Cruises to Rarotonga

12 Reviews
Rarotonga (Photo:wallix/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Rarotonga

The island of Rarotonga lies at the heart of New Zealand's Cook Islands, its beautiful lagoon sheltered by an encircling reef system. While narrow sandy beaches ring the island, the center is dominated by dramatic, lush green mountains reminiscent of "Lord of the Rings," which was filmed at least in part in New Zealand (proper; not here).

While most of the ports are in French Polynesia -- and within a few hours of each other by cruise ship (like Moorea and Tahiti) -- it takes a full day to sail to Rarotonga and another day to get back. So why is this out-of-the-way port a mainstay on South Pacific itineraries? For starters, the sea days are a nice benefit for those who consider their ship as much a destination as the ports; plus, we found the day's journey down and another back increased anticipation and whet the appetite for a change of pace from French Polynesia.

The island is also a bit more polished and prosperous than the islands of French Polynesia, and well developed for tourism; this is once place where it's easy to do your own circle island tour on the local bus system. Finally, it's a financial relief for shoppers. While food and goods are expensive throughout French Polynesia, Rarotonga offers lower prices on just about everything from fried fish lunches at roadside stands to souvenirs and jewelry -- mainly because it is closer to main importer New Zealand than, say, Bora Bora is to France or even the mainland U.S.

Verdant Rarotonga is a perfect choice for safaris and hikes, particularly because there are no snakes, wild animals or poisonous insects on the island (just watch out for mosquitoes with the munchies). Watch out for carvings and maraes, or sacred sites. But water babies will find plenty to do in the shimmering lagoon, including windsurfing, diving and glass-bottom boat tours.

  • More about Rarotonga

  • Why Cruise to Rarotonga?

  • Rarotonga Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 33 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Cruise Critic Favorite
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam Cabins
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam Dining
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam Activity/Entertainment
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam

37 Nights

Grand World Voyage

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Grand Cayman • Puerto Limon • Panama Canal • Panama Canal • Equator • Manta • +10 more

1,028 reviews
Jan 4, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

18 Nights

South Pacific

Port: Tahiti • Bora Bora • Rarotonga • Pago Pago • Apia, Samoa • Vava'u • Lautoka • Isle of Pines • +2 more

2,169 reviews
Dec 3, 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruise Critic Favorite
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam Cabins
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam Dining
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam Activity/Entertainment
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam
Zuiderdam

124 Nights

124-day Grand World Voyage

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Grand Cayman • Puerto Limon • Panama Canal • Panama Canal • Equator • Manta • +48 more

1,028 reviews
Jan 4, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

36 Nights

South Pacific Crossing

Port: Sydney • Noumea • Isle of Pines • Port Vila • Suva • Lautoka • Dravuni Island • Vavau • +11 more

829 reviews
Mar 15, 2026
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

56 Nights

Tales Of The South Pacific

Port: Vancouver • San Francisco • San Diego • Kauai • Kona • Honolulu • Maui • Hilo • Equator • +18 more

558 reviews
Sep 25, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

51 Nights

Tales Of The South Pacific

Port: San Diego • Kauai • Kona • Honolulu • Maui • Hilo • Equator • Fanning Island • Pago Pago • +16 more

558 reviews
Sep 30, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

11 Nights

South Pacific Cruise

Port: Tahiti • Huahine • Aitutaki • Rarotonga • Bora Bora • Motu Mahaea, French Polynesia • +2 more

314 reviews
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises

51 Nights

Tales Of The South Pacific

Port: San Diego • Santa Barbara • Kona • Kauai • Honolulu • Maui • Hilo • Equator • +20 more

558 reviews
Sep 29, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

50 Nights

Panama Canal, Hawaii & South Pacific Discovery

Port: Miami • Cartagena • Panama Canal • Puntarenas • Puerto Quetzal • Puerto Chiapas • Huatulco • +16 more

166 reviews
Nov 9, 2024
Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line

55 Nights

Grand World Voyage

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Grand Cayman • Puerto Limon • Panama Canal • Panama Canal • Equator • Manta • +17 more

1,028 reviews
Jan 4, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

46 Nights

Hawaii, South Pacific, New Zealand & Australia

Port: Los Angeles • Kahului • Hilo • Honolulu • Kona • Bora Bora • Tahiti • Raiatea • Arutanga • +15 more

166 reviews
Nov 27, 2024
Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line

56 Nights

Tales Of The South Pacific

Port: Vancouver • San Francisco • San Diego • Santa Barbara • Kona • Kauai • Honolulu • Maui • +22 more

558 reviews
Sep 24, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

156 Nights

156 Night Mediterranean Cruise

Port: Miami • Gulf of Papagayo • Puerto Limon • Picton • Fuerte Amador • Manta • Guayaquil • +71 more

75 reviews
Jan 6, 2026
Azamara
Azamara

130 Nights

130 Night Round World Cruise

Port: Trieste • Dubrovnik • Catania • Rome • Genoa • Marseille • Barcelona • Casablanca • Las Palmas • +43 more

169 reviews
Dec 7, 2024
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises

50 Nights

New Zealand & South Pacific Crossing Collector

Port: Auckland • Tauranga • Napier • Wellington • Picton • Christchurch • Dunedin • +22 more

829 reviews
Mar 1, 2026
Holland America Line
Holland America Line

More about Rarotonga

Why Cruise to Rarotonga?

Pros:

A rich heritage, cafes and a variety of water activities are offered alongside the lagoon

Cons:

It usually requires a full day at sea to reach and another to travel back from

Bottom Line:

The scenic hikes, blue lagoon and white beaches do not disappoint

Rarotonga Cruise Port Facilities?

Tour operators set up at the tender dock; there are a few shops and takeaway (sandwich) stands within a stone's throw, the main town of Avarua is within walking distance, and much more bustling with shops and restaurants.

Good to Know?

If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to pack your choice of meds as the ride to and from Rarotonga can be choppy (calls sometimes get canceled due to sea conditions -- occasionally at the last minute, which means you'll have to do the trip there and back anyway). Barring a freak storm, it should be the only real "roughness" you'll experience while cruising in this region.

Rarotonga is a tender port, and since ships often miss calls here due to rough water conditions, climbing in and out of tender boats can be tricky; be cautious and follow the instructions of your ship's staff. Another note: Some public restrooms do not stock toilet tissue, so you'll want to carry something in your purse or pocket.

Getting Around?

On Foot: The town of Avarua is about a 15-minute walk from the harbor. After disembarking your tender, head toward the left.

By Rental Car: Hertz, Avis and Island Rental are among the companies that rent cars and scooters on the island; remember to drive on the left side of the road. Expect to pay about $65 NZD for the day (or approximately $46 U.S.).

By Bus: This almost perfectly round island is easy to navigate by bus as they only run in two directions: clockwise and "anticlockwise." There's a bus stop in town at Cook's Corner, and stops include the golf club and a waterfall. Bus tickets cost $2.50 NZD one-way, $4 NZD roundtrip.

By Taxi: A few taxis will line up at the dock, but they're limited. Expect to pay about $2 per kilometer; if there's no meter, be sure to agree on a fare before setting off.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The New Zealand dollar is the standard, though U.S. dollars are widely accepted. There's an ANZ Bank ATM at Cook's Corner in the town of Avarua, within walking distance of the tender port.

Language?

The official language is Cook Islands Maori. English is widely spoken -- with fabulous Down Under accents -- but learning a few local phrases (kia orana means "hello") is sure to spread smiles.

Where You're Docked?

Ships anchor in Avatiu Harbor, on the northern side of the island of Rarotonga.


Rarotonga Cruise Reviews
Not much to do but walk the town. We tried to rent motor scooters but this required going to the police station, taking a written drivers test followed by a test in a vehicle. Not worth the hassle.Read More
dsafety1
Nice Cross-Island hike. Enjoyed that, cafe lunch, & bus back to port.Read More
7figtrees
Took a taxi around the island. Very pretty Island. Clean, safe, enjoyed our day.Read More
Blackjack33
Nice islandRead More
Taildrgr

Related Cruises

Cruises to Newport

261 Reviews

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews

Cruises to Kauai

628 Reviews

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews

Cruises to Marseille

936 Reviews

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews

Cruises to Penang

134 Reviews

Cruises to Phuket

149 Reviews

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews

Cruises to Cinque Terre

355 Reviews

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews

Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)

Cruises to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

290 Reviews

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.