MS Noordam - October 12, 2025

Christened "The Emerald City", Seattle is known as one of the most livable cities in the world and actually receives less annual rainfall (36 inches) than New York and Atlanta. Surrounded by lakes, rivers, Puget Sound, and mountains, Seattle is a recreation enthusiasts' dream. In the summer, water sports are only 10 minutes away and winter sports, such as snow skiing, are only 45 minutes away.

Honolulu offers many wonderful attractions. Aloha Tower is famous for greeting all who arrive in the port of Honolulu, and has the best views of the city. The Bishop Museum has the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts, and the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, has served as the residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs.

Honolulu offers many wonderful attractions. Aloha Tower is famous for greeting all who arrive in the port of Honolulu, and has the best views of the city. The Bishop Museum has the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts, and the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, has served as the residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs.

Kahului, with its bustling harbor and busy shopping complexes, offers visitors the chance to find spectacular bargains. The piers along the waterfront, lined with container-cargo ships and weekly cruise ships, are the embarkation point for Maui's sugar and pineapple crops. You can also watch the containers being loaded onto and unloaded from the many ships.

Established as Kauai's principal port in 1930, Nawiliwili was named for the Wiliwili trees that were once abundant in the area. Cruise ships make port in the picturesque harbor, which is overlooked by the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club. Visitors enjoy the crystal clear waters and pristine beaches Hawaii is famous for, while in Nawiliwili.

Pago Pago--pronounced Pango Pango --is the capital of American Samoa, a small island in the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a traditional Polynesian feast. Be thrilled by the native singing, dancing, and music. Tuna canneries dominate the city. Also close by are the National Park of American Samoa, traditional Ta'u Island, and Aunu'u Island, a place of natural splendor.

Lautoka is a very clean city and environmental concerned. It has a wonderful botanical garden and children's park. The main street of the city, Vitogo Parade, has been decorated with the planting of royal palm trees on one side. The city's municipal market, which has a floor area of about 58,000m, is another attraction for both residents and tourists.

Suva sits on the southeast shores of mountainous Viti Levu ("Great Fiji"), largest of the over 800 islands which comprise the Republic of Fiji. Local folk traditions remain strong, like fire walks and welcoming ceremonies, wood-carving and the fabrication of tree-bark cloth. The island's proud history is showcased in the Fiji Museum, with its impressive collection of war canoes.

Say 'G'day' to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Stroll along the world-famous Bondi and Watsons Beaches. Tour the Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point, shop for Aboriginal art, or go on a photographic safari. This diverse land is home to crocodiles, koalas, emus, and, of course, kangaroos.

Hobart is the state capital and the largest city in Tasmania. Perched on the southeast part of the island, Hobart offers many historic buildings, cultural events, and scenic views to delight visitors. The city is also a great base for day tours to Hastings Caves, Mount Field National Park, and the town of Richmond. The new Wrest Point Casino is Australia's first.

Milford Sound is the most famous and accessible of the grand glacier carved fiords scattered along New Zealand's south western coast. Mountain peaks with sculptural, hanging valleys, send waterfalls cascading over sheer granite cliffs to the sea below. Boat trips on the Sound are a must and provide close up views of awe inspiring scenery.

A vast remote wilderness, with snow capped mountains, glacial lakes and valleys, fiords, islands, waterfalls and dense forest. It contains some of New Zealand's best known tramping tracks, including the Milford, Kepler, Dusky, Routeburn and Hollyford. Fishing, hunting, guided walks, cruises on lakes and fiords, scenic flights, penguins, seals, dolphins and spectacular coastal features await you.

The attractive, historic town and modern container port of Port Chalmers, on a tiny peninsula 12km from Dunedin, is worth a half-day trip for its magnificent harbour views offset by bush-covered hills, its fine nineteenth-century buildings and its thriving artistic community. The site was chosen in 1844 as the port to serve the proposed Scottish settlement of New Edinburgh, later called Dunedin. The first settlers arrived on the John Wickliffe in March 1848 and named the port after the Reverend Dr Thomas Chalmers.

Christchurch has a long historic connection with Antarctic exploration. It is from the port of Lyttleton (about 10 miles North of Christchurch) that Captain Scott sailed for Antarctica. Today Lyttleton is a port of call for ships of the United States and New Zealand Antarctic programs A monument to Captain Scott (created by his wite Katherine) stands alongside the banks of the River Avon in Christchurch.

Picton is in one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand, the upper South Island. One of Picton's attractions (besides the port) is the fact that it sports what may be the only remaining miniature golf course in NZ.

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand / Aotearoa. It is also the cultural, administrative and political center of the country. Two aspects of the city that will immediately strike any visitor are the sprawling harbour and the dramatic, hilly terrain. Everywhere you go, the sounds and smell of the ocean hang in the air, and green hills and valleys wrap you in a bear-hug embrace.

In 1931 a disastrous earthquake destroyed the city. The earthquake heaved 40 square kilometres of water covered land above sea level. Rebuilding began, resulting in Napier becoming the art deco capital. With Napier being a coastal town there are a wide variety of water sports, fishing trips, pleasure cruises and also night cruises which are very popular. Other activities include windsurfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing and parasailing - all available on the waterfront.

Tauranga is located in the Bay of Plenty and is the region's largest residential and commercial area, boasting profuse sunshine and a fertile landscape. The township is the center of a large kiwifruit and citrus growing area and houses a population of approximately 91,000 people, including those residing in Mount Maunganui.

New Zealand's largest city is draped over seven volcanoes and wrapped around Waitemata Harbour (meaning "sea of sparkling waters" in Maori). Despite its British feel, it is the world's largest Polynesian city. Shop for Polynesian crafts on Queen Street, the main drag. Or from atop Mt. Eden, overlook the "City of Sails," which will host the America's Cup races in 2000.