Destination: 
The South Pacific

This is a voyage of discovery. Who built the strange ruins at Nan Madol? How did the first Polynesians survive on remote atolls where conditions were so extreme? Through onboard narration, lectures, and slide shows, you'll expand your understanding and appreciation of the cultures and natural history of the places we visit. 

And when we reach new shores, guided explorations by people who live and work in these island communities will give you an intimate hands-on perspective that brings these insights to life. 

Island Sanctuaries 2007

From the romantic and spectacularly beautiful Society Islands we sail through pristine cobalt blue waters to the remote Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands. 

Here we’ll explore the great variety of dramatic volcanic and coral islands, fjord-like bays, and atolls that make these islands a naturalist’s paradise, and meet many of the locals whose rich cultural heritage is evident in the fascinating archaeological ruins found here.

• Tour Costs From: $4,399 pp
• 12 Days, 11 Nights
• Papeete to Papeete
• Departures: January, 2007

Day 1 - DEPART U.S./TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS 
Transfer to your hotel and spend the balance of the evening at your leisure. 

Day 2 - TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS 
Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands. Also visit the Paul Gauguin Museum and the former home of James Norman Hall, author of Mutiny on the Bounty. Embark to the Spirit of Oceanus and sail out at sunset. BD 

Day 3 - BORA BORA/TAHA’A, SOCIETY ISLANDS 
A circle tour of the island takes you past colorful villages, archaeological sites, and World War II relics. Or you can opt to glide over the reef in a glass-bottom boat, swim with gentle stingrays, or watch wild sharks being fed. Take time to browse in Vaitape, Bora Bora’s main village, before we make our way to Taha’a and the Hibiscus Foundation Turtle Reserve, dedicated to protecting these magical sea creatures. BLD 

Day 4 - RANGIROA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS 
The second largest atoll in the world is the perfect place to snorkel, scuba dive or relax on the beach. Visit a local village and appreciate a slower, tropical pace to your day. BLD 

Day 5 - TAKAPOTO, TUAMOTU ISLANDS 
The rare black pearl is farmed here, and you’ll learn more about this fascinating industry as you tour a black pearl farm and visit the small village. To end the day, a beach barbecue with the best swimming opportunities of the voyage. BLD 

Day 6 - AT SEA 
As we cruise between islands, your Exploration Leader and other experts will brief you on the natural history and cultures you are about to visit. BLD 

Day 7 - UA HUKA, THE MARQUESAS 
Now we enter the Marquesas, far removed from the rest of the South Pacific in everything from language and culture to geology. Cruise past uninhabited seabird islands on your way to wild Ua Huka. The local mayor here has been instrumental in preserving traditional Polynesian handicrafts, especially woodcarving. We go ashore for a four-wheel drive tour to the Museum of Vaipee and the villages of Hane and Hokato, where traditional woodcarving is still a fine art. BLD 

Day 8 - HIVA OA, THE MARQUESAS 
Go to Puamau and visit the Oipona me’ae temple and the eight-foot-tall tiki, Takaii, the largest stone tiki in French Polynesia. Watch ancient Polynesian culture brought to life in a special performance by the villagers. Tour the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center, Atelier des Tropiques and Jacques Brel Cultural Center where the famous Belgian songwriter is celebrated. You’ll also visit the cemetery where both Gauguin and Brel are buried. BLD 

Day 9 - FATU HIVA, THE MARQUESAS 
Learn about Marquesian culture here, on an island where artists are reviving traditional crafts including intricately carved wood bowls and war clubs. This is the only place in French Polynesia where they still make tapa, beaten bark cloth. Villagers perform their traditional dances, demonstrate their handicrafts and explain their traditional tattoos. Tattooing reached its zenith in the Marquesas, where it was used to express personality, social status, and to protect against evil spirits. BLD 

Day 10 - AT SEA 
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Day 11 - FAKARAVA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS 
This protected atoll supports some especially rare flora and fauna, including the hunting kingfisher and the Tuamotu palm, and also offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. The local villagers of Rotoava will demonstrate their handicrafts and cultural traditions. BLD 

Day 12 - TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS 
Disembark and check into individual day rooms at your hotel, then spend the afternoon at leisure until it’s time to transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. BLD 

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Pearls of Polynesia 2007

This comprehensive voyage explores the vastly different cultures of the South Pacific, crossing the International Date Line, and sailing from the legendary islands of Polynesia into the mysteries of Melanesia.From the Polynesian paradises of Tahiti and Bora Bora to the seldom-visited islands of Western Samoa and Tonga, we experience a wide range of unique flora, fauna, and cultural interaction.

