Papeete to Lautoka

Day 1: Papeete

Papeete is the center of the tropical paradise of French Polynesia, where islands fringed with gorgeous beaches and turquoise ocean await to soothe the soul. This spirited city is the capital of French Polynesia, and serves as a superb base for onward exploration of Tahiti – an island of breathtaking landscapes and oceanic vistas. A wonderful lagoon of crisp, clear water begs to be snorkelled, stunning black beaches and blowholes pay tribute to the island's volcanic heritage, and lush green mountains beckon you inland on adventures, as you explore extraordinary Tahiti. Visit to relax and settle into the intoxicating rhythm of life in this Polynesian paradise.

Day 2: Bora Bora

Simply saying the name Bora Bora is usually enough to induce gasps of jealousy, as images of milky blue water, sparkling white beaches and casually leaning palm trees immediately spring to mind. The imagination doesn't lie, either, and if you visit, you’ll soon realise this island is every bit as gorgeous as you ever imagined. Thatched wooden huts stand out over shallow, sparkling seawater, with vivid fish swirling just below. Soak up the sun and relax on Matira Beach. If blissful inactivity doesn't appeal, then get active, and hike the greenery of the sharp Mount Pahia, circle the island by “Le Truck” or go snorkelling with rays and sharks.

Day 3: At Sea

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.

Day 4: Rarotonga Island

Life is laid back on Rarotonga, the most populous of the Cook Islands, but the residents are still an active bunch. Though there are plenty of white sandy beaches on which to laze—and people do, with plenty of napping— locals love to get out and move. Join them in snorkeling, diving, riding—bikes, horses, scooters—fishing, bush walking, and playing squash and tennis. Another popular, if odd, and favourite activity is lining up along the sea wall adjacent to the airport's runway to be jet-blasted.

Day 5: Aitutaki

Even high praise like the 'world's most beautiful island' from Lonely Planet's co-founder, Tony Wheeler, won't prepare you for the intoxicating intensity of the coal blue ocean, the glow of the pure white sand, and the soothing ripple of the palm-tree forests at incredible Aitutaki. It wasn't until 1789 that Europeans discovered this island haven, with the HMS Bounty's crew arriving, just a few weeks before a mutiny tore them apart. The Europeans were beaten to the islands, however, by the streamlined wooden canoes of the Polynesian settlers, who arrived around 900AD. While Western missionaries would eventually visit to spread Christianity to the island - evidenced by the white, coral-encrusted walls of the many churches - their efforts to repress the people’s deep love of communal singing and dancing ultimately failed, and music forms a key component of the islanders' culture to this day. Aitutaki’s lagoon is a huge aquamarine pool of water, alive with a kaleidoscopic swirl of tropical fish, which lurk just below the surface. The snorkelling opportunities here and on One Foot Island are sublime.

Day 6: Palmerston Island

The low-lying atoll of Palmerston is inhabited by three families, all descendants of William Marsters (1831-1899). Members of the community are known to greet visitors and guide small boats and Zodiacs into the lagoon through a maze of coral reef to reach the only inhabited islet –commonly called “Home”. Once ashore, the whole community generally turns out to meet visitors as it is a rare occurrence. The island’s highlights include a church, the oldest house, the cemetery, the school, the underground gardens and “Duke’s Pool,” inviting for a swim or snorkel. In the lagoon’s waters it is possible to find colourful reef-fish, sea cucumbers, rays, and sea turtles. Overhead there is birdlife including tropicbirds, boobies, noddies, frigatebirds and terns.

Day 7: Cross the Date Line

Planet Earth is divided into 24 different time zones and regardless of where you are on the planet, the time and date always changes at midnight. So, for those who travel westwards, time moves seemingly “slower” over the time zones gaining one hour per time zone crossed, but you suddenly find yourself one day older when crossing the date line from the Western to the Eastern Hemisphere since you have to adjust for the time “gained”! Just to confuse matters even further, the IDL (International Date Line) is arbitrary, and countries can request to move it as they please! For two hours of every day (between 10 am and 12 pm GMT), the world has three different dates, meaning that when it is 11.30 pm on Sunday in American Samoa (GMT-11), it will be 6.30 am on Monday in New York City (GMT-4) and 12.30 am on Tuesday in Kiritimati, Line Islands (GMT+14)!

