From 2026, Windstar will offer new experiences visiting Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands, in addition to existing ones in Tahiti and the Society Islands, the Tuamotus and the Marquesas.
New shorter itinerary options, such as the 7-night Tuamotus cruise and the 11-night Marquesas cruise, open these remote destinations to more travelers. Add-on flight and hotel packages with overwater bungalows in Bora Bora will allow guests to extend their stay on these iconic islands.
Windstar has been sailing in Tahiti for over 36 years and is considered the region's leading cruise company, with strong relationships with local partners that help the cruise line access remote areas and integrate the Polynesian lifestyle into its cruises and shore experiences. Windstar offers the most 7-day sailings on its popular Dreams of Tahiti cruise. In 2024, the cruise line began offering cruises to the remote Marquesas Islands, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their remarkable geography and unique culture and heritage.
The Star Breeze, with capacity for 312 passengers and all suites, sails the South Pacific year-round, now with more itineraries and islands than ever before thanks to the 2026 additions.
To celebrate the news, Windstar is simultaneously launching an early booking offer. Those who book a 2026 South Pacific cruise will enjoy a complimentary All-Inclusive experience—including Wi-Fi; unlimited wine, beer, and cocktails; and all gratuities—plus one onboard credit per stateroom.
"Tahiti is one of my favorite destinations on the planet, and I was thrilled to expand Windstar's itineraries in the region to the remote Marquesas Islands this year," says Windstar President Christopher Prelog.
“These new additions are a natural progression for us, as these remote South Pacific islands exemplify the heart of Polynesian culture. But access to them is extremely difficult, especially if you’re organizing your own trip. With Windstar, you can easily sail on an all-suite ship with a maximum capacity of 312 passengers. We can go to places like Tonga and Taveuni without overwhelming the destination from a tourism, ecological, and cultural perspective, thanks to our small size and the strong relationships we’ve built sailing in the region for decades.”.
The NEW itineraries include:
- Flowers of Southern French Polynesia (15 days)
- Maori storytelling and treasures of French Polynesia (10 or 11 days)
- The tempting Tuamotu Islands and beautiful Bora Bora (7 days)
- Magic of French Polynesia and the Marquesas (11 days)
Other new offerings include flight and overwater bungalow packages combined with Windstar's classic seven-day Tahiti Dreams cruise, which includes an overnight stay in a coveted overwater bungalow in Bora Bora before the cruise. This way, guests can enjoy more inland experiences, from March 2025 through 2026
Windstar brings the culture of French Polynesia on board with a dedicated cultural ambassador for every voyage. This crew member, a local Polynesian, invites guests to embrace all things Polynesian throughout the cruise with special sessions on dance, music, language, culture, and art. All itineraries include a complimentary Bora Bora Destination Discovery Event, featuring a private evening banquet on a motu (small island) with local performances, from music to fire dancing.
Another special event on the pool deck is an Arearea—an evening of Tahitian celebrations—featuring local musicians, dancers, and hands-on activities such as learning to tie a sarong and make flower leis. Guests can swim from the ship's watersports platform and use complimentary watersports equipment for kayaking and paddleboarding; snorkeling gear is provided for guests to keep during the cruise. Shore excursions are being planned for new ports of call.
The cruise line recently announced that it will expand its fleet with two new all-suite ships, allowing Windstar to bring back to Tahiti one of its beloved Wind-class ships, the Wind Star, which will join the Star Breeze in 2027, adding more capacity to meet the growing demand for South Pacific cruises.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
