French Polynesia & the Society Islands Cruise

After your stay in Papeete you sail to Moorea, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Huahine, then back to Papeete on Tahiti. See the day-by-day itinerary.

The 11-day holiday with return flights from the UK, hotel nights and transfers starts from £4,411 per person Flights & hotel included, and the 8-day cruise only from £2,031 per person. Prices are per person sharing a cabin and change with the departure date and cabin, with any special offer already shown: see every date and price.

It sails all year round, and every departure date, with its price and any special offer, is in the price list.

M/S Panorama II, a motor sailer for up to 49 guests in 25 cabins. More about the ship and its cabins.

The holiday package includes:

• Return flights from the UK and in-destination transfers
• 7 night cruise on board M/S Panorama II on a full board basis
• 3 night stay in Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts on a bed-and-breakfast basis

Also included: a professional English-speaking cruise director; port charges.

Not included: beverages, except filter coffee, tea, and water; shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements; crew gratuities (optional – recommended amount: EUR 15–18 per passenger per day); passenger personal expenses; Wi-Fi (available at charge).

The cruise-only price covers the cruise itself; flights and hotel nights can be added.

Yes. Single occupancy is a 50% supplement, and a third guest sharing a Category B cabin pays 30% less. Ask us for the exact price for your cabin.

Flights from the UK to Papeete take 20 to 24 hours with a stopover in Paris, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Your outbound flight typically arrives in Tahiti in the early hours of the following day, which is why your package includes a hotel on arrival before you board the ship. We confirm your flight details at the time of booking.

If your flights route via the United States — with stopovers in Los Angeles or San Francisco — you will need a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before you travel. An ESTA costs $40, is applied for online through the official US government website, and is valid for two years once approved. If your flights route via Paris instead, no ESTA is required.

British passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism. Passport and entry requirements can change, so we recommend checking the latest official advice before travel.

The dry season from May to October is generally considered the best time to visit. Temperatures are warm, around 27 to 30°C, humidity is lower, and trade winds keep conditions comfortable both on land and at sea. December to April is warmer and wetter, with a higher chance of heavy rain and some cyclone risk, though the Society Islands — Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea — are at lower risk than the outer archipelagos. Panorama II operates year-round, and many guests find the shoulder months of May and October offer excellent conditions with fewer visitors.

The currency in French Polynesia is the CFP franc (XPF), which is fixed against the euro. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, though cash is useful in local markets and on smaller islands.

Panorama II is a small ship with stairs between decks and no passenger lift. Shore excursions often involve uneven ground, tender landings and light walking. That said, the pace of the itinerary is relaxed, the group is small at a maximum of 49 guests, and the crew are attentive throughout.

Yes. Our French Polynesia Extended Exploration cruise covers the same Society Islands aboard Panorama II but over 10 or 11 nights, with two nights each in Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea rather than one night at each. The 11-night itinerary also adds an extra day in Tahiti with the excursion to Venus Point, the Faarumai Waterfalls and the Arahoho blowhole. If you would like more time on each island rather than a highlights itinerary, the extended cruise is worth considering.

Choose your departure and cabin in the price list and ask for a quote, or call our cruise team on 020 8324 3117 (Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00, Saturday 09:30 to 17:00) or email info@seafarerholidays.com. Holidays with flights are ATOL protected (licence 9511).