Papeete (Tahiti) to Lautoka

Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, enchants with its lush landscapes and vibrant culture. Explore the bustling capital, Papeete, where the colorful market offers local crafts and exotic produce. Relax at the stunning black-sand beaches of Pointe Venus or dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Don’t miss the Arahoho Blowhole, where ocean waves force air and water through a natural rock formation, creating spectacular sprays. For a touch of history, visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands to learn about the island's rich heritage.

The Papeete Cruise Port is located right in the city center so attractions such as the vibrant Papeete Market are just a short walk away. To visit more distant attractions like the stunning Fautaua Waterfall, consider a taxi or a guided excursion. Don’t miss out on trying local Tahitian cuisine or visiting the Black Pearl Museum.

Meaning 'Faraway Heaven,' Raiatea is an island of astounding beauty, ancient myths and home to French Polynesia's largest outdoor temple (marae). Many believe it is the centre from which the great Polynesian migration started and is considered the most sacred island in the South Pacific. Ships will dock at this port.

Top Things to Do on Raiatea:

• cross the lagoon to Raiatea's sister island, Taha’a
• visit a black pearl farm
• visit the Marae Taputapuatea (temple)
• kayak the Fa'aroa River

The dramatic Mount Otemanu stands watch over the sparkling turquoise waters and sugary sands of Bora Bora, known as the most romantic island in the world. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be proved to the pier.

Top Things to Do in Bora Bora:

• sail Bora Bora by catamaran
• take a scenic flight over the island in a helicopter
• snorkel the reef ringed lagoon
• watch sharks and rays in a glass-bottomed boat
• relax on a privately owned island known as a motu

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Aitutaki, a jewel in the Cook Islands, is home to lush landscapes and pristine beaches. Surrounded by coral reefs, Aitutaki’s 15 islets are teeming with vibrant and untouched marine life.

Swim in the clear waters of Aitutaki Lagoon, a snorkeller's paradise, or pay a visit to the iconic One Foot Island, known for its unique sandbar and stunning turquoise vistas. You can even have your passport stamped at one of the world’s smallest post offices.

Aitutaki’s remote and tropical shores have also been the setting for the filming of 'Survivor'.

Your ship will anchor offshore, as you take a tender to the island. Arutanga, the island's main port and town, is where you can begin to explore this island oasis.

Palmerston Island, a remote atoll in the Cook Islands, offers a unique and secluded getaway in the Pacific. Accessible mainly by sea, the island boasts crystal-clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and pristine beaches. Snorkeling and diving reveal a rich underwater world teeming with marine life, including colourful fish and sea turtles.

The small, close-knit community of around 60 residents welcomes visitors with warm hospitality. Explore the island's charming settlement, learn about its unique history, and enjoy traditional Polynesian cuisine. Palmerston Island’s untouched natural beauty and friendly atmosphere make it a perfect escape from the modern world.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

The international date line, established in 1884, passes through the mid-Pacific Ocean and roughly follows a 180 degrees longitude north to south line on the Earth. It does zigzag around political borders such as eastern Russia and Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Crossing the date line eastbound decreases the date by one day, while crossing the date line westbound increases the date. So when you cross east to west you always lose a day and crossing from west to east you get the same day twice (or gain a day).

Neiafu is the capital of the Vava’u Group, an azure tropical paradise of 61 different islands dotted with coral gardens, deserted beaches and shimmering clear lagoons. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Top Things to Do on Vava'u:

• go on a whale watching boat tour
• charter a boat for game fishing
• snorkel the stunning coral reefs
• visit the Ene'Io Botanical Garden
• hike to the summit of Mount Talau
• visit a vanilla plantation

A typical tropical island in the South Pacific should have white sand, coconut palms, a calm turquoise sea and coral reefs reaching to the shore. Eueiki has all that. The 19-hectare (48-acre) island is one of the Vava’u island group of Tonga and is privately owned, with a small resort. Eueiki is made of limestone laid down by marine life thousands of years ago and later uplifted. Take a walk from the island’s beach to the shade of the island’s interior. Listen for birds. The names of the Polynesian Triller and the Tongan Whistler (a Vava’u endemic) give away their identity. The ‘coos’ are made by fruit-eating Pacific Pigeons or Purple-capped Fruit-doves. Screeches identify Tongan (Insular) Flying Foxes. Fascinating to watch, these large bats are sacred and protected by the King of Tonga.

Coral reefs provide great snorkelling, with clear waters giving excellent views of the diverse corals and fish. Healthy corals are mostly green, brown and occasionally blue due to the algae that lives in the flesh of the skeleton-making coral polyps. It is the texture and shapes of the coral that make them fascinating. Some are soft and some are hard. Growth forms include shrubby, finger, plate, massive (round domes) and branched. Small reef fish linger on the reef, none more so than the anemonefish. Small groups of these orange, white, and sometimes black, banded fish find protection amongst the tentacles of sea anemones. Anemonefish are nicknamed Nemos after the Finding Nemo movie. Find Nemo in the word anemone.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Leleuvia is a small low-lying island southeast of Ovalau with a length of barely 500 metres. Situated between the chiefly island of Bau, Moturiki and Ovalau, almost equidistant from Ovalau and the Central Eastern coast of Viti Levu, this lush, green island hosts a small resort. An easily accessible reef with many colorful reef fish 10 metres off of Leleuvia’s western beach invites to be explored.

Resident sea kraits are often seen resting ashore north of the small pier. Despite its small size and the resort on its southern side, the island still has quite an extensive forest of tamanu (Alexandrian laurel), lantern trees, fish-poison trees and beach gardenia. There are also local clusters of beach hibiscus, beach heliotrope and Pacific rosewood where Sacred Kingfishers, Orange-breasted Honeyeaters, and Pacific Swallows have been recorded.

Known as Sugar City, Lautoka is framed by the blue Pacific Ocean on the western side and green gold sugar cane and pine trees on the other sides. In the city you'll find wide-open streets lined with swaying palm trees and colonial-style houses. Ships will dock at the port.

Top Things to Do in Lautoka:

• snorkel at Savala or Bounty Island
• bathe in a natural geothermal mud pond
• visit a traditional village
• explore the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park
• visit the nearby town of Nadi