​Day 6 - Lautoka, Fiji

During a cruise to Fiji, receive a warm welcome and see a traditional meke (dance) in the peaceful village of Lauwaki, on Viti Levu. Although the Fijian archipelago has more than 330 islands, most of the 920,000 locals live on just two, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Despite Fiji's exotic image—white beaches, turquoise waters, friendly smiles—the island paradise enjoys one of the most developed economies in the South Pacific.

Fiji's Garden of the Sleeping Giant may be one of the best kept secrets in horticulture. Its magnificent collection of Asian orchids and Cattleya hybrids—more than 2,000 varieties—evolved from the private collection of American actor Raymond Burr. Now open to the public, it makes for a wonderful day of admiring the delicate flowers and wandering the canopy-covered boardwalks, landscaped lawns, and lily ponds.

Also at the base of the Sabeto mountains, you can embrace the therapeutic powers of a natural geothermal mud pool. Slopping around in the mud here will leave you feeling completely refreshed—if only from all the giggling. Mud is rubbed on, then washed away, leaving your skin exfoliated and glowing. The Fijian people have enjoyed this treatment for generations.

For a bit more action, fly high above the rainforest canopy on a five-level zip line that whisks you over streams and waterfalls, and hike among the ancient trees full of colorful butterflies and parrots.

To immerse yourself in Fiji's cultural traditions, tour popular Nadi town. You can experience folkloric performances, explore a wonderland of orchids, and shop for traditional woodcarvings, pottery, and tapa cloth to take back on your Lautoka cruise.

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Day 7 - Suva, Fiji

On your cruise to Suva, capital of Fiji, you'll discover a mix of 21st-century architecture, Art Deco gems, and 19th-century British colonial buildings. Although Suva is built on a peninsula, surrounded by ocean, this part of Viti Levu, one of more than 330 Fijian islands, is more mangrove than beach.

Suva offers several pleasant parks and gardens near the port. Ratu Sukuna Park offers pretty views of the harbor. Next door is Suva Civic Center, an arts and cultural venue.

Historic Albert Park, on coastal Victoria Parade, was the site of the first-ever airplane to land in Fiji. Next door, Thurston Gardens displays botanical specimens in several greenhouses and hiking trails. It's also the site of the Fiji Museum, with archaeological materials going back 3,700 years and cultural objects representing indigenous inhabitants and immigrant communities.

Ten minutes up the hills from Suva, serene Colo-i-Suva Forest Park lures residents and guests with clear river waters amid a spectacular rainforest, making it perfect for a cool dip, a bit of bird watching, and a picnic in the shade, with temperatures cooler than the city. The natural beauty will soothe your soul.

A hub of entertainment for Oceania, Fiji hosts regional sports and activities in several multipurpose venues. Check Vodafone Arena, ANZ National Stadium, and Albert Park.

When it's time to shop for mementos of your Suva cruise, look for Cumming Street, blocks from the port. Colorful colonial buildings feel like you're stepping back in time. Hungry? Along Victoria Parade, you'll find cafés and restaurants, from Italian and pizza, to Indian and Japanese, to steaks and seafood.​