Epic Tropical Vistas – Auckland to New York

Enjoy this beautiful city, its enormous parks and spectacular views from Mount Eden. Learn about Maori culture; visit the famed Waitomo Glowworm Caves and their fantastic formations. Or head for the coast and the crashing surf, see a gannet colony and admire the sheep farms along the way. Visit an area vineyard or one of sixty volcanoes

Enjoy this beautiful city, its enormous parks and spectacular views from Mount Eden. Learn about Maori culture; visit the famed Waitomo Glowworm Caves and their fantastic formations. Or head for the coast and the crashing surf, see a gannet colony and admire the sheep farms along the way. Visit an area vineyard or one of sixty volcanoes

Relish the opportunities in this natural playground as you observe flying dolphins, gannets and blue penguins. The diving is renowned as some of the best in the world. Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty House, where the founding document of New Zealand was signed.

Known as “The Paris of the Pacific,” the capital city of New Caledonia still maintains a village atmosphere. Visit the new Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center, try wind-surfing, or share a bottle of vin rouge while relaxing at La Place des Cocotiers.

A tiny, uninhabited island off the coast of Vanuatu’s Aneityum Island, Mystery Island is a remote paradise of white sand beaches, swaying palms and aquamarine waters. Since the surrounding sea is a protected marine sanctuary, snorkelers will be enchanted by views of colorful marine life and pristine coral reefs. Aneityum residents will likely set up market stalls on Mystery Island when you visit, so you’ll be able to browse local goods like coconut oil, coffee and handmade jewelry. Whether you stroll the gorgeous shoreline, opt for under-the-sea adventures or explore nearby Aneityum, you’ll treasure your time in this secret oasis.

Wander through this capital city’s joyous streets; take free ferries to small offshore islands, visit the Vanuatu Cultural Center in town, or snorkel, horseback ride or hike up to the beautiful Cascade Waterfalls.

Espiritu Santo is the largest island in Vanuatu, an archipelago country in the South Pacific. It’s known for its beaches, such as Champagne Beach and Lonnoc Beach, with coral reefs and clear, sheltered waters. The town of Luganville has WWII relics like Quonset huts at Main Wharf. Nearby, popular dive sites include the sunken SS President Coolidge cruise liner and Million Dollar Point’s submerged U.S. war machinery.

Nicknamed “Sugar City,” it’s in the heart of the soft coral capital of the world. Snorkel, scuba, take a boat to a nearby deserted island; visit lush rainforests, local potters and orchid farms.

Enjoy the tropical rainforest climate of Fiji’s capital city, the largest in the South Pacific. Wander the Victoria Parade, the main thoroughfare with shops and restaurants.

Apia is located on the northern shore of Upolu, Samoa’s second largest island and home to spectacular rainforests, waterfalls, sand dunes, beaches and brilliant sunrises and sunsets. Writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last four years of his life here and is buried on Mount Vaea, overlooking the village of Vailima and the home he built there, which is now a museum in his honor.

Remote, verdant and stunningly beautiful, this island is pure and pristine. Visit one of the many tuna canneries or snorkel in the crystalline waters of one of the protected lagoons. Find a fale, a gazebo where locals perform for visitors.

The dramatic Mount Otemanu stands watch over the sparkling turquoise waters and sugary sands of Bora Bora, known as the most romantic island in the world. Snorkel, swim with the manta rays or enjoy an outrigger canoe ride through the lagoon and its lovely coral islands.

The dramatic Mount Otemanu stands watch over the sparkling turquoise waters and sugary sands of Bora Bora, known as the most romantic island in the world. Snorkel, swim with the manta rays or enjoy an outrigger canoe ride through the lagoon and its lovely coral islands.

You’ll notice the rich scent of vanilla the moment you step off the ship onto this stunning island, with its vanilla plantations scattered throughout. Visit one or two, visit a pearl farm, snorkel the clear waters of the surrounding reef, or take a kayak trip along the Faaroa River.

The island of Tahiti’s urban center has much to offer visitors. Take a stroll through the new Jardins Paofai, watch the surfers on their longboards, marvel at Faarumai Waterfalls, The Blowhole, Fern Grottos.

The island of Tahiti’s urban center has much to offer visitors. Take a stroll through the new Jardins Paofai, watch the surfers on their longboards, marvel at Faarumai Waterfalls, The Blowhole, Fern Grottos.

Breathtakingly beautiful, stunning landscapes await, from the verdant mountains to the azure seas and white sand beaches. Take a canoe ride through the lagoon; snorkel, scuba or helmet-dive the reefs, or hike up to the Afareaitu Waterfalls.

Pure, pristine and dreamlike, the ecosystem of this gorgeous island is home to extremely rare birds, plants and crustaceans. Quaint villages, old coral churches and welcoming people are intertwined with a spectacular lagoon creating a paradise like none other in the world.

