What a way to begin our Tahitian adventure. From the moment we boarded Air Tahiti Nui in Auckland, we were welcomed with Tahitian smiles and flowers. After transiting from Brisbane, the direct flight to Papeete made for an easy start to the journey.
Before the cruise, we stayed at Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki, located directly across from the cruise terminal. It is a great option for travellers looking for affordability and convenience, with Papeete’s markets and town centre within walking distance. It gave us the chance to enjoy the energy of Papeete before settling into the slower pace of island cruising.
Our first impression of the cabins aboard Windstar Star Breeze was how spacious they were, including the lead-in porthole categories. The cabins are inviting and well designed, with a walk-in wardrobe, generous bathroom and L’Occitane products. The décor is sophisticated without feeling overstated, while the sitting area, bench space and drawers provide plenty of room to settle in.
The refrigerator is stocked and complimentary room service is available 24 hours a day. With so much space in the cabin, dining in was an easy and comfortable option.
Star Breeze carries only 312 guests, which creates an intimate and relaxed atmosphere on board. Public spaces are well laid out and never felt crowded. The main outdoor bar also serves as a casual buffet-style dining venue at lunch and dinner, while there is a main restaurant and two specialty dining restaurants.
Bamboo and Basil was a favourite for us, with plenty of variety across the menus and a wide range of cuisines. Specialty dining is complimentary and can be booked after boarding, so arriving early and securing your preferred times is worthwhile.
There is also a cosy café forward on Deck 8, which opens early. It became a lovely spot to watch the ship arrive into port while enjoying a coffee, juice or light snack.
We had the all-inclusive package, which added to the ease of the holiday with a good selection of drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities included. The spa offers a variety of treatments, while complimentary use of the sauna and steam room is a welcome bonus.
Entertainment was in keeping with the style of a small ship, with one main venue providing a variety of evening entertainment. The real strength of the onboard program, however, was its connection to the destination.
Windstar carries Tahitian ambassadors throughout the cruise, with activities including weaving and ukulele lessons during the day, followed by local singing and performances in the evenings. Local groups and guest speakers also joined the ship at different islands, keeping the experience strongly focused on Tahitian culture.
One of Windstar’s signature experiences is the evening on the motu in Bora Bora, and this was a standout. Guests are taken to a private island for a Tahitian feast and cultural show. Our tip is to arrive early to secure a good seat.
Moorea offered a choice between exploring the island by 4WD or heading out on the lagoon. For water lovers, the lagoon tour with sharks and rays is a must.
Raiatea has a strong cultural focus, with opportunities to learn about Tahitian legends and visit a marae. We recommend booking excursions in advance, as there may be limited options available once you disembark.
At Tahaa, Windstar includes an excursion to a private island, with transfers provided from the ship. It was an easy and enjoyable way to spend the day, with the relaxed island setting perfectly matching the style of the cruise.
Bora Bora was another major highlight, with two days in port and an overnight anchorage. It is worth confirming which evening the island feast will take place so you can plan other activities around it.
The lagoon is the real star of Bora Bora, with opportunities to see sharks, stingrays and manta rays. Taxis are also readily available for those wanting to spend time at Matira Beach. These are the days to have your camera ready, as the scenery is every bit as beautiful as you imagine.
Huahine is a smaller island and offered one of our more active experiences. We joined an e-bike tour, which does require a reasonable level of fitness even with the assistance of the bike, but the views made it completely worthwhile. For those wanting something gentler, a half-day island tour would also be a good option.
This cruise would suit anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Tahitian culture while exploring some of French Polynesia’s more remote islands. It would also suit active multigenerational families, although the minimum age is eight and there are generally few children on board.
For us, small-ship cruising was the ideal way to experience French Polynesia. The ability to access smaller islands, spend meaningful time in each destination and enjoy local culture both ashore and on board made the journey feel genuinely connected to the places we were visiting.
