If you ask someone to name the destination most frequently associated with turquoise waters and idyllic palm-fringed beaches the chances are they’ll suggest the Maldives or Seychelles, but we found all that and a great deal more on a recent trip to the South Pacific.

My husband and I joined Silversea’s Silver Cloud in Tahiti and travelled westward towards Fiji, taking in a wide range of islands in Polynesia that included Bora Bora and Rarotonga. Moving on through the Cook Islands and crossing the international date line,  we were wowed by glorious Aitutaki and side trips to its tiny neighbours, the delightfully named One Foot Island and Honeymoon Island.

Palmerston Island, with a population of just 23 people, was next and provided a fascinating insight into how a tiny community operates in such splendid isolation. This was followed by Nuie, Tonga and Leleuvia, with the considerable distance between Tahiti and Fiji necessitating a couple of days at sea along the way.

The spectacular scenery bordered on mythical at times, and daily excursions using the on-board Zodiacs allowed us to get up close and personal with the local communities and exotic wildlife. Our voyage lasted 12 days and the Silver Cloud, which is a lot smaller than most cruise ships, is described as an Expedition vessel.  Whilst the emphasis is very much on the appreciation of local culture, geography and natural history, the verdant mountain ranges and coral atolls that typify the region provided a backdrop to our adventure that was never less than awe-inspiring.

By the time we disembarked in Fiji, more than 3000 miles from the starting point, our highly trained Expedition Team had provided a range of experiences, both in and out of the water, that will stay with us forever. Snorkelling around the coral atolls allowed us to see rays, turtles, and even reef sharks. (harmless, we were assured by the team!)

The history of French Polynesia, which of course includes Captain James Cook’s famous visits, is so rich that you’ll be keen to learn all you can, either by reading up beforehand or attending the daily presentations in the lecture hall.

We were extremely well looked after by our own butler (no tipping allowed!) in a luxury suite with private balcony, and the Silver Cloud has several excellent bars and restaurants to choose from. The cruise package includes everything except the premium wines, and the service from our highly international crew couldn’t have been more charming. Conventional leisure cruises have generally held little appeal for me personally, but I simply can’t think of a better way to see this far flung yet staggeringly beautiful part of the world.

We would love to share details of our experiences with anyone who’s curious to know more, and can also suggest longer itineraries that take in other parts of the region, including nearby New Zealand and Australia. Alternatively, one can make the most of the necessary stopover in LA with an extended stay on America’s legendary West Coast.

Jeanne