Hawaii and South Pacific
Hawaiian Islands
Despite being the 50th U.S. state, Hawaii rightfully feels worlds away; after all, the closest mainland cities are some five hours away by plane. Geographically considered the northeast corner of Polynesia, this volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean has long been a magnet for tourism. Six of the state’s eight major islands are open to tourism: Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. The westernmost island of Niihau is privately owned, while tiny Kahoolawe is uninhabited. Many cruises to Hawaii let you island-hop, giving you the chance to pick out your favorite slice of paradise.
South Pacific
When it comes to true escapes, few places can match the allure of the South Pacific. The beauty of the impossibly crystal-clear waters, picturesque white sands, and jaw-dropping island scenery is accentuated by the remote nature of this corner of the globe, giving visitors a sense of seclusion often associated with paradise. The region is loosely comprised of some 7,500 islands scattered throughout a massive stretch of the Pacific Ocean, and only 500 of these are inhabited.
In broad terms, the islands are divided among three groups: Melanesia, comprised of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and New Caledonia; Micronesia, home to the Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, Gilbert Islands, and Mariana Islands; and the vast Polynesia—also called South Sea Islands—which includes Samoa, Tokelau, French Polynesia, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Cook Islands, among others.
