Day 55 of our World cruise.  February 27, 2025.

Today is the first of a five day sea day run to New Zealand.  The captain announced today he was speeding up to make it in four days to avoid Cyclone Alfred which would cross our path if we took the full five days.  Currently Alfred is a category 4 with 161 mph winds heading southeast from Australia toward the north coast of New Zealand.  The captain wants to get to south New Zealand in port while the cyclone passes the north end of New Zealand, then go back and visit the north ports.  A good plan.

 Day 54 of our World cruise.  February 26, 2025.

Our position today.  Anchored off shore of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

We went ashore and rented a motor scooter and explored the island on our own.  We had a wonderful time.  

 Day 53 of our World cruise.  February 25, 2025.

Today we anchored off shore of Aitutaki In the Cook Islands.  We took a tender off the ship and then took a taxi to a local beach.  I say taxi in loose terms.  It was a pickup with four chairs in the back.  Did the job just fine.

Found a little buddy.

Suzanne found an arts and crafts local and colored her on sarong .

After a nice beach break we walked over to a little cafe and had a nice lunch, before going back to the ship.

 Day 52 of our World cruise.  February 24, 2025.

Out position today.

Today we left French Polynesia and headed to the Cook Islands.  We will be at sea today and arrive at Aitutaki tomorrow morning.  Today was a relaxing day to gear up for two more Island beach days.  One at Aitutaki and the other at Rarotonga.

 Day 51 of our World cruise.  February 23, 2025.

Our overnight stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort was amazing.  We had a wonderful breakfast this morning, then back to our hut to swim the lagoon again.  We checked out of the hut at 11:00 AM then we had a day pass to remain on property till 5 PM when a bus would take us to the bay to pick up our ships tender to re- embark on to the ship. 

We still can’t believe it’s day 51 already.  It just goes by so fast.

 

We got back on to the ship just in time for a Polynesion Dinner and party,

 Day 50 of our World cruise.  February 22, 2025.

Today we left the ship at 8AM for an overnight, overland excursion.  We took a ferry to travel the 10 miles over to the Island of Moorea from Tahiti.  Once there, we boarded our 4x4 vehicle for a tour of the Island.  

Our ferry.

Our ship, and next to us was a combo cargo/cruise ship.

Our ride.

Fresh water eels.

We arrived at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and had another little lunch.

Our over water tiki hut for tonight.

They also had a nice dinner and show.

Under our hut.