How do you picture the South Seas? You can be sure of one thing: this cruise will exceed the powers of your imagination when the HANSEATIC spirit reveals extraordinary facets. Far from the familiar, New Caledonia exudes the awe-inspiring beauty that must have fascinated the seafarers of the 18th century. Landing with the Zodiacs on Lifou is an experience that opens the gate to this Garden of Eden. Your first island walk on this cruise will unveil rainforest vegetation and dream beaches with crystal-clear water.

Give in to your South Seas dreams on Mystery Island as you swim or bask in the shade of the palm trees. 

Even the name of your next destination awakens dreams of exploration: Fiji. Shimmering flowers, dense forests, turquoise water and striking rituals – pure South Seas. The small coastal town of Levuka on Ovalau was founded by Europeans in the 1820s and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Picturesque colonial houses, Fiji’s first church and the warmth of the people will make your visit unforgettable. The residents of Taveuni are acutely aware of the need to protect and preserve nature, and this feeling continues on board your ship. Your awareness heightened by your experts, embark on a hike to the waterfalls* of the island. Insights into the culture of Taveuni* will reveal how food is prepared in a cooking pit and how the traditional kava drink is produced.

In the spirit of the Dutch seafarers who discovered the Horne Islands under Jacob Le Maire in 1616, your day will be entirely devoted to exploring Wallis and Futuna. The Zodiacs will be put to water, surrounded by coral reefs, and set a course for the islands. Where will you land in this paradise for nature lovers? What kind of insights will the islanders reveal about their lives?

When the outline of Samoa emerges on the horizon in the vast expanse of the Pacific, you will feel like you have stepped into Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Follow in the author’s footsteps in his adopted home on Upolu when you visit the island’s capital, Apia, and the surrounding area*.

The Cook Islands will add more idyllic pages to your South Seas diary: white sandy beaches, lush, green rainforests and mountains overgrown with vegetation seem to float in the emerald-green waters of the Pacific. Aitutaki Atoll only measures around 20 km² (12 mi.²), making this paradise all the greater. An old marae site and churches made of coral and limestone combine mysticism with missionary history to form fascinating island impressions*. Take a boat ride for bathing, snorkelling and barbecuing at the Blue Lagoon* – a dreamy palm-lined beach, a fantastic underwater world.

The most famous island gem in French Polynesia, Bora Bora was once called “created by the gods”. Floral scents float through the air, dense jungle provides sanctuary to animals and colourful fish dart through the coral gardens. The most beautiful symbols of the South Seas come together when you explore Bora Bora by Land Rover*. The steep paths present a plethora of breathtaking views of the outlying lagoon and the picturesque Fa’anui Bay. A scenic flight over the island paradise* reveals an even more extraordinary perspective on this pastel-coloured world. The beauty of Raiatea, the cradle of Polynesian civilisation, comes from its rocky coasts, steep summits, lush vegetation and dreamlike lagoons. On a kayak tour on the Faaroa river*, you can explore the green spirit of the island as you pass hibiscus, bamboo and purau trees. How did the millennia-old ceremonial platforms of Marae Taputapuatea come to be? Are they the forerunners of modern royal thrones? The legends of Raiatea* present both puzzles and answers. The landscapes with turquoise waters and azure skies continue on Huahine, the most pristine of the Society Islands. A hike with the culture and tradition of Huahine* will take you to Polynesian temple ruins and other archaeological discoveries. A quad bike adventure with a stop for swimming* takes you off-road along the coast to fine sandy beaches and ceremonial sites.

Conclude your cruise on Moorea, a colourful island pearl. Whether you choose to marvel at the lavish flora and fauna on a hike on the Three Coconut Trail* or enjoy the South Seas feeling with a picnic on a motu*, you will return home with a wealth of memories from the many South Seas gems on this cruise.