Simply say the phrase, “Tahiti,” and, for a lot of, it immediately evokes pictures of serene islands rising from glowing waters in each hue of blue, palm timber swaying over pristine, white sands. Having simply returned from our first time there, I can inform you it’s simply as you imagined.
Pam and I made the 7,000-mile-plus, one-way journey from Florida to Tahiti’s capital metropolis, Papeete, in two segments: Miami to San Francisco, then aboard French bee’s nonstop flight from San Francisco to Papeete.
We have been in French Polynesian to take the seven-night, “Goals of Tahiti” cruise on Windstar’s Star Breeze, the ability yacht that simply changed Windstar’s crusing ship, “Wind Spirit” after a future serving the Society Islands (the collective title for the 118 islands that comprise French Polynesia).
As a cruise line, Windstar has cruised right here for nearly 40 years, and one of many causes Star Breeze was introduced in is that she greater than doubles the visitor capability of Wind Spirit, a sign of how in-demand Tahiti is as a cruise vacation spot.
In late 2022, we took a Caribbean vacation cruise on Star Legend, the sister yacht to Star Breeze, so we have been very accustomed to the structure. We discovered the earlier cruise to ours had encountered stormy climate, which compelled it to overlook a number of ports of name (November to April is the wet season). Happily, the Tahitian gods have been smiling, and we had near-perfect climate your complete time.
Boarding and Disembarkation: 10/10
Visitor capability on Star Breeze is 312 — there have been 254 of us on this cruise — so getting on and off the ship is comparatively painless, one in every of many benefits to small ship cruising. One phrase of recommendation: Boarding commences at 1 pm, so no cause to get there early and wait of their shaded baggage space. Situated some 1,200 miles south of the equator, midway between Australia and Los Angeles, count on it to be sizzling, and humid.
You can also make advance preparations with Windstar in the event you want transport to the airport, and so they additionally supply a post-cruise, three-night keep at Moorea’s Lodge Manava Seashore Resort and Spa, which a number of folks from our cruise opted to do. Uber hasn’t come to the islands but, however taxis are plentiful. Bear in mind most don’t take bank cards, so that you’ll want money (American cash is accepted just about in all places) or Polynesian francs.
By the way in which, in the event you do arrive early — and lots of flights do — there’s a massive buying market close to the dock, in addition to eating places and bars.
Design and Look: 10/10
Whereas Windstar’s energy yachts like Star Breeze are virtually 30 years outdated, it appears new. It had a serious makeover a couple of years in the past that added an entire new midsection and different upgrades, plus it’s routinely refreshed each two years.
Getting round its eight decks is a “breeze,” so to talk. Most days, you’ll be topside on decks 7 and eight, the place you’ll discover the Yacht Membership, a lounge with panoramic home windows — excellent for stress-free, studying, assembly pals or having fun with espresso and lightweight snacks from the bar. Additionally on these decks are the pool and sizzling tubs, the Star Grill and bar and loads of seating.
Aft on deck 7 you’ll discover the Veranda, serving breakfast and lunch for eating inside or al fresco. One deck under is Compass Rose, internet hosting nightly leisure, and on deck 5, the multi-purpose Lounge. The principle eating room is Amphora, positioned on deck 3.
Identical to a yacht, the vibe right here is relaxed and casual. Capt. Terry and his officers flow into freely among the many friends — they even an open bridge coverage, and you’re welcome to go to and chat with the officers on responsibility. Clothes-wise, you may dispense with the formalities. Nation membership or island stylish is the order of the day — within the warmth you’ll wish to costume for consolation.
Stateroom: 9/10
It’s an all-suite ship, and ours was a balcony stateroom on deck 6. Like many older vessels, it featured a step-out, French balcony that allow within the Polynesian commerce winds. Our upgraded tub had double sinks and a walk-in bathe. There was a walk-in closet, together with a seating space beside the mattress.
Whereas there have been each American and European plugs, in addition to USB connections, as at all times, we pack an influence strip for our electronics. There’s a good choice of selections in your stateroom TV, together with in-demand films/TV reveals and music.
Sono, our stateroom attendant, refreshed the room twice day by day. One of many good “extras” Windstar supplied have been samples of native Tahitian merchandise, reminiscent of vanilla sandalwood cleaning soap (vanilla is a serious crop within the islands), Monoi Tiare moisturizing oil, constructed from the tiare flower (the Tahitian gardenia), and fragrance constructed from Tapanier flowers as we may “indulge within the enchantment of your French Polynesian expertise once you return residence.”
Notice you received’t obtain a replica of the Every day Planner in your mattress — it’s out there digitally on the Windstar app or your stateroom TV. In case you want a tough copy, visitor providers can present it.
