Windstar Cruises

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Papeete

   Depart 18:00

   French Polynesia

   

   Papeete is the spirited, slightly ragged capital of French Polynesia — not the languorous paradise of travel-poster imagination, but a working harbour city of fresh produce markets, baguette bakeries, and Tahitian outrigger canoe clubs that provides an authentic counterpoint to the pearl-still lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea nearby. The daily Marché de Papeete is the city's essential experience, its stalls piling high with vanilla pods, monoi-scented oils, black pearls, and the most exuberant floral arrangements in the Pacific. Moorea, visible across the Sea of the Moon and just 30 minutes by fast ferry, offers a dramatically quieter alternative. The dry season, May through October, brings the finest weather.

2. Day 2

   At Sea

   

3. Day 3

   Fakarava, French Polynesia

   Arrive 07:00Depart 16:00

   French Polynesia

   

   Fakarava is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve atoll in French Polynesia's Tuamotu Archipelago, offering some of the world's most spectacular diving — including drift dives through shark-filled passes — and pristine pink-sand beaches. Must-dos include diving the Garuae "wall of sharks," visiting a black pearl farm, and stargazing from an uninhabited motu. April through November brings the driest weather, with June and July featuring the legendary grouper spawning.

4. Day 4

   At Sea

   

5. Day 5

   Omoa

   Arrive 09:30Depart 18:00

   French Polynesia

   

   Omoa, French Polynesia, epitomizes the Pacific island dream—pristine waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a Polynesian or Melanesian culture that welcomes visitors with authentic warmth. Essential experiences include snorkeling the surrounding reefs and participating in traditional community gatherings. Best visited May through September, when drier conditions prevail and temperatures remain pleasant. Cruise lines including Paul Gauguin Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

6. Day 6

   Atuona, Hiva Oa

   Arrive 08:00Depart 21:00

   French Polynesia

   

   Atuona, Hiva Oa, French Polynesia is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Paul Gauguin Cruises. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.

7. Day 7

   Taiohae

   Arrive 08:00Depart 14:00

   French Polynesia

   

   Taiohae, French Polynesia, epitomizes the Pacific island dream—pristine waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a Polynesian or Melanesian culture that welcomes visitors with authentic warmth. Essential experiences include snorkeling the surrounding reefs and participating in traditional community gatherings. Best visited year-round, though the drier months from May to October tend to offer the most comfortable conditions. Cruise lines including Holland America Line feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

8. Day 8

   At Sea

   

9. Day 9

   Rangiroa

   Arrive 09:00Depart 16:00

   French Polynesia

   

   Rangiroa is the world's second-largest coral atoll, a ring of palm-fringed islets in French Polynesia's Tuamotus encircling a lagoon vast enough to contain Tahiti. Visitors must drift-dive or snorkel Tiputa Pass for sharks and dolphins, visit the surreal Blue Lagoon and Pink Sands beach, and savour poisson cru in a Polynesian pension. May through October offers calm diving conditions, while January-March brings hammerhead sharks.

10. Day 10

    Bora Bora

    Arrive 14:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Bora Bora rises from the South Pacific like the platonic ideal of a tropical island — a volcanic peak ringed by a lagoon of impossible turquoise clarity whose beauty has made it the benchmark against which all other island destinations are measured. The overwater bungalow was effectively invented here, and the island's luxury resorts remain the definitive expression of that sublime form of hospitality. Snorkel or dive the outer reef's extraordinary coral gardens, or simply watch the shifting light transform Mount Otemanu's basalt silhouette through the long Pacific afternoon. Visit April through October for the calmest, driest conditions. Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport is a forty-five-minute flight away.

11. Day 11

    Bora Bora

    Depart 18:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Bora Bora rises from the South Pacific like the platonic ideal of a tropical island — a volcanic peak ringed by a lagoon of impossible turquoise clarity whose beauty has made it the benchmark against which all other island destinations are measured. The overwater bungalow was effectively invented here, and the island's luxury resorts remain the definitive expression of that sublime form of hospitality. Snorkel or dive the outer reef's extraordinary coral gardens, or simply watch the shifting light transform Mount Otemanu's basalt silhouette through the long Pacific afternoon. Visit April through October for the calmest, driest conditions. Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport is a forty-five-minute flight away.

