14 Night Cruise sailing from Papeete to Lautoka aboard National Geographic Orion.

The archipelagos of the South Pacific have defined our notion of “island paradise” since Robert Louis Stevenson told his tales and Paul Gauguin captured Polynesia in paint. As we sail from Tahiti’s lush volcanic crags to the sparkling white shores of Fiji, discover a fascinating geology and a stunning wealth of bird species and marine life. Dive or snorkel among underwater canyons and tunnels formed from lava. Meet island communities. And explore the far-flung reef systems of the extraordinary archipelagos of the South Pacific.

Highlights of this cruise:

Papeete
Tahiti is the largest of the Polynesian islands with its population most concentrated in Papeete which is a major shipping crossroad located on Tahiti's northwest corner.

Shopping-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, busy municipal market, waterfront area and lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Its suburbs sprawl up the mountains overlooking the city for miles along the coast in both directions.

The interior of the island offers splendid and unforgettable opportunities for hiking or safari 4x4 excursions, with impressive waterfalls, archeological sites, grottos and more.

Aitutaki
Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands, north of Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital (main village) is Arutanga (Arutunga) on the west side.

Aitutaki is famous for its turquoise central lagoon, uninhabited islands and palm-fringed beaches. Another advantage is that until now it has been spared by mass tourism. Noteworthy also are an old church (the oldest in the Cook Islands) and some gigantic Banyan Trees.

One Foot Island, a small islet in the south-east of the lagoon, is often said to be the most important attraction. It is regarded as providing the visitor with the best views of the Aitutaki lagoon and depending on the tide one is able to walk on a sandbank a decent distance away from One Foot Island.

Wallis & Futuna
Wallis and Futuna is a Polynesian French island territory in the South Pacific. It consists of two small island groups near Fiji and Samoa known as the Hoorn Islands and Wallis Islands. The village of Mata-Utu is the capital of the territory, located on Wallis Island.

Downtown Mata-Utu is dominated by the Matâ'Utu Cathedral, a French national monument. Within its vicinity is the palace of the King of Uvéa and near Mata-Utu are two important archaeological sites: Talietumu and Tonga Toto.

Lautoka
Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji. It is in the west of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometers north of Nadi, and is capital of the Western Division of Fiji. It is a quiet, shady town of broad avenues, shady sidewalks and towering royal palms which run down the middle of Vitogo Parade, the main drag running from the harbor to the heart of town.

The duty-free shops and other stores along Vitogo Parade mark the boundary of Lautoka's business district; behind them are several blocks of stores and the lively Lautoka Market. Handcraft stalls at the front of the market offer a variety of goods, especially when cruise ships are in port. Everywhere you go, shop owners and people on the street are always quick to greet you with a friendly smile. On the other side of Vitogo Parade, there are residential streets which trail off beyond the playing fields of Churchill Park. The Hare Krishnas have their most important temple in the South Pacific on Tavewa Avenue.

Designed and purpose built in Germany in 2003 specifically for expedition travel, National Geographic Orion was created from the outset to explore the far corners of the Earth in complete self-sufficiency.

Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion is equipped with the latest technology including large retractable stabilizers, sonar, radar, and an ice-strengthened hull. A shallow draft plus bow and stern thrusters provide the convenience of being able to maneuver close to shore. 14 Zodiacs ensure quick disembarkation and offer the ideal transport for up-close exploration.

National Geographic Orion meets strict specifications for environmental protection and the on board waste management systems meet the stringent Antarctic operational standards enabling us to travel to the most pristine environments. A host of advanced design features and technology ensures sustainable marine environmental practices.

For over 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has been turning vacationers into informed and engaged explorers. Together with National Geographic we offer intimate small-ship expedition cruises that, unlike traditional cruises, are your opportunity to encounter the world’s most pristine and inspiring places up close with the seasoned experts who know them best.

Our expedition cruises provide the safest and most innovative ways to explore places already “discovered” and those that are still very, very wild. Whether you choose to go on a Galapagos cruise, an Alaska cruise, a cruise to Egypt, or any of our other cruise destinations, each expedition cruise features an unmatched combination of adventure travel technology as well as well-appointed cabins, regional and sustainable cuisine and friendly, personal service.

We believe the more closely our guests are able to connect with a destination, the more valuable an affect it will have on their lives and on the more they will come to care about and protect it for future exploration.