Three cruise lines have small- to medium-sized ships that are based year-round in Tahiti. Each offers a different ambiance, from premium and luxury cruise ships to sailing ship, but all are highly focused on exploring the islands and their cultures as well as the best aspect of Polynesia -- that which is beneath the sea and crystal-clear lagoons. In contrast, cruises in Australia and New Zealand are available only on a seasonal basis when premium and luxury ships from small to large come calling, though these are sometimes the same ships that are based in Polynesia. Typically, they offer a sophisticated experience, which includes Australia's major coastal cities -- including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane -- as well as visit more diverse ports in New Zealand like the capital Wellington and Auckland, where Maori culture vies for attention with the wonders of nature. All Pacific cruises are destination-oriented, and it's not uncommon for luxurious cruise ships and the legendary Cunard liners to visit French Polynesia and the lands "down under" during lengthy World Cruises.