Day 8: Day at Sea

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.

Day 9: Apia

Samoa is proud to be the first independent nation of Polynesia, and home to the largest concentration of full-blooded Polynesians. Some scholars consider Samoa to be the cradle of Polynesia, allowing visitors a look at a traditional Polynesian society that follows the Samoan way of life, or ‘fa’a Samoa’. Located on Upolu Island, Apia is shaded by palms and huge umbrella trees, and has the appearance of a typical South Seas town. Traditional open-sided houses with thatched roofs on platforms of coral or concrete, also known as ‘fales’, can be seen everywhere. Nearly all of the population wears the typical local dress; skirts, or ‘lavalavas’ for men, and long, mumu-style dresses for women. The main road skirts the waterfront, and is lined with banks, shops, shipping offices and the typical public market. The focal points of Apia are the Town Clock and a World War II memorial.

At the ‘roundabout’, you will most likely see a lavalava-clad policeman directing traffic. Inland, rainforests thrive in mountain areas where heavy rainfall nurtures huge tree ferns and slow-growing, moss-laden hardwoods. Some of the island’s loveliest scenery, including the Falefa Falls and Le Mafa Pass, can be found East of Apia.

Day 10: Apia

Today is another day in Apia.

Day 11: At Sea

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.

Day 12: Somosomo (Taveuni)

Somosomo is the largest village on Taveuni, which in turn is Fiji’s third largest island. The village has had and still has political importance as it is the headquarters for Taveuni’s highest chief, the Tui Cakau, and Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs met in Somosomo until 2012. Somosomo and Naqara, its immediate neighboring village with a predominantly Indo-Fijian population, are the commercial center for Taveuni. Slightly west of Somosomo is the 180th meridian and a sign indicating the International Dateline (which has been moved east of Tonga by now) is about 2 miles to the southwest. Somosomo is also famous for the amount of soft coral in the Somosomo Strait, just west of Somosomo and Taveuni. The reefs along the Somosomo Strait are considered among the best in the South Pacific as tidal currents and constant year–round water temperature create the ideal environment for some 390 species of hard and soft corals and over 1500 species of fish. Other attractions near Somosomo are the Bouma National Park with its waterfalls and Lake Tangimaucia.

Day 13: Lautoka

It doesn’t get much sweeter than arriving on the sun-soaked shores of the Sugar City. Fiji’s second-biggest settlement opens up a world of blissful beaches and turquoise seascapes, while its dense jungle lures the adventurous deep into its embrace. Step ashore where the first Fijians landed, and you'll understand instantly why they chose to make this island paradise their heavenly home. Experience rich Fijian life, and see dramatic displays like warrior dances, and remarkable local practices like firewalks, which kick up burning embers into the night's sky. Legend says the city took its name after two chiefs faced each other in a duel. A spear pierced one of the chiefs, leading to the shout of 'lau-toka!' or 'spear hit!' Sugar is Lautoka’s main trade, but its botanical gardens are a sweet insight into the tropical plant life that thrives here - from pearl white lilies to tall, fragrant orchids. Explore temples, charming cafes and mills - or barter for some of the juiciest mangoes you’ll ever taste at the city’s lively market. You'll only be able to resist the beaches for so long, and it doesn’t get much more stunning than the Blue Lagoon - a heavenly blend of woven together turquoise shades. Remote, wild and unspoiled, these are some of the best tropical beaches in the world. There's more rejuvenating relaxation at the mineral-rich mud pools and spas, fuelled by the volcanic activity below. Savala Island is a teardrop of sand offshore, and another beautiful place to wander with the soft powder between your toes - along sandy spits that peter out into the water. Or swim and snorkel among its envied reefs, thronging with fish life.

•  Enrichment lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
•  Spacious suites with private facilities
•  Butler service in every suite
•  Unlimited Free Wifi
•  Personalised service – nearly one crew member for every guest
•  Choice of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
•  Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits
•  In-suite dining and room service
•  Onboard entertainment
•  Onboard gratuities

• International or domestic airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Transfers
• Visas or visa waivers
• Items of a personal nature
• Any item not mentioned as included