Ancestral Cultures of the South Pacific

Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, is located on the northwest coast of Tahiti. The city blends a lively urban vibe with the relaxed pace of Polynesian island life. Cultural landmarks include the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la Reine Marau, both telling stories of the region’s past. The Vaipahi public gardens feature rich, tropical plant life, while the large municipal market showcases local specialties such as fresh fruits, spices, and a variety of fish.

Part of the Windward Islands, Mo'orea lies just west of Tahiti and is known for its stunning natural beauty. Soft sandy beaches, clear turquoise lagoons, and lush vegetation create a picture-perfect setting. Fragrant flowers cover the inland areas, adding to the island’s charm. A visit to the Mo'orea Belvedere offers panoramic views of Mount Rotui, with Opunohu Bay to the left and Cook’s Bay, framed by dramatic peaks, to the right.

Paradisiacal atoll of the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, west of French Polynesia, mythical Bora Bora offers a natural spectacle of captivating beauty. You’ll be won over as much by the white sandy beaches as by its famous lagoon, one of the most beautiful in the world, where colorful fish frolic in waters of incomparable turquoise. The island is covered with tropical vegetation and dominated by the majestic outline of Mount Otemanu. A promenade through this volcanic landscape enables you to discover a number of villages and meet local communities.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call is an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique, or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they are able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Aitutaki is a little island of 16 km², with a small fishing port with few motor boats, where a simple and peaceful life endures. During your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to walk along this magnificent lagoon, reputed as one of the most beautiful and spectacular in the world. Snorkelling fans discover the treasures of underwater life here. The island is specialised in the sale of black pearls and the production of colored sarongs, as well as “tivaevae” — patchwork quilting and handiworks. This local manufacture has great value because of its careful artisanal fabrication, and the pieces made are generally offered at important occasions.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call is an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they are able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Your itinerary enables you to cross the International Date Line. This imaginary line across the Earth’s surface approximately follows the 180th meridian in the Pacific Ocean. Because of the roundness of the Earth and the necessity of having reference time meridians, you have to change dates when you cross this line. So if your ship is travelling west, you need to add a day to the expected date; conversely, if travelling east, you take away a day. This paradox, already noted by Magellan’s crews during his circumnavigation, serves as dramatic motivation in several novels, including Jules Verne’s famous Around the World in Eighty Days.

Vava’u is a splendid archipelago in Tonga made up of around forty picture-postcard coral islands scattered across the turquoise waters of the south Pacific Ocean. The main island is dominated by Mount Talau which offers a magnificent panoramic view over the islands. Along the long fine sandy beaches of these idyllic islets, the teeming marine life can be seen in the coral reefs, the gorgonian coral gardens and the underwater caves. The lush vegetation of the island delights amateur botanists. The traditional local know-how reveals all the richness of this incredible natural heritage: woven leaves from the legendary pandanus, production of Noni juice with its many virtues, extraction of vanilla essence.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call is an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they are able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Receiving fewer visitors than its neighbor Viti Levu, lying some sixty kilometres to the south, Vanua Levu is the second largest island of Fiji. From Savuasvu, set out to discover some of the many treasures of this mountainous island and its luxuriant vegetation. You are enchanted by the fragrances and intense colors of its tropical rainforest, which hides sumptuous and refreshing waterfalls. You are charmed by the hospitality of the Fijian people. Among the local traditions, there is the famous kava ceremony, where a drink made from a plant similar to the pepper plant is served in half a coconut shell. Snorkelling fans are delighted by the beauty of the underwater world, renowned for its incredible visibility.

Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, is teeming with natural and cultural richness. Dominated by Mount Tomanivi, the island is covered with dense and luxuriant tropical vegetation to the south and vast sugar cane plantations to the north. Suva, the modern and dynamic capital of Fiji, is home to the historical heritage of the islands. In Thurston Gardens, the Fiji Museum showcases the magnificent collections of archaeological objects, illustrating human activity for more than 3,000 years. Whether under the green and luminous highlights of the vertiginous forest canopy or under the turquoise waters of the Beqa lagoon, exploring the natural treasures of Viti Levu is an unforgettable experience.

Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji. Located on the western side of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometres north of Nadi. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane growing region, it is known as the Sugar City. Lautoka is the gateway to Fiji’s “Sun coast” a land of abundant sunshine, azure skies and dramatic grass-covered peaks chequered with sugar-cane fields, rural villages and quaint market towns.