For many, a trip to the South Pacific is a dream vacation, and it doesn’t have to break the bank either! Taking a Windstar Cruise to Tahiti and the Society Islands has been on my wish-list for a long time, and when I saw a deal for a pre-Christmas cruise on the Windstar Star Breeze, we jumped at the chance. Here is a review of our Windstar experience, as well as the ‘Dreams of Tahiti’ cruise itinerary.
Why choose Windstar
Windstar Cruises stands out for people who want an elevated cruise experience. The ships are much smaller than mainstream cruise ships, which means fewer passengers, a relaxed pace, and access to smaller ports and hidden coves that larger vessels can’t reach.
The focus tends to be on the destination rather than onboard entertainment, so you’ll spend more time exploring islands, beaches, and local culture. Cultural shows, lectures and immersive experiences keep you busy when not on excursions. Meals are included and often reflect regional flavors, and the casual, yacht-style atmosphere makes it easy to meet fellow travelers without feeling crowded.
Windstar’s size and itineraries make it a practical choice for people who want a connection to the places they visit without the bustle of a big ship.
The Windstar Star Breeze
The Windstar Star Breeze has a capacity of just over 300 passengers, and offers a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. The ship features spacious staterooms and suites, many with private verandas, as well as indoor and outdoor dining options that emphasize fresh, locally inspired cuisine.
Because of its modest size and shallow draft, Star Breeze can access ports and anchorages that larger cruise ships cannot, making it especially well-suited for itineraries in places like Tahiti and the Society Islands. Public areas are comfortable and unpretentious, allowing guests to focus on the scenery and the island culture.
Boarding
Windstar does not pre-assign boarding times like some brands. Boarding begins for everyone at 1pm and closes at 4pm (1 hour before sail away). Most guests arrived at 1pm, and numbers were assigned on a first come, first served basis. At 1pm they begin calling numbers and have you checked-in in no time.
They call suite guests first, then numbers 1-10, then 11-20 and so on. Check in was very smooth, room keys were given and we walked on board. The entire process (even being given number 46) only took about 30 minutes.
Upon arrival our room was ready and luggage arrived very shortly after.
On Windstar, once on board, you can check for available upgrades. We went straight to inquire, and were told that on our sailing there was a balcony upgrade available for $350, and the owners suite for $4k. We were shown both rooms for comparison and chose the balcony room. New keys were made and our luggage was moved for us!
Dining Aboard
There are two speciality restaurants on board. There is no charge for these restaurants, but reservations are required. As soon as you board, the reservation desk is open so that you can book both of them early – a nice simple process.
Something different we noticed about Windstar, after cruising with 20 different brands, was the Room Service provision:
- Room service is offered 24 hours a day. This was something we have not seen before and a nice surprise.
- Room service is complimentary and offers an extensive menu, not just juice, coffee and bagels in the morning. The morning menu offers things like a two egg breakfast, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, etc.
- During dinner hours (when the main dining room is open) you may order anything from the main dining menu for room service.
- For main dining, the menu changes daily so there is an extensive selection.
One Night in Papeete Before the Cruise
If you have a day in Papeete before your cruise, it’s worth keeping things relaxed:
- Start with a stroll along the waterfront and through the city center to get a feel for daily life.
- Spend time at the Marché de Papeete, where you can browse local produce, vanilla, pearls, and ready-to-eat snacks like poisson cru.
- The Robert Wan Pearl Museum is an easy stop if you want to learn more about Tahitian black pearls, and nearby cafés are perfect for a casual lunch or coffee.
- If time allows, a short taxi ride to Point Venus offers ocean views and a historic lighthouse, making it a low-effort way to enjoy the scenery without overplanning before embarkation.
Dreams of Tahiti Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation from Papeete
After upgrading, making dining reservations, and checking out our room, we enjoyed a late lunch and explored the ship. There is a Windstar app available while onboard that keeps you up to date with ship activities.
For our first night on board we enjoyed Basil and Bamboo restaurant onboard, which is Asian / Mediterranean fusion cuisine. It was excellent, and we enjoyed a tapas and a sushi sampler. Then also items from the raw bar – zensai (best soup I have ever eaten), jumbo shrimp with goat cheese, smoked beef short ribs with crispy gnocchi, tiramisu mochi, chocolate raspberry bar, and pistachio ponsia.
Dinner was exceptional and included a few firsts for us, like the basil sphere (molecular gastronomy) in the soup!
Day 2: Moorea
The first port is Moorea. Here, you can head straight for the water to snorkel in the clear lagoon, join a dolphin-watching excursion, or hike the Three Coconuts Trail for rewarding views.
