Island-hop in paradise: Cruises return to French Polynesia
The remote islands of French Polynesia are finally accessible again to cruisers, thanks to Windstar Cruises.
The small-ship cruise specialist on Thursday became the first traditional cruise line to restart French Polynesia sailings since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic with voyages out of Tahiti.
Windstar restarted sailings out of Tahiti with a seven-night trip on its 148-passenger Wind Spirit -- a partly sail-powered vessel that has been based year-round in French Polynesia for several years.
The sailing is bringing calls at the nearby French Polynesian islands of Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Huahine.
Windstar is one of two traditional cruise lines that normally offer French Polynesia voyages year-round. The other line that does so, Paul Gauguin Cruises, plans to restart sailings in the region on Aug. 28.
Tourists also can cruise around French Polynesia on an unusual hybrid vessel called Aranui 5 that is part cargo ship, part passenger vessel. Designed to deliver goods to remote French Polynesian islands but also built with passenger cabins, Aranui 5 has been welcoming paying passengers on board since August 2020.
All French Polynesia cruises came to a halt in March 2020 after the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic. Paul Gauguin Cruises restarted sailings in the region soon thereafter but later shut down again after the region closed to tourists amidst surging COVID-19 cases worldwide.
The latest restart of traditional cruising in French Polynesia comes as cruising is resuming in a growing number of places around the world. In just the last few weeks, cruising finally has restarted in the Caribbean after a 15-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on Monday, the first big cruise ship sailed for Alaska in nearly two years. Cruising is ramping up in Europe, too.
French Polynesia, meanwhile, soon will be home to more cruise vessels offering regular sailings than normal. Windstar traditionally bases just one of its six ships in the region. But starting on Sept. 19, it'll have a second vessel -- the 312-passenger Star Breeze -- based in Papeete, Tahiti, too, for an extended period.
Star Breeze will remain in French Polynesia through March 2022.
In a statement on the restart last week, Windstar president Christopher Prelog said there was pent-up demand for trips to the destination from honeymooners and people celebrating anniversaries who had been cut off from cruises in French Polynesia for much of the past year.
Windstar is offering a mix of seven-, 10- and 11-night French Polynesia sailings over the next months and also packaging the cruises with Air Tahiti Nui flights from Los Angeles and pre-cruise nights in a hotel.
For now, Windstar is requiring that all passengers on the sailings be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The line also is implementing other new health and safety measures, including social distancing and mask-wearing requirements.
Windstar currently has three of its six ships back in operation. The line's 148-passenger Wind Star restart sailings in Greece on June 19. Star Breeze resumed Caribbean trips on July 10.
The line's three other vessels -- Wind Surf, Star Legend and Star Pride -- are scheduled to restart operations on Aug. 8, Sept. 4 and Nov. 3, respectively.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.