South Pacific Cruises

The jaw-dropping beauty of the South Pacific has long held a siren’s call for travelers. Clear, turquoise waters set against brilliant white sands and lush green jungles. Towering mountains. Secluded lagoons. Beautiful weather, and friendly locals. It’s not surprising that this drop-dead gorgeous region is also a favorite with honeymooners. And while many people spend their entire vacations lounging on a beach chair, the ports of the South Pacific have so much more to offer, including the following great excursions: Papeete, Tahiti Segway Tour. Anyone could explore Papeete, the capital of the French Polynesian on foot. But you’re not like everyone else. So instead of hoofing it, tour Papeete aboard a Segway. You’ll be able to cover much more ground than you would on foot, and you’re also likely to have more fun. You can choose a shorter tour of the waterfront or a longer ride that will take you to some of Papeete’s most popular attractions, including the bustling Papeete Market, the Presidential palace, and the lovely Notre Dame Cathedral. Some tours will also take you past the impressive Banyan tree in which the painter Gauguin used to sit, while sipping on absinthe. Compared to touring on a bus, a Segway ride is a much more intimate way to view the city. 4×4 Safari. Do you have an adventurous soul? Then this jeep ride through the interior of the island may be perfect for you. While the roads are typically heavily rutted, the views you’ll get to enjoy of soaring mountains, lush jungles and waterfalls are worth the bumpy ride. Plus your guide will share with you the interesting history and the myths of Tahiti as you explore this stunning backcountry. Remember to bring a bathing suit so that you can enjoy a swim in a natural pool. Papeete Tour by Little Train. Traveling with little ones? Then touring Papeete aboard this whimsical little train may be your best option. And if your children see it, it will probably be your only option. Besides, the one-hour length of this tour is just about the right amount of time to keep your little one’s interest. Points of interest that you and your family members will see while on this train ride include such sites as the Chinese temple of Kanti and the Tahua Autonomy Gardens. Bora Bora Shark and Stingray Snorkel Adventure. Vacations are for setting aside your fears and taking advantage of those once-in-a-lifetime moments that you may never get to experience again — like swimming with sharks and stingrays. On this little adventure, you’ll get a chance to swim alongside lemon and black-tip reef sharks as well as colorful tropical fish. Your guide will even feed the sharks while you’re in the water — or if you’d prefer, you can view the action from the safety of the boat. This safari also includes a stop at a shallow bay where hungry stingrays are waiting patiently for you to feed them. Cultural 4WD Tour and Feast. There are many tourists out there. Tourists are the ones who breeze quickly through attractions, checking them off a mental bucket list. Travelers, on the other hand, love learning about the destinations they are visiting. If you happen to fall into the latter category, you’ll want to soak in the history of Bora Bora and also learn about its culture. This 4WD excursion will take you around this small — 11-square-mile — island so that you can get an appreciation of its beauty and also learn about its history. This little jaunt also includes a Polynesian feast where you can taste dishes that have been cooked in a traditional underground oven. Glass Bottom Boat. Perhaps, you don’t know how to swim, or maybe you’re just not a fan of getting wet. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy watching the gorgeous and colorful tropical fish that live in the crystal clear waters around Bora Bora. Glass bottom boats give non-snorkelers a chance to see a wide variety of sea life, including stingrays and sharks. These boats are also an excellent option for individuals with limited mobility. Neiafu, Vava’u Group Kart Safari. Anyone who loves driving go-karts or exploring off-road will enjoy this tour where you can drive your own vehicle on a guided tour of Vava’u. It’s a fun way to check out this beautiful island and to explore areas that you may not otherwise get to see. Swim with the Whales. Yes, you read that right. In Vava’u, you can actually swim up close and personal to huge humpback whales and — if you’re lucky — you might even get to hear them sing. From July to October, a large number of whales can be found in the waters around Vava’u, as it is the main breeding grounds for humpbacks in Tonga. With the help of a licensed operator, you’ll be taken to an area where you can enter the water and snorkel close to these creatures — many of them mothers with young calves. Because there aren’t many places left on this planet where you can legally swim with whales, this is a truly unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. See our featured South Pacific sailings >>   ... Read more

