French Polynesia Windstar Cruise
Windstar Cruises, a Luxury Cruise in a Private Yacht Style
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If you’re looking for small ship cruising, on a casual elegant yacht, with less than 200 guests – we highly recommend Windstar Cruises to discover the islands of French Polynesia. We just returned from a Tahiti & Tuamotu Islands 11-day cruise, on the MSY Wind Spirit Yacht, and had an incredible voyage filled with adventures!
What is it like to sail on a yacht through the South Pacific? Sharing some highlights from this cruise, with articles that follow the island-to-island itinerary, with our favorite places to visit, what to see and do.Â
First Impressions…
On the first day, we embarked onto MSY Wind Spirit Yacht, and met the cheerful crew. The crew knew our names, and remembered our preferences, surprised us with our favorite desserts, drinks, and attentive service.
The MSY Wind Spirit Yacht is a beautiful ship! Take a look at this drone footage, click here: Windstar Cruises MSY Wind Spirit Yacht
Our stateroom was immaculate, designed in a classic style with every modern day comfort and amenity – including Occitaine toiletries. We even had a butler who brought us flowers, fresh fruit,  cleaned our room twice daily, and made sure we were well pampered. Exceptional service!
Once we were unpacked, we walked every deck of the ship and got familiar with the layout, from the restaurants, lounges, libraries, shop, fitness center, spa, jacuzzis, teak decks, to the watersports platform.
After we got acquainted with our new home for the next couple weeks, we prepared for dinner, and the Captain’s Champagne Reception where we met other passengers, the Captain and his crew.
Access & Unique Experiences
The Wind Spirit is smaller and was able to navigate the tight passages like the Tiputa Pass of Fakarava, and cruise into small lagoons of the islands in French Polynesia.
We visited 8 islands including coral atolls Fakarava and Rangiroa in the Tuamotus archipelago, as well as Taha’a, Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti in the Society Islands.Â
TUAMOTU ISLANDS
·   Fakarava, Island of DreamsÂ
***Click here to see drone footage Fakarava Blue Lagoon Tour
·   Rangiroa’s Endless Lagoon
SOCIETY ISLANDS
·   A Perfect Day in Tahiti
·   Bora Bora, Island of Romance
·   Moorea, the Heart Shaped Island of Polynesia
·   Huahine, Polynesia’s Garden of Eden
·   Raiatea Island, the Cradle of French Polynesia
·   Taha’a, South Pacific’s Vanilla Island
Each day, our itineraries offered a variety of small customized excursions, private island experiences, and unique opportunities to connect with local Polynesians, and learn about their history and culture. We learned how to make colorful floral leis, and how to sway our hips in tune with a local Tahitian dance. Another highlight, was listening to a local Tahitian Chief talk about the legends and tales of his ancestors.Â
Windstar offers a Private Island Experience where guests have a private island all to themselves – some lounge, while others snorkel, windsurf, kayak, or receive a massage under a palm tree. There was a festive beach BBQ with fresh fish, grilled BBQ meats, salads, fresh fruit, and tropical drinks in coconut shells. It was a day in paradise!
Another special Windstar evening event is the Bora Bora Celebration Festival, where we were boated to secluded motu (tiny island), greeted with floral leis, and enjoyed a specially prepared feast including fresh tuna sashimi, and even a roasted pig. We were mesmerized by a Tahitian song and dance performance, with the grand finale of expert fire dancers and their high-speed acrobatics!
For those wanting to stay on board, we had a lot of activities to choose from. Guests can kayak, paddle board from the watersports platform, or lounge on the teak decks, dip into the pool or Jacuzzis, or book a spa appointment. In the morning, order breakfast in bed, or sign up for the complimentary stretch and yoga classes.
In the afternoons, there are trivia games, cooking classes, dancing lessons, or learn how to play blackjack in the casino.Â
Don’t Miss! Visiting the Captain’s Bridge and whale watching. We saw a whale spout and breach in the South Pacific one day at Sea. The Captain’s Bridge invites guests to visit throughout the day and evening. This “Open Bridge” is unique to Windstar Cruises. One evening, on a clear night, we visited with the Officer on duty, and gazed at the stars from the front of the ship. Magical!Â
Also, keep a lookout when the ship opens the Bowsprit, since it’s a special experience where you can enter the very front of the ship, and take photos.
Sunrises, Sailaways & SunsetsÂ
Each day, we strolled the decks to watch the sunrises, sunsets and sailaways when the yacht pulled up its anchor, and raised its sails – quite a sight that takes your breath away!
