About Pago Pago So good they named it twice, the South Pacifics Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) is both the name of the harbour which cuts fjord-like into American Samoas main island of Tutuila and also for the village at its western end. But the larger, more interesting town is Fagotago at the eastern end. Look out for an excellent natural history museum and the lively public market. Also, just outside Fagatago is the former guesthouse where Somerset Maugham created his most famous character, Sadie Thompson in ‘Rain’. Away from Pago Pago on this snaking, Chinese dragon-shaped island you will find the most spectacular mountain and coastal scenery of any South Pacific island plus some superb beaches.View typical shore excursions for this port |
About Lautoka Fijis main cruise port, Lautoka, on its largest island (Viti Levu) is very much a working city, steeped in the sugar and timber industries which makes it an even more fascinating experience for visitors. There is a chance to capture the essence of Fijian life here. Past the avenue of Royal Palms along the main street, the ornate Sikh and Krishna temples and mosques give away the presence of a large Indian population. It is that contrast between Indian and Fijian lifestyles which gives an extra buzz to the city. Worth a visit are the bustling daily market and the thriving botanical gardens while, outside the city, the National Heritage Park and the Viseisei village - said to be the oldest settlement in Fiji - are the most popular tours on the spectacularly scenic northern side of the island.View typical shore excursions for this port |
About Guam This most southerly of the Mariana islands once gave food and shelter to the explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Since then the island has had something of a chequered past with the Second World War among the more harrowing chapters. Today its crystal clear waters, colourful coral, plentiful wrecks and an extraordinary diversity of fish make it a popular place for divers.View typical shore excursions for this port |
About Apia Step straight into a film set for ‘South Pacific’ when you arrive in the Samoan capital, Apia – it’s a magical first impression. On the main Samoan island of Upolu, there’s an intriguing mix of historic churches and monuments, bustling flea and fish markets and laid-back residential districts that have a welcoming, traditional village feel to them. Around the island are some of the South Pacifics best (black sand) beaches. And to prove this really is a ‘Treasure Island’, visit Vallima just outside Apia, where Robert Louis Stevenson settled and spent the last five years of his life. There is an excellent museum nearby, dedicated to this splendid storyteller.
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About Christmas Island Just a few miles north of the Equator lies Christmas Island. One of 33 low-lying coral islands in the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas), residents of this region can be counted in the low tens of thousands, far outnumbered by the huge population of exotic wild birds on Christmas Island alone. The entrance to the island harbour is protected by two deserted promontories called London and Paris, while the other side of the island faces the evocatively named Bay of Wrecks. Once ashore, enjoy a number of lovely beaches and spot countless types of bird life, including the Christmas Island Warbler, found only on this island.
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 About Papeete Although this gorgeous South Pacific island of Tahiti has its share of beautiful coves, black sand, and lush, unspoilt mountainous landscapes full of cascading waterfalls and dramatic coastal blowholes, do not expect some kind of laid-back desert(ed) island settlement when you cruise into the main port and capital, Papeete. One stroll around its harbour-full of private yachts, across roads packed with expensive cars, or past its streets-full of chic boutiques, designer label stores and pulsating bars and nightclubs, and you could believe yourself to be in the French Caribbean or even the French Riviera. It is a lot of fun, though. Especially around the cosmopolitan city market which is permanently busy with Tahitian, French, Indian, and Chinese furiously trading their wares. As it was his enthusiastic portrayal of Polynesian beauty that contributed so much to our knowledge and appreciation of Tahiti, a visit to the Paul Gauguin museum (and botanical garden) in Port Phaeton is always popular.View typical shore excursions for this port |
About Moorea Moorea has often been likened to James Michener’s mythological island, Bali Ha’i. A jewel in the Polynesian Sea, its lush, jagged vistas, encircled by deep blue ocean, resemble a vast star shaped garden, branching out into eight valleys. You can walk bare foot on clean, quiet beaches, bask in the warm caress of the sun and swim in crystalline lagoons. You can explore the tropical landscapes and watch locals plait and braid baskets using local palm trees.View typical shore excursions for this port |