We had done a day in Moorea before the cruise, so we decided to indulge in all the on-board offerings.
Things to do onboard the Windstar Star Breeze
- Watersports Platform: The Marina is a unique , retractable platform at the stern of the yacht, that lowers into the water creating a private watersports center. It has complimentary gear such as kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling equipment. Weather permitting, it is available on all days where the ship is anchored.
- Wellness: There are stretching classes, pilates, yoga, and detox classes on offer.
- Culture: We really appreciated the cultural additions available on Windstar Cruises, such as Tahitian language lessons, ukulele classes, Polynesian dance instruction, and port talks.
- Yacht Club: The yacht club became one of our favorite places to hang out. Located on the highest deck, at the front on the ship, the yacht club is a library and coffee shop. This area is great for relaxing, enjoying the views, and playing board games.
- Open Bridge: Windstar also includes an open bridge policy, meaning guests can visit the bridge at anytime (except when arriving in port and leaving port). The bridge also offers star gazing at different times during the cruise.
Day 3: Ra’iatea
For our stop at Ra’iatea, we chose the boat ride to explore the Faaroa River. It was a 3-hour tour that started on the same dock where our ship was in port, so it was an easy transfer!
The flora and fauna were amazing – the trees and other foliage are so thick and lush – it was unlike anything I have seen before. Faaroa River is the only navigable river in all of French Polynesian. There was also an option to kayak along this river, but we chose to relax and enjoy the boat ride.
Our guide was Tihoti, the last chief in the area. He was full of information about his people, the culture and the area, and was a real character!
The last part of the tour was a trip to a ‘Motu’ – the Tahitian word for a small islet or atoll – where the white sand and coral make for great snorkeling and swimming. It was near the Black Pearl Farm, which was another excursion of interest.
Back on the ship, Tihoti gave a talk: “Discover Polynesian Culture Through Tattoos with local storyteller Tihoti” – it was a fantastic talk, made better by Tihoti’s charisma.
After our excursion and the lecture, we headed up to the upper deck for more Polynesian culture. There were dancers (both young and old) performing, music playing and cuisine samples from the locals. It was a nice, festive end to our day in Ra’iatea.
The ship stays docked during the night for anyone that wants to explore the area longer.
Day 4: Motu Mahaea, Near Taha’a
The next day, the ship visited Motu Mahaea, a private island near Taha’a (the sister island next to Ra’iatea). Windstar sets up a water sports area, beach chairs, a bar and beach barbecue, as well as massages and yoga on this tranquil island paradise. The ship is literally brought to the island for you!
Zodiaks are used to transport guests back and forth from 10am to 4pm. It was a very special treat for guests and unique to Windstar. We enjoyed it a little too much, and got ourselves sunburnt (the sun in the Pacific is very harsh, so take care)!
Excursions are available for Taha’a (vanilla plantations and sacred sites) and are available by tender. However, we decided to spend the entire day enjoying the beach, and it was blissful!
Day 5 & 6: Bora Bora
Day 1 Excursion in Bora Bora
Windstar docks in Bora Bora for two full days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this gorgeous place. There are lots of excursions on offer, but we chose the private tour with Sea Bora Bora for day one. It included a swim with sharks and manta rays, a visit to a coral garden and lunch on a motu.
The water was amazing – exactly what we imagined Bora Bora would be like. Swimming with sharks, manta rays and sting rays was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Crystal clear water, nice and shallow, and a great guide to help us feel less nervous! If you ever visit Bora Bora, we definitely recommend this activity.
The lunch on the motu wasn’t available during our visit, so we were dropped off at the famous St James restaurant on the water where we enjoyed a lunch of Poisson Cru, Mahi Mahi, shrimp and scallops. It was all so good!
After lunch, we walked back to the port area (about a 10-15 minute walk), where we shopped until we dropped at the amazing pearl shops. Payton found a necklace with a black pearl and a shark charm – it was a perfect souvenir from Bora Bora.
Back on the ship we enjoyed Candles, the speciality restaurant under the stars. The filet mignon was magnificent, and we sat and marvelled at the stunning night sky after a perfect day.
Day 2 in Bora Bora
For day 2, you can pick a second excursion, or just chill out like we did. We had a late start, and chose to go back to Bora Bora for more shopping and lunch. Having a nice balance between busy excursion days and relaxed go-with-the-flow days is ideal.
Excursions in Bora Bora include:
- Lagoon snorkeling tour – Explore Bora Bora’s clear lagoon with stops to snorkel among coral gardens and tropical fish.
- Jet ski tour around the island – Circle Bora Bora by water while enjoying views of Mount Otemanu and the surrounding motus.
