Sailing round-trip from Papeete port, Tahiti, the seven-night and 10-night itineraries uncover the hidden wonders of the world-famous Society Islands of French Polynesia with a maximum capacity of just 49 passengers.

On-the-ground activities include: visiting a beach with rock pools and an incredible grotto, swimming deeper inside the grotto into an underwater cave system that opens out to reveal a spectacular watery cathedral, full of weird and wonderful stalagmites and stalactites.

“The Islands of Tahiti is pleased to offer a warm welcome (maeva) to Variety Cruises as they launch their new voyages this coming year,” said Kristin Carlson, managing director for Tahiti Tourisme North America.

Variety Cruises, Greece’s leading small ship cruise company, has launched two new cruises in Tahiti, the first time the company has operated in the destination. This cruise takes passengers through the same route as the seven-night cruise and then onwards to rarely-visited Makatea, Rangiroa, Tetiaroa and Mo’orea. “We look forward to travelers coming to the destination to experience the Mana, or spirit of the islands, aboard their intimate yachts, perfectly suited for exploring our paradise.”

Bora Bora; Otemanu

The 10-night cruise, Tahiti, the Society & Tuamotu islands, allows a deeper discovery of the Tuamotu islands. Island hopping allows voyagers to see every landscape, from geometric ridges strung with waterfalls on the high islands to flat, desert-like atolls where lagoons far outsize the landmass. The limestone cliffs tower over the coast and the island’s interior shows significant vegetation, complete with a few species of endemic birds and a peculiar expanse of limestone holes. In the early 20th century, important reserves of phosphate were discovered in these naturally occurring holes, and for over 50 years the island was the centre of a thriving phosphate mining business. Today, this sleepy but spectacular island is home to three species of threatened endemic birds: the beautiful Makatea fruit dove, the impressive imperial pigeon, and the comely singer extraordinaire, the reed warbler.

“There is something about magical civilizations that has always intrigued me,” said the company’s CEO Filippos Venetopoulos.

Locals say that the Tahitian islands are all embraced by Mana (a life force and spirit that surrounds us) which visitors sense immediately upon arrival. Optional activities include a visit to the UNESCO-protected site of the ancient Marae (an open-air temple) of Taputapuatea, snorkelling excursions with stingrays and sharks, observing and feeding the sacred blue-eyed eels of Faie Bay, as well as lagoon explorations. I couldn’t be more thrilled to share that with the world, and thus, create, a better life at sea, one cruise at a time.” The highlight here is the island of Makatea, best described as a raised island of coral unlike any other destination found in French Polynesia.

Variety Cruises will be sailing Tahiti with the Panorama II, a 50-meter, two-masted motorsailer with a maximum capacity of 49 guests. Being on a small boat, passengers have access to private beaches and secluded locations that other (larger) cruise ships do not. The seven-night cruise, Tahiti & the Pearls of French Polynesia, takes passengers through Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Moorea. The company is the first cruise line to add the destination of Makatea to its official itinerary. Panorama II has classic lines and wooden finishes and consists of 25 passenger cabins, dining areas decorated with warm colours as well as a deck for sunbathing and an outdoor bar and sundeck. This itinerary launches February 3, 2023, and operates through December 2023 with rates from $2,490 USD per person, based on double occupancy, excluding port charges.

Among the stalactites and stalagmites that adorn Makatea’s Vaimarui cave, hangs an amazing elephant-leg-shaped stalactite accessible by swimming in the fresh and transparent water. The mining ceased in the 1960s, and the island went from a population of thousands to less than 100 inhabitants. Being Greek, of course, is something I grew up with, surrounded by the wisdom of ancient philosophers. Much like how Greece can capture you, these islands seem to give you something you never knew you needed.

• Cruise fares mentioned excluding shore excursions and port charges which are $275 USD and $360 USD respectively for these cruises.
• Rates are full board and include a buffet breakfast and two meals daily (no beverages included).
• For bookings made by November 10, 2022, cruisers get to enjoy free shore excursions (valid for select excursions) and free beverages with meals. Children up to 17 years old get to travel for free, sharing the parents’ cabin. Under this offer, there will be no single supplement for single travellers.
• For bookings made by January 15, 2023, a 10% discount will be applied for cruises sailing from July through December 2023.
• Promotions do not apply to existing bookings and group bookings.

Written by: Jill Walsh

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