Day 1  |  Lima/Callao, Peru
Lima is called the City of Kings, but a more appropriate nickname might be the City of Museums. Over 20 museums can keep you busy for hours, if not days. One museum displays pottery and textiles from Peru’s ancient civilizations; another exhibits 55,000 ceramic pieces; still another is a morbid yet fascinating Museum of the Inquisition. Headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition for nearly three centuries, the building features not just the expected dungeons, but also a beautiful columned façade and carved mahogany ceiling.
Lima’s streets are something of a museum in and of themselves. Mansions in the colonial district are adorned by ornate balconies. Churches are gorgeous and historic. The monastery at the church of San Francisco, for example, has a room of paintings by Pieter Paul Rubens and Van Dyck.

Day 2  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 3  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 4  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 5  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 6  |  Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island is a triangular-shaped speck of volcanic rock in the center of the South Pacific, covering a mere 45 square miles in area. It lies over 2,000 miles from the nearest population center (Tahiti to the west and Chile to the east), making it one of the most isolated places on Earth. Although called Rapa Nui by the Polynesians, it was later renamed Easter Island by the Dutch explorer Admiral Jacob Roggeveen, who discovered the island on Easter day in 1722. This remote island is an archaeological treasure, which for generations has puzzled scientists and historians alike. Why did the island’s ancient inhabitants sculpt hundreds of colossal stone moais from volcanic stone, transport them from quarry to coast, and raise them on stone ahu (platforms)? How did the Polynesians first come to this tiny volcanic outpost, the most remote inhabited island on earth, and what lessons can we learn from their legacy? To this day, there are still no proven answers to these and many other haunting and unexplained mysteries. Crystal Cruises is pleased to offer you this unique look at one of the Pacific’s most remote and rarely visited destinations.

Day 7  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 8  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 9  |  Cruise by Pitcairn Island/Adamstown, UK
Pitcairn Island is inhabited by the descendants of Fletcher Christian, his band of British sailors and their Tahitian wives who mutinied on the Bounty in 1789. After arriving at this unknown “safe” island, the mutineers burned the Bounty so that no one could escape to tell of their whereabouts. Their isolation was so complete, that their closest neighbor was the island of Mangareva, some 300 miles away. Ever since it was settled, this hideaway has remained unaffected by the outside world. Handicrafts are a mainstay of the economy, as woodworking or weaving are common occupations for most families. The island prides itself on its limited-issue stamps, which are much sought after by collectors. Your Crystal ship will lie off Bounty Bay and the descendants of Fletcher Christian and his crew will come out to the ship with their carvings, weavings and other local craft items. No organized shore excursions are planned on Pitcairn Island, as guests will not proceed ashore.

Day 10  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 11  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 12  |  Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands
Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, is by no means a sleepy town. With an international airport, wide waterfront-boulevard and new buildings, it boasts all the modern trappings of civilization. Its engaging atmosphere is vibrantly alive, a marvelous potpourri of European manner and carefree island ways. A few steps from our pier, boutiques and galleries abound as Tahitian shopkeepers dressed in bright paréos greet customers with a welcoming iaorana. The nearby open-air market is a bustle of activity. Away from the clamor of town are peaceful fern grottos, tiny villages tucked in verdant valleys and ancient sacred maraes.

Day 13  |  Bora Bora, Society Islands
James Michener called it the most beautiful island in the world, for Bora Bora fulfills your every fantasy of how an island paradise should be. Majestic 2,000-foot-high peaks tower over its tranquil lagoon, their reflections mirrored in glassy waters. Thatch-roofed huts lie cradled beneath shady palms on sugar-white beaches as the scent of exotic flowers wafts through the air. Colorfully decorated le trucks wait ashore, ready to take you on a discovery of the island’s awesome beauty. Nearby, glass-bottom boats lie poised, awaiting the opportunity to introduce you to an undersea world that is rich with vibrant sea life.

Day 14  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 15  |  Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Kia Orana and welcome to Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook group. This splendid island chain was named in honor of the great explorer Captain James Cook. Rarotonga’s richly covered mountains rise 2,000 feet above white-sand beaches; and its encircling coral reefs create beautiful, safe lagoons. The hospitality here is warm and spontaneous. Smiling faces greet you at every turn of the road. Traditional cultures have been retained on an island where tranquil lifestyles are uncomplicated by the pace of the outside world. You will be captivated by the exuberant dancing and easygoing ways of the gentle islanders.

Day 16  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 17  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 18  |  Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Day 19  |  Auckland, New Zealand (overnight)
Welcome to Auckland, the “City of Sails.” New Zealand’s largest city is along the shores of an extinct volcanic cone known as Rangitoto, often visible to the east. Auckland’s population of over one million people represents almost a third of the country’s total.
New Zealand seems to have a bit of everything: great natural beauty, friendly people, magnificent glacier-studded mountain ranges, sculpted fjords, pristine untouched beaches, lush rainforest, an endless array of sporting activities, and, not to be forgotten, plenty of sheep and rolling farmland.
Auckland is the perfect city from which to experience most of what New Zealand has to offer. The city lies astride a narrow isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean on two harbors, the Waitemata and Manukau. Auckland and New Zealand’s geographic and cultural treasures beckon for your discovery.
An enthusiastic welcome awaits you at this thriving city by the sea.

