Hawaii & South Pacific Crossing Cruise

Day 1 - Los Angeles

Arrive: Thu 21 January 2027 / Depart: Thu 21 January 2027 at 16:00

The City of Angels always hovers between dream and reality. Once a near-forgotten colonial outpost, the pueblo metamorphosed into an agrarian paradise before reinventing itself as a movie colony. Perhaps no other city owes so much to the technological innovations of the 20th century, from the automobile to the airplane. Little wonder that LA is oft described as the "dream machine." In LA, reinvention is a way of life. Yet this talent for change has created a city with a rich ethnic diversity and a sizzling culture. LA is the source for trends that migrate across the country and then the world. Where else can you enjoy a Thai taco or munch on a kosher burrito? Or travel from downtown's high rises to the beaches of Malibu, shopping in Beverly Hills along the way? Los Angeles is a port of embarkation and disembarkation for some cruises.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Hilo

Arrive: Wed 27 January 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 27 January 2027 at 17:00

Welcome to the Big Island of Hawaii - a paradise of black-sand beaches, tropical rainforest and volcanic mountains. Mauna Loa, the largest mountain on the planet, soars above the bleak lava fields of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In the heart of the Big Island's lush rainforest lies the remote and stunning Wai'po Valley (Valley of the Kings). Hawaii's history matches its incomparable landscape - it is a saga of mighty Polynesian kings, sugar barons, war and treachery. The landscape of the Big Island ranges from black-sand beaches to tropical rain forest to the alpine terrain of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. At 13,796 feet above sea level, the summit of Mauna Kea is the highest point in the entire Pacific basin.

Day 8 - Kahului

Arrive: Thu 28 January 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 28 January 2027 at 18:00

Maui has always occupied a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians. The great warrior King Kamehameha, who united the islands under his rule, chose to make Lahaina his capital and Ka'anapali was once the favorite playground of Hawaiian royalty. And no wonder - Maui boasts stunning landscapes and superb beaches. Mt. Haleakala, a dormant volcano, rises 10,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Once hailed as "The Valley of the Kings," Maui's Iao Valley is a tropical paradise dominated by the Needle, a volcanic monolith towering over the valley floor. Then there is Lahaina, once home to a royal court and a raucous port-of-call enjoyed by 19th-century Yankee whalers. Haleakala means "The House of the Sun." To the Hawaiians, it appeared that the sun both rose from and set in the depths of its massive crater. Today, the centerpiece of Haleakala National Park, it is one of Maui's major attractions.

Day 9 - Honolulu

Arrive: Fri 29 January 2027 / Depart: Fri 29 January 2027 at 23:00

Home to nearly half a million people, Honolulu is Hawaii's state capital and only major city. The city of Honolulu and the island of Oahu offer a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are two of the city's enduring symbols. Pearl Harbor, site of the USS Arizona Memorial and the "Punchbowl," are haunting reminders of the tragic events of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor forced America into World War II. Honolulu is also home to the historic Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii's last royals. Beyond the city lie tropical rain forests, the Pali Lookout and the North Shore known for its surfing beaches.

Day 10 - Nawiliwili

Arrive: Sat 30 January 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 30 January 2027 at 17:00

The fourth largest island in the Hawaiian group, Kauai is known as the "Garden Island." The terrain ranges from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Waialeale and the desert-like beauty of Waimea Canyon to the Wailua River's lush Fern Grotto. Ironically this once isolated island was the site of the first meeting between Europeans and Hawaiians. On January 19, 1778, Captain James Cook anchored his ships off the mouth of the Waimea River, becoming the first in a long line of enthusiastic visitors.

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - Cross International Dateline

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - At Sea

Day 16 - At Sea

Day 17 - Pago Pago

Arrive: Sat 06 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 06 February 2027 at 16:00

Pago Pago Bay is one of the most dramatic harbors in the South Pacific, a region known for dramatic landscapes. Eons ago, the massive seaward wall of a volcano collapsed and the sea poured in. Today, dramatic mountain peaks encircle the deep harbor. The capital of American Samoa, Pago Pago is more village than city. The town is dominated by looming Mt. Pioa, whose summit draws moisture-bearing clouds, earning it the nickname of "The Rainmaker." Indeed, Pago Pago draws more than its fair share of rain - the island of Tutuila is a vision of deep, verdant green. Pronounced "Pango Pango," this island paradise awaits exploration.

Day 17 - Cross International Dateline

Day 18 - At Sea

Day 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - Suva

Arrive: Tue 09 February 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 09 February 2027

The Fiji archipelago is at the cross roads of the South Pacific. In the days of sailing ships, it was known as "The Cannibal Isles," where mariners carefully avoided its fierce warriors and perfidious waters. Thankfully, Fiji's pagan days live only in the tales recalled by tour guides - in rituals such as firewalking, Kava Ceremonies and in renditions of tribal drumming, dance and song. Fiji is an exotic destination, with 333 islands that provide an exciting adventure or peaceful repose. The northwest region, where the sun shines almost every day and a tropical shower ends as quickly as it began, is home to the majority of the resorts. Suva, the political, administrative, educational and commercial center, has a backdrop of lush rainforest maintained by the inevitable "tropical downpour." The people of Fiji are the most multiracial and multicultural of all South Pacific island countries - this being reflected in churches of all denominations, mosques, temples and shrines. Built around a reef-protected natural harbor, Suva, with its colonial buildings nestled alongside modern commercial venues, shops and local markets, parks and residential sprawl, is home to nearly half of Fiji's urban population.

