Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a group of islands nicknamed the Spice Islands (also known as the Moluccas). Nestled between Celebes and New Guinea to the north-east of Indonesia, this island group was highly sought after due to their abundance in, not-surprisingly, spices. Nutmeg, mace, pepper and cloves were in high demand back in the 15th and 16th Centuries and the Spice Islands were bustling with a thriving trade of these and other goods. Nutmeg and cloves were originally native to this group of islands. Chinese silks, Indian cottons, Arabian coffee and African ivory could all be traded for the aromatic, tasty spices.
At the end of the 15th Century, the European traders started arriving and wanting in on the act. Up until that point, spices were available in Europe but at a hefty price due to the distance they had to travel and the number of traders involved to move them from the Moluccas all the way to Venice and beyond.
The Portugese were the first to establish a presence between 1512 and 1520. Some 80 or so years later, the English, Dutch and Spanish were all wanting a piece of the pie. There ensued a bidding war, clashes and dastardly deeds until the Dutch emerged victorious in 1663. This meant that the Dutch East India Company was in control of the spice monopoly.
You may wonder why such competition existed over a few spices however the profit involved was substantial. Whichever nation controlled access to these islands was destined to become fabulously wealthy! Enter piracy, sunken ships, stolen cargo, rivalry, mutinies, starving crews and more. Oh the history here is nearly as rich as the spices themselves!
To make a long (and incredibly fascinating) story short, the monopoly was only broken in 1769 when a Frenchman smuggled some nutmeg trees out of the Spice Islands and set up shop in Mauritius.
Today, the Spice Islands are a far cry from the Spice Islands of yesteryear, instead offering a calm and peaceful persona as they welcome visitors to explore stunning beaches, fascinating architecture reflecting the Dutch and Portugese occupation and deeply-rooted culture and traditions.
Now, we’ve got an amazing way to see these islands. Paspaley Pearl by PONANT is offering two departures in January and February 2025 aboard their exceptional, luxurious vessel. With a maximum of just 30 guests and four expert expedition leaders, this is such a unique opportunity to really see this stunning part of the world.
The voyage is fully inclusive of meals, beverages and excursions but what makes this voyage stand out from the others is that, with just 30 guests, they can be flexible with the activities to suit the group. Meals are often taken at two long tables rather than small tables with just two or four people, making it feel more like a big group of friends embarking on an incredible adventure together. The expedition crew ratio is second to none so you really can immerse yourself in the destination and the experience like no other.
As well as visiting these beautiful islands, you’ll also spend 5 days in the spectacular Raja Ampat region. Possibly the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world, the spectacular landscapes, culture and wildlife encounters here are quite simply amazing. But that’s a whole other story!
With just two departures and a maximum of 30 guests per voyage, these cruises are going to fill up super quickly. The programme has only just been launched so don’t delay if this cruise experience sounds like it’s your cup of tea. You can take a look here at the Raja Ampat & Spice Islands itinerary. Paspaley Pearl by PONANT also have other itineraries available in The Kimberley or from Bali to Darwin – take a look at our website for these options too.
Or, speak to one of our Ultimate Cruising experts for more information on 0800 485 846.
Images: Paspaley Pearl by PONANT