The itinerary-Lautoka and Suva Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu-all away from the usual haunts and ports-of-call for the Paul Gauguin. None disappointed. The highlight- backcountry excursion in Vanuatu from which we returned covered in ash and dirt. sore from the impromptu ride in the back of a pick-up truck but exhiliarated from the sights and sounds of and energy of an actively erupting volcano and tribal village stop en route. The voyage was first-rate overall as always with PG- clean, comfortable ship with all the amenities including casino and marina, excellent food and no dinner-time buffets, and incredible staff and crew. Interesting expert commentators lecturing on coral and the reefs as well as Polynesian history and cultures. The downsides: as this was not a usual itinerary for PG, some of the excursions were less than advertised. Some lectures and entertainment were more appropriate to Tahiti than the South Pacific Islands visited. This was a trip attractive to scuba divers but the quota of spots available on most dive excursions was quite limited and a number of interested divers were disappointed by being SRO. Overall, an interesting cruise in luxury to sites less-often visited and an opportunity to snorkel and dive on some of the world's best preserved reefs.