International cruises have been a regular part of the Bay Tours offering to Tour Club members over the years. The concept of a ‘floating hotel delivering us to new destinations’ is a compelling one, and the fact you only unpack once while you travel is a definite plus.
We think it’s time cruising returned to the Tour Club portfolio of tours. We’re mindful of selecting an itinerary close-to-home for starters and also of choosing a new generation of cruise liner to reflect a new era of travel. So, to re-launch cruising as part of the Tour Club family we’ve selected what many experts rate as the finest and most revolutionary cruise ship launched in a decade. From the wonderful Celebrity Cruise Line – so beloved by our past cruisers – comes perhaps the most advanced cruise liner to ever enter Australasian waters. Introducing CELEBRITY EDGE. Amongst many firsts, CELEBRITY EDGE is the first resort at sea to receive a Recommended Rating from Forbes Travel Guide.
The Ship
Known in the tourism and travel industries simply as ‘The EDGE’, Australasia has never seen a ship like this before. Named ‘One of the World’s Greatest Places’ by Time Magazine, The EDGE is widely acclaimed for its revolutionary ‘Outward-facing’ design matched with onboard experiences that stand apart from anything else at sea. From the incredible Magic Carpet exterior elevating deck, which rises and lowers to different levels of the ship for a variety of activities, to the new concept of the Infinite Veranda making your stateroom 23% larger than those on the Solstice Class ships, innovation and world-first design will enhance every aspect of your cruise. Imagine a theatre whose main stage extends out to be surrounded by seating and eight giant projection backdrops. All aimed at an immersive experience for the theatre-goer. Then there’s the transformative three storey Grand Plaza that will amaze you. Very much the epicentre of the ship, three decks open up to create an airy interior space reminiscent of a piazza you might find in the centre of an Italian town. And perhaps the ultimate manifestation of the outward-facing philosophy of The EDGE is to be found in Eden, three levels of relaxing, eating and entertaining spaces wrapped in glass, at the stern of the vessel that acts as a ‘window to the world’ and which also includes al fresco seating for taking in those refreshing sea breezes. The sense of discovery and connectedness with the world couldn’t be more acute. And all this is before we consider the many favourite and familiar Celebrity Line relaxation spaces like the adults-only Sanctuary and the gorgeous Rooftop Garden. The EDGE will make you feel more connected to the Pacific around you and the island destinations you visit that ever before.
The Itinerary
For 12 nights we’ll cruise into the magnificent South Pacific departing from, and returning to, Auckland. So, no international flights or airports to contend with. Those who joined us on our 2019 Pacific cruise will be familiar with a number of the island destinations and this time we reckon we know a lot more about where to head for at each. Beautiful Bay Of Islands is the first port of call as we tender into the jetty at Waitangi. The lovely waterfront and historic sites of both Paihia and Russell will lure you in. Tour Tip: Either the Mövenpick ice cream or Cellini gelato stores on Williams Rd in Paihia for a delicious mid-afternoon treat.
Suva, Fiji is the next port after a couple of days settling into your resort at sea. Beyond the Municipal Markets, out the front of where our ship is berthed, on the southern side of the city are the tranquil Thurston Gardens and excellent Fiji Museum. Colo-i-Suva Forest Park is a 10-minute taxi ride into the hills. Laced with walking trails, picnic spots and crystal-clear streams, this is a relaxing, cool connection with nature.
Tour Tip: If heading to Colo-i-Suva, take your togs. There are a couple of superb water holes where you can cool off.
Lautoka, Fiji in the North west of Viti Levu island is Fiji’s second largest town and has always been the centre of Fiji’s huge sugar cane industry. Take a historical tour of the district, visit one of the great Pacific gardens called Gardens of the Sleeping Giant which includes a superb orchid garden or enjoy a Mud Treatment at Sabeto Hot Springs.
Tour Tip: Take a taxi to Vuda Point Marina, south of Lautoka, and enjoy a waterfront lunch at The Boatshed restaurant.
Apia, Samoa is our next stop after we’ve enjoyed another relaxing day onboard The EDGE. 3,000 years of Samoan culture blends with its 19th century colonial past in this pretty and friendly capital. Wander into town and meet the locals at the wonderful Fugalei Market. This large undercover venue has dozens of stall holders selling everything from handicrafts & jewellery to tropical fruits and traditional Samoan meals. Gasp at the astonishing interior of the Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception, enjoy a free guided tour of the Museum Of Samoa or check out Villa Vailima, the residence of author Robert Louis Stevenson.
Tour Tip: Call in to the Samoan Cultural Village, tucked in behind the Tourist Information Centre on Beach Road, for an immersive cultural experience.
Pago Pago, American Samoa is, in fact, a series of villages along one of the South Pacific’s best deepwater harbours. The ‘town centre’ is in the village of Fagatogo, just a few minutes walk from where our ship is docked. If you just want a wander, your first place to visit should be the Jean P. Haydon Museum for a great insight into this U.S. territory. Another couple of minutes walk along Route 001 is Fagatogo Square, an indoor shopping complex which also houses the Visitor Bureau.
Tour Tip: Get on one of the brightly decorated ‘Aiga’ buses, or grab a cab, and take the 20-minute drive to Two Dollar Beach for great swimming and snorkelling on this spectacular golden sand beach.
After a busy couple of days of port-hopping, we enjoy a few days cruising back to Auckland and enjoying everything our wonderous floating resort has to offer.
We believe that this combination of itinerary and ship selection offers an ideal opportunity for past cruisers and those who haven’t cruised before to experience the new era of cruising with what is a simple New Zealand based round trip. Join us and enjoy some of the glories of our own Pacific back yard and the wonder that is CELEBRITY EDGE.
Bay Tours owners, Kerren & Ken Withington will be hosting this tour. For more information and a complete itinerary, call Kerren in the office or email her: kerren@baytours.co.nz