12. Day 12

    Papeete

    Arrive 09:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Papeete is the spirited, slightly ragged capital of French Polynesia — not the languorous paradise of travel-poster imagination, but a working harbour city of fresh produce markets, baguette bakeries, and Tahitian outrigger canoe clubs that provides an authentic counterpoint to the pearl-still lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea nearby. The daily Marché de Papeete is the city's essential experience, its stalls piling high with vanilla pods, monoi-scented oils, black pearls, and the most exuberant floral arrangements in the Pacific. Moorea, visible across the Sea of the Moon and just 30 minutes by fast ferry, offers a dramatically quieter alternative. The dry season, May through October, brings the finest weather.

13. Day 13

    At Sea

    

14. Day 14

    Fakarava, French Polynesia

    French Polynesia

    

    Fakarava is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve atoll in French Polynesia's Tuamotu Archipelago, offering some of the world's most spectacular diving — including drift dives through shark-filled passes — and pristine pink-sand beaches. Must-dos include diving the Garuae "wall of sharks," visiting a black pearl farm, and stargazing from an uninhabited motu. April through November brings the driest weather, with June and July featuring the legendary grouper spawning.

15. Day 15

    Rangiroa

    Arrive 09:00Depart 17:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Rangiroa is the world's second-largest coral atoll, a ring of palm-fringed islets in French Polynesia's Tuamotus encircling a lagoon vast enough to contain Tahiti. Visitors must drift-dive or snorkel Tiputa Pass for sharks and dolphins, visit the surreal Blue Lagoon and Pink Sands beach, and savour poisson cru in a Polynesian pension. May through October offers calm diving conditions, while January-March brings hammerhead sharks.

16. Day 16

    At Sea

    

17. Day 17

    Motu Mahaea, Society Islands

    Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Motu Mahaea is a pristine coral islet in the lagoon of Taha'a, French Polynesia's Vanilla Island, offering quintessential South Pacific beauty with crystal-clear snorkeling waters and untouched white sand beaches. Must-do experiences include snorkeling the coral gardens directly off the beach, visiting Taha'a's family-run vanilla plantations, and savoring poisson cru with freshly harvested vanilla. The dry season from May through October provides the most comfortable conditions, though the lagoon's warm turquoise waters welcome swimmers year-round.

18. Day 18

    Bora Bora

    Arrive 08:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Bora Bora rises from the South Pacific like the platonic ideal of a tropical island — a volcanic peak ringed by a lagoon of impossible turquoise clarity whose beauty has made it the benchmark against which all other island destinations are measured. The overwater bungalow was effectively invented here, and the island's luxury resorts remain the definitive expression of that sublime form of hospitality. Snorkel or dive the outer reef's extraordinary coral gardens, or simply watch the shifting light transform Mount Otemanu's basalt silhouette through the long Pacific afternoon. Visit April through October for the calmest, driest conditions. Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport is a forty-five-minute flight away.

19. Day 19

    Bora Bora

    Depart 21:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Bora Bora rises from the South Pacific like the platonic ideal of a tropical island — a volcanic peak ringed by a lagoon of impossible turquoise clarity whose beauty has made it the benchmark against which all other island destinations are measured. The overwater bungalow was effectively invented here, and the island's luxury resorts remain the definitive expression of that sublime form of hospitality. Snorkel or dive the outer reef's extraordinary coral gardens, or simply watch the shifting light transform Mount Otemanu's basalt silhouette through the long Pacific afternoon. Visit April through October for the calmest, driest conditions. Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport is a forty-five-minute flight away.