The Viking Ocean Cruises 2022 Grand Polynesia Voyage has come to a triumphant completion in Los Angeles. Our longtime Cruise Specialists Voyage Host, Tom Mullen, shares his thoughts from the last few days of the voyage, which took place January 5 to February 6, 2022. I’ve often said that on a multi-month World Cruise, there is never enough time to do it all. Looking back on this Viking Ocean 32-day voyage, it truly went by so quickly. Fellow passengers in our group agreed that one month of cruising, especially being our first cruise since the pandemic began, went extremely fast. I was very impressed with Viking and am already looking forward to my next sailing with them. More on that in a bit! View of Moorea from one of the ship’s tenders Touring Cabins on the Ship During our time on board I am glad we fit in time to tour various cabins on the ship. They are all very tasteful with the clean lines and Scandinavian design. Viking has six cabin categories and every single one features a veranda. The entry-level Veranda Stateroom is 270 square feet, including the Veranda. Move up to a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, you receive the same square footage but a slightly earlier access to your cabin on embarkation day (great if you’re ready for a quick afternoon bite or eager to start unpacking), and earlier access to book spa treatments before your cruise. As one might expect, the higher up the ladder you go the more perks like this you’ll receive. Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultants can outline more of the benefits of each category for you. Personally, I stayed in a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom. I found the wardrobe still had plenty of room in it even with the clothes I packed for this month-long voyage. The stateroom is very well planned out, even down to the mini bar. Going up in size, the Penthouse Veranda Stateroom provides 338 square feet including the private veranda: Layout of Penthouse Veranda, Viking Ocean Ships …while the Penthouse Junior Suite takes your personal space to more than 400 square feet. Layout of Penthouse Junior Suite, Viking Ocean Ships When you reach the Explorer Suite, your stateroom size ranges from 757 to 1,163 square feet including veranda. The amenities include a lovely bathtub and a long, anti-fog mirror which changes into a TV at the switch of a button. Perfect for your bubble bath! Anti-fog mirror with TV next to the tub, Explorer Suite, Viking Ocean Ships   One view of the Explorer Suite, Viking Ocean Ships   Seating area, Explorer Suite, Viking Ocean Ships     Note the curved shape of the veranda, due to the Explorer Suite being at the bow of the ship We were not able to tour the Owner’s Suite, with its decadent 1,448 square feet of expansive luxury, because it was occupied by guests. However, you can take a 360-degree tour on Viking’s website. Highlights include multi-room accommodations with a separate bedroom, a separate dining area that seats six, and a private library, wine and music collections curated by Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen. A well-known fact about Viking is that all guests receive one complimentary shore tour in each port. Guests of the Owner’s Suite also receive a complimentary shore excursion with private car and driver for up to four guests in the port city of your choice. Excellent value! Guests who toured the staterooms with me were impressed by the spacious drawers and closet in all of the staterooms and suites—very important for longer voyages. Also especially appreciated on longer voyages: the Penthouse Junior Suite, Explorer Suite and Owner’s Suite include complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing and shoe shine services. Viking also offers a complimentary self-serve launderette on Decks 3, 4, 5 and 6 with washer, dryer and ironing boards. Relishing Our Days at Sea This 32-day voyage included about 3 weeks at sea, with our days in port being throughout about one-week’s time in French Polynesia. This gave us ample time to really get to know the ship and maximize our relaxation. When I first boarded, I thought the ship’s artwork was minimalistic. However, there is plenty of art here, more than you may think! So, I  suggest that you do an art tour when you are on a Viking cruise. There is also an entertaining art tour or scavenger hunt to do with your phone. Viking offers a list of artwork on board you need to find and take a selfie-style photo of yourself with the items. You have a certain amount of time to complete all of the tasks over the course of a few days. Viking prepares a lovely tea time (every day) and this was a great chance for fellow guests and I to get to know each other and share travel stories. Tom and a Cruise Specialists client enjoying tea time With Viking being open only to guests 18 years of age or older, it provides a serene backdrop for so many activities, whether you like to crochet or knit, play a game of cards, check the news, read on your book or tablet, and so on. As a Voyage Host I try to learn the leisure habits of all of our clients and I “make the rounds” to check in on them and see how they are doing. I find that most people do tend to flock to a favorite place or two they like to make part of their routine. I also hosted a chat time each day at sea in the open library area for one hour. Spending leisure time in the ship’s Living Room Cuisine Highlights During the last several days of the cruise, I had the chance to have dinner in The Chef’s Table Restaurant. This is an intimate setting with extra-knowledgeable staff presenting dinner with a themed menu that changes every three or four days. The two that I attended were named “Xiang” and “Sweet and Salty.” There are five courses with perfectly sized portions and a very nice preparation. A different glass of wine is paired with each course, however, if you like a particular wine, you can stay with it—you don’t have to change to the other ones. I just wished I had booked more dinners there during this cruise. There is no extra charge, so I do recommend reserving at least one dinner for yourself in The Chef’s Table—and book it early so you do not miss out. Other dining experiences on a more regular basis included The Restaurant (main restaurant) and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Here is a photo of me along with three of our lovely guests as we enjoyed a bite and some conversation. Relishing time together on