16 Night Cruise sailing from Papeete to Sydney aboard Ocean Princess.

Ocean Princess (previously Tahitian Princess) - along with her sister ship Pacific Princess - is our pearl of the Pacific. Smaller in size yet rich in amenities this beautiful vessel features an array of onboard activities. Relax on deck by the pool or get a massage at the Lotus Spa. At night, fine fare abounds in refined dining rooms and specialty restaurants, with live entertainment rivaling anything on shore. And this ship offers more than 200 balcony staterooms so you won't have to miss a single sunset.

Papeete, Tahiti
Immortalized by Gauguin's paintings, Tahiti is much more than an island; it's a state of mind. Papeete, capital of Tahiti, is the chief port and trading center. It's also a provocateur luring people to her shores. Today the island is a charming blend of Polynesian "joie de vivre" and Gallic sophistication. But venture out from Papeete, and you'll find a landscape of rugged mountains, lush rain forests, cascading waterfalls and deserted beaches.

Apia, Western Samoa
The first Polynesians arrived in Western Samoa around 1000 B.C. Three millennia later, the islands formed one of the last bastions of traditional Polynesian culture. Apia, the capital of Western or Independent Samoa, is a city of 35,000 on the island of Upolu. Its picturesque waterfront is dominated by the Catholic cathedral and is lined with public buildings, shops and trading companies. The town feels more like a collection of villages - and indeed, the majority of Samoans prefer traditional village life.

Western Samoa has long lured Westerners to its islands. The most famous expatriate of all was Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived at Vailima, and was buried near the summit of Mt. Vaea.

Dress in light, comfortable clothing when visiting Apia. The dress code is quite casual. Shorts are appropriate for men. Dress for women is more conservative. The local women wear long skirts, dresses, lava lavas or muumuus.

Nukualofa, Tonga
Over 170 islands compose the last monarchy in Polynesia. Tongatapu ("Sacred Garden") is the largest island in the realm, and Nuku'alofa is both its capital and its largest town. Never colonized by the West, Tonga remains one of the last expressions of pure Polynesian culture. Tonga also boasts magnificent white-sand beaches, stunning coral islets and the most spectacular blowholes in the Pacific.

Polynesians may have colonized Tonga as early as the 5th century B.C. The island boasts some of the most important archaeological sites in the Pacific.

Auckland, New Zealand
Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland.

Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Wellington.

Sydney, Australia
As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney - hailed by many seafarers as "the most beautiful harbor in the world." Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney - from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.

Australia's oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the "First Fleet" transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.