20. Day 20

    Huahine

    Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Huahine, often called the "Garden of Eden" of French Polynesia, is a lush twin-island paradise between Moorea and Bora Bora where ancient Polynesian marae temples stand among jungle-covered hills and turquoise lagoons remain blissfully uncrowded. Visitors should not miss the thousand-year-old archaeological complex at Maeva and a lagoon snorkeling excursion through pristine coral gardens. The ideal season spans May through October — the austral dry season — when skies are clear, humidity is gentle, and the southeast trade winds carry the scent of vanilla and tiare flowers across the water.

21. Day 21

    Moorea

    Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Moorea is a volcanic island in French Polynesia, separated from Tahiti by a narrow channel known as the Sea of the Moon, celebrated for its twin cathedral-like bays, jagged emerald peaks, and lagoons of almost surreal turquoise clarity. Visitors should not miss savouring authentic *poisson cru* at a beachside roulotte and exploring Ōpūnohu Bay by outrigger canoe or guided hiking trail. The ideal season to visit is May through October — the dry, austral winter — when skies are reliably clear, humidity is gentle, and humpback whales pass through the surrounding waters on their annual migration.

22. Day 22

    Papeete

    Arrive 21:00

    French Polynesia

    

    Papeete is the spirited, slightly ragged capital of French Polynesia — not the languorous paradise of travel-poster imagination, but a working harbour city of fresh produce markets, baguette bakeries, and Tahitian outrigger canoe clubs that provides an authentic counterpoint to the pearl-still lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea nearby. The daily Marché de Papeete is the city's essential experience, its stalls piling high with vanilla pods, monoi-scented oils, black pearls, and the most exuberant floral arrangements in the Pacific. Moorea, visible across the Sea of the Moon and just 30 minutes by fast ferry, offers a dramatically quieter alternative. The dry season, May through October, brings the finest weather.

Cabin Categories

Balcony Suite

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2BS

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedTV+5

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Balcony Suite 1

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2BS1

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationVanity AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)+5

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Star Balcony Suite

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2SBS

As soon as you walk through the door, you’re greeted with an open living area for a more welcoming entrance. Drift off to sleep by the window in your queen bed as you watch the same stars that sailors used to navigate the seas hundreds of years ago.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedTVSafeHair Dryer+6

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Star Balcony Suite 1

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2SBS1

As soon as you walk through the door, you’re greeted with an open living area for a more welcoming entrance. Drift off to sleep by the window in your queen bed as you watch the same stars that sailors used to navigate the seas hundreds of years ago.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service Available+5

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Ocean View Suite

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2S

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedSuite BenefitsTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)+6

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Ocean View Suite 1

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2S1

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service Available+6

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Ocean View Suite 2

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2S2

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)+6

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Ocean View Suite 3

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2S3

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)+5

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Star Ocean View Suite 1

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2SS1

As soon as you walk through the door, you’re greeted with an open living area for a more welcoming entrance. Drift off to sleep by the window in your queen bed as you watch the same stars that sailors used to navigate the seas hundreds of years ago.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service Available+7

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Star Porthole Suite

Suite

277 sq ftMax 2SP

These rooms represent a nod to the sailing tradition of porthole windows. And while sailors might have had cramped quarters, your 277 square foot stateroom is wonderfully spacious and furnished with all the modern amenities and comforts of home.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVSafeHair Dryer+8

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Broadmoor Suite/Sea Island Suite

Suite

400–530 sq ftMax 2CS

Relax in 400 to 530 spacious square feet. Your living area offers beautiful views from the forward-facing window and French doors onto your private veranda. Two spacious closets give you plenty of room to unpack.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)+8

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Deluxe Suite

Suite

468 sq ftMax 2DS

Brand new Deluxe Suites welcome you with 468 square feet of casually elegant living space and an ocean viewing French balcony. All these suites feature 3rd berths, and a sleep-inducing queen bed easily converted to twins.

Double or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaVanity AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service Available+7

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Owner's Suite

Suite

575 sq ftMax 2OW

With 575 square feet, your Owner’s Suite offers separate living room and dining areas. A veranda, two flat-screen TVs and DVD players, and a full master bath and separate powder room indulge you in spacious comfort.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerBathToiletries ProvidedSuite Benefits+10

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