board Viking Orion Additional Entertainment During the cocktail hours there was always plenty of classical music to listen to, along with the guitar player up in the two-level Explorer’s Lounge on Decks 7 and 8. Torshavn, the lively music venue on Deck 2, is ideal for drinks before dinner or afterward, and often featured a musical duo. Viking always includes house wines, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, as I like to say, “to lubricate your lungs.” This is a very popular feature for the passengers and takes some of the formality out of the cruise experience. For most, the included beverages meet the needs, and the prices are very reasonable for drinks served during other times of the day (many wines for $6/glass, for example). For those whose tastes run to premium brands, or who want drinks included throughout the day, Viking offers a “Silver Spirits” beverage package for a flat fee per guest. More Enrichment In my previous two posts about this cruise, I mentioned some of the lectures that Viking offered. The amount of enrichment they offer is very impressive. Here is an additional listing of fascinating lectures people could enjoy on this voyage: France in World Affairs: A Pacific Power The Curse of Lazarus: Leprosy in Polynesia Sail the Seas with Herman Melville Forests of the World The History of Wine, Beer and Spirits Pacific Rim or Ring of Fire. Trade, Treaties and Tempest? The Vikings The Vikings on the Move Citizens of the Sea Q and A with the Officers of the Viking Orion Hearing from the captain and officers is always so fascinating and I highly recommend that cruisers, no matter how experienced, join these talks as you can always ask questions and learn new things! Time to Disembark Disembarkation day was a beautiful sunny morning, and I breathed in the fresh air and watched as we sailed into San Pedro. We were docked shortly before 7 a.m. Many of us waited patiently in the Viking Living Room lounge area in preparation for debarking. Before we left the ship, the cruise line gave all passengers our COVID-19 test results taken a day prior in preparation for our flights home. To have the cruise line do this on board is great help if you’re flying international or even on a domestic airline. There were many lovely guests who traveled as part of our Cruise Specialists group and I truly enjoyed getting to know them on this voyage. From leisurely times enjoying tea, to dinners where we lingered and conversed, this is the beauty of cruising! One client remarked she was so happy to not have to cook for a whole month. The sea has been a part of almost my entire adult life. Although I had never cruised with Viking Ocean before, I can easily say that even after one day on Viking Orion, I felt right at home. There is such a good team from the top and I felt a part of it. Overall, it was a wonderful cruise, and I am so looking forward to my next cruise with Viking, which will be a Viking River Cruise. It will be on the Nile in September 2023 on board Viking Ra. I hope to see you there.   Meet Our Knowledgable Viking Cruise Consultants here!   See Upcoming Hosted Voyages with Cruise Specialists   ... Read more

Tom Mullen, our longtime Cruise Specialists Voyage Host, is checking in from his travels on the 2022 Viking Cruises Grand Polynesia Voyage! Tom is accompanying a group of Cruise Specialists clients on this delightful 32-day vacation—a true paradise on the ship and ashore. In this update Tom brings us up to date on Viking Orion’s visit to Papeete, Tahiti; leisurely days at sea in the turquoise waters off French Polynesia; and their port call in Bora Bora. Ahoy from the Viking Orion! As our ship approached Papeete, Tahiti, I stood on deck and watched the view sailing in. The island of Tahiti was beckoning from the distance and we could see lovely Moorea on the starboard side. Viking Orion is the first major cruise ship to call on Tahiti since early 2020 and it was quite a celebration. The local press with their cameras were on the dockside to commemorate the moment. As other passengers and I left the gangway, we were honored by Tahitian musicians in their floral Tahitian attire and nicely arranged flowers in their hair. Local entertainers upon arrival in Papeete, Tahiti Each passenger was given a flower to place behind their ear. If placed behind the left ear, it means you are in a relationship. If placed behind the right ear, you are available. We were thrilled that local guidelines allowed all passengers to go ashore whether they had booked a shore excursion or wanted to explore independently. We know that this can change in any destination at any time, and our guests continue to be most understanding and flexible. With it being January, this time of year it is not a bad idea to bring an umbrella on a tour through the islands. I had registered for a tour of Tahiti’s West Coast, focusing on Tropical Flora and Historic Sights. It was on board a motorcoach with plenty of open seats. To my pleasant surprise, I recognized the tour guide from previous tours to Tahiti. That is one thing that is wonderful about travel—you do come across other people from past travels and it is lovely to catch up. I enjoyed stopping at ancient sites and learning more about the culture of the islands. This particular site is called Arahurahu Marae, a site for sacred rituals, which you can see is in a picturesque valley. Arahurahu Marae, in Papeete, Tahiti And we saw the lush Water Gardens of Vaipahi and admired rare species of tropical flowers. Water Gardens of Vaipahi, Papeete, Tahiti   One of our informative tour guides in Papeete, Tahiti I asked a local gentleman if I could photograph the highly intricate body art on his back and he obliged. One of the lectures we