Cruising Indonesia in December

[RooFlyer]

I'm looking closely at this cruise, that runs from Bali to Cairns, through the Indonesian archipelago and Western Papua. Coral does similar cruises (in smaller, therefore better vessels) but they are more expensive and very rare no single supplement.

Cruise Tropical Odyssey between Indonesia and North East Australia from Benoa, Bali to Cairns - December 2025 | Ponant

With featured guest Christine Ockrent, journalist specialising in French and international news and geopolitical questions, author of some fifteen books. Over 16 days, fall under the spell of the beauty and richness of the Indonesian archipelago and the n

au.ponant.com

No problems with Ponant and its attractively priced, with no single supplement.

So far, so good. But its in December - wet/cyclone season. I've lived in Darwin, so know a bit about the wet season & humidity. Indonesia doesn't seem to get very affected by cyclones.

Anyone want to talk me out of looking further because of the weather? Anyone have experience with the wet season out in the archipelago (which I understand is different from Bali/the main islands)?

 

[Pushka]

Looks pretty amazing. And will be hot. Wet season in Bali hits in Jan but of course it will rain anytime.

 

[odysseus]

Depends on your aim - are you staying mostly on the ship, or in air conditioned tours?

Or are you keen to spend a lot of time exploring the sights?

 

[SYD]

Don't the locals from Singapore thru Indonesia consider the wet season as "winter"!

That itinerary actually looks well outside the usual Cyclone tracks except for the very last bit.

 

[RooFlyer]

Depends on your aim - are you staying mostly on the ship, or in air conditioned tours?

Or are you keen to spend a lot of time exploring the sights?

Seeing the sites will be stopping at various islands and either are going to the beach, snorkelling or on guided tours, visiting villages for the most part. I don’t think I’ll be stuck say on an island outside for most of the day.

I much prefer the cold to the heat, but I am very interested in visiting the islands of Indonesia - geography, geology and culture.

 

[RooFlyer]

well I should’ve done some reading before I posted. Turns out that the dry season out on that archipelago (Maluku islands) is from September to May. Temperatures average around 30° during that time.

Besides the weather being okay this certainly seals it:

The Maluku Islands comprise some of the most geologically complex and active regions in the world, resulting from their position at the meeting point of four geological plates and two continental blocks.

 

[tgh]

RAW Indonesian island settlements tend to be very scruffy so be prepared for the contrasts.
The dutch church on Banda Neira was a memorable visit with some very old gravestones from the VOC period..enjoy...