Tahiti is considered one of the most romantic places on earth, so it should come as no surprise that Tahiti hosts literally thousands of weddings, honeymoons, and other romantic getaways each year. While visitors are pretty much guaranteed to have the time of their lives here whether travel is by air or by sea, Tahiti cruises are fast becoming the way to go for adventure seekers and romance-seekers alike.
Tahiti and her 118 breathtaking islands cover more than two million square miles of the South Pacific Ocean, spread over five vast archipelagos. The five archipelagos include the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas, the Society Islands, and The Tuamatu Atolls. The three most popular archipelagos are the Society Islands, (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a); The Tuamotu Atolls or “Tahiti’s Strand of Pearls” (the atolls of Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, and Fakarava), and the Marquesas, or “The Mysterious Islands.” While the Austral and Gambier Islands are considered “remote,â€? some of the more adventurous travelers in the bunch will venture out, and most will not regret the journey. Keep in mind that of the 118 islands, only a half of the islands (around 60) are inhabited.
Some of the Tahitian islands are covered with prickly peaks while others appear to barely peek out over breaking waves. While the islands are sprinkled over an area as large as Western Europe, if you add up the total land mass of all the islands you’ll come up with a number that amounts to an area a hair larger than Rhode Island – one of America’s smallest.
Tahiti cruises come in all shapes and sizes, along with varying themes. Passengers can take a Tahiti wedding cruise, a Tahiti honeymoon cruise, a Tahiti spa cruise, a Tahiti diving and snorkeling cruise, and even a Tahiti family vacation cruise. While large ship cruses can be great fun, smaller ships are much better for reaching remote islands, for getting up close and personal with marine life, and making passengers feel like they are as close as they can get to the sea without getting wet!
Shore excursions are just as varied as the different types of cruises. Passengers will enjoy water activities, shore-side activities, and special events when the ship is in port. Just a few examples include: canoeing, diving, jet skiing, windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, shark feeding, and snorkeling. You can even take a toiur on a glass-bottom boat and explore a lagoon, or you can even charter your own catamaran or powerboat. Other activities include: exploration by 4×4 safari, circle-island trips, independent shopping or village exploration, or guided hiking trips high up into the mountains.
There are more than a dozen major cruise lines offering Tahiti cruise itineraries including: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise lines, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, and Windstar Cruises. Some of the most popular cruises are seven, 10, or 14 days in length and they typically set sail from Papeete or Honolulu. Ports-of-call, depending upon sailing, include: Honolulu, Christmas Island, Kona, lahaina, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea or Huahine.
If you’re ready to book your Tahitian cruise, keep in mind that Tahiti has a high and low season just like most tropical vacation destinations. Tahiti’s peak season is during the months of June, July, August, September, and October, and low season is November-May. During peak season, occupancy is near 100%, while low season ranges from 20% to 50%. Prices drop by an average of 30% in low season, so you can find excellent deals during this time.
The average temperature in Tahiti is 80 degrees Fahrenheit — both in the air and in the water. While the temperatures are quite consistent, December and January average around 12 inches of rain per month, while June-September average less than three inches.
To book a Tahiti cruise, contact your favorite cruise line directly (online or by phone), or contact your local cruise travel specialist.