enjoyed on board actually focuses on Polynesian body art so I found this to be very interesting. Body art in French Polynesia He also created the artistic floral arrangment on this art-bicycle. Enjoyng the local art We spent the night on board in Papeete, which allowed for a second day of touring. I enjoyed a complimentary two-hour walking tour of Papeete. Remember that this is one of the benefits of cruising with Viking: they provide a complimentary shore tour in each port as part of your cruise fare. They also offer a menu of optional tours for a fee to add to your choices. The guide, Lydia, was very knowledgeable. I only wish I had done the tour years ago! For future reference, I would recommend this type of tour especially for someone coming for the first time, because it provides great insight on the island and offers ideas for where you might visit after the tour is finished. Highlights of the tour included a visit to some local gardens and a church. The French Polynesian stained-glass windows are nicely done and the local market was everyone’s favorite stop. It was also very useful since it had started to rain and it provided some temporary shelter, being covered. We enjoyed shopping for local Tahitian arts and crafts, from inexpensive to expensive tastes. Popular items include an abundance of floral arrangements and local fruits, plus a wide range of pareos (wrap around skirts) in many colors. So many beautiful floral arrangements   Lovely items in the market during a walking tour of Papeete Ongoing Safety Checks As I mentioned in my previous post, safety of the guests, crew and the places we are visiting remains the top priority for Viking. The first thing we do each morning is a PCR test (very easy saliva test). And we fill out a form declaring we are symptom free before going ashore. Whenever someone leaves their stateroom they bring their cabin key, a contact tracing necklace provided by Viking, and dons their mask. To go ashore we also take a copy of our vaccination card. I am very impressed with Viking’s safety measures and it provides a sense of reassurance to guests. Sensational Sea Days As Viking Orion was preparing to depart Papeete, the ship captain announced that we were going to postpone our call on Bora Bora to wait for some more favorable weather. It was a bit overcast, and we are in paradise after all. One of the benefits of cruising is that there are times when the captain can use his or her discretion to make changes that will increase the enjoyment of guests on the cruise. For the next two days, we took in some scenic cruising around the islands. This decision was well-received by passengers and provided ample rest after the tours in Papeete. During these two sea days, guests also took part in many activities on board, such as arts and crafts, mahjong or bridge, and simply resting on their balconies taking in the amazing views. Another option is to catch up on any lectures that have taken place on board, right from the comfort of your stateroom or suite. Viking records its lectures and makes them available on your in-room TV. The lectures are given by guest speakers or Viking’s Resident Historian. I referenced a few of our lectures in the previous post, but additional lectures on offer covered topics including: The Marquesas’ History, Culture, Myths and Taboo Practices Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia Up Close The Art of Polynesia French in French Polynesia Paul Gauguin in Tahiti Body Art of Polynesia and The World Pacific War Heroes: Ordinary People Who Did the Extraordinary And these are only a few of the ones I have attended or watched—there are so many more! I have found all of the subjects so interesting. On to Bora Bora On arrival in Bora Bora, we were again greeted by local musicians, such a treat for us. Options for tours included a glass-bottom boat ride or a sail-around the island of Bora Bora. A third option, which I chose, is on board Le Truck. This is the name of the open-air public transport system on the Tahitian islands. This tour uses a charming, decorated Le Truck vehicle to carry guests to many sites around the island. Tom Mullen enjoying a tour of Bora Bora via Le Truck The local guide provided narration and we stopped several times to soak in the views of gorgeous motus (small islands). We also came across more local artisans with pareos and other goods. Pareos are available in so many patterns and colors! Another popular stop on this tour is Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant, which includes a souvenir shop. At the entrance of Bloody Mary’s is the list of well-known people from stage, film, sport and other personalities. I am still not able to locate my name on it! The second day on Bora Bora I had another wonderful surprise. I opted to explore the town, being unsure how businesses had fared after having few visitors in the past two years. One of my local favorites was still there—belonging to my favorite Tahitian artist. I was happy to stop there again because I still have enough space on the walls at home for more art (I have a high ceiling). As we cruised away from Bora Bora, we could hear Tahitian drums in the distance. Such a fitting departure, I do hope to return again soon. Enjoying Life On Board Speaking to guests here, they find Viking Cruises is “ticking all the boxes” for them. It’s very comfortable, or a “home to home” atmosphere, as I like to say. Everyone is relaxed and I am looking forward to hosting a small group of guests at the Chef’s Table specialty restaurant. The menu changes every few days so there is always something new to anticipate. I hope to share more as I am able! Read Tom’s First Post from this Voyage Get to Know Our Cruise Consultants   ... Read more