18 Night Transpacific Cruise

Look up — the Bay of Islands is said to have the world's second bluest sky after Rio de Janeiro. Located on the northwestern coast of New Zealand's North Island, the sea here is also a beautiful shade of turquoise, dotted with 144 subtropical islands of the area. Cruise to Bay of Islands and check out Urupukapuka Island, where you can hike through Maori village sites or relax on the white-sand beach. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds — this is the site where the treaty that made New Zealand into its own nation was signed. Or head out on a dolphin spotting cruise to see the population of bottlenose dolphins that call these waters home.

Moorea is the picture-perfect vision of an ideal island paradise. Formed by volcanic activity, this heart-shaped island hidden a few short miles off the Tahiti mainland holds beaches that look out to the brightest blue waters you can imagine, and the soaring green peaks of the mountains here are the stuff of legend. Head to Tiki Village to experience a traditional Polynesian dance. Hike up to Belvedere Lookout for views of famous Cook's Bay and volcanic Mount Tohivea. Go snorkeling in the lagoon at Opunohu Bay, or check out the Moorea Dolphin Center to get up-close-and-personal with nature's cutest, most intelligent sea creatures.

Raiatea is traditionally known as ancient Havai'i, the sacred island at the center of the Polynesian Triangle from which the islands of Hawaii and New Zealand were reached. Along its eastern coastline is the ceremonial site of Marae Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ancient Polynesians held rituals for their gods and sought safety for their seafarers. Today, Marae Taputapuatea is still used as a sacred departure point for voyagers crossing to other Pacific Islands in outrigger canoes. Emerald peaks rise in Raiatea's interior, cloaked in tropical flowers, fruit trees, taro plantations and wild foliage. It's where streams trickle and waterfalls roar. With few beaches on the main island, the lush shoreline of Raiatea cedes to a vibrant lagoon hosting every shade of blue and coral reefs rife with marine life. Reef sharks, rays and sea turtles cruise through its waters. Surrounding the main island are motu, tiny islets of palm trees ringed by white sand beaches, easily reached on a lagoon tour. Cruises to Raiatea, French Polynesia set you up for an incredible day trip to the sister island of Taha'a, where life moves slow amidst the vanilla farms tucked in the foothills of the island's rolling hills.