DAY 1 DEPART FOR TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS Transfer to the Inter Continental Resort Tahiti and spend the balance of the evening at your leisure.

DAY 2 TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands. Also visit the Paul Gauguin Museum and the former home of James Norman Hall, author of Mutiny on the Bounty. Board the Spirit of Oceanus and sail out at sunset. BD

DAY 3 BORA BORA/TAHA'A, SOCIETY ISLANDS A circle tour of the island takes you past colorful villages, archaeological sites, and  World War II relics. Or you can opt to glide over the reef in a glass-bottom boat, swim with gentle stingrays, or watch wild sharks being fed. Take time to browse in Vaitape, Bora Bora's main village, before we make our way to Taha'a for an afternoon of snorkeling. BLD

DAY 4 RANGIROA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS The second largest atoll in the world is the perfect place to snorkel, scuba dive or relax on the beach. Visit a local village and appreciate a slower, tropical pace to your day. BLD

DAY 5 TAKAPOTO, TUAMOTU ISLANDS The rare black pearl is farmed here, and you'll learn more about this fascinating industry as you tour a black pearl farm and visit the small village. You'll have opportunities for swimming and snorkeling after the tour. BLD

DAY 6 AT SEA As we cruise between islands, your Exploration Leader and other experts will brief you on the natural history and cultures you are about to visit. BLD

DAY 7 UA HUKA, THE MARQUESAS Now we enter the Marquesas, far removed from the rest of the South Pacific in everything from language and culture to geology. Cruise past uninhabited seabird islands on your way to wild Ua Huka. The local mayor here has been instrumental in preserving traditional Polynesian handicrafts, especially woodcarving. We go ashore for a four-wheel drive tour to the Museum of Vaipee and the villages of Hane and Hokato, where traditional woodcarving is still a fine art. BLD

DAY 8 HIVA OA, THE MARQUESAS Go to Puamau and visit the Oipona me'ae temple and the eight-foot-tall tiki, Takaii, the largest stone tiki in French Polynesia. Watch ancient Polynesian culture brought to life in a special performance by the villagers. Tour the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center, and Jacques Brei Cultural Center where the famous Belgian songwriter is celebrated. You'll also visit the cemetery where both Gauguin and Brei are buried. BLD

DAY 9 FATUHIVA, THE MARQUESAS Learn about Marquesian culture here, on an island where artists are reviving traditional crafts including intricately carved wood bowls and war clubs. This is the only place in French Polynesia where they still make tapa, beaten bark cloth. Villagers perform their traditional dances, demonstrate their handicrafts and explain their traditional tattoos. Tattooing reached its zenith in the Marquesas, where it was used to express personality, social status, and to protect against evil spirits. BLD

DAY 10 AT SEA BLD

DAY 11 FAKARAVA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS This protected atoll supports some especially rare flora and fauna, including the hunting kingfisher and the Tuamotu palm, and also offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. The local villagers of Rotoava will demonstrate their handicrafts and cultural traditions. BLD

DAY 12 TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark and check into individual day rooms at the Inter Continental Resort Tahiti, then spend the afternoon at leisure until it's time to transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. B

 The cost of your cruise includes service charges for land based personnel and $415 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and onboard services. A fuel surcharge may be added. Onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra.