SOUTH PACIFIC

Drops In The Deep Blue Sea

The treasured muses of great artists, musicians, and writers, these captivating islands are of such exquisite natural beauty they almost defy description in any art form. It’s best to see and experience them for yourself on a luxury cruise in the South Pacific. On departing Kahului and Honolulu, two sun-kissed destinations in the far-flung U.S. outpost of Hawaii, prepare to slow down and embrace the mixture of leisurely sea days and laid-back ports of call as we meander through Polynesia, hopping between island nations on our way to New Zealand.

Nuku Hiva in French Polynesia is a worthy opener for our South Pacific cruises, a huddle of jagged volcanic peaks fringed with golden sands and crystalline waters, it reveals not only the influence of its European colonizers but a strong local character, especially in the intriguing tiki – centuries-old stone monuments – that dot the landscape. There is more to discover beneath the waves. The island of Fakarava reveals why scuba divers love this part of the world. Home to a biosphere reserve recognised by UNESCO, its seas are patroled by colorful clouds of surgeonfish, sleek manta rays, and great grey reef sharks. The marine thrills continue in Rangiroa, one of the largest atolls in the world, Moorea, a heart-shaped cluster of peaks and valleys cloaked in jungle, and Bora Bora, which as well as being a honeymoon favorite, also offers good hiking country on the slopes of Mount Otemanu.

Tahiti, the capital of French Polynesia, has plenty of natural attractions, including waterfalls and geysers, but there are also the sunshine-bright displays of exotic fruit to browse in the market, Notre Dame Cathedral to see, and a waterfront promenade to stroll along. You can also visit the exact spot where Captain Cook made landfall. Across the international dateline in Fiji, visitors receive a convivial welcome with a coconut shell filled with a traditional drink called kava, while the spectacle of a water music ceremony greets visitors to the shores of Vanuatu. Rarotonga, Tonga, and Lifou are among the other Polynesian nations and kingdoms that we visit on our South Pacific cruises – expect just as much to admire and as warm a welcome in them all.