Day breaks as National Geographic Orion cuts a shimmering path east toward the Cook Islands. Vibrant turquoise waves cradle us while onboard experts regale us with stories of lustrous pearls, ancient Polynesian tattoo traditions, and the delicate symbiosis threading life together. The day ends with golden light dancing on the horizon, promising new discoveries and wonder just beyond tomorrow’s dawn.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 23 Jan 2025
Sailing to the Cook Islands, 1/23/2025, National Geographic Orion
- Aboard the National Geographic Orion
- French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Share Report
Fiji and Tahiti: Vibrant Reefs and Cultural History
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
1/26/2025
Read
National Geographic Orion
Ra’iatea Island, French Polynesia
Today, we embarked on a guided hike around Ra’iatea’s revered Marae sites, tracing the island’s profound historical importance as the cradle of the Polynesian Triangle. Enveloped in vivid tropical greens, we discovered intricate stone altars and absorbed the region’s living cultural heritage. We followed the cultural walks with photography walks, as well as natural history walks up a hill to enjoy beautiful views of the turquoise-colored bay.
1/25/2025
Read
National Geographic Orion
At Sea
Another day out on the big blue as we transited from the Cook Islands to our final leg of the trip, French Polynesia. As we eagerly awaited some time in the crystal waters of the Society Islands, we had plenty of activities to keep us engaged. Some of us started the day with a stretch class in the gentle early morning sun, while others opted to rest up for the next few days. The day progressed with a series of great talks, tours of the galley, and the occasional seabird drifting by. After dinner we were treated to a National Geographic Orion favorite, our world-renowned crew show - and this was one of the best. A relaxing day at sea turned into a high energy evening with great crew performances and one of the best attended dance parties in ship history. It was a truly memorable end to the day.