Papeete to Valparaiso

Tahiti offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences. Begin your day in Papeete, visiting the bustling Marché de Papeete for souvenirs and local treats. Journey to the island's interior to hike the scenic trails of Mount Aorai, providing panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and islands. Relax at Tahiti's famous black-sand beaches or take a boat trip to explore the turquoise lagoons. A visit to the Paul Gauguin Museum gives insight into the artist’s life and works inspired by Tahiti's beauty.

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.

The Tuamotu Archipelago is a sprawling chain of coral atolls in French Polynesia. Known for some of the world's best diving spots, these islands offer crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life, ideal for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

The archipelago's pearls, particularly from the atoll of Manihi, are celebrated for their quality and beauty, drawing visitors interested in the local pearling industry. Ships navigating through the Tuamotus typically stop at key islands, allowing visitors to tender ashore for easy access to explore.

Fakarava is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is oblong shaped and has an almost continuous string of reef stretching for 40 km on its eastern edge.

Pure, pristine and dreamlike, the ecosystem of this gorgeous island is home to extremely rare birds, plants and crustaceans. Quaint villages, old coral churches and welcoming people are intertwined with a spectacular lagoon creating a paradise like none other in the world.

Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the pier in Fakarava’s main village, Rotoava.

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.

Atuona is the port of call for Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands. The island’s rugged landscapes blend sharp ridges, peaks and valleys scattered with archaeological sites and ruins. Hiva Oa is lined with black sand beaches and sharp cliffs diving into the Pacific Ocean.

This is also the place where two famous artists chose to live their lives: the french painter Paul Gaugin and the french singer-poet Jacques Brel. Their graves and a cultural centre devoted to the famous french painter are highlights of any visit to Hiva Oa. Ships will anchor in Taaoa Bay and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Tahuata, the smallest inhabited island in the Marquesas archipelago of French Polynesia, is renowned for its unspoiled beauty and rich cultural heritage. This tranquil island, accessible primarily by boat from nearby Hiva Oa, offers a serene escape with its pristine beaches, lush valleys, and vibrant marine life.

The village of Vaitahu, the island’s main settlement, holds historical significance as the site where European explorers first made contact with the Marquesan people. Visitors can explore the village’s church, adorned with beautiful Marquesan carvings, and learn about the island's history at local cultural sites. Tahuata is also famous for its skilled artisans, who produce intricate wood carvings and exquisite tapa cloth, reflecting the island's deep-rooted artistic traditions.

The largest of the Marquesas Islands, Nuku Hiva is a stunning volcanic island with mountains topping 3,700 feet and jagged walls that suddenly plunge into the immense ocean below. This untouched island will enchant you with its wild and beautiful landscape. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Top Things to Do on Nuku Hiva:

• explore the lush and remote Taipivai Valley
• view Vaipo Falls
• take a boat or hike to Anaho Bay
• see the giant tiki at Piki Vehini

Ridges and cliffs form the beautiful, rocky Fatu Hiva, the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands. The island is covered in lush jungle vegetation that is divided in some places by narrow ravines marked by sharply dropping cliffs.

The half-moon-shaped Omoa Bay encircles the village of Omoa, where about 250 people reside near the island’s main church. This peaceful fishing village is known for its tapa cloth. They make the cloth in a traditional way with beaten bark decorated in inked traditional Polynesian designs.

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.

Mangareva, meaning 'floating mountain' in Polynesian, is the largest of the Gambier Islands. Surrounded by a magnificent coral reef and blessed with generous vegetation, this island, a cradle of Catholicism, has exceptional cultural heritage, with many vestiges of religious buildings dating from the 19th century.

Nestling in the heart of this historic site with idyllic landscapes, do not miss the small village of Rikitea, where one of Polynesia’s wonders, Saint Michael’s Cathedral, stands proudly, entirely built from coral and timber. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

With around 50 residents on the island, Adamstown is the capital of the Pitcairn Islands and the only populated settlement, as all of the other Pitcairn Islands are uninhabited.

Here you can get a firsthand insight into the living history and culture of the people of Pitcairn Island - the direct descendants of Pitcairn's first European settlers, the HMS Bounty mutineers.

On shore visit the local museum that houses the HMS Bounty Bible, the historic Adamstown Church, view Fletcher Christian’s cave, or keep an eye out for the Pitcairn Reed Warbler.

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.

Although a Polynesian island in southeastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is an overseas territory of Chile. The island received its name from a Dutch explorer who encountered the island on Easter Sunday in 1722.

The island is famous for its mysterious, monumental statues, called moai, created by the Rapanui people. A total of 887 monolithic stone statues have been inventoried. The native islanders who carved them used only stone hand chisels, mainly basalt toki, which still lay in place throughout the island. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

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.

Alejandro Selkirk Island, also known as Isla Robinson Crusoe, is part of the Juan Fernández Archipelago off the coast of Chile.

Renowned as the site where mariner Alexander Selkirk was marooned in the early 18th century, inspiring Daniel Defoe's famous novel, this remote island offers rugged terrain and endemic flora and fauna not found anywhere else on Earth. Its steep, verdant hillsides and secluded beaches provide a dramatic landscape for hiking and wildlife watching.

Access to the island typically involves anchoring offshore and using tenders to land, given the island's small size and limited infrastructure. Visitors to Alexander Selkirk Island find themselves stepping back in time, immersed in the solitude and unspoiled nature that once inspired tales of survival and adventure.

Robinson Crusoe Island, part of Chile’s Juan Fernández Archipelago, is a hidden gem with a fascinating history and pristine natural beauty. Named after the literary character, the island offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquillity. Start the day with a visit to the town of San Juan Bautista, where you can explore the island's history and enjoy local seafood delicacies.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking up to El Mirador de Selkirk, providing stunning views of the island and the surrounding Pacific Ocean. The island's unique flora and fauna, including the endemic Juan Fernández fur seal, are a delight for nature lovers. Don’t miss the chance to dive into the clear waters and discover vibrant marine life in this remote paradise.

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.

Once the most important merchant port on the Pacific trading routes of South America, Valparaiso is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its bright, colourful buildings, incredible European-inspired architecture, and unique urban hillside design, Valparaiso offers a vibrant artistic culture in a laid-back environment. Ships will dock at the port.

Top Things to Do in Valparaiso:

• sandboard the Dunes of Concón
• explore Cerro Concepcion
• visit the Parque Cultural de Valparaíso
• admire the street art on a walking tour