Cruise Plus & Scenic Eclipse Brochure 2023-2024

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Scenic Eclipse

Top Highlights of Polynesia&thePacific Islands

Discover Endemic Wildlife & Birdlife The Pacific Islands archipelago is home to the largest and most diverse population of seabirds in the world, such as the vulnerable fairy tern; masked, red-footed and brown boobies and more.Whilst the islands of Robinson Crusoe and Alexander Selkirk lay in a biosphere reserve, classified for its biological richness and various endemic species, all across the vast Pacific there is an abundance of marine life including tropical fish, whales, dugong, sharks and sea turtles.

Robinson Crusoe Island

ExperienceDiverse Cultures These regions aremade up of thousands of islands, each with distinct cultural heritage, some influenced by colonisation, others whose traditional customs – rites, rituals, costumes, song and dance – remain resilient to this day. Tahitian culture is centred around legends of gods and warriors.New Caledonia is a land of mixed cultures;while in Vanuatu, there are many traditional customs still alive – from astonishing land diving and drinking kava and fire dancing. Historical Significance There aremany intriguing historical sites across the Pacific Islands and Polynesia. Isolated Easter Island has examples of the ancient Rapa Nui culture, famous for the 900 giant stone carvings ‘maois’ that mysteriously scatter the island, as well as rock paintings, petroglyphs and stone Orongo houses. Tonga is home to megalithic stone structures and ancient tombs,while the Solomon Islands has a number of historical war sites including a number of shipwrecks and sunken aircraft. Soak up the Sun&Sea The Pacific Islands and Polynesia are blessed with copious pristine beaches, exotic lagoons and ample snorkelling opportunities.You won’t be disappointed with incredible reefs home to hundreds of species of coral and abundant fish.

Pristine Environments Beyond the beaches, Polynesia and the Pacific has an incredibly varied landscape. Tahiti is blessed withmountainous peaks, lush rainforests and rivers; the Solomon Islands with forests and vast plains;Vanuatu is a volcanic archipelago with amix of rainforest and savannah; and Tonga has a coastline of limestone cliffs,with thick forests and an underwater volcano.