Welcome aboard the next leg of the journey in the Ultimate World Cruise blog post series. We are exploring the destinations requested by the resident owners of Storylines maiden ship, MV Narrative. Our residents have a say in where the sustainable ship will voyage.
Broken down into regions, so far, we have covered:
Our next chapter is the world-famous South Pacific region, where the following destinations were requested from a resident survey:
The requested destinations in Micronesia were included with Southeast Asia and the Hawaiian islands will be included in the North America post.
The South Pacific is one of the most famous world cruise destinations, along with the Caribbean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It boasts some of the most beautiful tropical islands and indigenous cultures globally, with plentiful volunteer opportunities. The South Pacific is made of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. There are many other idyllic bays to drop anchor and explore by Zodiac and kayak...the South Pacific is full of endless opportunities for this, so this is by no means a comprehensive list of the places we will visit.
The Cook Islands are an atoll located in the South Pacific Ocean to the west of French Polynesia. A self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, they are yet another Pacific Islands tropical paradise. There are many islands; however, ships of our size cruise into the main island, Rarotonga, where they anchor off the island's west side. This embarkation point is the main town of Avarua, with many resorts on this side of the island.
Avarua is within walking distance of the embarkation point. You will mainly find shops, restaurants, and essential services, including an international airport. Rarotonga is known as the Hawaii of yesteryear; a great place to holiday, explore and relax. Most visitors hire a moped and explore the many villages and beaches dotted around the island. However, if mopeds are not your thing, a bus leaves from Avarua every hour, circling travelers around the island. You will find abundant water activities, including glass-bottomed boats, swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. There's even deep-sea fishing if you want to bring back a fresh catch for dinner.
The Tahitian Islands are a part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. The largest island of the archipelago, Tahiti is famous for its black-sand beaches, volcanic mountains, and spectacular waterfalls. The local culture is a rich mixture of the native Mana people and a modern-day French influence. As such, French is widely spoken here as well as indigenous dialects. As a result, the tropical island paradise offers an abundance of immersive cultural experiences.
The dock is in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, conveniently located near the center of town at the Quai D'Honneur. There is a visitor center at the pier, so we suggest stopping by to book tours. Papeete is the central hub of French Polynesia, so don't be surprised if many ships, ferries, and yachts are coming and going from this busy port. The waterfront is alive and buzzing, so take a stroll along the promenade, which also comes alive at night with restaurants, roulottes (food trucks) and Polynesian dance performances.
Must-see attractions include Bain Lot Beach. Like much of French Polynesia, you can partake in tropical island watersports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and kayaking.
The epitome of a tropical island paradise, Bora Bora, located in the Leeward Islands, is famous for its luxury overwater bungalows hanging over impossibly clear blue waters. You can swim off the back of these accommodations into the pristine waters below. This one is for the romantics looking for an extraordinary experience.
Ships anchor in Bora Bora, so you will be tendered ashore. Bikes are the best way to get around the island. There are also many excellent hiking trails offering extraordinary photo opportunities. Mount Otemanu makes for a great backdrop against the crystal-clear lagoon lined by lush tropical vegetation and white-as-white sand beaches with palms swaying above. We highly suggest you try the Bora Bora History and Culture 4WD tour.
Let’s hope we can drop anchor in a pristine bay for at least a week to properly experience one of the ultimate island paradises on the planet.
The next stop requested is Nuka Hiva in the Marquesas, one of the South Pacific's most remote tropical island paradises. Ships anchor in a horseshoe bay and tender ashore to the capital of Nuka Hiva, Taihoae. The local Marquesans are beautiful people who live without any modern infrastructure. You can immerse yourself in the Marquesan culture by undertaking the excellent Hakaui Adventure with Tangy & Ana.
The scenery on this island is other-worldly, with basaltic peaks, jagged mountain-like rocks piercing the sky, and deep palm tree forest canyons with dense jungles. Nuka Hiva is an untouched nature lover's paradise with mind-boggling archaeological sites, most of which are thought to be undiscovered beneath the lush vegetation engulfing the island. The main village is located in the center of a crater and close to beautiful black sand beaches. Besides the fantastic scenery on the land, there is another world beneath the sea for diving enthusiasts.
Easter Island is a bit of an outlier in this region, located at the southeastern tip of the Polynesian triangle. It is famous for its Moai, a group of nearly 1,000 ancient monumental statues created by the early Rapa Nui People. As a result, UNESCO classified Easter Island as a World Heritage Site in 1995. One of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, its 7,750 population is made of both the native Papa Nui and Polynesian heritage. Remarkably, much of the island is protected by national parks.
There is an anchorage at Hanga Roa, the small town and capital. You might want to take the tender ashore or take a kayak. The island is tiny. The best way to explore is by getting a map, bringing a bike from the ship’s supply and cycling around the island. You could technically rent a car or hire a taxi but you don’t need a tour company.
We highly suggest exploring the island and its many beautiful beaches over a few days. Must-see spots include Savala Island Day Cruise, Malamala Beach Club and River tubing run by a local family-owned business. For a culturally immersive experience, book the multi-award-winning Full Combo Day Tour, including a river canoe, Fijian village visit, and magic waterfall experience.
As beautiful as the islands of Fiji are, the reality is that outside the luxury resorts, there are environmental concerns. One such issue is the unsustainable exploitation of marine resources. Think Pacific organizes meaningful volunteer projects that also allow you to give back to the community and live like a local, experiencing their unique customs, culture, and way of life.
About Storylines
Thank you for joining us in this edition of the ultimate world cruise itinerary - South Pacific Islands. Keep an eye out for the next leg of the journey. If you are a resident owner of Storylines reading this, we look forward to cruising the South Pacific with you - thank you for suggesting all these fantastic destinations. This is just a small sampling and there will be many, many more. If you are still dreaming of having a global travel lifestyle, we welcome you to join us onboard - be sure to check out the range of floating homes still available.
Disclaimer: The ultimate world cruise itinerary blog post series explores some of the requested destinations of our community of global citizens on board Storylines MV Narrative. It is for inspiration only at this time and the final itinerary has not yet been set. Further information in our FAQ.