French Polynesia cruise departures set for further growth in 2027
New and returning ships will expand Papeete-based options, with additional calls expected across the Marquesas and Austral Islands.
Cruise departures scheduled for 2027 are 10 percent higher after a 25 percent increase in 2026, according to Tahiti Tourisme. The destination marketing organization also expects a substantial rise in port calls in the Marquesas and Austral Islands.
Two ships are due to begin homeporting in Papeete. Aranui Cruises plans to introduce the 198-passenger Aranoa, a combined passenger-and-cargo vessel, in early 2027. It will primarily operate 13-day voyages to the Austral Islands. Windstar Cruises’ 148-passenger Wind Star is also scheduled to return in early 2027 for seven-day Dreams of Tahiti itineraries, joining the 343-passenger Star Breeze, which is already based year-round in Papeete.
Other operators are adding or maintaining regional deployments. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection plans to base the 298-passenger Evrima in Papeete for three months from December 2026 and again from December 2027, offering seven-night sailings. Ponant’s Le Jacques Cartier is scheduled for 14-night expedition-style trips to the Marquesas and Tuamotu island groups.
Paul Gauguin Cruises, a Ponant subsidiary, plans to mark 30 years of homeporting the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin in Papeete in 2027.