The Matautu wharf in Apia played host to another cruise ship – Celebrity Solstice which travelled in from New Zealand.

The vessel, which has the capacity to host  2,852 passengers, docked at the main wharf early Saturday morning with the vessel's passengers and crew getting a traditional Samoan welcome organised by the Samoan Tourism Authority (STA).

 New Zealand couple, Bruce and Judith Chisholm, were among the cruise ship's passengers who kicked off the tour when the voyage started in New Zealand. 

“We are on a holiday and Samoa is one of the destinations for our cruise, we decided to explore Samoa by walking around the town area and hopefully take some nice photos as memories for our visit here in beautiful Samoa.

"It is the first time we have been to Samoa and I have to admit it is absolutely lovely and we were impressed by the warm welcome at the port - we were treated to some singing and dancing.

"We started our journey from New Zealand and it has been a week since we have come on board. But the full tour is two weeks around the Pacific, but we have been to Fiji and after Samoa going to Tonga but return to New Zealand after," Mr. Chisholm said. 

The cruise ship departed Samoa at 5.00pm Saturday for Tonga. 

The Celebrity Solstice is the first post-Panamax vessel in the Celebrity fleet, which features innovative interior design and onboard amenities, including an ocean-going live grass lawn, a glassblowing studio and a 12 deck-high atrium.