22 nights · Tahiti Island French Polynesia · Departs Papeete · Visiting Moorea Island, Raiatea Island, Bora Bora Island, Pago Pago, Apia, Suva, Lautoka, Champagne Bay, Port Vila, Mystery Island, Lifou Island, Noumea, Bay of Islands, Auckland · Aboard Crystal Cruises on the Crystal Serenity
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Crystal Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Crystal Serenity |
| Duration | 22 nights |
| Port calls | 15 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $13,100 per person |
| Year built | 2003 |
| Guests | 740 |
| Cabins | 347 |
| Crew | 655 |
| Length | 250 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
Papeete is French Polynesia’s lively capital, set on Tahiti’s northwest coast beneath green volcanic peaks. Its waterfront, central market and shaded streets offer a vivid introduction to island life. Browse the Marché de Papeete for vanilla, pareos and tropical fruit, then pause over poisson cru, Tahiti’s lime-and-coconut-marinated fish. Beyond town, black-sand beaches and waterfalls await, while ferry links make Moorea an easy day trip. Papeete rewards a few hours on foot—and a longer look at Tahiti.
Moorea’s jagged volcanic peaks rise above a lagoon so clear that the reef appears close enough to touch. A short ferry ride from Tahiti, this Society Islands destination offers a quieter, greener counterpoint to Papeete. Follow the coast past pineapple fields and small villages. Then climb to Belvedere Lookout for broad views of Cook’s and Opunohu bays. Swim, snorkel or take a lagoon cruise; Moorea rewards unhurried exploration as much as adventure.
Raiatea is French Polynesia’s sacred island, where history still shapes the landscape. At Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stone marae overlook the lagoon and speak to the island’s spiritual importance. The lagoon draws sailors and snorkellers, while inland, Mount Temehani shelters the rare tiare apetahi, found nowhere else. Raiatea offers a quieter, more grounded view of the Society Islands, best explored slowly by boat or on foot.
Bora Bora’s volcanic silhouette rises from one of French Polynesia’s most celebrated lagoons. Mount Otemanu anchors the view, while a coral reef shelters clear water, small motu and abundant marine life. Explore by boat, snorkel among rays and reef fish, or linger on Matira Beach, the island’s best-known public beach. Beyond the resorts, Vaitape offers a glimpse of everyday island life.
Pago Pago’s deep harbor lies beneath steep, green volcanic ridges, among the South Pacific’s most striking arrivals. On Tutuila, American Samoa’s largest island, the town balances Polynesian tradition with an unmistakable American presence. In Fagatogo, local shops and harbor life give the waterfront its everyday character. Above town, Mount Alava rises over rainforest protected within the National Park of American Samoa. Allow time for the views—and for the warmth of Samoan hospitality, best met at an unhurried pace.
Step ashore in Apia and meet Samoa’s everyday life, from its busy waterfront to markets scented with tropical fruit. The capital sits on Upolu’s north coast, where leafy streets, colonial-era buildings and the harbour define its character. Browse Fugalei Market for produce and handicrafts, then visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral near the centre. Inland, Robert Louis Stevenson’s former home at Vailima offers a glimpse of the writer’s final years in Samoa.
Suva is Fiji’s lively capital, set on Viti Levu’s southeast coast beside a deep-water harbour. The Fiji Museum traces the islands’ history, while nearby Thurston Gardens offer a leafy walk. At the municipal market, tropical produce, yaqona and crafts reveal everyday Fijian life. Suva’s Indian, Fijian and Chinese influences also shape its cafés and cuisine. A short drive inland, Colo-i-Suva Forest Park offers rainforest trails and swimming holes.
Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, sits on Viti Levu’s western coast, where sugar fields meet the Pacific. Known as the Sugar City, it offers a glimpse of everyday Fijian life beyond the resorts. Browse the municipal market, stroll the botanical gardens, or take in the waterfront before heading farther west. Lautoka is also a departure point for excursions to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.
On Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island, Champagne Bay makes a memorable first impression. Pale sand curves around clear, sheltered water, while green hills rise behind the shore. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring visitors ashore for swimming, snorkelling or a quiet stretch on the beach. Bring time to explore: the island’s lush interior and village life offer a rewarding contrast to the coast.
Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, curves around a sheltered harbor on Efate, where green hills meet the sea. Along the waterfront, cafés, markets and shops reveal a lively blend of Ni-Vanuatu, French and island influences. Visit the National Museum to learn about Vanuatu’s cultural traditions, then browse local produce at the central market. Beyond town, Mele Cascades offers a refreshing walk to tiered falls, while nearby villages provide insight into island life.
At Vanuatu’s southern edge, Mystery Island is a palm-fringed speck of sand reached by tender from your ship. Known locally as Inyeug, it has no permanent residents, roads or resort distractions. Step ashore for clear water, coral gardens and an easy circuit of the island on foot. Bring a mask, then browse the small market, where islanders from nearby Aneityum sell local handicrafts. Here, the day is yours to spend slowly: swim, snorkel or simply watch the reef shimmer.
Lifou is the largest of New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands, a coral island of pale beaches and limestone cliffs. At Jokin, the coast drops sharply to clear water; Luengoni offers a gentler shore for swimming and snorkeling. Between them, vanilla gardens and Kanak villages reveal an island shaped by custom as much as sea. Come ashore for unhurried walks, vivid reef life, and a glimpse of the Loyalty Islands beyond the usual ports.
Nouméa brings a distinctly French note to the South Pacific, with café terraces, bakeries and a broad, sunlit harbor. At Port Moselle’s morning market, local seafood and island produce offer a first taste of New Caledonia. Visit the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, designed by Renzo Piano to honor Kanak culture. Beyond town, the UNESCO-listed lagoon frames clear water, reef islands and inviting opportunities to get out on the water.
Northland’s Bay of Islands rewards a day ashore with sheltered water, Māori history and access to New Zealand’s oldest settlements. Its 144 islands scatter across a blue gulf, where ferries link Paihia with historic Russell. At Waitangi, the Treaty Grounds mark the signing of New Zealand’s founding document in 1840. Take a boat for coastal views, or stay ashore for cafés, galleries and a waterfront walk.
Few cities bring water so close to daily life as Auckland. Set between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, New Zealand’s largest city is shaped by the sea. From the waterfront, ferries reach Waiheke Island, with vineyards, beaches and coastal walks. Climb volcanic Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, for sweeping views across the city and its harbours. Back downtown, Viaduct Harbour offers galleries, restaurants and a vivid sense of Auckland’s maritime life.
Published September 1, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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