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Clockwise from top: Aerial view of Diamond Head Crater with Honolulu cityscape in the distance; USS Arizona Memorial;‘ Surfer on a Wave’ sculpture, Queens Beach, Honolulu Previous pages: Norwegian Spirit out at sea; the Four Seasons Bora Bora from above |
icture-perfect islands, turquoise lagoons and unique cultures await travellers embarking on the 12-day South Pacific cruise aboard the Norwegian Spirit. The voyage stops at some of the world’ s most remote and beautiful islands, giving guests the opportunity to experience the adventure of exploring the natural world, meeting friendly locals or just relaxing on a beach in heavenly surroundings.
The cruise begins in bustling Honolulu on Oahu, where modern city and island life intertwine. From Honolulu, the ship makes stops in Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii, each renowned for their beautiful landscapes— think lush rainforests, majestic waterfalls and active volcanoes.
The route then continues south for a few days at sea— this is the perfect opportunity to spot migrating humpback whales or dolphins swimming beside the ship. Sailing into French Polynesian waters, the next stopover is glamorous Bora Bora— island luxury and wild beauty at its best. From here, the Norwegian Spirit heads to Moorea with its azure lagoon, then ends in Tahiti’ s sunny capital, Papeete.
Honolulu, Oahu
Board the Norwegian Spirit in Honolulu, Hawaii’ s buzzing capital city. A full night and day to explore is just enough time to experience the best the city has to offer.
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It’ s the sort of place where guests can go surfing in the morning, eat at a fine-dining restaurant at lunch, shop till they drop in the afternoon and hike up to a volcanic crater at sunset.
The city’ s stunning natural surrounds are one of its best features. Honolulu, meaning‘ sheltered bay’ in Hawaiian, is flanked by the iconic Waikiki Beach on one side and protected by the magnificent Koolau mountain range on the other. To the southeast of the city looms Diamond Head, a volcanic crater and popular hiking spot with panoramic views over Honolulu. Waikiki’ s long, gentle waves make this the ideal spot to learn to surf or try outrigger canoeing. If that’ s not your thing, sunbathing on the beach or sipping drinks at one of the hotels is the perfect way to relax into your vacation.
History buffs will love exploring Honolulu’ s fascinating historical sites, such as Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which includes the poignant USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. In downtown Honolulu, the opulent Iolani Palace stands out for its unique European-inspired Hawaiian architecture. It’ s also the only royal palace in the U. S. and was home to Hawaii’ s last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It’ s possible to tour the fully restored palace with a guide or self-guided audio.
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summer 2026 • 65 |