Honolulu to Papeete Ultra Luxury Voyage

The spirit of Hawai'i sings in unexpected places in Honolulu, from palace corridors and open-air markets to the song of the ocean itself. Certainly, the city's beaches are legendary; paddle a board out from Ala Moana Beach Park if you want sensational coastal views, but slip away from Waikk's buzz to Kaka'ako, where bold street art, farmers markets, and salty-sweet breezes reveal the city's vibrant soul. Walk the halls of 'Iolani Palace (the only royal palace on U.S. soil) or visit Bishop Museum, the historical home for Hawai'i's ancient artifacts. From there, follow the ocean breeze to lose track of time wandering among the towering palms of Foster Botanical Garden. As the sun sets, enjoy a refreshing Mai-Tai to the sound of the surf crashing against the seawalls.

Set on the Big Island's rain-nourished eastern side, Hilo rewards those who follow its pacegentle, grounded, and unexpectedly powerful. The town is visually striking; look one way to see rainforest and waterfalls, the other to spy the snow-dusted peak of Mauna Kea, Hawai'i's sacred mountain. Begin the day with a stroll along the bayfront into downtown, browsing family-run shops and artist studios that carry on living traditions such as carving wood and beating kapa. Perhaps you'll pick up warm laulau wrapped in ti leaves or freshly sliced pineapple at the marketboth astonishingly flavorful. Then, follow the rainforest road north to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to some of the worlds most unique geological, biological, and cultural landscapes.

Set on the sun-drenched western edge of Hawai'i Island, Kona's coast is a study in contrasts. Black lava fields stretch to white-sand beaches, and coffee groves climb the green slopes of Hualalai volcano. In the highlands, Kona's famous crop reigns supreme; family-run farms handpick beans from trees rooted in volcanic soil. Head to a roastery for a tasting, or sample local cacao and vanillacrops grown nowhere else in the U.S. Back at sea level, the story is equally as vivid. Paddle a traditional canoe from Kealakekua Bay, watch for friendly families of spinner dolphins arcing through turquoise waters, or dive into the waves for a vision of kaleidoscopic marine life.

Kahului sits on storied ground, shaped by centuries of movement, trade, and transformation. Set on Maui's northern coast, between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains, the region holds deep cultural significance, as it was here, in 1790, that King Kamehameha's forces defeated Mauis warriors in a pivotal step toward unifying the islands. Nature is especially generous in this part of Maui. Head inland to 'Iao Valley State Park, where hiking trails wind through the rainforest for sensational views of the 'Iao Needle, a 1,200-foot spire that rises dramatically through the mist. Back in town, life moves with quiet purpose; canoe paddlers train in the harbor, windsurfers carve across Kanaha Beach, and vendors sell everything from mangoes to mahi-mahi. Above all, Kahului remains a working town, grounded in land, history, and community, offering a glimpse of Maui beyond the beach.

With a day at sea, enjoy the unique opportunity to unplug and relax into the unhurried life on board. Enjoy a workout with a view at the gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, watch the sky transform at sunset from The Observation Lounge, or find an intimate alcove in The Living Room and lose yourself in a favorite book.

Lying more than 1,000 nautical miles south of Hawai'i, Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran (meaning "heavenly footprint" in Polynesian), feels like a secret kept by the sea; there are no big hotels, no cars, no crowds, just sandy paths, pandanus trees, and the hush of waves on coral reef. Just over 2,000 people call the island home; unsurprisingly, local life moves gently. Children greet you in Gilbertese with songs, and women weave mats from palm leaves or sell shell jewelry from market stalls. In the water, the pace picks up with tropical sealife flitting about their daily duties. Don a mask and snorkel and spend an enjoyable afternoon swimming among coral gardens teeming with butterflyfish, parrotfish, and angelfish.

With a day at sea, enjoy the unique opportunity to unplug and relax into the unhurried life on board. Enjoy a workout with a view at the gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, watch the sky transform at sunset from The Observation Lounge, or find an intimate alcove in The Living Room and lose yourself in a favorite book.

To describe Bora Bora as paradise is no overstatement. The island is a vision of vivid blues and verdant peaks, topped by slow-drifting, milky white clouds around the centerpiece of Mount Otemanu. Water shapes everyday life here and sailing the serene lagoon by outrigger canoe or snorkeling among the coral gardens are adventurous ways to get a sense of how the island breathes. Visit a working pearl farm to see how rare black pearls are cultivated, or encounter Bora Boras military history at the World War II cannons perched above Faanui Bay. Sink your feet into the soft sands of Matira Beach, savoring the scent of tiare flowers, as you reflect on the romance and beauty of this destination that has inspired artists and dreamers for centuries.

Although just 10 miles from its big sister Tahiti, life on Mo'orea moves a little slower. Start the day with a cafe et croissant (this is a French territory, after all), then follow the coast past white churches and fruit stalls. Escape the midday sun by wandering though ancient marae tucked beneath the peaks, or climb to Belvedere Lookout for sweeping views of Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, twin inlets named for the explorer who visited in 1777. Naturally, as a designated Ramsar Wetland, the lagoon takes center stage. Glass-clear shallows and deep cut bays teem with underwater life, and snorkeling here is some of the best on the planet. The fusion of French, Chinese, and Polynesian cultures in the region is especially evident in the cuisine of Mo'orea, and no visit to the island is complete without trying a Chow Mein Sandwich.

Papeete pulses with rhythmmarket stalls piled high with vanilla pods and papayas, voices rising over the scent of monoi oil and freshly baked baguettes. It's easy to find the quieter stories that unfold as well, among the local artists carving Polynesian folklore into wood and inking them as tattoos, or with the musicians tuning ukuleles beneath towering flame trees. As the capital, Papeete balances city life with its beautiful nature and postcard-perfect beaches, from the iconic black sands of Pointe Venus in the northeast to the soft white sands of Vaiava on the west coast. As the sun sets over nearby Moorea, stroll downtown Papeete's waterfront promenade, shaded by palms and lined with roulottes serving freshly caught poisson cru and grilled mahi-mahi.

Papeete pulses with rhythmmarket stalls piled high with vanilla pods and papayas, voices rising over the scent of monoi oil and freshly baked baguettes. It's easy to find the quieter stories that unfold as well, among the local artists carving Polynesian folklore into wood and inking them as tattoos, or with the musicians tuning ukuleles beneath towering flame trees. As the capital, Papeete balances city life with its beautiful nature and postcard-perfect beaches, from the iconic black sands of Pointe Venus in the northeast to the soft white sands of Vaiava on the west coast. As the sun sets over nearby Moorea, stroll downtown Papeete's waterfront promenade, shaded by palms and lined with roulottes serving freshly caught poisson cru and grilled mahi-mahi.