Lautoka to Auckland
Nov 26, 2022 to Dec 8, 2022
Nov 26, 2022 Lautoka,
Fiji 2 PM - 4 PM
Nov 27, 2022 Mbengga Island,
Fiji Early Morning Evening
Nov 28, 2022 At Sea,
Nov 29, 2022 Ambrym,
Vanuatu Early Morning Evening
Nov 29, 2022 Port Vila,
Dec 01, 2022 Espiritu Santo,
Dec 03, 2022 Isle of Pines,
New Caledonia Early Morning Evening
Dec 05, 2022 Norfolk Island,
Australia Early Morning Evening
Dec 07, 2022 Russell, Bay of Islands,
New Zealand Early Morning Evening
New Zealand Early Morning 8 AM - 10 AM
The dynamic city of Lautoka is the main hub for Fiji's sugarcane industry, which in the early 20th century attracted a significant number of Indian immigrants and endowed the region with a distinct ethnic character. A terrific example is the highly ornate 1926 Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, the Southern Hemisphere's largest Hindu temple and a highly photogenic cacophony of vivid colors. You'll be enchanted by the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, where actor Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame gathered over 2,000 varieties of orchids. Inhale the fragrant air as you stroll on a canopied boardwalk past bubbling fountains and lily ponds where exotic frogs sun themselves. The Koroyanitu National Heritage Park provides excellent hiking, with paths guiding you through a luxuriantly green rainforest on the way to a splashing waterfall. At the Sabeto Hot Springs, which locals believe have therapeutic properties, sink into a mud bath packed with revitalizing minerals or into warm waters rich in sulfur. The Sabeto Village Cultural Exhibition will immerse you into the fascinating local customs, including a welcome kava ceremony. Sip from this earthy beverage, the national drink of Fiji, while watching a rousing performance of traditional song and dance.
Mbengga Island
Just to the south of the much larger Fijian island of Viti Levu, easygoing Mbengga is nearly completely surrounded by a thriving coral reef that draws divers and snorkelers from every corner of the globe. The translucent waters of its blue-green lagoon are home to a glorious variety of hard and soft corals inhabited by tropical fish in every imaginable hue. Swim past serene sea turtles and, further out in the reef, eagle rays, manta rays and even migrating humpback whales, all humbling in their grandeur. At the Cathedral dive site, check another one off the bucket list as you descend into the depths for an exhilarating but safe encounter with sharks. You might see nine awe-inspiring species, including tiger sharks up to 18 feet long. After drying off on land, visit a village of the Sawau tribe, where you can absorb the enthralling local way of life and witness the incredible display of Fijian fire walking, believed to have originated here on Mbengga. You'll be spellbound by the sight of warriors in full regalia stepping onto burning embers, miraculously impervious to the scalding heat.
Experience our planet at its most primordial on Ambrym, site of three active volcanic craters filled with boiling lakes of lava. If you crave adventure, trek through the lush jungle to either the Benbow or Marun vents, peering over the crater's edge for a glimpse at nature's awesome power, and those comfortable with rope climbing can descend even closer to the fiery maws. For visitors seeking a more relaxing pastime, the volcanic activity has fringed the island with entrancing black sand beaches into which hot springs flow, allowing for swimming and snorkeling in comfortably warm waters. The island's history of frequent eruptions likely informed the local customs, which are highly enigmatic and rooted in black magic. In the village of Fanla, discover remarkable carved totems and watch a traditional Rom dance, performed by islanders completely cloaked in the dried leaves of banana trees and crowned by a colorful mask adorned with feathers, an utterly mesmerizing visual spectacle. In the village of Endu, observe master wood carvers crafting idols and masks, and if the timing is right accept a privileged invitation to partake in a ceremonial pig roast.
In charismatic Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, you'll find the welcoming locals always have a ready smile for visitors. Browse an enticing selection of wares at the Port Vila Market, where vibrant agricultural products are sold beside handcrafted mementos. Just outside of town, Ekasup Cultural Village provides insight into the island's time-honored Melanesian traditions, showcasing fascinating native attire and ancient skills such as medicine making, basket weaving and food preparation. Under the waves at Hideaway Island, discover the world's only submerged post office, from where you can actually mail a waterproof postcard. Marvel at the Mele Cascades, a stunning sequence of terraced falls that culminate in a 115-foot-tall rush of water beneath which lies a tranquil and refreshing natural pool. Even more aquatic fun awaits at the Blue Lagoon, a striking emerald lake with diving platforms and ropes that allow for delightful leaps into the water. For the ultimate sightseeing experience, hop into a helicopter for a flight over the barren, lava-filled calderas of neighboring Ambrym Island, a dramatic contrast to leafy and serene Port Vila.
