After embarking on a cruise around the Islands of Tahiti onboard Windstar Cruises’ motor sailing yacht, I can confidently say that French Polynesia and its 121 islands and atolls are best explored via an intimate small-ship sailing.
Tahiti is the only destination where Windstar travels year-round, and Tahitian cruises — such as my seven-day Dreams of Tahiti sailing — take place on the smallest vessel in the line’s fleet: the 148-guest Wind Spirit, which offers comforts and amenities that make guests feel as if they’re sailing onboard their own private yacht.
The Dreams of Tahiti itinerary truly feels like a bucket-list experience. Starting and ending in Papeete, the ship glides to Moorea for a day, then continues on to Raiatea, Motu Mahaea on Tahaa, Bora Bora and Huahine.
Windstar’s Unique Onboard Experience
When I stepped onboard the four-masted Wind Spirit for my weeklong sailing, my first thought was “how elegant.” The ship looks like something out of a classic sea odyssey, featuring just 73 ocean-view staterooms and one 220-square-foot Owner’s Suite.
Wind Spirit feels much different from other cruise ships I have sailed on thanks to its small size and individualized atmosphere. Immediately upon embarkation, I was handed a welcome drink and began mingling with the guests as I waited to check in and get settled.
This overarching feeling of intimacy and elegance continued throughout our voyage, down to the ship’s littlest details. For example, the granite countertop and shower in the bathrooms, waffle robes and L'Occitane bath amenities add a touch of luxury, while every room offers a view of the sea through multiple portholes. With a staff-to-passenger ratio of 1-to-1.5, the sailing is incredibly personalized with extremely attentive service — it was almost as if I didn’t have to lift a finger.
A stateroom onboard Wind Spirit
Credit: 2022 Windstar CruisesOnboard Activities and Shore Excursions
Along the journey, there are bookable local excursions on each of the islands, but for those who would rather relax onboard the ship, the watersports platform on Wind Spirit's lower deck offers kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, a water trampoline and even a sailboat for use. One afternoon, a friendly staff member took us sailing along Moorea’s Cook’s Bay, even teaching us how to steer the vessel.
Meanwhile, the World Spa by Windstar offers a selection of treatments, from the massage I enjoyed to manicures and more. There’s also a saltwater hot tub and a small pool on deck, a compact fitness center inside on Deck 2 and a boutique shop for souvenirs and other necessities. I enjoyed browsing the library and its collection of books ranging from travel guides to beach reads. (Pro tip: This room has the strongest onboard Wi-Fi, and there’s a desktop computer for use.)
On the last night of the sailing, our captain — who was just as active a member of the onboard community as everyone else, constantly coming around and making friendly conversation with us — read a self-written humorous and witty poem. It was the icing on the cake that sealed our bond as a group over the course of our seven-day voyage.
Each day felt like an opportunity to explore a new destination and experience a new and engaging activity. There are a number of excursions on each island that are planned and hosted by Windstar that guests can pre-purchase. For those (like me) who are more impulsive (and adventurous), excursions can be booked once guests are already on the ship, based on availability.
In Bora Bora, I tried out the two-hour AquaSafari experience, which was like an old-timey scuba excursion: We put helmets with hoses feeding oxygen from above onto our heads and submerged 10 feet down to the sandy bottom with an expert guide. It felt simultaneously like being an astronaut walking on the moon and a tropical diver exploring the colorful coral.
Guests can learn about harvesting pearls on an excursion.
Credit: 2022 Windstar CruisesI also enjoyed a tour of Anapa Pearl Farm on Raiatea, where we took a scenic 15-minute boat ride to the pearl station perched over the lagoon and learned about harvesting pearls — including seeing how a black pearl is cultured.
Drinking and Dining
Wind Spirit’s onboard culinary and beverage offerings are impressive. Spirits, wine and beer can be purchased individually (drinks range from roughly $6 to $12) or via a drink package, and they’re served at the bar on deck from morning to night (nonalcoholic beverages are included with every sailing). Personally, I enjoyed quite a few well-made margaritas and daiquiris; by the end of the trip, the bartenders not only knew my name and drink order without me having to ask, they were also helping me practice my Spanish and telling me stories about their lives.
For breakfast, there’s an option to grab food to-go at Yacht Club, which crafts coffee and tea from morning to evening. Up on deck, Veranda hosts sit-down and buffet-style breakfast and lunch. Personally, I’m not a big breakfast person, so I appreciated the casual atmosphere in the morning — there's no pressure to sit down and dress up if you don't feel like it. But I also loved how classy the dinner scene was in the evening.
Veranda hosts sit-down and buffet-style breakfast and lunch.
Credit: 2022 Windstar CruisesAt night, Veranda transforms into Candles, Windstar’s signature outdoor restaurant, serving upscale cuisine under the stars (reservations are required and can be made onboard). There’s also a dinner service at Amphora, which hosts a unique menu each night, including featured specials by acclaimed James Beard chefs. For those who don’t fancy leaving their stateroom, there’s 24-hour room service, with a special, nightly room service dinner menu.
Guests who want to mix and mingle at dinner can choose to be seated with another group or couple, but for those looking for an intimate evening, there’s no pressure to join another table.
Future Tahiti Cruises
Windstar has sailed the Tahitian Islands for the longest of any regional operator, and the line is celebrating 35 years of Tahitian sailings in October. The brand recently announced that beginning this month, it will move the all-suite, 312-guest Star Breeze into the region, increasing capacity with two yacht options.
Those interested in cruising French Polynesia can book the weeklong Dreams of Tahiti President’s Cruise, which will take place onboard Star Breeze starting Oct. 9, 2022. The sailing will feature exclusive, organized events with Tahitian government officials and tourism partners, local entertainment and more surprises to celebrate 35 years.
