Entertainment & Culture 

Experience the Auckland War Memorial Museum through the eyes of the Maori people with a Maori Performance and Gallery Tour. Before arriving at your museum destination, see the chic boutiques and galleries of Parnell Village, the Auckland Harbour Bridge and to one of the city’s vantage points for a photo stop. The Maori cultural performance is recognized as being one of the leading Maori cultural experiences in New Zealand. The performers are the face of Ngati Whatua o Orekei, the home tribe of Auckland. See the largest and most valuable collection of Maori Taonga (treasurers) in the world at Auckland Museum. Enjoy a warm, vibrant, and entertaining glimpse of Maori culture, culminating in a high energy spine tingling version of our most celebrated dance, the Haka. The Maori Cultural experience includes the opportunity to meet, talk, and take photos with the very friendly performers.

During this call, learn about the fascinating culture of Lombok, starting with a visit to Nusa Tenggara Barat Province museum, here you can see the hand woven cloth collections, the intricately detailed Kris knives, and a small Dongson drum among other displays and showcases. Next you will visit the Narmada Water Palace, with its central artificial lake that resembles the shape of Segara Anak, the caldera of the Rinjani volcano and Lingsar, a large temple complex. Here you will learn the history of the Water Palace and the Temple Complex. Following this visit you will continue north towards Senggigi, into the hills that offer the best views of the sea dotted with colourful ‘prahu’ (local fishing catamarans) returning home from their overnight fishing trips. Senggigi, the busiest tourist area of the island, is where you will enjoy a sumptuous Indonesian buffet lunch. On the return journey to port, stop in at Banyu Mulek, a village famous for stunning handmade pottery. Climb aboard a Cidomo (traditional horse cart) for a tour around the village, where guests can witness skilled craftsmen processing clay into beautiful export quality pottery. A visit to a large pottery gallery is included, where guests can purchase finished products.

Passing through local villages, rice fields and breathtaking scenery, you will make your way to Sade, Central Lombok, en route your first stop will be in Banyu Mulek, famous for handmade potteries. Tour the local village on a ‘Cidomo’, which is a traditional horse cart that the locals still use as transport, and witness the skilled villagers process clay into beautiful export quality pottery. A visit to a large pottery gallery is included, where guests can purchase finished products. From here you'll make your way to Sukarara, a village known for its stunning Ikat and hand woven fabrics, before visiting Sade a traditional Sasak village on the south of Lombok. Here you will have the opportunity to visit traditional Sasak houses, and also see the Lumbungs - traditional bonnet-shaped rice barns. Departing Sade you will head for Kuta Beach, which probably offers the best seascape in all of Lombok, here you will visit the Novotel hotel and enjoy and Indonesian Buffet lunch, free time is also available at the resort where guests can relax by the pool or enjoy the Crystal blue water at the beach.

Delicious local cuisine is one of the many reasons people visit Lombok. The island is well known for its delicious tofu, water spinach, buffalo crackers and shrimp paste, among many other things. Todays cooking tour begins with visiting a local market, where you and your guide will purchase the product for the class. Head back to school and enjoy coffee, tea and traditional snacks before starting on todays culinary journey which will have you grinding, blending and frying up a storm. At the end of the class you can sample your own freshly cooked meal in your tropical surroundings.

This half day tour designed for those who wish to spend few hours exploring local culture of south Lombok. After departing Lembar Harbour, visit Teluk Waru, a village that is renowned for their unique thatched roofing. This ancient process has been preserved by the villagers, and is still used in many structures today. You will have passed many hills on the way here which are rich in gold ore, so here you will visit a local house to watch the traditional gold mining process - this is some of the richest gold ore in the world and is helping improve the lives of the local villagers. Next stop will be made at a traditional clay brick factory at Kebon Talo, where guests can see the painstaking process of making a seemingly simple object. Surely, everyone will have a new appreciation for the simple house brick after seeing this process! Finally to Sekotong Beach, where long white sandy beaches meet protected bays with crystal clear blue waters. A stop is made at Cocotinos resort where you will enjoy the beach and island views while refreshments are served and traditional South Lombok cultural performance is provided for your appreciation.

Situated at the Manono Village, the newly re-opened and luxurious Le Vasa Resort has just opened its doors to visitors. This day trip provides a relaxing cultural experience. Be welcomed by warriors re-enacting the wars between the King of Tonga and the King of Samoa.Take time to explore the resort, including its onsite monument and pools. Be treated to lunch while being entertained by a group of Samoan Dancers. The tour also includes a visit to Malua Turtle Pond, where guests can feed the turtles.

Take in the highlights of Apia on this part day tour. Departing from the wharf, drive through the main centre of town, past the fish market and to Mulinu’u Peninsula, the burial ground for Samoan Kings. Next stop is Parliament building, which boasts fascinating architecture. Continue to the produce market, which sells fruit and vegetables as well as handicrafts and cooked food. After visiting the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, witness a kava ceremony and enjoy lively Samoan entertainment before returning to the ship.

Northland is the cradle of civilization in New Zealand and on this tour you will learn the rich traditions and culture of the Maori people, as well as gain a good overview of the Bay of Islands area. Take time to explore the Te Waimate Mission House; the centre of the Church of New Zealand in the early 19th century, the only survivor of three mission houses built in 1832 and once the busy scene of New Zealand’s first large English-style farm. Participate in a Traditional Marae; witness a Powhiri (welcome), before being allowed to enter the richly carved Marae (meeting house of the Maori people). The carvings, along with the traditions of the Maori people, will be explained to you by the elders of this tribe. Visit the Waitangi Treaty House where in 1840, the British Crown and many Maori Tribes of New Zealand signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Here you will have time to stroll about the broad lawn, which overlooks the inner islands of the stunning Bay of Islands, and view a huge Maori canoe, known as a Waka.

Travel over the Waitangi Bridge and pass the Haruru Falls en-route to picturesque Kerikeri . Visit the Stone Store (only the downstairs) and Kemp House (the two oldest buildings in New Zealand). The Kemp House was built for the Missionary Society of London in 1819. Enjoy morning tea while you take in the views of the Waitangi River. Then travel to the Waitangi Treaty House, where in 1840, the British Crown and many Maori tribes of New Zealand signed the Treaty of Waitangi. You will have time to stroll across the Treaty Grounds and see the largest Waka (canoe) in New Zealand.

Take in the highlights on a narrated drive along the 22-mile road that encircles Bora Bora, passing coconut groves and seaside hamlets along the way. Travel through the main villages of Vaitape, Faanui and Anau, and continue past American naval gun sites from World War II. Stop at Matira Point, and Anau Lookout, and enjoy spectacular views of the motus that dot the reef surrounding the island. In the distance, a glimpse of the neighbouring islands of Raiatea and Taaha may be seen. Taihi Point offers views of majestic Mount Otemanu, which, at 2,400 feet, overlooks the entire island.