13-night Ancestral Cultures Of The South Pacific Cruise

Sep 20, 2027 - Lautoka

Lautoka is sited in the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, and approximately 250 km from Suva, the capital. The city is surrounded with the blue Pacific Ocean on the western side and green gold sugar cane together with pine trees on the other sides. This side of the island is more diverse. One of the prime shopping areas nearby is the town of Nadi.

Sep 21, 2027 - Beqa, Fiji

In the heart of the South Pacific, beneath southern skies, lies the island paradise of Fiji. Enjoy fun-filled days kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming the warm waters of the blue lagoon. Hike to the mystical waterfalls, play a friendly game of volleyball with the locals or spend an exciting afternoon deep sea fishing. You may choose to Surf the world class “Fijian Pipeline” at Frigate Pass or Dive the pristine reefs to discover the rich marine life, beautiful coral gardens and the famous shark encounter.

Sep 22, 2027 - Suva

Suva is the pulsing heart of the South Pacific and Fiji's main port. This waterfront district provides the hub for much of Suva’s activiy with high-rise office buildings, colonial buildings with second-story verandas, parks and government buildings. Many main points of interest are located on Victoria Parade and its extension, tree-shaded Queen Elizabeth Drive. Visit Thurston Gardens, Suva’s botanical park lush. The Fiji Museum reflects 3,000 years of Fijian history. Government House is on a hillside surrounded by landscaped grounds. The monthly Changing of the Guard is executed with almost as much pomp and ceremony as at London’s Buckingham Palace. Tholo-I-Suva Forest Park offers miles of trails through beautiful mahogany forest. There are waterfalls, natural swimming pools and thatched pavilions with tables. At picturesque Suva Cemetery you will find Fijian graves wrapped in colorful sulus and tapa cloth. The Pacific Harbor Resort on Coral Coast boasts an 18-hole championship course. Watersports include fishing, diving, and snorkeling.

Sep 23, 2027 - Savusavu

Often referred to as Fiji’s Hidden Paradise, Savusavu appears to be much the same as it was 30 years ago. Founded before the Deed of Cession, Savusavu was originally established as a center for sailing ships trading in sandalwood, beche-de-mer and copra. Savusavu continues to be a copra town with a processing mill in Balaga Bay at the very bottom of Savusavu Bay. Between the creek and main street is the Copra Shed which was built in 1917 by the Savusavu Planter’s Co-operative Association and later taken over by Morris Hedstrom as a trading store. The renovated Copra Shed still exists today as the main facility for the Copra Shed Marina.

Sep 24, 2027 - At Sea

Sep 25, 2027 - Vavau

This is a place where pressures are washed way by the gentle lapping of the sea on stunningly beautiful white coral sand beaches and the whisper of the trade winds through lush green coconut plantations. On the main island of Vava'u is located the group's tiny capital Neiafu perched above Port of Refuge Harbor, unquestionably one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Neiafu and its surrounding villages are home to about a third of Vava'u Islands overall population of about 20,000. The majority of the Vava'u people live in small villages dotted on the islands throughout the group. Try to visit Swallows Cave and Nuku Island while you are there.

Sep 26, 2027 - Cross International Dateline

Travel across the International Dateline and step forward or backward in time one day.

Sep 26, 2027 - At Sea

Sep 27, 2027 - Aitutaki

This magnificent and remote island is the stuff of which dreams are made. It is a triangular-shaped almost-atoll consisting of three volcanic and 12 coral islets (motus). It was probably first settled around 900 AD and one of the great legendary Polynesian discoverers was Ru who named it Utataki Enua O Ru Ki Te Moana. Roughly translated, this means The Leading of a Cargo of People by Ru Over the Ocean. It can be inferred Aitutaki was, therefore, the ultimate destination, and it still is today.

Sep 28, 2027 - At Sea

Sep 29, 2027 - Raiatea

Tahitians believe Raiatea to be the sacred birthplace of their gods and their religious and cultural beginnings. The most important and well-preserved religious site in all of Polynesia is here. It is from these shores that ancient Polynesian explorers are said to have ventured to the far off lands of Hawaii and New Zealand. Second only in size to the Island of Tahiti, Raiatea is today the trading center of the leeward islands. Raiatea is unique in that it has the only navigable river in Polynesia - the Faaroa. The rare, white gardenia called Tiare Apetahi only grows on the slopes of Mount Temehani and nowhere else on Earth! Mount Temehani is also the supposed birthplace of Oro, one principal god of Polynesia. There is a large, protected lagoon around Raiatea and its sister island Tahaa, which produces wonderful beaches and the perfect location for sailing, big game fishing, and diving.

Sep 30, 2027 - Taha'a Motu Mahana

Enclosed in a common lagoon with Raiatea and accessible only by boat, Taha"a produces about 80% of all vanilla in French Polynesia. Taha"a is the only island in the Society Islands that can be completely circled by ship inside the protected lagoon. With its many deep bays and small deserted motu on the reef, Taha"a is an ideal island to escape the 20th century. Here you can explore the reef and discover the beauty of its multicolored lagoon, enjoy a picnic on a deserted motu or ride a 4X4 in the mountains and through the vanilla plantations and learn the mystery of these "orchids". With only a handful of guesthouses and two small hotels, Taha"a is slowly awakening to tourism and yet it still maintains an authentic flavor of Polynesia.

Oct 01, 2027 - Bora Bora

Bora Bora is considered one of the most romantic places anywhere. Dominant from the moment of arrival are majestic Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia, two towering volcanic peaks of black rock jutting out of the center of the emerald-green island. Often shrouded in clouds, these landmarks take on mysterious and mythical qualities. Off-road excursions, bicycling, and hiking into this wild beauty reveal incredible panoramas and valleys. Hundreds of brilliantly-colored fish, intricate gardens, and clear water also create some of the very best undersea worlds. For an exhilarating expedition, swim with and watch local divers feed small, non-dangerous lagoon sharks. Bora Bora has several ancient temples and authentic Polynesian villages. There are also some reminders of World War II with a number of cannon emplacements left behind by the U.S. Navy.

Oct 02, 2027 - Moorea

This magical island is what inspired James Michener to write about mythical "Bali Hai." The rugged mountains rise dramatically from the ocean and stand guard over this lush island that features everything from white sandy beaches to pineapple plantations to cascading waterfalls to secluded coves. A trip through the lushly-forested inland to Le Belvedere lookout opens a breathtaking view of deep blue waters of Cook's and Opunohu bays, which are the perfect anchorages for luxury yachts and sailboats alike. Horseback riding on the beach, bicycling and hiking into the mountains, deep-sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving, para-sailing, and much more awaits.

Oct 02, 2027 - Papeete

Papeete, the modern and bustling capital of Tahiti and Her Islands, contains government offices, Gendarmerie, hospitals and clinics, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the population of the islands as well as tourists who come for a life-enriching experience to these magical islands.

Oct 03, 2027 - Papeete

Papeete, the modern and bustling capital of Tahiti and Her Islands, contains government offices, Gendarmerie, hospitals and clinics, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the population of the islands as well as tourists who come for a life-enriching experience to these magical islands.