P&O Cruises launched its first PNG itinerary in late 2013, and the region's growing popularity has seen departures available from Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns, with itineraries of up to 14 nights.

Our route would take us to four ports in the Milne Bay Province, including the area's capital, Alotau, and three stunning and culturally rich islands.

Being first-time visitors to PNG, we decided on a modest seven-night round-trip cruise from Cairns. We agreed this would be long enough to get a feel for the destination (and the new look P&O) but not too long if we didn't like it.

The first stop on our cruise is Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province in south-eastern Papua New Guinea, which played a pivotal role in the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942.

War history tours are popular here but other options, such as sightseeing bus trips, cooking classes and village visits, are also available. While there are no formal cruise-ship shore excursions at many of the other ports, this is a delight rather than a disappointment.

At the tiny island of Kitava, located just off the larger Trobiand Island of Kiriwina, bare-chested islanders greet us with flower leis and shy smiles. Rows of elaborately decorated bamboo rafts line the shore, ready to transfer passengers to a sandy atoll that looks so idyllic it resembles a postcard.

Our rollicking boat ride to the tiny island costs K5 kina and is accompanied by a fierce yet friendly race with another raft. Our win is heralded with a conch shell fanfare and we spend the morning snorkelling over pristine coral and sitting under shady trees, chatting with fellow passengers.

With no mobile phone coverage or internet access available on the tiny atoll, we disconnect with the outside world and reconnect with each other.

Our next stop is Kiriwina Island, the largest in the Trobriands, which is home to over 10,000 islanders, yet similarly undeveloped. We awake to discover Pacific Eden anchored impressively close to shore, in a deep natural harbour created by sheer rock walls that plunge into the sea.

The island looks so close it feels as if we can reach out and touch the ruggedly picturesque shoreline, shallow coral reef and white beaches.

We cool down in the shallows and chat to kids who cruise alongside us in dugout canoes, handling their craft with the skill of seasoned sailors.

English is spoken more widely here and it is easy to strike up a conversation. Back on shore, woven mats form a makeshift marketplace, selling exquisite wood carvings inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Kiriwina is famous for its carving and many passengers return to the ship with souvenirs. We don't buy anything but our memories of this unique cruising destination are priceless.

Our last port is the Conflict Islands, a privately owned archipelago of 21 untouched islands surrounded by a cerulean blue lagoon, with one of the most biodiverse coral reefs in the world. P&O Cruises has exclusive visiting rights for the Conflict Islands and this is our family's most anticipated stop of the cruise.

We are up early with our snorkel gear packed, marvelling at the beautiful day outside and ready to board the first available tender boat. However, an onshore wind makes tender operations impossible and, after a sincere apology from the captain, the ship departs for the journey back to Cairns.

This P&O Cruise may have been our first for many years but it won't be our last. As the ship pulls away from the island, we are already planning our return visit.