SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Experience the magic of Hawaii during an oceanside luau in Ko Olina, where island hospitality, cultural traditions and live entertainment come together for a memorable evening. Travel by motorcoach from the Honolulu pier to Ocean's Edge, a beautiful coastal setting where the sunset may provide a striking backdrop. After check-in, enjoy a signature welcome drink and take part in interactive cultural activities before savoring an island-inspired feast featuring authentic Hawaiian flavors. A pre-show hula performance sets the stage for the main production. Enjoy vibrant music, graceful hula, thrilling fire-knife performances and stories celebrating Hawaii's heritage. Developed with guidance from the Hawaiian Council, the entertainment thoughtfully honors and preserves the traditions of the islands. Following the show, reboard your motorcoach for the return to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Savor an island-inspired feast featuring authentic Hawaiian flavors.
• Experience vibrant music, hula, fire-knife performances and Polynesian storytelling.
• Participate in interactive cultural activities and hula dancing.
• Enjoy warm island hospitality in an oceanside setting in Ko Olina.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Step into the heart of Kanak culture on this enriching journey through Lifou's northern villages. Travel through the seaside community of Easo, where sweeping views of jewel-toned Santal Bay set the scene, before continuing to Xepenehe for a scenic overlook of this historically significant harbor. Your experience continues at the tribal chief's hut, where a warm traditional welcome awaits. Inside, you'll gain fascinating insight into Melanesian social structure and the symbolism woven into daily life. The visit concludes on a flavorful note with fresh coconut water and a traditional cooking demonstration by village women, showcasing the preparation of Bougna, a beloved local dish slow-cooked in banana leaves using time-honored methods.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Learn about the traditional Melanesian way of life in the rural village Hnathalo.
• Sample the Melanesian dish bougna, which is cooked in banana leaves in an earthen oven.
• See the interior of the revered Chief's Hut and meet local villagers.
• Enjoy scenic views of Santal Bay and Xepenehe harbor.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See the highlights of Fiji’s capital on a panoramic drive that presents the most meaningful historical landmarks and shows how the city has changed over time. One of your first impressions will be from a lookout that offers a sweeping view of the urban landscape and your cruise ship as a reference point. You will also drive through the town of Tamavua on Suva’s outskirts and for contrast pass the Laucala campus of the University of the South Pacific. The stately Presidential Palace that serves as the residence of the president of Fiji reflects Suva’s colonial past as its architecture is Georgian. For an even deeper dive into the past, you will browse the Fiji Museum, whose collection ranges from artifacts dating back 3,700 years to cultural objects from more recent times. Free time follows, during which you can shop by the waterfront for fashions, handicrafts and other fine Fijian merchandise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an introductory drive through Suva that passes the capital’s key landmarks.
• Delve into Suva’s history by browsing the highly informative Fiji Museum.
• Shop in the collection of stores near the waterfront during free time.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore Rarotonga's culture, history and traditions during this scenic and informative island tour. Depart the pier for an orientation drive around the island; an excellent way to see Rarotonga and gain insight to its culture. Along the way, you will visit such sites as Ngatangiia Harbour, the departure point of the Polynesian Migration to New Zealand in 1350 AD, and a historical back road built in 1050 AD called the Road of Toi, or Ara Metua. You will also pass by ceremonial sites that include Arai Te Tonga, along with old church buildings, the theological college, the library, the museum, and fruit and vegetable plantations. Stops will be made at the Cook Island's Library and Museum to view the artifacts. Following your tour, you will be returned to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Rarotonga signature sights and landmarks on an informative island introduction tour.
• Travel a road that dates back to 1050 AD and pass the most significant ceremonial site on the island.
• Visit the harbor where a great migration from Polynesia to New Zealand departed in 1350 AD.
• Visit inside Cook Islands Library and Museum to browse their extensive collections of cultural artifacts.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the island paradise of Bora Bora during this scenic orientation tour via Le Truck, a casual, open-air vehicle resembling a windowless bus. Let your guide share with you the daily life of the people of Bora Bora.

