World Cruise 2025 – ISLAND HOPPING IN THE PACIFIC

Heading south once again so the weather and temperature was getting better each day. That made it possible to play deck quoits up on Deck 10 with a group of people who were strangers a few weeks ago and now all becoming friends.

Andy is still enjoying the bridge sessions and they also have a good social aspect with new friends made.

After a few days at sea we arrived at Hilo, a town on Hawaii commonly called the Big Island in the State of Hawaii. It’s known for Wailuku River State that has the Rainbow Falls, with its colourful mist effects. The bubbling lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots are nearby. All this in beautiful rainforests makes an exquisite landscape.We took the Hoppa on Hoppa off little bus trip and it was great value. We had a couple of showers but still got to see everything. We had a stroll around the market with all its colours and enjoyed watching the young children playing simple games around the place.

We visited the gardens with their Japanese influence and how could you miss seeing the statue of Kamehameha The Great? He was the conqueror and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii and unified the Hawaiian Islands.

That evening we had a table booked in Sindhu. One of the speciality restaurants onboard Arcadia. Stylish surroundings and flavour filled foods were in abundance. The food was contemporary Indian cuisines, with spices and delicate textures it was amazing. We will definitely be visiting again.

The next morning we are in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore. It is capital of Hawaii and the gateway to the island chain. We had 2 main aims on this trip, to visit the World War ll memorials and to walk along Waikiki Beach.

My planning had told me there were 2 buses to choose from to take us to the memorial site from the ship for a cost of $3 each. On boarding the bus we were told because we were old people!!! it was only $1.25 each!!!

Soon we were at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial site for USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma and USS Utah. We had booked a ticket online for the boat to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. $1 is all it cost. Other than this the whole site was free to walk around. There was so much to see and to watch the real life experience of it all right there on film. Respect was upheld by everyone and I found it a very emotional moment. Our visit to the USS Arizona Memorial was quietly amazing. To think we were stood on that memorial over the wreck of that ship. That those men, never recovered, were still there, deep in their ship. Also that others have since died and have had their ashes laid to rest alongside their comrades.

Back on the local bus to Waikiki beach and once again being old was a bonus! It was quite a journey and still only $1.25. The beach was quite busy but had a very chilled atmosphere. We enjoyed the walk along the waters edge and then strolled down the high street to The Hard Rock Cafe.Back to the ship taking in the sights of this amazing place.

Six days at sea before arriving at Samoa. But before that we were going to be crossing the equator. The ship has a Crossing the line ceremony.Permission had been sought for Arcadia to cross the Equator.Word had been sent to Neptune, ruler of the seven seas. It was said he would visit Arcadia together with his full aquatic court to celebrate the crossing of the line. What fun in the sun it was.

We sailed into Apia, the capital city of the South Pacific Island nation of Samoa. We were on a tour from the ship and we visited The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, The beautiful catholic cathedral and a local cultural centre. All very interesting. Back on ship we went to a lovely gathering for a scenic sailaway. Cocktails and canopés were in abundance. We had a great time with new friends.

Then it was time for Tonga. We arrived at Nuku’alofa, the capital and largest city of Tonga. We joined 3 other couples and hired a taxi to take us to a few sights and then to a beach that we could do some snorkelling. Known as the Stonehenge of the South Pacific was the Ha’amonga a Maui Trilithon. We saw Captain Cooks landing place and visited the amazing blow holes. The beach was beautiful and great for snorkelling. All in all we had a wonderful day. Now to see more of this world.Yesterday is history.