If you follow us on Facebook, you’ll know that we’re just back from Tahiti with the Virtuoso Cruise Icons on Windstar Cruises. We’ve had a variety of questions both about Windstar and Tahiti. Here’s the link to the article I published a couple of weeks ago if you want more information about Windstar, and how to get 10% off any of their sailings:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/yacht-cruising-with-windstar/
Which brings us to Tahiti:
Where is it?
- It’s in the middle of the Pacific Ocean… south of the equator. It’s almost exactly half way between Hawaii and New Zealand, and approximately half way between South America and Australia.
How difficult is it to get to?
- There are direct flights from LA and San Francisco that take about 7.5 hours. There’s also flights from Seattle that take about an hour longer. In logistic terms, it’s 2 hours further away than Hawaii.
Why do I want to go there?
- Unspoiled tropical beaches, friendly natives, and not nearly as crowded as other such places. Hawaii gets more tourists in a week, than Tahiti gets in a year.
What’s the difference between “Tahiti” and “French Polynesia”
- Tahiti is the largest island in the region of French Polynesia (somewhat like the Big Island of Hawaii). Other French Polynesian islands you’ve heard of: Bora Bora, the Marquesas, and Moorea. Much like we often call the Netherlands “Holland”, French Polynesia is often collectively referred to as Tahiti (just don’t make this mistake in front of the locals).
Is a cruise the best way to see it?
- It is certainly the most cost-effective was to see French Polynesia. However, if you want to plant yourself on a pristine tropical beach (or overwater bungalow), there’s plenty of land based options in French Polynesia as well.
What is the best time of year to visit?
- The weather is moderate year round, but the Austral winter months (May to October) are less humid, and have less rain. If you’re looking to escape our Northern hemisphere winters, I wouldn’t hesitate to go November through April… just be ready for a bit of rain, and some humidity (very much like planning a trip to Hawaii).
Fun Facts
- The Paris Olympics start next week, but Paris is a long way from the surf, so those events will take place in Tahiti.
- About 70% of Tahitians are Polynesian, and many of them still speak local languages. It is much like Hawaiian with a small alphabet, and lots of vowels. The official language is French (Bob tells me it is a very specific dialect (translation: he doesn’t understand it well)), but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- French Polynesia is a semi-autonomous territory of France. They have their own currency (don’t use the Euro), and their own government (there is a President), but receive financial and military support from France.
- French Polynesia is made up of 121 islands covering an area over 4 times as large as the Lower 48 states.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It: Why we Travel: https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-we-travel/
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Let’s start with some Tahiti itineraries in case any of the above motivates you:
WINDSTAR
We can get you 10% off any Windstar cruise between now and the end of July (not just Tahiti). Here are some Tahiti options:
Papeete round-trip for 7-nights:
- Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea (overnight), Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahini
- This is the same itinerary we did with WINDSTAR, so check out our daily blogs on Facebook for more information.
- 2024: Depart October 10, 17, 24, 31 or December 19 from $3899.
- 2025: Depart March 20 from $3999 OR April 17 or July 3 from $4122
SILVERSEA
Tahiti & Hawaii departing April 17 for 16-days
- Visit Papeete, Bora Bora, Fakarava, Marquesas, Honolulu (overnghti), Kauai, Kona, Hilo, Maui.
- A great way to explore BOTH these tropical paradises.
- Fares from $10,900.
OCEANIA
Papeete round trip departing September 5, 2025 for 10-nights
- Visit Papeete (overnight), Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa, Bora Bora (overnight), Raiatea.
- Veranda rooms from $5599
Papeete to San Diego departing June 16, 2025 for 17-nights:
- Visit Papeete (overnight), Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Honolulu (overnight), Hilo.
- Great if you only want the long flight one-way, and you like sea days!
- Veranda rooms from $6599
OCEANIA is running its SUMMER SALE right now with reduced fares on more than 50 different itineraries. Here’s the link: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/summer-sale
Here are three “close to home” examples:
Montreal to New York City departing October 28, 2024 for 11-days:
- Visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Cornerbrook, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Portland, Boston, Newport.
- Verandas from $4200
New York city to Aruba departing November 8, 2024 for 14-days:
- Visit Hamilton (overnight), St. George, St. Barts, Dominca, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba.
- Verandas from $4005
Panama Canal: LA to Miami departing January 24, 2025 for 16-days
- Visit Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Full Daylight transit of the Panama Canal, Cartagena, Cayman Islands.
- This is the brand new Oceania VISTA. See our ship tour video here: https://youtu.be/nN5lyXCEy_g?si=SZeYIBvDgsQgvIXO
- Verandas from $6480
TAUCK RIVER CRUISES
Tauck has the most inclusive and highest-end product, and they sail on all the major European Rivers. Here are two examples:
Dutch Waterways round-trip Amsterdam for 8-days.
- Visit Amsterdam, Kampen (for the Lakes District), Enkhuizen (with private access to Zuiderzee Museum, and a ride on a century old schooner), Nijmegen (for the van Gogh museum), Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft (with canal lined streets… it’s like Venice without the crowds), then back to Amsterdam for Rijksmuseum.
- This is a great itinerary if you’ve already done a Rhine River cruise, but want to explore the Netherlands more.
- 2024: departures August 14 or September 11 from $4790
- 2025: Not available.
Portugal & Spain on the Douro River for one-week on their 84-guest vessel:
- Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
- See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
- Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon.
- Family departures available if you want to take your grandkids on a river cruise.
- 2024 is sold out, but travel April to November 2025 from $5890
LAND CRUISE WITH COLLETTE
Fall Foliage Tour for 8-days from Boston to Portland, Maine
- See the fall colors at every turn, as well as Georgian Homes, visit local craft artisans, Historic cider mill, scenic lighthouses, museums, and historical sites.
- 2024: Sep 20, 26, Oct 6 for $3999
- 2025: Sep 21 through Oct 21 (over 20 departures) for $3999
Nashville & Smokey Mountains Christmas for 8-days
- Visit the Grand Ole Opry, and the music scene in Nashville including RCA Studio, Country Music Hall of Fame, Great Smokey Mountains NP, Dollywood, and Asheville.
- A great Holiday trip if you don’t want to go the Europe to the Christmas Markets.
- 2024: December 2, 3, or 5 for $3399
- 2025: November 29, December 6 or 8 for $3499
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