Drive through the district of Fa'anui. Along the way, you will pass by small villages and fields that offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the people of Bora Bora. Witness how the popular pareo is made, learn about tupa crabs, taste locally grown fruits and see relics left behind by the U.S. military during WWII.

Admire the ever-changing colors of Bora Bora’s world-famous lagoon, and discover tropical flowers and trees among the dense green vegetation on the mountainside. Central Mount Otemanu rock, standing at more than 2,400 feet high, dominates the island and overlooks the turquoise lagoon and her crown of coral islands. Your drive around the island will allow you to enjoy the view of this impressive mountain. Driving by the East Coast you’ll pass some of the famous resorts before reaching Matira point, with the prettiest sand beach of the main island.

Experience the timeless beauty of Lifou, where tropical breezes, ocean views, and village life unfold at an unhurried pace. Begin with a visit to a lush botanical garden, home to many of Lifou's endemic plants, including fragrant vanilla vines. Continue to the dramatic Cliffs of Jokin, where ancient fossilized coral rises nearly 120 feet above the sea, offering breathtaking coastal views. Enjoy a scenic drive through the seaside village of Easo before ascending to the historic Notre Dame de Lourdes chapel, perched high above Santal Bay. Your journey continues across the island to Hnathalo, where you'll be welcomed with refreshing coconut water, explore the impressive Grand Case (the largest chief's hut in New Caledonia), and visit the charming St. Jean Baptist Church built by early missionaries.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit a lush botanical garden featuring Lifou's endemic plants and fragrant vanilla vines.
• Explore the dramatic Cliffs of Jokin with 120-foot fossilized coral formations and breathtaking coastal views.
• Visit the historic Notre Dame de Lourdes chapel perched above Santal Bay.
• Tour the Grand Case, the largest chief's hut in New Caledonia, and the historic St. Jean Baptist Church.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a camera for scenic photo opportunities.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Delve into traditional Tahitian culture by cruising to nearby Tahaa to discover how vanilla is grown and black pearls are produced before an island lunch and relaxing on the island’s gorgeous beach.

After departing from the pier in a motorized catamaran, you will enjoy a wonderfully scenic cruise across a turquoise-blue lagoon to the island of Tahaa, which lies due north. Your first destination ashore is a vanilla farm. You will probably be greeted by the scent of the spice before arriving as 70% of the vanilla grown in French Polynesia is from Tahaa.

Expect to see and smell fragrant vanilla pods curing in the sun. You may also stroll among the rows of climbing orchids that produce the pods and learn how they are pollinated. There will be some time for shopping before continuing on with a short drive to Motu Pearl Village. Established in 1991, the village cultivates black pearls in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the surrounding lagoon. After hearing the fascinating story of how the pearls are produced, you may shop for jewelry and other items adorned with these prized treasures. Like vanilla, black pearls are synonymous with Tahaa, and both are mainstays of the economy.

After the visit, enjoy a cocktail or a fresh local beer before a traditional Polynesian buffet lunch is served while a live Polynesian group entertains you. It makes for an excellent introduction to the pareo show that follows. A pareo is a wraparound skirt that is essential to Tahitian dance. Finally, you will head for the beach of Motu Mahea to relax, sunbathe or get in the water before returning to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the Fijian culture and the natural world that flourishes on Dravuni Island. You will begin your immersion into the local lifestyle by sitting in on a kava ceremony. The national drink of Fiji, kava is made with pulverized pepper root and its preparation can be a complex process. Although drinking this intoxicating, mouth-numbing concoction was once reserved solely for chieftains and priests, you will be invited to sample the kava, which is typically ladled from a communal wooden bowl. As the guide leads you on a nature walk, you will see crops such as yams and cassava and a variety of medicinal plants that the villagers use to ease pain, reduce inflammation and stanch bleeding. While exploring the island’s wooded interior, you can expect to see birds such as the Kadavu musk parrot, an endemic species that is easy to identify by its bright red, blue and green feathers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a kava ceremony that honors Fiji’s national drink and sample it.
• See traditional crops grown on the island and plants used for medicinal purposes.
• Look for colorful tropical birds while following the guide on a nature walk.
• Shop for local handicrafts at stalls along the beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of Upolu during this scenic, tour of the island's northeast coast.