Day 20  |  Auckland, New Zealand
Welcome to Auckland, the “City of Sails.” New Zealand’s largest city is along the shores of an extinct volcanic cone known as Rangitoto, often visible to the east. Auckland’s population of over one million people represents almost a third of the country’s total.
New Zealand seems to have a bit of everything: great natural beauty, friendly people, magnificent glacier-studded mountain ranges, sculpted fjords, pristine untouched beaches, lush rainforest, an endless array of sporting activities, and, not to be forgotten, plenty of sheep and rolling farmland.
Auckland is the perfect city from which to experience most of what New Zealand has to offer. The city lies astride a narrow isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean on two harbors, the Waitemata and Manukau. Auckland and New Zealand’s geographic and cultural treasures beckon for your discovery.
An enthusiastic welcome awaits you at this thriving city by the sea.

Day  1 |  Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands
Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, is by no means a sleepy town. With an international airport, wide waterfront-boulevard and new buildings, it boasts all the modern trappings of civilization. Its engaging atmosphere is vibrantly alive, a marvelous potpourri of European manner and carefree island ways. A few steps from our pier, boutiques and galleries abound as Tahitian shopkeepers dressed in bright paréos greet customers with a welcoming iaorana. The nearby open-air market is a bustle of activity. Away from the clamor of town are peaceful fern grottos, tiny villages tucked in verdant valleys and ancient sacred maraes.

Day  2 |  Cruising the South Pacific Ocean

Day  3 |  Aitutaki, Cook Islands
A real-life version of an idyllic, picture-postcard tropical paradise actually does exist, and it is called Aitutaki. Pronounced Aye-too-tah-ki, the triangle-shaped atoll is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands after Rarotonga, and is famous for its turquoise lagoon, teeming with fish and surrounded by pristine beaches. Whip out your camera and aim it in virtually any direction to capture blue sky, puffy white clouds, sugary sands, azure seas and a leaning palm tree or two for a snapshot of South Pacific perfection. Bring your camera along to One Foot Island, a small islet in the southeast of the lagoon, for incredible water views and an understanding of why it is considered one of the region’s, if not the world’s, best beaches.

Day  4 |  Cruising the South Pacific Ocean

Day  5 |  Cruising the South Pacific Ocean

Day  6 |  Nuku’Alofa, Tonga
The tiny South Pacific kingdom of Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth. This shows in Nuku’Alofa, the capital, with its Victorian Royal Palace, impressive chapel, and Royal Tombs of the local monarchs. Yet Tonga teems with South Sea beauty as well, including exotic Talamahu Market, wave-swept coastal cliffs, and Fafa Island.

Day  7 |  Cruising the South Pacific Ocean

Day  8 |   Lautoka, Fiji
To the east of the International Date Line lies an exquisite garland of islands known as Fiji. Dignified smiling people bid you “bula,” or welcome, to their unspoiled homeland. The bustling port town of Lautoka has a population of 44,000. It lies cradled on the western shores of Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji’s 300 idyllic islands. Shop for shell jewelry, wood carvings, woven mats, basketry and masi, the traditional painted bark cloth. Or scour the market for exquisite Indian saris. Not too far distant from our pier are field upon field of lush sugar cane, traditional villages and an orchid wonderland. As the islanders proudly claim, “Fiji is the way the world ought to be.”

Day  9 |  Cruising the South Pacific Ocean

Day  10 |  Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Like a stop in Philadelphia or Colonial Williamsburg, a visit to Waitangi lets you trace the founding of a country. It was here that a treaty between the Maori and the British was formed, making New Zealand part of the British Empire. At the Waitangi National Reserve, one of the most important historic sites in New Zealand, visitors can see the Treaty House where the 1840 treaty was signed, and view a faithful replica of the original document. Other attractions of the Reserve include the ornate Maori meeting house and a massive war canoe. Of course, this being New Zealand, there are many natural attractions as well, including lush forest and spectacular coastline.

Day  11 |  Auckland, New Zealand
Welcome to Auckland, the “City of Sails.” New Zealand’s largest city is along the shores of an extinct volcanic cone known as Rangitoto, often visible to the east. Auckland’s population of over one million people represents almost a third of the country’s total.
New Zealand seems to have a bit of everything: great natural beauty, friendly people, magnificent glacier-studded mountain ranges, sculpted fjords, pristine untouched beaches, lush rainforest, an endless array of sporting activities, and, not to be forgotten, plenty of sheep and rolling farmland.
Auckland is the perfect city from which to experience most of what New Zealand has to offer. The city lies astride a narrow isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean on two harbors, the Waitemata and Manukau. Auckland and New Zealand’s geographic and cultural treasures beckon for your discovery.
An enthusiastic welcome awaits you at this thriving city by the sea.