Sarah Bretz, ContributorOceania Cruises has announced its 2025 Polynesia schedule, taking travelers to discover off-the-beaten-path islands from the comfort of its small, luxury ships.
The 2025 season in the South Pacific will be Oceania’s most expansive to date, with Nautica and Regatta traversing the region during the winter and summer seasons. Both seasons’ unique itineraries have been designed to create a memorable and immersive experience for well-traveled guests. Regatta and Nautica are well suited for the region, featuring more balcony staterooms and more free specialty dining options than any other ship regularly based in Tahiti.
“Our 2025 collection of itineraries spanning Polynesia offers guests the opportunity to discover the astounding nature, rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted cultural traditions of the South Pacific,” commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “With only 670 guests on board our ultra-premium ships, there is no doubt that traveling through Polynesia with Oceania Cruises is by far the most relaxing and carefree way to experience the most relaxing and carefree place in the world.”
At the heart of the season are 10-day roundtrip Papeete sailings. Wildlife-loving guests can look out for the abundance of marine life that frequent the turquoise waters around the islands, including spinner dolphins, whales, and stingrays. The region plays host to a spectacular number of ancient archaeological sites, rugged mountains adorned with wild hibiscus, and colorful ginger flowers. After a day exploring the untouched natural wonders of Polynesia, guests can sit and watch some of the most stunning sunsets in the world from the deck.
The diverse selection of itineraries includes the must-sees in French Polynesia such as Papeete, Nuku Hiva, and a number of overnight stays in Bora Bora.
Only-in-Polynesia adventures that passengers will be able to take part in include tours of vanilla and black pearl farms, picturesque lagoon cruises, and motu island picnics. Oceania Cruises’ extensive range of curated shore excursions allows guests to discover the islands for themselves, absorbing the unspoiled, natural beauty that these islands radiate alongside the region’s unique cultural traditions.
Oceania is also offering a variety of longer voyages, which allows guests to explore Polynesia after visiting Hawaii or New Zealand. There’s also World Voyages of up to 111 days long, ending in Singapore, Cape Town, or Barcelona.
Oceania Cruises Shore Excursion Highlights
Oceania Cruises has partnered with Condé Nast Traveler to bring an exclusive collection of itineraries picked by the magazine’s dedicated editors. Four of the line’s Polynesia itineraries are included among the 23 Condé Nast Traveler branded itineraries, featuring editorial insights and unique tips in featured ports of call.
Additional shore excursion highlights include:
Aito Off-Road Safari
Traveling off-road in a four-wheel drive, soak up the exquisite beauty of Moorea, exploring the verdant mountains, deep valleys and white-sand beaches, stopping at a sacred ancient marae and learning about the pineapple crop on the way.
Vanilla Flavor & Taha’a Motu Picnic
Cruise to the island of Taha’a from Raiatea – source of 70% of the vanilla grown in French Polynesia – to explore an intoxicatingly fragrant vanilla plantation and visit a tiny islet for a Polynesian picnic lunch and some beach time.
Sail Bora Bora by Catamaran
Discover Bora Bora’s famously gorgeous lagoon by catamaran, comfortably watching the views of the magnificent extinct volcanoes and spotting colorful tropical fish above the crystalline reef.
Discover Tahiti’s West Coast
From the Robert Wan Pearl Museum and Marche de Papeete to the tranquil Jardins Paofai, observe the surfers on their longboards alongside natural treasures like the thundering Faarumai Waterfalls, Arahoho Blowhole, and the Maraa Fern Grottos, home to the largest underwater cave in Tahiti.
Visit to Taipivai Valley
Set off on a guided adventure in a four-wheel-drive vehicle into the lush valley described in Herman Melville’s 1846 novel, Typee. A famously rugged paradise, Taipivai Valley is spectacularly beautiful, rich in archeological sites, and yours to discover during this fascinating excursion.
Shark and Stingray Snorkel Safari in Bora Bora
Explore Bora Bora’s turquoise, unspoiled lagoon via boat before slipping into the gin-clear waters to discover the ancient crater rim of Moti To’opua, gliding alongside the island’s graceful stingrays and parrotfish.
Polynesia Cruise Highlights
Tahitian & Hawaiian Hues: 18 days from Los Angeles to Papeete aboard Nautica, overnighting in Bora Bora and Papeete and visiting Lahaina, Honolulu, Hilo, Raiatea and Moorea. Departs January 8, 2025.
Papeete to Honolulu: 15 Days from Papeete to Honolulu aboard Regatta, from overnighting in Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Lahaina, Nawiliwili and Honolulu. Departs September 15, 2025.
Tahitian Legends: 10 days roundtrip from Papeete (Tahiti) aboard Regatta, a Condé Nast Traveler branded itinerary, traveler will overnight in Papeete and Bora Bora and visit Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa and Raiatea. Departs August 16, 2025.
All sailings include Oceania’s simply MORE value promise, meaning virtually everything is included in the voyage fare: complimentary vintage champagnes, premium wines, and international beers during lunch and dinner and a shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom (credit varies by cruise length).
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