Thanks to its use by American forces as a WWII military staging point, the gorgeous island of Espiritu Santo inspired James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific and its beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical version, South Pacific. Once you witness the island's sublime, dazzlingly white beaches lapped by crystal-clear water, you'll also be singing its praises. Divers and snorkelers rejoice, as the U.S. cast numerous tanks, jeeps, artillery guns and curios like vintage Coca-Cola bottles into the sea. The decades have covered the discarded equipment in coral, forming one of the world's most alluring spots for underwater exploration. Experienced divers can go deeper and roam the intriguing carcass of the SS Coolidge, a transport ship felled by mines. Inland, kayak to pristine fresh-water ponds known as blue holes, with azure water so impossibly clear it almost feels as if you're looking through glass. If you're up for it, an invigorating trek through the verdant jungle takes you over moss-covered boulders and past roaring waterfalls to the magnificent Millennium Cave, a narrow grotto with soaring rock walls. Share stimulating kava with an islander at the Leweton Custom & Cultural Village, where traditional performances keep the island's captivating heritage alive.
When Captain Cook sailed past in 1774, he didn't land on this island but did name it after the tall, lanky pines that rise above the jungle canopy, a unique species called araucaria columnaris. The towering trees can be seen everywhere on the gorgeous isle, wrapped around beaches with dove-white sand and transparent water. The snorkeling is superb, as New Caledonia boasts the largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef, and swimming at the Oro Natural Pool is a special treat, with aquamarine water that is completely still and clear. Hike to the summit of Pic N'Ga, an 860-foot-tall mountain that offers sweeping views of the entire island and the shimmering lagoons surrounding it, or follow a trail to Queen Hortense's Cave, a natural wonder draped in enormous stalactites and lush ferns. Legend tells of a princess that was hidden here for a few months because some tribes wouldn't accept she was to be their queen, and once you visit the idyllic setting you might agree it is fit for royalty. From its stately trees to its underground marvels, the Isle of Pines rightfully earns its nickname as "the closest island to Paradise."
At one time an overseas prison of the British Crown, Norfolk Island still holds the captivating 18th and 19th-century remains of its infamous penal colony, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The small landmass, almost entirely surrounded by picturesque cliff faces, would have been nearly impossible to escape, not to mention that its closest Pacific neighbors are hundreds of miles away. Its isolation contributed to the appearance of flora and fauna not found anywhere else, particularly the elegant Norfolk Island Pine, a popular export for its symmetrical conical shape reminiscent of a Christmas tree. Strolling through Norfolk Island National Park, you'll find other intriguing native species such as the smooth tree fern and the Norfolk Island palm. While looking for fabulous birds including the Norfolk red-crowned parakeet, the Norfolk scarlet robin and the slender-billed white-eye, pause at cliffside lookouts that offer marvelous panoramas of the rugged coast and pounding surf. A couple of scenic beaches dot the shoreline, with a healthy reef providing superlative snorkeling. Visit The Hili Goat cheese factory and shop for a delectable array of dairy products and always remember that on Norfolk Island the cows have the right of way.
Russell, Bay of Islands
Far up in the northern reaches of New Zealand, a stunning archipelago captures the heart of every visitor that reaches its splendid shores. Strewn about like emeralds on the glistening sea, 144 sparkling islands provide unlimited opportunities for exploration both on land and water. On marvelous Urupukapuka Island, meander over grassy knolls and through thick forests in search of the region's native birds, and on idyllic Moturua Island relax on your choice of several unspoiled crescent beaches. While cruising about, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of whales and dolphins. Divers will want to explore the arches, tunnels and grottos of the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, recommended by Jacques Cousteau himself, while kayakers can glide along the Waitangi River to the base of the shimmering Haruru Falls. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds bring history to life, as a momentous pact between the Maori and the British Crown was signed at this spot in 1840. In placid Russell, New Zealand's first European settlement and a quaint town once known as "the hellhole of the Pacific" for its abundance of unruly sailors on shore leave, walk along inviting, tree-lined streets and have a look at the tempting offerings in the town's charming shops and cafes.
We've had a lovely time. My husband's request for his 70th birthday was to be on SeaDream in the Caribbean, and we've really enjoyed it. SeaDream is by far, the best cruise line in the Caribbean. Catherine BlackHenley-on-Thames, Great Britain
This was our first cruise and we were impressed by every crew member's attitude and eagerness to serve. Would be hard to top SeaDream. You have set the bar very high! Mr & Mrs Arthur SwansonOklahoma City, OK