South Pacific Journey. Silver Sea, Silver Cloud, Sea Day & Alofi, Niue Island. 30th April & 1st May 2025
Cruising the Pacific;
30 April 2025 – Sea Day
There’s something wonderfully indulgent about a sea day, especially when the waves are wild and you’ve got nowhere else to be. Today was just that. The seas were rough, the ship was definitely rocking, and I was immensely grateful for the seasickness prevention patches doing their job.
It must have been a conscious call by the captain, as the pool was emptied – no impromptu wave pool experience this time, and quite frankly, that was a relief!
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| Silversea, Silver Cloud |
The day itself passed in the most relaxed way imaginable. Lunch at The Grill was delicious as always, followed by a traditional afternoon tea – scones, finger sandwiches, and a sea view, what more could you want? Dinner in the main restaurant wrapped up the day beautifully. Between meals, I curled up with a good book and simply enjoyed the slow rhythm of the day. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones where you don’t do much at all.
📝 Sea Day Recommendations:
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Pack seasickness patches just in case – they saved the day!
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Bring a favourite book or two – sea days are made for reading.
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Embrace the laziness – there's no guilt in doing absolutely nothing.
🐠 1 May 2025 – Snorkelling in Alofi, Niue
Today we anchored off Alofi, the capital of Niue Island – a name that, until this cruise, I’d never heard of. Much like our visit to Palmerston Island, Niue appears to be a hidden gems of the South Pacific that feels like a true discovery to people from the Northern Hemisphere.
Our only excursion option was snorkelling, which suited me just fine. We were in the first group and set off on the Zodiacs at 07:45 – early, but worth it. As we neared the island, it was clear Niue was different from the lush, sandy islands we’d previously visited. It’s a rocky landscape, with dramatic cliffs, countless inlets, and no traditional beaches in sight.
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| Niue Island with Silver Cloud |
After about an hour in the water, the backwash as we exited was intense, a reminder of how powerful the ocean can be. It turns out we were lucky – the conditions worsened and the snorkelling activity was cancelled for the later groups. Right place, right time!
We dried off and strolled along the road to a small shopping centre, taking detours to explore rock pools and coves. One had sea snakes gliding silently through the water – a bit eerie but fascinating. Another cove looked like a swimmer’s paradise, but the tide was out, making it too shallow.
Though Alofi long lacked sandy beaches, it was a refreshing change of scenery.
There was a moving memorial plaque honouring the Niuean men who volunteered for World War I, joining the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion. A poignant reminder that even remote islands played a part in global history. Their bravery and sacrifice deserve to be remembered.
🌍 A Time Shift
Tonight, we’ll be crossing the International Date Line, which means we’ll lose an entire day – goodbye, 2 May! It's a strange sensation knowing that when we wake, it will be 3 May. One of those surreal quirks of world travel that adds to the magic of cruising.
🏝️ Alofi Travel Tips:
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Snorkelling here is a must – but only if conditions are safe.
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Don’t expect beaches – embrace the rugged beauty of the island.
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Look out for sea snakes – fascinating, but best admired from a distance.
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Take a moment to visit the WWI memorial – it’s humbling.
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Wear sturdy footwear – the paths to snorkel spots can be steep and uneven. And, water shoes as its rocky.
From gentle waves (and not-so-gentle ones!) to hidden rock pools and a history lesson in the most unexpected place, the past two days have shown how varied – and rewarding – travel can be.
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