Incredible Cuisine The delicious gourmet meals are inspired by award-winning Chef James Beard, and the Chefs on board. Especially enjoyed the fresh tropical fruit – pineapple, papaya, mango, and the smoothies at the Veranda Café during breakfasts. The dinners were healthy and delicious at restaurants AmphorA and romantic outdoors Candles – presenting a variety of dishes that satisfy any palette. We had a 4-course meal each night – salads, soups, entrees of lobster, fresh local fish, and steak, as well as vegetarian options, and desserts – soufflés or a cheese platter! Memorable evenings with good friends.
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It’s no surprise that Windstar Cruises was recognized as #1 in the World in the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards – the Top Small-Ship Cruise Line. This is not your ordinary cruise. It’s extraordinary, 180 degrees from the ordinary!
ABOUT WINDSTAR CRUISES
More About Windstar Cruises…
***Book your next cruise with Windstar Cruises, click here***
“Authentic. Intimate. Enriching. Windstar’s small ship cruises offer an experience you can’t find anywhere else,” shares Hans Birkholz, President and CEO of Windstar Cruises.
Windstar offers voyages to over 50 nations and more than 150 ports – to the Greek Isles, the Baltics, Italy, Europe, the Caribbean, and Tahiti.
Choose from the three renovated sailing yachts – Wind Surf, Wind Star, and Wind Spirit carrying 148-310 guests, and the upgrade all suite power yachts Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend with a capacity of 212 guests each.
Good to Note:
Always Complimentary…
- Windstar Exclusive Destination Discovery Event
- All meals, in all venues
- Non-alcoholic beverages, including specialty tea and coffee drinks
- Beautifully appointed ocean view stateroom or suite
- Plush bathrobes and slippers
- Fresh flowers and fruit in your stateroom or suite
- Marble finished baths (power yachts only)
- Flat screen TV and DVD player
- Spectacular onboard deck barbecue
- Onboard entertainment, including local performances in most regions
- Fully equipped Watersports Platform, use of all water sports equipment included
- Access to the Open Bridge
- Champagne Welcome Reception
- Beautiful Sail Away from every port
Windstar Cruises Delivers…
***from Windstar Cruises website:
LUXURY, As You Like It!
Windstar Cruises believes the ultimate luxury is an experience designed specifically to your personal tastes, just like your own private yacht. That’s why Windstar gives you the freedom to make your own choices, to pick your own pleasures. All the luxuries you expect are built in — and you can add as many more as you like, making your cruise exactly as inclusive as you want it to be.
CLOSER TO THE WORLD…
See more, linger longer, have the kind of adventure that defines the difference between tourism and true travel. Only on Windstar’s small ships can you rub shoulders with the glitterati in Monte Carlo, dive among coral cliffs in Tahiti, nestle into picturesque ports in Capri, and trace your way through Iceland’s enchanting fjords.  You’ll mingle with yachtsmen in their favorite spots like Hvar and Jost Van Dyke. You’ll dine with the gods in ancient Ephesus, make a wish as the moon bathes in the canals of Venice, and thrill to the exquisite precision of Andalusian horses.
Each Windstar voyage connects you to the world, the place, the people that broaden your vision and open your heart.
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU…PERSONAL EXPERIENCE…
From the moment, you step on board and Windstar Cruises crew greets you by name to the moment they bid you farewell, you are their first priority. Every moment of your Windstar experience is all about you.
YOUR PRIVATE YACHT EXPERIENCE…
Imagine spending a week on a friend’s private luxury yacht. Unlike the crowded cruise ships left in your wake, you are one of fewer than 300 guests on board. Your yacht is anchored in hidden harbors, docked in tiny ports, and in the heart of charming cities. While others wait for tenders in tedious lines, you swim and kayak off your own Watersports Platform. You step ashore into the center of amazing city scenes to explore the secret charms of places larger ships simply cannot reach.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Global Adventuress would like to thank Windstar Cruises for partially hosting our AMAZING cruise through French Polynesia! Opinions and experiences shared are our own. We wish you many adventures on your cruise, and a Bon Voyage!
What an amazing adventure! I first learned of French Polynesia from a taxi driver who was telling us about the diving opportunities in New Caladonia and have wanted to go ever since! Cruising round the different islands sounds even better!
We HIGHLY recommend Windstar cruises for the adventuring around French Polynesia! Looks like you’ll have to make a trip! 🙂