Meals: 9/10
Star Breeze gives a full vary of eating choices, together with two specialty eating places — Candles and the Spanish-themed Cuadro 44 — plus the primary eating room, Amphora. There’s additionally the extra informal breakfast/lunch venue, Veranda and the eclectic Star Grill on deck 8. Candles and Veranda share the identical house, aft on deck 7, and have each open air and inside eating (Veranda by day and Candles at night time). It’s a good suggestion to make your specialty reservations after you board.
The menus supply one thing for each style and do a great job of incorporating native favorites as nicely. Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Basis, and menus function a James Beard choice as an possibility.
Gentle snacks can be found within the Yacht Membership and soft-serve ice cream is adjoining to the Star Grill. I preferred to begin my day with Swedish Pancakes in Veranda, and finish in Amphora, the place the meals is uniformly wonderful. When late night time starvation strikes, there’s room service 24/7 as nicely.
Excursions: 10/10
Whereas having fun with a five-star trip at sea is a vacation spot in itself, friends are right here to expertise every thing French Polynesia has to supply, and Windstar’s tour lineup has one thing for everybody.
As you’d count on, water sports activities are entrance and heart, with many alternatives to snorkel in a number of the world’s most lovely, crystal-clear waters. Different high-interest excursions embody visits to black pearl farms, vanilla plantations, white sand (and black sand) seashores and sightseeing/buying.
Together with the excursions, Windstar does an commendable job of highlighting the native tradition. We have been joined on our cruise by Pearl, a Tahitian cultural ambassador, who entertained and educated us concerning the islands, in addition to Tihoti, who spoke concerning the wealthy historical past behind Tahitian tattoos.
Windstar additionally staged two spotlight occasions on personal motus (islands): A seashore BBQ and a fireplace dancing demonstration and sundown dinner. In each circumstances, it was a first-rate expertise for the friends.
Service: 10/10
With a crew/visitor ratio that approached 1:1 on this cruise, we felt pampered. For something we would have liked, somebody was at all times shut at hand to help. Particular kudos to the Maitre d’ Lodge, Karnick, who took nice care of us in Amphora (coincidentally, he additionally served in the identical position on our Star Legend cruise) and Sono, our stateroom attendant. Visitor Companies was additionally an enormous assist for friends who wanted help with WiFi.
Leisure: 9/10
In relation to small ship cruising, friends have to regulate their expectations. Usually, you don’t discover massive stage productions, Broadway reveals and even casinos. However that doesn’t imply you received’t be entertained after a day of excursions.
Star Breeze featured nightly leisure in Compass Rose, the lounge/bar space on deck 6, the place the home band Aplooza performed friends requests and on one event, carried out a tribute to The Beatles. Pearl additionally performed right here as nicely, providing up music from her native Tahiti.
On at some point of the cruise, the Tahitian group The Mammas and The Pappas performed whereas Tahitian girls created wrist corsages for the women from tropical flowers and demonstrated put on a pareo, the normal wraparound skirt discovered within the islands.
For water sports activities lovers, one of many ship’s hottest options is the Water Sports activities Platform aft on deck 6. Right here, friends are welcome to swim, paddleboard, kayak or simply chill on a float whereas Star Breeze is anchored off one of many islands. Now this actually is how the opposite half lives on their yachts.
General Ranking: 9.6/10
For friends who wish to immerse themselves into the tradition of those storied islands, Windstar attracts on their lengthy expertise right here to create unforgettable recollections. You’ll uncover every island visited — from Tahiti and Moorea to Riatea, Huahine and Bora Bora — has its personal distinctive appeal and character.
By together with a number of overnights, you’ll have a possibility to do some exploring by yourself. Don’t miss sampling the native fruits and delicacies — we purchased coconut bread from a avenue vendor and it was the very best bread we’ve ever had. Though Tahitian and French are largely what’s spoken, English can also be broadly in proof as nicely, and the islanders themselves couldn’t be extra heat and welcoming.
Your fare contains every thing besides alcohol, gratuities, laundry, shore excursions and Web. In case you want further pampering, there’s is a full-service spa onboard, the place I handled myself to a shave and facial.
There’s no higher strategy to see this magical place than on a boutique cruise ship — make that, yacht — like Star Breeze. One go to and also you’ll be below its enchanted spell.
PHOTOS credit score Gerry Barker
- Star Breeze
- Snorkeling within the island’s pristine waters
- Visiting a motu (personal island)
- One of many pearl farms
- Waterfall at Faarumai on Tahiti
- Instance of a pareo
- Scene of the seashore BBQ
- Hearth dancers carry out for friends
- Seashore on Moorea, with Windstar anchored in Cook dinner’s Bay
See cruises Windstar (cruisecompete.com)