• Tour Costs From: $5,499 pp
• 14 Days, 13 Nights
• Papeete to Fiji
• Departures: February, 2007

Day 1 - DEPART TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA 

Day 2 - TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA
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Day 3 - HUAHINE, FRENCH POLYNESIA 
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Day 4 - AT SEA 
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Day 5 - ATIU, COOK ISLANDS 
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Day 6 - PALMERSTON, COOK ISLANDS 
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Day 7 - AT SEA 
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Day 8 - APIA, SAMOA 
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Day 9 - SAVAI'I, SAMOA 
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Day 10 - CROSS INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE/NIUATOPUTAPU, TONGA 
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Day 11 - AT SEA 
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Day 12 - TAVEUNI/KIOA, FIJI 
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Day 13 - BEQA, FIJI 
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Day 14 - VITI LEVU, FIJI 
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B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Legends of the Pacific 2007

Scattered across the Western Pacific lie some of the most remote and spectacular island chains in the world. Seldom explored by outside visitors, our voyage of discovery includes a unique combination of age-old primitive island cultures, mementos of World War II sites in the Pacific, and some of the most spectacular snorkeling opportunities on Earth

• Tour Costs From: $6,499 pp
• 19 Days, 18 Nights
• Fiji To Guam
• Departures:

Day 1 - DEPART FOR FIJI

Day 2 - DEPART FOR FIJI

Day 3 - NADI/LAUTOKA, FIJI
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nadi and the surrounding area before checking into individual day rooms at the Westin Resort Denarau. D

Day 4 - AT SEA
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Day 5 - AMBRYM ISLAND, VANUATU
Visit the local village, where you’ll meet with the villagers, and have the opportunity to purchase handicrafts. Ambrym is the home of Mt. Marum and Mt. Benbow volcanoes and holds the greatest reputation for sorcery in Vanuatu. The island is also known for traditional crafts such as tam-tams (vertical, slit drums) and tree fern sculptures. BLD

Day 6 - TIKOPIA, SOLOMON ISLANDS
The Solomon Islands have long been known for their fierce headhunting tribes, which has led to the islands’ isolation until only recently. Tikopia, in particular, is home to a remote society that has changed little over the years. It is still ruled by four clans, each with a chief who may only be approached by crawling. BLD

Day 7 - AT SEA
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Day 8 - GUADALCANAL, SOLOMON ISLANDS
Guadalcanal was the focus of a six-month battle that was a turning point in the Pacific War. The fierce fighting that took place here littered the area with relics, both on land and sea. BLD
Day 9 - SANTA ISABELA ISLAND, SOLOMON ISLANDS
Anchor off Kia village, once home to headhunters. Other enduring traditions here include making tapa cloth from the bark of the paper-mulberry tree and tinting it a pale blue using a dye made of crushed orchid leaves. BLD

Day 10 - AT SEA
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Day 11 - AT SEA
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Day 12 - POHNPEI, ISLAND FSM
The snorkeling is magnificent here, and birdwatchers will want to keep their eyes peeled for the endemic Pohnpei fantail and Pohnpei flycatcher. But the highlight of the island is the ruins of Nan Madol, said to be over 700 years old. BLD

Day 13 - AT SEA
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Day 14 - TONOAS, CHUUK
Appreciate the World War II history of this mangrove-fringed island in a beautiful lagoon. Have time for snorkeling or swimming. BLD

Day 15 - SATAWAL ISLAND, YAP
Some of the best traditional navigators in the Pacific live here, still navigating by the stars and ocean swells. Visit their village and go snorkeling on the reef. BLD

Day 16 - IFALUK, YAP
The inhabitants of Ifaluk are the most traditional of all the Eastern Caroline Islands, and the inner lagoon is shallow and breathtakingly beautiful. Visit with villagers, and see them perform dances. The reefs here are alive with colorful fish and deep-sea fans that will delight snorkelers. BLD

Day 17 - GAFARUT ATOLL, YAP
Birds and turtles have discovered Gaferut’s charms, but few others visit this migratory resting place. Birdwatchers keep a lookout for noddies, terns, and boobies. Just a few steps offshore great snorkeling awaits. BLD

Day 18 - GUAM, U.S.
This morning you’ll enjoy a tour of Guam including Plaza de Espana and Isla Center for the Arts. B

Day 19 - GUAM/HOME CITIES
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. B

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner