28, 2025
Discovery Princess
S M L XL
Seattle Ketchikan Juneau Anchorage Tokyo
$1,342
$84 per day
Balcony
17 Night Vancouver to Tokyo cruise
October 17, 2025
17 Night Transpacific Cruise
CruiseScore™ (4.30/5)
Norwegian Sun
S M L XL
Vancouver Ketchikan Icy Strait Point Skagway Kushiro Hakodate Tokyo
$1,788
$105 per day
Balcony
16 Night Los Angeles to Tokyo cruise
October 2, 2026
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas
S M L XL
Los Angeles Hakodate Sapporo Shimizu Tokyo
$1,149
$72 per day
Inside
20 Night Honolulu to Sydney cruise
October 1, 2025
20 Night Tahitian Treasures Cruise
CruiseScore™ (4.81/5)
Celebrity Edge
S M L XL
Honolulu Moorea Papeete Raiatea Tauranga Auckland Bay of Islands Sydney
$2,189
$109 per day
Balcony
62 Night Papeete to Tokyo cruise
February 8, 2027
Oceania Vista
S M L XL
Papeete Papeete Huahine Rarotonga Niue Vava'u Savusavu Port Denarau Lautoka Port-Vila Lifou Noumea Sydney Mooloolaba Airlie Beach Cairns Darwin Komodo Island Lombok Bali Semarang Jakarta Singapore Ko Samui Bangkok Nha Trang Da Nang Hanoi, Vietnam Hong Kong Shanghai Seoul Nagasaki Hiroshima Kochi Kobe Shimizu Tokyo
$7,499
$121 per day
Balcony
14 Night Honolulu to Sydney cruise
October 3, 2025
Disney Wonder
S M L XL
Honolulu Pago Pago Suva Noumea Sydney Sydney
$1,602
$114 per day
Inside
14 Night Seattle to Tokyo cruise
September 28, 2025
Holland America Westerdam
S M L XL
Seattle Juneau Kushiro Aomori Tokyo
$1,399
$100 per day
Balcony
20 Night Los Angeles to Tokyo cruise
November 22, 2026
Sapphire Princess
S M L XL
Los Angeles Maui Hilo Kona Honolulu Kauai Tokyo
$1,717
$86 per day
Outside

Last Minute Westbound Transpacific Cruises

16 Night Los Angeles to Tokyo cruise
September 23, 2025
Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas
S M L XL
Los Angeles Sapporo Hakodate Tokyo
$1,289
$81 per day
Balcony
16 Night Seattle to Tokyo cruise
September 28, 2025
Discovery Princess
S M L XL
Seattle Ketchikan Juneau Anchorage Tokyo
$1,342
$84 per day
Balcony
14 Night Seattle to Tokyo cruise
September 28, 2025
Holland America Westerdam
S M L XL
Seattle Juneau Kushiro Aomori Tokyo
$1,399
$100 per day
Balcony
23 Night Seattle to Sydney cruise
September 18, 2025
Carnival Luminosa
S M L XL
Seattle Honolulu Papeete Moorea Noumea Sydney
$1,433
$62 per day
Inside
37 Night New York to Sydney cruise
August 20, 2025
Crown Princess
S M L XL
New York New York Miami Cartagena Lima Pisco Easter Island Pitcairn Island Papeete Moorea Auckland Sydney
$3,359
$91 per day
Inside
9 Night St. Lawrence River to New York cruise
September 28, 2025
Holland America Volendam
S M L XL
St. Lawrence River Charlottetown Sydney Halifax Eastport Portland New York
$1,349
$150 per day
Inside
29 Night Seattle to Tokyo cruise
September 28, 2025
Holland America Westerdam
S M L XL
Seattle Juneau Kushiro Aomori Tokyo Omaezaki Kobe Kochi Fukuoka Sokcho Kanazawa Sakata Hakodate Otaru Aomori Miyako Tokyo
$4,329
$149 per day
Inside
58 Night London to Sydney cruise
July 30, 2025
Crown Princess
S M L XL
London Bergen Honningsvag Reykjavik Isafjordur Nanortalik Qaqortoq Halifax New York Miami Cartagena Lima Pisco Easter Island Pitcairn Island Papeete Moorea Auckland Sydney
$9,246
$159 per day
Inside
54 Night London to Auckland cruise
July 30, 2025
Crown Princess
S M L XL
London Bergen Honningsvag Reykjavik Isafjordur Nanortalik Qaqortoq Halifax New York Miami Cartagena Lima Pisco Easter Island Pitcairn Island Papeete Moorea Auckland
$10,546
$195 per day
Outside
65 Night New York to Sydney cruise
August 20, 2025
Crown Princess
S M L XL
New York New York Miami Cartagena Lima Pisco Easter Island Pitcairn Island Papeete Moorea Auckland Sydney Brisbane Port Douglas Cairns Darwin Broome Exmouth Perth Bussleton Albany Adelaide Melbourne Hobart Sydney
$16,993
$261 per day
Suite

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
$181
Feb
$206
Mar
$429
Apr
May
$135
Jun
$199
Jul
$136
Aug
$325
Sep
$164
Oct
$150
Nov
$135
Dec

Monthly Westbound Transpacific Cruise Prices

Overall Westbound Transpacific Cruises are somewhat affordable compared to other types. Westbound Transpacific Cruises scheduled during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the the low season of winter. Check out the diagram below for the average cost per day by month.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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