9 best South Pacific and Tahiti cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime trip

28.07.2024 - 14:15 / thepointsguy.com / Bora Bora

Cruising around the islands of the South Pacific is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many travelers. While some of the island nations, like Fiji, are well known to Americans, others, like Niue, are less familiar. A South Pacific cruise promises cultural experiences, beautiful landscapes and plenty of water-based activities.

You can find South Pacific itineraries on luxury, expedition and even big-ship cruise lines. Some ships sail from Hawaii to Australia with island visits throughout the South Pacific, or offer weeklong cruises from Australia to a handful of the nearest South Pacific islands like Vanuatu. Cruisers looking to dive deep into the rich history and culture of the South Pacific might want to consider some of the smaller luxury lines that depart from the islands themselves; Papeete, Tahiti, in French Polynesia is a common port of embarkation.

South Pacific cruises are often the domain of retirees and honeymooners, but South Pacific cruises can be a fulfilling trip with kids or as a multigenerational vacation.

Here are the nine best South Pacific cruises for your next vacation.

Silversea Cruises offers a variety of South Pacific cruises that span nine to 19 nights, but the most popular options are the 11- to 13-night round-trip sailings from Papeete, Tahiti. In 2025, Silver Shadow will call on ports like Nuku Hiva and Atuona in the Marquesas Islands, Bora Bora and Moorea. Cruisers can enjoy hikes and marvel at waterfalls at Nuku Hiva, while Moorea is known for its ocean activities like snorkeling or sunbathing at picturesque beaches.

The cruise line offers two types of inclusive fares. The port-to-port fares include all food and drinks onboard, butler service, gratuities and shore excursions. This package does not include flights or airport transfers. The door-to-door fare package includes roundtrip flights, airport transfers, a precruise hotel, all food and drinks onboard, shore excursions, butler service and gratuities. Additionally, postcruise hotel and airport transfers are included.

Who should go: Silversea is known for luxury ships that cater to retirees. Silver Shadow features gourmet dining at several specialty restaurants, including the French La Dame and Italian La Terrazza. By day, gaze at the ocean from a light-filled lounge while enjoying a complimentary cocktail; by night, find your luck at the ship's small casino.

Intuitive service is a Silversea hallmark. The ship has a nearly one-to-one ratio of crew to guests, and a butler attends every suite.

Fares: From $8,900 per person, based on double occupancy

Related: 5 fabulous destinations for luxury cruise fans

Windstar Cruises is an industry leader in cruises around Tahiti. The brand has been sailing the islands for more than 35