Depart the pier for a scenic drive along the northeast coast of Upolu. Along the way, you will pass through local villages that still observe a traditional lifestyle. Stop for photos at the Falefa Waterfall and Estuary, a former trading post for locals and whalers in the early 1800s. Fagaloa Bay offers you another opportunity for breathtaking views overlooking the coast.

Stop to visit Gina's Tropical Gardens, which features an abundance of native and tropical plants, flowers and fruits. Included are specimens found in the bird of paradise family, along with ginger, axoria, heliconia, ylang ylang, papaya, guava, star fruit, pineapple, and mango. During your visit, you will be treated with refreshments and seasonal fruits. Enjoy a demonstration of coconut tree climbing, husking, grating and preparing fresh coconut cream.

Experience local life in the tiny village of Keamu on the neighboring island of Aneytium.

On the short boat ride over, you can take in the beautiful tropical setting and prepare for the experience that lies ahead. As an introduction to the island, a group of warriors decorated with body paint will greet you somewhat ominously to demonstrate what the first meeting between the Europeans and islanders might have been like in 1793.

It’s all in fun, as the warriors will then lead you into Keamu to meet the chief and show you how the villagers live. You will learn about their way of life, how they prepare and store food, and weave mats and baskets from palm fronds. You will also see how they live off the land by hunting and fishing. The villagers in Keamu are extraordinarily resourceful and still practice many of the traditional ways of their ancestors.

Discover Moorea's visual splendor, art and local Polynesian lifestyle during this scenic orientation drive around the island.

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing drive around Moorea. The distance around this idyllic island is approximately 38 miles and offers many spectacular sites and photo opportunities. Pass the sacred temples (Marae) and get an insight on Polynesian culture.

Down the East Coast reach Ia ora View Point for a unique view on the island of Tahiti only located about 10 nautical miles from Moorea, from there the view on the clear blue lagoon of Temae Beach is breathtaking. Driving down to the West Coast you’ll reach the Tiki Village for a short walk through the property, and free time. During your free time, you might browse the small boutique or discover the island's artistic beauty at an art gallery. Here, you will have an opportunity to see a replica of Gauguin's Maison du Jouir and view a large selection of the most beautiful reproductions of his artwork. You could also visit a black-and-white picture gallery showcasing the works of famous photographer A. Sylvain. Located by the ocean, the village is home to a lovely white-sand beach that offers wonderful photo opportunities.

OVERVIEW

Follow a short trail through the jungle to a breathtaking waterfall, where you will be free to swim in the pool at the base of the cascade. The drive there will be immensely relaxing and picturesque, putting you in just the right mood to enjoy the rainforest setting. The tree canopy will provide plenty of shade as you walk toward Nakawaqa Waterfall, which you will hear long before seeing it. The cascade tumbles down a narrow canyon in a spectacular display of natural beauty that can be awe-inspiring. Dense jungle surrounds the waterfall, making the setting all the more magical. Take a refreshing swim in the cool water beneath the waterfall or, if you prefer not to get wet, you can easily find a peaceful spot to stretch out on shore. The guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the rainforest flora and fauna..

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a relaxing and wonderfully picturesque drive to the Nakawaqa Rainforest.
• Walk through the rainforest to the thundering Nakawaqa Waterfall.
• Swim in the crystal-clear pool beneath the waterfall and enjoy the serene setting.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.