Visit the entrancing Vaipo Waterfalls and Cascade Tevaipo, which is one of the world’s tallest falls at over 1,100 feet. Wander the black sand beaches, marvel at the giant tiki at Piki Vehini, or get adventurous on an all-terrain vehicle excursion around the craggy island.

Enjoy the sun-drenched beaches surrounding this active city, climb Diamond Head or visit the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Pay your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial or take a surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach.

Enjoy the sun-drenched beaches surrounding this active city, climb Diamond Head or visit the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Pay your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial or take a surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach.

Located on the lush windward side of Hawaii’s Big Island, Hilo is the starting point to explore the eastern part of this lovely isle. Drive the 11-mile rim of Kilauea volcano and marvel at the dramatic lava formations of Volcanoes National Park. At the majestic Akaka Falls, water cascades more than 400 feet into a pool below, and the splendid Liliuokalani Gardens are authentic Japanese gardens created in the early 1900s.

San Diego is living proof that a big city can still feel like a small town. Its Spanish heritage is evident at popular sights like the Junípero Serra Museum, where the first mission was founded, and at Point Loma, which is dominated by a statue of explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. The breathtaking point is also a great spot to watch for migrating Pacific gray whales. Other noteworthy attractions include the thought-provoking San Diego Museum of Man, the peaceful Botanical Building and Lily Pond, and the signature San Diego Zoo, where rare species such as giant pandas and lowland gorillas are exhibited. Ship buffs will enjoy the maritime museum, where you can board and tour the vessels.

Ixtapa is a Pacific Coast beach resort in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Curving El Palmar Beach is lined with high-rise hotels, bars and restaurants. Fishing boats leave from Ixtapa Marina, adjacent to a golf course. The granite rocks of Los Morros de Potosí are a popular dive site, while the Delfiniti dolphinarium offers the chance to swim with dolphins. The laid-back resort city of Zihuatanejo lies just southeast.

Drive into the mountains to beautiful old Antigua, once the country’s colonial capital, and discover its lovely bougainvillea-draped buildings and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes. Travel to famed Lake Atitlan and step back in time as you encounter the indigenous people in all of their finery still living along the lakeshore. Or better yet, fly to Flores and experience the magnificent and enigmatic Mayan temples and palaces of the Tikal complex, surrounded by jungle.

Nicaragua’s largest port, Corinto sits on an island connected to the mainland by bridges. Nicaragua is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and the area offers long stretches of white sand and clear blue waters. Visit the nearby city of León to see the wonderful cathedral, monuments and colonial buildings as well as the ruins of León Viejo, one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the Americas.

Be awed by the spectacular rainforest canopy, whether you walk through it or ride an aerial tram. Discover breathtaking waterfalls, butterfly gardens and a cloud forest. Watch for curious monkeys and brilliantly colored birds. Ride horseback through a rare virgin tropical dry forest. Or enjoy a scenic drive to San Jose and see this charming city and its sights.

The Panama Canal is approximately 50 miles long and joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The waterway was cut through one of the narrowest portions of land joining North and South America and took over 400 years to complete. The canal was started by the French and finished by the United States. During the course of this construction over 30,000 people lost their lives. The first ship to transit the Panama Canal was in 1914 and today about fourteen thousand vessels do so each year.

Take a scenic drive through the residential area of Manga and admire the beautiful mansions. Explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort that was once the most important military structure built in Latin America. Enjoy a boat ride to the Islas del Rosario and continue to the island of San Martín de Pajarales to visit the aquarium. Board a beautiful Spanish galleon, a replica of a 17th century sailing ship, for a cruise of the inner bay of Cartagena.

Swim and snorkel with shy and gentle stingrays, see the underwater world from a semi-submersible sub, send a postcard from “Hell,” visit a turtle farm where green sea turtles are raised, or just relax on miles and miles of exquisite white sand beach.

People-watchers will enjoy South Beach’s Ocean Drive, while architecture buffs will love the Art Deco District. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are world-class museums and shopping venues too. In Miami, there really is something for everyone.

Venture to the expansive sand beaches of Cocoa Beach or explore the Kennedy Space Center at nearby Cape Canaveral. Orlando is a little over an hour away, and the Disney, Sea World and Universal Studios theme parks beckon. Or take a stroll around Lake Eola and enjoy the boutiques and restaurants of downtown Orlando.

The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps. Call it what you may, New York reigns as one of the world’s most dynamic cities. But where to begin? The sacred soil of Ground Zero or stunning Central Park? The Guggenheim or the American Museum of Natural History? Should you take in a Broadway show or simply enjoy the nonstop show of people that parade through the streets? The possibilities are endless in the five boroughs of New York City, so get out and enjoy.

The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps. Call it what you may, New York reigns as one of the world’s most dynamic cities. But where to begin? The sacred soil of Ground Zero or stunning Central Park? The Guggenheim or the American Museum of Natural History? Should you take in a Broadway show or simply enjoy the nonstop show of people that parade through the streets? The possibilities are endless in the five boroughs of New York City, so get out and enjoy.