by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Wed September 18, 2024
Windstar Cruises is expanding its footprint in the South Pacific.
The small-ship line has been sailing in French Polynesia for more than 36 years. But, starting in 2026, Windstar will also expand its itineraries to include cruises to Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
The new additions will be offered onboard the 312- guest Star Breeze, which began sailing year-round in the South Pacific in February. Earlier this year, Star Breeze also began cruising to the remote Marquesas Islands, which were recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cruise line will also roll out new shorter itineraries, as well as additional air and hotel packages with overwater bungalows in Bora Bora.
“These new additions are a natural progression for us, as these faraway South Pacific islands exemplify the heart of Polynesian culture,” says Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “But they are extremely difficult to access, especially if you’re piecing together your own trip. On Windstar, you’re able to sail there easily on an all-suite ship that has no more than 312 passengers. We can go to places like Tonga and Taveuni without overwhelming the destination from a tourism, ecological, and cultural perspective, due to our small size and the great relationships we’ve built while sailing in the region over decades.”
To help guests take advantage of the new offerings, Windstar has launched an early booking offer. Guests who book a 2026 South Pacific sailing can enjoy a free all-inclusive experience (which includes WiFi; unlimited wine, beer and cocktails; and all gratuities), plus a $100 onboard credit per stateroom.
The new itineraries are:
- Flowers of the South French Polynesia, a 15-day cruise that visits destinations in Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and the Society Islands
- Maori Storytellers & French Polynesian Treasures, a 10- or 11-day voyage that explores the Society Islands and the Cook Islands
- Tantalizing Tuamotu Islands & Beautiful Bora Bora, a shorter, 7-day version of the line’s existing 11-day cruises around the Tuamotu Islands
- Far Flung French Polynesia and Marquesas Magic, a shorter, 11-day version of Windstar’s existing Marquesas trips
Guests who book Windstar’s 7-day “Dreams of Tahiti” cruise can also take advantage of new air and hotel packages. The new “Stars Over Bora Bora Air + Overwater Villa” package, for example, is a 14-day trip that includes round trip Air Tahiti Nui flights from Seattle or Los Angeles, two nights in a hotel in Papeete and three nights in an overwater bungalow on Bora Bora.
In addition to these new offerings, the brand is planning to send a second ship, Wind Star, to join Star Breeze in Tahiti in 2027. That’s possible because Windstar is launching two new ships, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, in the coming years.
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