Sarah Bretz, ContributorWindstar Cruises began sailing this year to the Marquesas Islands — a remote, South Pacific paradise that welcomes just a few thousand visitors per year. In July, the Marquesas received broad international recognition by being named one of the world’s newest UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Windstar is commemorating the moment by offering a celebration cruise departing September 26th, hosted by Windstar’s French Polynesian Attaché Hironui Johnston, along with three Marquesas Islands mayors. An additional celebratory sailing will take place on March 27, 2025.
UNESCO recognized the Marquesas for its gorgeous geography and remote location, in addition to the surrounding waters being “among the world’s last marine wilderness areas.” UNESCO also recognized the Marquesas’ unique culture and heritage.
Windstar has been sailing in French Polynesia for over 36 years, creating deep relationships and partnerships with local officials across the region. With the expansion to include the remote Marquesas, the total number of islands the line visits in the South Pacific is 11. Windstar’s year-round cruises (also including the Society Islands and the Tuamotus) bring the culture of French Polynesia onboard with a designated cultural ambassador for all sailings.
All itineraries include a complimentary Bora Bora Celebration Destination Discovery Event, which is a private feast on a beach with local performances from music to fire dancing. Local food and beer/spirits are highlighted onboard, while curated shore excursions led by locals enrich the cruise.
“We are honored to host the mayors of these incredible islands on board Star Breeze for this celebration of the UNESCO World Heritage status,” said Stijn Creupelandt, vice president of hotel operations at Windstar Cruises. “This designation is a testament to their work at preserving their culture and environment.”
The mayors from the Marquesas’ Ua Huka, Fatu Hiva, and Tahuata joining Windstar on the September 26th celebration sailing (a 14-day round trip voyage from Papeete) will speak to the process and journey of being recognized as an UNESCO site. They will also discuss rāhui – a traditional community-based approach to resource management; why the mayors of the Marquesas work together and the legends that inspire this cooperation; and how they are empowering the next generation to conserve and protect the destination.
Workshops will also be led on board with hands-on topics like traditional Marquesas lei crafting, Haka Manu (Bird Dance) lessons, and culinary demonstrations on how to make I’a mito (the Marquesas’ version of poisson cru – a dish similar to ceviche) and Keukeu, which is a traditional dish of goat with coconut milk. Additionally, professional photographers Pat and Rosemarie Keough will round out the programming with photography workshops aimed at expertly capturing the island’s natural beauty and teeming underwater life.
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