Cruising Paradise - a different view every morning
There are the cruises which consist of long periods at sea aboard a floating apartment block, far out of sight of land, with long queues at the buffet followed by a few hours in a large industrial port, before it’s out to sea again. Not much variety there.Then there are cruises through Tahiti Her Islands. Nothing could be more different than the usual ocean cruises, or more enchanting. For a start, the ship is rarely out of sight of an island. French Polynesia consists of one hundred and eighteen islands, from the mighty Marquesas in the north-east to the lonely Australs in the south. In between is the sprawling archipelago of the Tuamotus – a galaxy of atolls scattered across thousands of square kilometres of ocean – and the Leeward Islands of the Society group, a cluster of high volcanic islands all within sight of one another.
Island-lovers are spoilt for choice in French Polynesia. Although the main islands are today connected by air routes, there is no finer way to see them than from the sea. And French Polynesia is unique in the South Pacific in that a fleet of modern, moderately sized, superbly equipped cruise ships regularly plies the waters between the many and varied islands, calling in frequently at ports full of personality and with generous time ashore for the passengers to explore the islands’ interiors.
Cruising is the perfect way to appreciate French Polynesia, a thoroughly romantic, utterly carefree and totally relaxing way of savouring islands like Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva and Fatu Hiva, landfalls whose very names resonate with the romance and beauty of the South Pacific.
Whether voyaging around the Leeward Islands, passing through the Tuamotu Archipelago or cruising through the Marquesas, nothing surpasses the experience of travelling by cruise ship in French Polynesia. The several luxury vessels which cater for cruise ship passengers are all beautifully appointed floating hotels, with every European convenience and with a delightful overlay of Polynesian ambience and informality. Cruising the islands of French Polynesia provides a truly unique, incomparable travel experience.
