Fun facts about cruising Tahiti

The more mid-scale Tahitian Princess features its own "boutique version" of Princess' Personal Choice Cruising Program, and is the only cruise line with year-round 10-day itineraries through the Tahitian Islands. Itineraries on the Tahitian Princess vary, with the most popular 10-day cruise hitting Huahine and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. A less frequent 10-day cruise offered several times a year stops in American Samoa, while another special cruise makes the long journey up to the Marquesas. The The Tahitian Princess is the right choice for fans of larger ships who want more of the traditional cruising experience, such as casino, shipboard entertainment every night and nonstop onboard activities, while the Paul Gauguin offers much of the same but in a more luxurious setting and with better cuisine and service (partly due to its smaller size).

An ultra-deluxe alternative to the familiar Regent and Princess brands is Bora Bora Cruises, which operates two identical cruise yachts: Tu Mona and Ti'a Moana. Each holding 70 passengers, these two vessels are prime examples of boutique luxury cruising and are renowned for their extraordinarily intimate experiences (don't be surprised if you dine with the captain and his crew every evening).

In addition, an excellent local Tahitian naturalist/historian leads unique shore excursions to undiscovered snorkeling spots, working pearl farms and isolated inlets. Note that Bora Bora Cruises departs from Bora Bora on its six-night sails deep into the lagoons of Taha'a, Raiatea and Huahine (no Moorea or Tahiti), and features elegantly appointed rooms and common areas, including teak wood decks. Similar in itinerary to Bora Bora Cruises, Archipels Cruises, departing from Bora Bora, features five 57-foot sister yachts, each with 4 cabins. Fans of true sailing will love the freedom on Archipels' comfortable catamarans, as well as the chance to bond with the skipper and chef-hostess while exploring smaller bays and inlets. Archipels also offers three- and four-day "Robinson Crusoe" sails around Rangiroa, the diving star of the Tuamotu atolls.

Repeat visitors to Tahiti often want to go off the beaten tourist path, and the mysterious and rugged Marquesas Islands are far from the hustle and bustle of the cruise dock at Papeete. While certainly not luxurious, the 200-passenger Aranui 3--the mixed passenger/cargo vessel -- offers a remarkable 16-day adventure trip from Papeete to the Tuamotu islands, then through the major islands of the Marquesas. No other cruise line in Tahiti lets you explore this uncharted part of the world in such an in-depth manner. You'll be up close on the deck to watch cargo loading and unloading at each port; the Aranui 3 is truly the vital shipping source for many of the remote islands. The naturalist talks, interactions with the Marquesan crew and spectacular unspoiled scenery at every port make the Aranui 3 a memorable alternative to Regent or Princess.

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Bear in mind that the smaller the vessel, the greater the possibility of seasickness. Obviously, you'll experience much less on the Tahitian Princess or the Paul Gauguin than on the relatively tiny Archipels. Sailing among the tranquil main Society Islands is usually gentle and not rocky, except for long stretches between Papeete and Bora Bora. Far out on the ocean headed towards the Cook Islands or Tuamotu or the Marquesas Islands can be as unpredictable as any other wide-open stretch of sea.

Best Time to Go

Tahiti is blessed with a year-round pleasant tropical climate, rarely deviating from the average of 79 degrees. The absolutely best weather, with little to no rain, occurs from June to October (although the trade winds do pick up during these months). Between November and May, the weather gets a bit warmer (up to 85 degrees) and more humid, with more intermittent rain -- usually a couple of hours or so in the afternoon -- hardly enough to dampen your travel plans. All throughout the year, Tahiti's abundant sunshine, cooling breezes and constantly warm water temperatures (again around that average of 79 degrees) mean that it's truly a year-round destination. And since none of the cruise lines hold formal nights -- despite the chic French flair -- lightweight packing with casual outfits (and country-club casual for some evenings) is a breeze.

Extending Your Cruise Vacation

If you have the time, why not enjoy some extra days in paradise? Three days or more spent in a land hotel or resort will give you a chance to delve more deeply into one or two islands' land and water attractions (like hiking in Moorea, Jet Skiing around Bora Bora or diving in Huahine), without the pressure of having to "do it all" during a one-day ship shore excursion. Prices will inevitably be high for extending your vacation (and don't forget to include extra time for air or ferry transports between islands).

If you take the Regent Paul Gauguin or the Tahitian Princess cruises, you can easily book one of their pre or post-cruise extension packages to stay on land in Bora Bora or Moorea (the two most popular islands), as well as every other major Society Island that you won't visit on your cruise itinerary, such as Huahine. Many cruise passengers prefer to start their vacations on land, by staying in a romantic overwater bungalow, spacious garden bungalow or luxurious hotel suite, since the service on land inevitably falls short of the gracious service onboard the big cruise ships.

Some of the legendary hotels whose views and bungalows are always depicted in the tourist brochures include the Bora Bora Lagoon (part of Orient-Express Hotels and Resorts), the Hotel Bora Bora (an Aman property) and the luxurious island outposts of the Le Meridien, Sheraton, Sofitel, Inter-Continental and Club Med chains.

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