US, Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia Cruise on Westerdam from Seattle (USA)

Seattle (USA)

Seattle is a major coastal seaport city and the seat of King County, in the U.S. state of Washington. A major gateway for trade with Asia, Seattle is the 8th largest port in the United States and 9th largest in North America in terms of container handling. Seattle has a noteworthy musical history. From 1918 to 1951, there were nearly two dozen jazz nightclubs along Jackson Street from the current Chinatown/International District to the Central District. The jazz scene developed the early careers of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson and others. Seattle is also the birthplace of rock legend Jimi Hendrix and the rock music style. Places to visit: the Henry Art Gallery , the first public art museum in Washington. The Seattle Art Museum , the Frye Art Museum is a free museum on First Hill. Regional history collections are at the Loghouse Museum in Alki, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the Museum of History and Industry and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Industry collections are at the Center for Wooden Boats and the adjacent Northwest Seaport, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum, and the Museum of Flight. Regional ethnic collections include the Nordic Heritage Museum, the Wing Luke Asian Museum and the Northwest African American Museum. Seattle has artist-run galleries, including 10-year veteran Soil Art Gallery,and the newer Crawl Space Gallery.Other significant events include numerous art and entretainment, music, religious and ethnic festivals. Since the middle 1990s, Seattle has experienced significant growth in the cruise industry, especially as a departure point for Alaska cruises.

Honolulu (Hawaii)

The isle of Hawaii is named Grnad Island, and we explain why. It is more than double the size than all the rest of Hawaiian isles together, and is completely full of luxuriant nature, from the rugged volcanoes to the cascades and the rainy forrests. It is the home of smokey volcano craters and rivers of dry lava in the National Park of the Volcanoes.

Kona, Hawaii

Situated on the western coast of the Hualalai Volcano, Kailua-Kona, or "kona" to the locals, is the principal city of western Hawaii. Boasting a spectacular volcanic coastline from otherworldly lava formations to lush greenery with calm and clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling, diving and spotting dolphins and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). Kailua-Kona itself is a bustling, social hub, home to shops, restaurants and nightlife.Visitors can also explore the islands rich history by visiting Kealakekua Bay, where Captain James Cook first landed on the island in 1778, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park or the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, a 1160-acre park that lets you explore early "Heiau" or "temples"

Apia (Westsamoa)

Samoa is located south of the equator, about halfway between Hawai‘i and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. The Samoan islands have been produced by vulcanism, the source of which is the Samoa hotspot which is probably the result of a mantle plume. The fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social and political systems, and language. Cultural customs such as the Samoa 'ava ceremony are significant and solemn rituals at important occasions including the bestowal of matai chiefly titles. Items of great cultural value include the finely woven 'ie toga. The Samoan word for dance is siva with unique gentle movements of the body in time to music and which tells a story, although the Samoan male dances can be more physical and snapp. The form and construction of traditional architecture of Samoa was a specialised skill by Tufuga fai fale that was also linked to other cultural artforms.

Lautoka

Suva (Fidji)

Suva is a multicultural city where we can find churches, mosques and temples. Suva outstands for the scenery, from the little bay the tourist can contemplate the high mountains. Suva has a strange architecture, mixture of the colonial past full of mansions and gardens, and the native constructions.

Lifou, Loyalty Islands

Located to the east of New Caledonias mainland, The Loyalty Islands are a French territory in the Pacific Ocean. Lifou is the largest and most populated of the islands and boasts stunning fine sandy beaches, lush tropical forrests and spectacular coral reefs off its shores teaming with marine life. Scuba diving, snorkeling and big game fishing are popular activities while the southern coast of Lifou is home to networks of stunning limestone caves that are a popular attraction with visitors along with the Bay of Wanda marine turtle park.

Noumea (New Caledonia)

The isles that form New Caledonia are a paradise lost in the Southern Pacific. It is an area that is worth visiting, specially the villages in the coast and that reflect the lifestyle of the kanak culture. Places to visit: Anse Vata, Baie des Citrons and Pointe Magnin, Le Petit train tour, Pierre Vernier promenade, Place des Cocotiers Square and the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, where the market takes place.

Sydney (Australia)

Sydney is known as the Harbour City. It is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia and one of the world´s most beautiful and liveable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. Recent immigration trends have led to the cities reputation as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Australia and the world. The city is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on the planet. The city is surrounded by nature and national parks, which extend through the suburbs and right to the shores of the harbour.