Cruise Report

Cruising the Ocean

The Pacific region consists of a vast ocean and unique islands such as Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Tahiti, and the Hawaiian Islands. Cruising around the endless ocean is a time to experience the greatness of the earth. We asked Mr. Mizumoto, a photographer who spent three years as a cruise ship photographer after graduating from university simply out of his love for the ocean, to explain the appeal of cruising.

Mr. Mizumoto Shunya Photographer. Born in Tottori Prefecture and currently livi inng Yokohama. A member of the sailing club as a student, he loves the sea. After working as a cruise ship photographer, he became a freelance photographer and has been shooting photos around the world aboard Peace Boat cruises since 2004. Mr Mizumoto is also a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS).

The joy of cruising the Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean, which covers about one-third of the Earth’s surface, is the planet’s largest ocean. While there are many islands, including Australia and New Zealand, most of the area is occupied by the ocean, not land. A cruise is a unique way to directly feel the size of the ocean and the earth. Surrounded by the blue of the sky and the the sea, the world is surrounded by this colour, lasting as far as you can see. The time spent leisurely sailing through this world is so luxurious, and you will never tire of the view of the ocean and blue sky from the deck.

The region between Hawai’i, Easter Island, and New Zealand in the South Pacific is known as Polynesia. Polynesia means “many islands” in Greek, and within the huge triangle, about 8,000 kilometers on each side, is a cultural area that shares common languages, arts and traditions.

Easter Island, an isolated island in the middle of the ocean, is one of the most popular ports of call for round-the-world cruises. It takes nearly a week from South America and eight days from Tahiti to reach the island by ship. Because it is so far away from everywhere else and access is limited, arriving there is inevitably exciting.

The spectacular view on the isolated island

Easter Island is widely known for the moai statues that stand here and there on the island, but the beautiful sea with its unique colors is also a major attraction. The island is volcanic, formed by the eruption of magma from an underwater volcano. As only the top of the island is exposed above the sea, the coastline is full of cliffs and rocks. The sudden deepening of the sea makes the water around the island a dark, yet clear, turquoise. The majestic view from Rano Kau volcano, which rises next to Cape Orongo, is also very photogenic.

The Luxury of Time on the Cruise Ship

In fact, the Polynesian region has a special place in my heart. I was devoted to sailing when I was in college, and because of that, I had the opportunity to sail in the Pacific Ocean with people I met on Peace Boat. On that trip, we sailed from Tuvalu to Fiji and back. The view from the yacht was very different from the view from a cruise ship because of the difference in the eye level. On the yacht you are much closer to the sea surface, so the clarity of the water and the beauty of the colors of the sea is more dynamic. This sailing journey allowed me to feel closer to the Pacific Ocean, both physically and emotionally.

The greatest luxury of traveling by ship, regardless of its size, is the fact that you are surrounded by the ocean 360 degrees. Of course, the ports of call you visit are a big part of the fun, but I think the time you spend on the ocean is also a real pleasure of such travel. For example, many people gather on deck to watch the sunset and share the same view, or enjoy talking under the stars… there are so many such special moments. There is a special time flowing in cruise travel that cannot be found in land or air travel.

PHOTO: PEACEBOAT, Mizumoto Shunya