Star Collector: Sailing the South Pacific

Description

This Star Collector is just that. Begin your voyage with a few relaxing days at sea discovering constellations only visible between South Pacific Islands and watching your luminescent wake trace your progress to stellar ports of call. Jaw-dropping beauty is everywhere – palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear lagoons, deep emerald mountains. But that’s just the beginning. Get to know Polynesian culture as it morphs from one island group to the next, participating in intimate village kava ceremonies, strolling through Nuku’alofa where many men still wrap themselves in traditional lava-lava, and watching exuberant Fijian fire dances. Go beyond legendary ports to find secret limestone caves lit by turquoise waters, deserted atolls just right for a beach barbecue, coral gardens alive with tropical fish, and surprising discoveries from Rarotonga’s delicious South Pacific-style food trucks to elaborate Hindu temples.

Trip Name

Star Collector: Sailing the South Pacific

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 522 ft (159 meters) Passenger Capacity: 312 Built / Refurbished: 1988 / 2007 Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride are large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can’t reach. These all-suite yacht completed renovation as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to provide more of what our guests love. New public areas, including two new dining venues, a new spa, infinity pool, and fitness area. The yachts also boast all new bathrooms in every suite and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout. With ocean views and at least 277 square feet of comfort, Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride are the perfect yachts to watch glaciers and fjords drift by from the serenity of your suite. Carrying only 312 guests, Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride still tuck into small ports like Sanary-sur-Mer and Wrangell or narrow waterways like the Corinth Canal and Keil Canal.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Papeete

Relax on sunny beaches, sample Tahitian fare, and take in the effervescent spirit of the city. But whatever you do, save time — and luggage space — for shopping. Black pearls and colorful crafts fill the market and local treasures are so plentiful you’ll have trouble making your choices but you won't be bothered with large crowds and big tour groups because French Tahiti is only accessible to small ships like ours.

Day 2 - Day 2 Bora Bora

Our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs — and you’ll want plenty. These stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. You’ll have lots of options for exploration, whether you prefer the access provided by a 4-by-4, or the thrill of riding in the open air. Stretch out on stunning white-sand beaches, dive and swim in brightly colored seas, or sail among the tiny islands and lagoons. But the highlight here will be the Windstar Exclusive Destination Discovery Event on a private mote complete with fird dancers. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Day 3 - Day 3 At Sea

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Day 4 - Day 4 Avatiu

The natural playground of Rarotonga is the hub of the Cook Islands. Surrounded by a lagoon, it offers palm-studded white-sand beaches, excellent snorkeling in the sparkling blue waters of Muri Lagoon and lush jungle forests. Just 20 miles (32 km) around, this popular island is becoming a foodie location with its numerous cafes and artisan and organic food scene. Other sights to see include Te Rua Manga peak (“The Needle”) and Takitumu Conservation Area.

Day 5 - Days 5 - 7 At Sea

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Day 6 - Day 8 Nukualofa, Tonatapu

Tonatapu is the main island of Tonga and Nuku’alofa is the capital city and home to the Talamahu Market and the waterfront Royal Palace where the Royal Family resides. Sites to see include the Free Church of Tonga, the Cenotaph, the Royal Tombs and Kingdomkoffie.

Day 7 - Day 9 At Sea

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Day 8 - Day 10 Suva

Welcome to the capital of Fiji with its broad streets, majestic British colonial buildings, lively farmer’s market and lush, green parks. Considered the most multiracial, multicultural country in the South Pacific, find a variety of excellent cuisine here including Indo-Fijian, Chinese, Italian and Japanese. Highlights here include the Fiji museum, Thurston Gardens, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park and Albert Park.

Day 9 - Day 11 Taveuni

Known as the “Garden Island of Fiji” cigar-shaped Taveuni’s most famous tourist attraction is Lake Tagimaucia, the habitat of the rare tagimaucia flower. It is also the home of three major diving areas, with Rainbow Reef recognized as one of the world’s best soft coral dives. Two sanctuaries, Ravilevu Nature Reserve and Taveuni Forest Reserve have been created to protect Fiji’s wildlife.

Day 10 - Day 12 Savusavu

Known as “the hidden paradise of Fiji,” beautiful Savusavu with its abundance of waterfalls, hiking trails, rainforests and black pearls, has recently been realized to be a tourist hotspot. The shabby-chic main street is a hodgepodge of eclectic watering holes, a bustling market, and a variety of shops and cosmopolitan restaurants. Find a black pearl farm, see the Vuadomo and Nakawaga Waterfalls or kayak, snorkel, sail, fish or take an easy hike. Bula!

Day 11 - Day 13 Lautoka

Nicknamed the “Sugar City” due to its expansive sugarcane plantations, Lautoka’s biggest employer is the Lautoka Sugar Mill, founded in 1903. Lautoka is the birthplace of PGA star Vijay Singh and is lovely with its tree-lined streets, colonial homes, outdoor markets and a cheerful, vibrant culture. Sights to see include South Sea Orchid Garden, Sabeto Village and Nadi Marketplace or Temple. This is also the place to make time for a relaxing mud pool bath.

Day 12 - Days 14 - 16 At Sea

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Day 13 - Day 17 Auckland

The first thing to notice when you see Auckland is the 1,076-foot-high Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere offering amazing panoramic views. The area was settled by the Maori around 1350 and was settled by Europeans in the early 1800s. The land here is rich and fertile and the economy is good. Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves or stroll along Ponsonby Street known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.

Day 14 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Visit the black pearl farm in Savusavu for a pearl keepsake.
Snorkel in the crystal-clear lagoons of Rarotonga and Bora Bora.
Pack light with complimentary daily laundry service
Experience Polynesian culture cruising through Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Fiji.
Escape to the remote and rarely visited ports of Fiji and Niue.
Find time for a popular mud bath or visit the Nadi Temple in Lautoka.