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You’ve booked a Holland America Line cruise to the South Pacific … or you’re thinking about it. You’ve read the itineraries pronouncing the tropical island names as you imagine yourself sunbathing in a tiki hut over sparkling waters and drinking from a coconut. With more than 20,000 islands, 35 million inhabitants and 28 official languages, each of Oceania’s islands is different in its own way. Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia are the three subregions in the South Pacific. Read on to better understand about these stunning places before you set sail for paradise. MELANESIA Melanesia is located south of the Equator, extending from Fiji to the western end of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to Fiji, Melanesia includes Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. New Caledonia is an archipelago and overseas territory of France. It features a variety of unique birds, including the New Caledonian crow known for its advanced tool-making ability, a variety of endemic fish species and plants that survive nowhere else in the world. It also accounts for 25 percent of the world’s nickel resources. If ÃŽle des Pins is included on your itinerary you have much to look forward to. This sleepy paradise features white sand beaches, clear lagoons and a lush rainforest landscape. The Introducing Kuto tour is a great way to take it all in. Noumea, located about halfway between Fiji and Australia, is the capital of New Caledonia and covers a peninsula of its largest island, Grand Terre. Here you can also enjoy a catamaran ride to the New Caledonia Lagoon — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be given a mask and snorkel to enjoy an underwater view of colorful corals and fish. Officially the Republic of Fiji, there’s a reason why this stunning island country is a honeymoon favorite. Located just southwest of New Caledonia, this archipelago includes more than 330 islands, though just two, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for almost 90 percent of its population. Suva is the largest port of entry in Fiji and its mix of colonial and modern architecture provide great sightseeing […]
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You’ve booked a Holland America Line cruise to the South Pacific … or you’re thinking about it. You’ve read the itineraries pronouncing the tropical island names as you imagine yourself sunbathing in a tiki hut over sparkling waters and drinking from a coconut. With more than 20,000 islands, 35 million inhabitants and 28 official languages, each of Oceania’s islands is different in its own way. Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia are the three subregions in the South Pacific. Read on to better understand about these stunning places before you set sail for paradise. MELANESIA Melanesia is located south of the Equator, extending from Fiji to the western end of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to Fiji, Melanesia includes Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. New Caledonia is an archipelago and overseas territory of France. It features a variety of unique birds, including the New Caledonian crow known for its advanced tool-making ability, a variety of endemic fish species and plants that survive nowhere else in the world. It also accounts for 25 percent of the world’s nickel resources. If ÃŽle des Pins is included on your itinerary you have much to look forward to. This sleepy paradise features white sand beaches, clear lagoons and a lush rainforest landscape. The Introducing Kuto tour is a great way to take it all in. Noumea, located about halfway between Fiji and Australia, is the capital of New Caledonia and covers a peninsula of its largest island, Grand Terre. Here you can also enjoy a catamaran ride to the New Caledonia Lagoon — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be given a mask and snorkel to enjoy an underwater view of colorful corals and fish. Officially the Republic of Fiji, there’s a reason why this stunning island country is a honeymoon favorite. Located just southwest of New Caledonia, this archipelago includes more than 330 islands, though just two, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for almost 90 percent of its population. Suva is the largest port of entry in Fiji and its mix of colonial and modern architecture provide great sightseeing […]
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