32-night Polynesia To Indonesia: Culture, Coral & Cays Cruise

Travel across the International Dateline and step forward or backward in time one day.

Cradled along Upolu's northern shore lies the peaceful township of Apia. Picturesque thatched-roof "fales" blend into the emerald-hued countryside. Jagged mountains rise above deserted beaches where trade winds sigh on coconut palms. Banana groves and bread-fruit trees gently ripen in the moist, tropical climate. Western Samoa's friendly, carefree islanders will welcome you and proudly show you the former home of their adopted son, Robert Louis Stevenson. This is a contented island where traditional ways hold despite the passage of time.

Vanua Balavu is a long and winding island in Fiji's Lau archipelago group. It is considered the most scenic of Lau's islands.

Known as the "Happy Isles," the Solomons are one of the best-kept secrets in the Pacific. These are islands of great natural beauty from jungle-clad peaks and active volcanoes to dashing waterfalls, misty rainforests, turquoise lagoons, and brilliant coral reefs. The islands' variety of cultures and customs is also striking. In Honiara, backstreet quonset huts and an occasional, rusty wreckage provide grim reminders of World War II; over 25,000 Japanese and American soldiers were killed or wounded on Guadalcanal. Honiara has been the capital of the Solomon Islands since Tulagi was devastated during World War II.

Located northeast of the Arafura Sea, Agats is a small village that is excellent for roaming around and visiting the markets, shops, and mosques. The top attraction in the village is the Mueseum Kebudayaan dan Kemajuan Asmat, this museum houses a wide collection of cultural Asmat art and artifacts.

Located northeast of the Arafura Sea, Agats is a small village that is excellent for roaming around and visiting the markets, shops, and mosques. The top attraction in the village is the Mueseum Kebudayaan dan Kemajuan Asmat, this museum houses a wide collection of cultural Asmat art and artifacts.