PHOTO: The Wind Spirit will sail from Tahiti year-round starting in May. (Courtesy of Windstar Cruises)
In a perfect match of ship and destination, Windstar Cruises just announced that the 148-passenger Wind Spirit will sail in French Polynesia year-round starting next spring.
The yacht with six billowing white sails just completed its first season in Tahiti, operating 28 voyages from Papeete through Nov. 7. After a winter in Panama and Costa Rica, the ship will return to Tahiti and operate its first cruise on May 26.
The Wind Spirit moved to Tahiti this year after a 10-year hiatus by Windstar. Cruise travelers heralded the return of one of the world's most romantic vessels to one of the globe's most romantic destinations.
"When we returned to Tahiti this year, we knew it would be a popular choice for our guests," Windstar CEO Hans Birkholz said. "Now with the addition of our Star Breeze and Star Legend power yachts, which debut in May of 2015, we're able to extend our sailings in Tahiti year-round to accommodate the demand from our customers. We can't wait to sail throughout the year in paradise."
Windstar purchased three 212-passenger ships from Seabourn. The first one, Star Pride, joined the Windstar fleet in May, and the other two will join their sister in May after renovations and name changes.
When the Wind Spirit returns to French Polynesia, it will operate the seven-day "Dreams of Tahiti" itinerary, as well as new 10- and 11-day voyages in the Tuamotu Islands, known as a paradise for diving and snorkeling.
The "Dreams of Tahiti" voyage begins in Papeete and sails to Moorea, Tahaa, Raiatea, Huahine and Bora Bora. The "Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands" itinerary includes those ports of call plus stops in Takapoto and Rangiroa in the Tuamotus, as well as two days at sea. The 11-day voyage features a visit in Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for the preservation of rare species.
Windstar also is adding new shore excursions, incuding one that offers private snorkeling at a Tahitian black pearl farm in Raiatea, followed by a champagne sunset cruise along the coral reef to look for blacktip sharks.
Before resuming Tahiti cruises in May, the Wind Spirit's 73 staterooms will undergo a renovation to get a new seating area with sofa, new dressers and a more open layout. The upgrades follow Windstar's $18 million fleet-wide renovation project from 2012, which enhanced staterooms and corridors.
For a closer look at Windstar's Tahiti program, check out this video:
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