Day 1 – Los Angeles, California

Departs 04:00 pm.

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 – Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

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.Kauai was never conquered by the great warrior King Kamehameha.

Day 8 – Honolulu, Hawaii

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 11:00 pm.

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.A draw card to visitors of all ages, from all corners of the globe, Honolulu’s appeal ranges from it’s magnificent beaches, countless well-stocked shops, tempting restaurants and a multitude of historic, cultural and scenic attractions.

Day 9 – At Sea

Day 10 – At Sea

Day 11 – Cross International Date Line

Arrives 12:00 pm, departs 01:00 pm.

The International Date Line is an imaginary line extending from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Pacific Ocean. It serves as the 180th meridian of longitude, and is used to designate the beginning of each calendar day.As you know, each adjacent time zone on the map has an hour time difference. However, at the International Date Line, +12 hours and -12 hours meet, bringing about a 24-hour time change. When your ship crosses to the west it’s one day later; if your ship crosses to the east, you’ve gone back a day.Crossing the International Date Line has long been a rite of passage for sailors, who often must participate in a line-crossing ceremony to become part of the sacred “Order of the Golden Dragon”, an honorary naval fraternity.

Day 12 – At Sea

Day 13 – At Sea

Day 14 – Apia, Western Samoa

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

The first Polynesians arrived in Western Samoa around 1000 B.C. Three millennia later, the islands formed one of the last bastions of traditional Polynesian culture. Apia, the capital of Western or Independent Samoa, is a city of 40,000 on the island of Upolu. Its picturesque waterfront is lined with public buildings, shops and trading companies. The town now comprises of modern 3-5 story buildings all along the waterfront. Government has built some very modern buildings to house most of the government offices. The village settings can only be seen in the outskirts of town within a radius of 15 miles. Western Samoa has long lured Westerners to its islands. The most famous expatriate of all was Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived at Vailima, and was buried near the summit of Mt. Vaea.Dress in light, comfortable clothing when visiting Apia. The dress code is quite casual. Shorts are appropriate for men. Dress for women is more conservative. The local women wear long skirts, dresses, lava lavas or muumuus.

Day 15 – At Sea

Day 16 – Suva, Fiji

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

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 fire-walking, 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 17 – At Sea

Day 18 – At Sea

Day 19 – Auckland, New Zealand

Arrives 12:00 pm.

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.

Day 20 – Auckland, New Zealand

Departs 09:00 pm.

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.

Day 21 – At Sea

Day 22 – Napier, New Zealand

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Napier and Hawke’s Bay have become New Zealand’s premier lifestyle getaways. Located on the North Island’s eastern coast, New Zealand’s oldest wine-growing region boasts a superb Mediterranean climate and golden sand beaches. In recent years, Hawke’s Bay has become a leading producer of fine olive oils and artisanal cheeses. Wildlife lovers and birders will flock to Cape Kidnappers in Southern Hawke Bay: the Cape is home to the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. In 1931, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake leveled Napier. The town rebuilt itself, and today Napier is hailed as the “Art Deco City” for its superb collection of Deco, Spanish Mission and Classical Revival buildings.

Day 23 – Wellington, New Zealand

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

New Zealand’s capital offers stunning views of forested peninsulas, dramatic cliff-side homes and fine Victorian buildings. Settled in 1840 by the London-based New Zealand Company, “wonderful, windy Wellington” is frequently buffeted by bracing winds funneling through Cook Strait. The sophisticated metropolis boasts museums, winding streets and even a cable car. No wonder many travelers compare it to San Francisco. Despite its steep hills, the city can be easily explored on foot. Kelburn Cable Car, stairways and footpaths climb the slopes from the city center.

Day 24

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 03:00 pm.

Day 25 – At Sea

Day 26 – At Sea

Day 27 – Sydney, Australia

Arrives 06:00 am.

As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney – hailed by many seafarers as “the most beautiful harbor in the world.” Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney – from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.Australia’s oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the “First Fleet” transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.