- Scuba diving excursions – Discover vibrant marine life and underwater landscapes suited to both certified divers and beginners.
- Helicopter sightseeing flight – Take in dramatic aerial views of the lagoon and volcanic peaks for a memorable perspective.
- Hiking adventures – Guided treks on peaks such as Mount Pahia or Mount Otemanu reward visitors with sweeping panoramas.
- Cultural tours of local villages – Learn about Polynesian traditions and daily life while exploring the island beyond the resorts.
- Aqua Safari helmet dive – Walk underwater wearing an air-supplied helmet and get close to tropical fish during a boat-and-snorkel outing.
Fire & Feast – Windstar Exclusive Destination Discovery Event
In the evening, it was Windstar Exclusive Destination Discovery Event – a dinner party on a private motu complete with fire dancers! We were on the first catamaran over to the private island, so we got to pick a prime spot for dinner and the show.
Dinner was, once again, incredible – as seafood-lovers, it was a dream meal. There was so much delicious food to choose from, along with lobster tails and swordfish on the grill. After dinner we were treated to a fire dancing show – it was a great end to our time in Bora Bora.
Day 7: Huahine
Our last stop on this Dreams of Tahiti cruise itinerary was Huahine. We rented a car ahead of time and had it delivered to the port area. We were tendered to shore and picked up the car for an easy drive around the two islands. There is literally one road around both islands so it is impossible to get lost.
It was one of the most beautiful drives, as the road is on the waters edge. We stopped at beautiful gardens, sacred historical sites, breathtaking beaches, archaeological sites, and small villages along the way:
- Maeva Archaeological Park – One of the most important archaeological sites in French Polynesia, with ancient temples and fish traps set along the lagoon.
- Maeva Village – A relaxed village area where you can stop to see daily life, small shops, and waterfront views.
- Sacred Blue-Eyed Eels (Faie) – A quick stop to see the island’s famous eels in a freshwater stream; local vendors often sell bananas to feed them.
- Ane’a Beach (Plage de Hana Iti) – A quiet lagoon beach ideal for swimming or snorkeling, with fewer crowds than other islands.
- Huahine Lookouts (Belvédères) – Pull-off viewpoints along the coastal road offering great views of the lagoon, reefs, and surrounding mountains.
- Vanilla Plantations – Small roadside stops where you can learn how Tahitian vanilla is grown and cured, and purchase local products.
Our last stop was Fare, where we parked and walked through the village. We enjoyed lunch here at the Huahine Yacht Club. Dishes such as battered fish and fries, mahi mahi (the catch of the day) and raw fish in coconut milk – it was all so fresh and delicious. Sitting on the waters edge made it picture perfect.
After lunch we finished the loop and made our way back to the port to drop off the car and tender back to the ship.
We finished the day enjoying some water sports off The Marina at the back of the yacht.
History of the Society Islands, French Polynesia
The Society Islands were settled over a thousand years ago by skilled Polynesian navigators who crossed the Pacific using stars, winds, and ocean currents, establishing thriving communities built around family, land, and the sea. Life centered on fishing, agriculture, and spiritual practices tied closely to nature, with traditions passed down through oral history, dance, and art. Many of these cultural foundations remain strong today, visible in local customs, language, music, and the continued importance of community and connection to the land.
European contact began in the 18th century, followed by missionaries and traders who brought significant cultural and social change. In the 19th century, France established control over the islands, and today they remain an overseas collectivity of France. French Polynesia is a semi-autonomous territory of France with its own assembly, president, budget and laws. France’s influence is limited to subsidies, education, and security. Tahitians are French citizens with complete civil and political rights.
Windstar Tahiti Cruise Review
We loved our first experience on a Windstar cruise. The food was incredible and loved having speciality restaurants available at no additional cost. Drinks are very reasonably priced (we did not opt for the drink package). Wine was $9-10 per glass as well as most other drinks, and Old Fashions with Woodford or Whistle Pig were $12.
The yacht club (library) became our favorite hangout – the 8th floor panoramic views were captivating. Combined with the fun water sports area at the back of the boat, and you really do have some fantastic onboard fun.
Windstar reminds me of Atlas Ocean Voyages with the port talks and lectures about the culture and people in the area. There are no casinos on board or all-day entertainment – this kind of cruise is for those who want to learn about a place and travel purposefully in it.
As a homeschooling family, we love this kind of vibe. Payton has been the youngest on board these style of cruises. And on this Tahiti cruise, there were no other children on board. Children are allowed, but there aren’t activities on board that cater to them.
A Windstar cruise to Tahiti is definitely an elevated cruise experience, and we would recommend it. Talk to us about getting the best deals on this amazing experience!
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