Fun facts about cruising Tahiti

By Stan Wu

updated 1:27 p.m. ET June 9, 2006

Paradise on Earth. The Ultimate Honeymoon Destination. The Most Stunning Water. The Most Beautiful People on Earth. The superlatives that have built up in our shared consciousness about Tahiti and her 118 unique islands may seem over-blown, except for those who've experienced a leisurely and romantic cruise through this magical South Pacific archipelago. The too-perfect-to-be-true turquoise and azure blue waters, majestic tropical scenery, gorgeous white sand beaches, year-round sunshine and the remarkably welcoming people you'll find throughout the main Society Islands (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha'a and Huahine) are, well, perfect in many respects. Few places in the world consistently live up to the abundant hype surrounding their marketing campaigns, but Tahiti is one of the few that actually deliver. The promise is that you can "bring your dreams to Tahiti and feel them come true." After visiting this idyllic destination, most visitors feel some of their dreams fulfilled.

Because of the tranquil waters beyond the reefs, short distances between islands and generally superior onboard service and cuisine, cruising is an increasingly popular vacation option for in-the-know visitors to Tahiti. Besides being an easy way to hit the most well-known Tahitian islands all in one trip, all-inclusive cruising offers the added benefit of being a "value" choice, given the exorbitantly high costs of staying solely on land. For example, the famed over-water bungalows in Bora Bora or Moorea can easily cost $800 per night and up, while costs for good food at the major hotel restaurants make London seem like a bargain (a salad for $30 at lunch, a fish entree for $40 at dinner, high mark-ups on wine, etc.). If you add up hotel, dining and transportation costs, a luxury land-only one-week vacation in a couple of the Tahitian Islands can easily cost double or more than a one-week cruise on a luxury ship (and without the top-notch service at sea). Of course, many Tahitian cruise travelers do take advantage of their short-lived jaunt in paradise by extending their trip to stay on land before or after their cruise, a logical way to get the best of both experiences.

One of the most surprising facts for first-time visitors to Tahiti is that it's not as far as you think. Less than eight hours nonstop from LAX on the national carrier Air Tahiti Nui (additional options include Air France, Qantas and Air New Zealand), the capital of Papeete and its Fa'a International Airport will be your gateway to the islands. Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii, but frequent visitors to the Aloha State will immediately note differences when they land in Tahiti -- more unspoiled terrain, calm and crystal-clear waters, a complete lack of crowds, and a chic, cosmopolitan French cultural influence.

Cruising through the Tahitian Isles and enjoying one of the many shore excursions is extraordinarily relaxing as well; you will never encounter a crowded port as you do so often in the Caribbean. And you'll soon agree with the numerous repeat Tahitian visitors who know that each island is different, with its own history, scenery, characteristics and one-of-a-kind shore excursions. Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, is where most cruises begin and end, and the cosmopolitan vibe of the city is complemented by spectacular scenery on every stretch of this large island. Bora Bora's magnificent lagoon is a James Michener-styled South Seas fantasy come to life, with many water sports and outdoor activities. Moorea, an easy ferry ride across from the island of Tahiti, is well known for its towering peaks and scenic bays. The sister islands of Raiatea and Taha'a are sparsely populated, yet hold many attractions beyond the typically stunning land and sea. Raiatea is the second largest Tahitian Island and the center of the Polynesian religion and culture for hundreds of years, while the gentle scent of vanilla permeates Taha'a, "the Vanilla Island."

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The lesser-traveled Tahitian islands include Huahine, known for its lush forests and deep lagoon, and Rangiroa, the second-largest coral atoll in the world and a premier dive destination. Fans of CBS' reality show "Survivor" are sure to remember the faraway setting for Season Four, the rugged and dramatic Marquesas Islands, located 930 miles northeast of Tahiti. The major cruise lines in Tahiti (Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Princess Cruises) have occasional itineraries that stop in Nuku Hiva and Hiva, the two ports in the Marquesas, while the mixed passenger/cargo vessel Aranui 3 runs to the Marquesas regularly.

Who Goes There?

Tahiti is still a specialized and unique cruising market, which makes choosing a ship and itinerary quite easy compared to the Caribbean or Europe. The two major and familiar cruise lines that service the Tahiti Isles year-round are Regent with its M/S Paul Gauguin (320 passengers on week-long cruises) and Princess with its Tahitian Princess (670 passengers on 10-day cruises that hit the Cook Islands, or Samoa and the Marquesas, depending on itinerary).

Keep in mind that other major cruise lines make occasional stops to Tahiti on world cruises or on one-of-kind itineraries. The three lesser-known but worthwhile cruise choices in Tahiti are Bora Bora Cruises, with its two stylish cruise yachts (70 passengers each); the fabled Aranui 3, a mixed passenger/cargo vessel that makes regular 16-day trips from Tahiti to the Marquesas and Tuamotu atolls; and Archipels Cruises, five eight-passenger catamarans with three- to eight-day cruises that provide a true sailing experience.

Choosing an Itinerary

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First-time cruisers in Tahiti usually opt to take either the Paul Gauguin or Tahitian Princess, since both give an excellent overall introduction to the beauty of the islands with all of the familiar amenities and cruising style. Besides the comfort of knowing that the level of service you'll encounter onboard is usually far superior to that on land, the Paul Gauguin and Tahitian Princess both showcase local Tahitian culture through authentic dance and music shows as well as local artisans who come on board to demonstrate pearl production, painting, handicrafts, etc.

The luxurious Paul Gauguin departs year-round every Saturday from Papeete on week-long cruises that stop at the "must see" islands of Bora Bora, Raiatea, Taha'a, Moorea and Regent's own private "motu" or small island (many say that this all-day visit to their private motu is one of the highlights of Tahiti, with wonderful food, drinks, and outdoor activities, all in blissful seclusion). Six times a year (in June - July and December 2005), the Paul Gauguin makes fabulous 10- and 11-day trips that extend to Huahine, Rangiroa and the Marquesas Islands; these trips book up very early, so plan ahead. The Paul Gauguin also features a wide variety of water sports such as waterskiing, kayaking and snorkeling, all of which are easily accessible from an aft water sports marina.

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