Day 21 - Dravuni, Fiji Islands

Arrive: Wed 10 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 10 February 2027 at 17:00

Less than two miles in length from north to south, Dravuni Island lies in the Kadavu Island group of Fiji. Its volcanic peaks give way to a remote village of just 200 or so friendly villagers who live amongst the island's shady palms. These welcoming locals and their children often sing to arriving visitors. Well-worn trails scattered with coconuts snake around the unspoiled beaches, the soft sands beckoning underwater adventurers towards the crystal-clear waters. Many visitors come to snorkel in the Great Astrolabe Reef, or to hike Dravuni Island's highest peak for magnificent once-in-a-lifetime views of the surrounding islands.

Day 22 - At Sea

Day 23 - Port Vila, Vanuatu

Arrive: Fri 12 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 12 February 2027 at 17:00

Vila is the capital of Vanuatu, an archipelago of some 83 islands in the Coral Sea. Vanuatu is a new republic, having achieved independence from France and Britain in 1988. Before then the archipelago was better known as the New Hebrides, the name given the islands by Captain Cook. Cloaked in dense rainforest, these volcanic islands were little known until World War II, when the islands of Espiritu Santo and Efate served as Allied bases. Today increasing numbers of travelers visit Vila, drawn by its easy-going charm, superb white-sand beaches and pristine rainforest. The islands are also renowned for their excellent dive sites and for their big game fishing. Vanuatu's visibility on the American scene increased when the CBS television series "Survivor" filmed in the archipelago. Vanuatu is also noted among anthropologist - its island of Tanna is home to the unique "John Frum" cargo cult.

Day 24 - Luganville

Arrive: Sat 13 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 13 February 2027 at 17:00

The second largest town in Vanuatu - the former New Hebrides - Luganville is a child of World War II. When America forces arrived on Espirito Santo in 1942, there were no facilities to unload ships, house troops or land American bombers. Engineers went to work erecting both the town and the BP Wharf. The island was soon home to the largest Pacific military base outside of Hawaii. Today, Luganville remains an important copra shipping port - but more and more seasoned travelers are drawn to Espirito Santo's promise of unspoiled beauty and relaxed island ways. Luganville is handy to superb white-sand beaches, tropical rainforest and some of the finest diving and snorkeling in the Pacific. Divers consider the wreck of the President Coolidge one of the world's top dive sites. The 654-foot liner was serving as a troop transport when she struck two mines and went down in the Segond Channel in 1942. The ship's holds are still filled with her cargo of military supplies.

Day 25 - At Sea

Day 26 - At Sea

Day 27 - Rabaul

Arrive: Tue 16 February 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 16 February 2027 at 20:00

The former capital of New Britain has a history of destruction and resurrection - the city rebuilt after a massive 1937 volcanic eruption only to be destroyed by Allied bombing in World War II. In 1994, the eruption of Mt. Tavurvur dropped hot ash and rock on Rabaul, leading to its partial abandonment. Since that cataclysm, the city has slowly returned to life - hotels have resumed operating, the market continues to trade, and the harbor remains one of the most impressive in the entire Pacific basin. During World War II, Rabaul served as a forward operating base for the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. Allied bombing forced the Japanese defenders underground, into a complex system of bunkers and tunnels on the Gazelle Peninsula.

Day 28 - At Sea

Day 29 - Alotau, Papua New Guinea

Arrive: Thu 18 February 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 18 February 2027 at 19:00

Welcome to an undiscovered paradise of white-sand beaches, crystal waterfalls and volcanic mountains. And if you've come for history, you'll find that, too. This peaceful town was the site of fierce fighting during World War II. Today, it's a peaceful retreat offering the vacationer plenty of time to relax and connect with nature. Beyond the city you'll find a tropical rainforest full of birds of paradise and a laid-back ease worth discovering.

Day 30 - Conflict Islands, PNG

Arrive: Fri 19 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 19 February 2027 at 17:00

The Conflict Group is an atoll in Papua New Guinea. The group was sighted in 1879 by HMS Cormorant, by moonlight; it was named in 1880 by Bower, captain of HMS Conflict. Irai Island is the center of population of the group.

Day 31 - At Sea

Day 32 - Cairns

Arrive: Sun 21 February 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 21 February 2027 at 21:00

Cairns is one of Australia's hottest vacation destinations. Cairns boasts three of Australia's great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city - the famed Marlin Coast. And inland lays the immense Daintree National Park. Cairns itself basks in tropical sunshine, balmy breezes waft in from Trinity Bay. The city's graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. Cairns graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. A travel tip - Cairns is pronounced "cans."

Day 33 - At Sea

Day 34 - Airlie Beach

Arrive: Tue 23 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 23 February 2027

Airlie Beach is your gateway to the Whitsunday Archipelago. These 74 islands feature pristine fringing reefs, calm, lagoon-like waters, and superb beaches. The archipelago is one of Australia's premier playgrounds. The Whitsundays were once mountains. Rising seas at the end of the Ice Age formed the Whitsunday Passage between the islands and the mainland.

Day 35 - At Sea

Day 36 - Brisbane

Arrive: Thu 25 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 25 February 2027 at 18:00

Once considered the "country cousin" among Australian cities, Brisbane is today the nation's third-largest metropolis - and one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Lying on the banks of the meandering Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th-century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also your gateway to uniquely Australian adventures, be it the theme parks of the Gold Coast or Queensland's dazzling beaches. The beaches south of Brisbane form Queensland's Gold Coast. Travel tip: Brisbane is pronounced "Bris-bin."

Day 37 - At Sea

Day 38 - Sydney

Arrive: Sat 27 February 2027 at 06:00 / Depart: Sat 27 February 2027 at 21:00

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby.

Day 39 - At Sea

Day 40 - At Sea

Day 41 - At Sea

Day 42 - Auckland

Arrive: Wed 03 March 2027 at 06:30 / Depart: Wed 03 March 2027 at 19:00

Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland. Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Wellington.