CURRENTLY, ALL CRUISES FOR THE REST OF 2019 ARE CANCELLED AS THE SHIP, ISLAND PASSAGE, HAS BEEN SOLD, AND THE NEWLY DESIGNED AND BUILT VESSEL, PACIFIC PASSAGE, IS DUE FOR DELIVERY BY LATE-DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 2020.  OBVIOUSLY, THE NEW SHIP WILL HAVE DIFFERENT CABIN LAYOUTS AND AMENITIES, PUBLIC AREAS AND SPECIFICATIONS.  AS WE GET FURTHER INFORMATION, WE WILL UPDATE THIS PAGE.

Island Escape Cruises are a family-owned small ship cruise company, based in New Zealand and offer 7-night cruises around New Zealand and further cruises around French Polynesia.

The company was started by Peter Bissett in 2004, after he retired from owning major shipping companies, and wanted to start his dream company of a small, luxury cruise business. He worked with maritime designers to design and build his unique vision, a luxury small ship cruise vessel, with spacious cabins and public areas for just 24 guests, within the 42 metres they had to play with. They achieved this by utilising a catamaran-style hull, giving the additional width needed, nearly 13 metres, to provide the desired space. This also provided a stable vessel big enough to provide the large cabins and bathrooms he wanted, spacious lounges and dining room, an expansive aft sundeck, a rooftop helicopter, four motorboats, a transfer boat plus numerous kayaks for guest use. And thus, the 'Island Passage' was born!  Once he had the ship, Peter put together itineraries around 2 of his favourite places; the gorgeous coastline of New Zealand and the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu, and now, French Polynesia.

Fine dining and excellent wines are offered on all their cruises, with a menu serving local seafood (maybe even caught that day by a guest), organic New Zealand lamb, local beef, and fresh produce from the local farmer's markets, along with a wine cellar of award winning Australian and New Zealand wines.  One of their Reislings has been voted one of the best in the world!  All drinks, including premium spirits and champagne, are now included in the price.

Your accommodation has been designed to feel more like a luxury yacht than a small cruise ship. The Staterooms and Suites are spread across 3 decks, with 5 staterooms with Queen or twin beds on the main deck, 1 Stateroom and 4 Ocean Suites with Queen or Twin beds on the Promenade Deck and 2 premier Bridge Suites with King beds on the Bridge Deck.  The Staterooms are 16sqm/175sqft with wide portholes with ocean views, hotel-style Queen or Twin solid wood beds with luxurious linens and bedding, individual bedside lights, an ensuite bathroom with shower and complimentary premium toiletries, a roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers, individual air conditioning and a 26" flat screen TV with 250 on-demand movies. The Ocean Suites are 18sqm/195sqft with a large window and opening door to the Promenade Deck, and provide the same same facilities and amenities as the Staterooms. The 2 luxury Bridge Suites are located at the front of the Bridge Deck with fantastic views from the large picture window and the opening door to the Bridge Deck, and offer 22sqm/235sqft of space, a Super-King bed with luxury bedding, a 32" flat-screen TV and bathrobes in the spacious ensuite bathroom.  Each night, regardless of room catagory, they provide a turndown service, with chocolate and bottled water.

The Cruises offer the best of each destination, providing journeys between 7 and 10 nights. There are 2 tours around French Polynesia and 3 around New Zealand.

The New Zealand cruises operate between December and April, and offer 7 night cruises around the North and South Island.  Between February and April they visit the World Heritage site of Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park, on the west coast of the South Island, and in December, the beautiful Bay of Islands, on the north coastline of the North Island.  Please see the detailed itineraries below for more information.

The French Polynesia cruises operate from April round to October and visits a number of beautiful islands on each tour.  For more information on these cruises please click HERE or visit our dedicated French Polynesia Pages.