Think of Rarotonga as Polynesia 1.0 — a South Pacific paradise that hasn't been “upgraded” with flashy luxury resorts. Though home to capital city Avaura, the largest of the Cook Islands still feels small and authentic. There are no traffic lights here and just one main road rings the entire island, so you can do a complete 20-mile circle by public bus in about an hour. It’s an easy way to sightsee independently — and perhaps stop for lunch at a small beachfront restaurant or resort — before arriving back to port for all-aboard time.