French Polynesia Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
36 ships from 17 cruise lines
French Polynesia cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 193 upcoming sailings on 36 ships from 17 cruise lines visiting French Polynesia, calling at 13 places. Cruises can start in Papeete and end in Papeete. Of 193 upcoming sailings, 79 start in French Polynesia and 85 end there. More South Pacific & Australia cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare French Polynesia cruise lines
See every French Polynesia cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About French Polynesia
French Polynesia is not a river-cruise destination; it is the world's most beautiful lagoon-cruise destination. For the milestone traveler who fears being herded, the sweet spot is a small ship (under 400 passengers), a week or two in the Society Islands, and the option of a remote Marquesas/Tuamotu expedition. The reward is volcanic peaks, coral gardens, pearl farms, Polynesian culture, and almost no crowds outside the main ports.
Typical routes
- Society Islands lagoon loop
- Remote Marquesas & Tuamotu expedition
Ports overview
Most cruise calls in French Polynesia are anchorages rather than industrial ports. The Society Islands form the classic circuit; the Tuamotu atolls and Marquesas are expedition territory. Ships typically spend a day at each island, often with one or two overnight stays in Bora Bora or Papeete.
Cruise season
May–October is the most comfortable cruising season: cooler, drier, and calmer. November–April is warmer and more humid, with a higher chance of tropical squalls; cyclone risk peaks February–March. Water temperatures are pleasant year-round.
Find your French Polynesia sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at French Polynesia, earliest departure first.
22 Days One-Way from Papeete to Sydney
Starts in French Polynesia. Also visits Cook Islands, Tutuila Island American Samoa, Samoa
Seven Seas Mariner
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Where French Polynesia cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (1)
Papeete (193) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (1)
Papeete (193)
Ships by type: 34 ocean 3 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your French Polynesia cruise
French Polynesia cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
French Polynesia cruise port guide →More South Pacific & Australia cruises
Australia · Society Islands French Polynesia · Fiji · New Zealand · Vanuatu · Cook Islands · New Caledonia · Papua New Guinea
Frequently asked questions about French Polynesia cruises
How many places do cruises visit in French Polynesia?
13 French Polynesia places are visited by 36 ships from 17 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a French Polynesia cruise?
May–October is the most comfortable cruising season: cooler, drier, and calmer. November–April is warmer and more humid, with a higher chance of tropical squalls; cyclone risk peaks February–March. Water temperatures are pleasant year-round.
Sources and further reading
Background on French Polynesia draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA: The World Factbook – French Polynesia
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: French Polynesia
- Tahiti Tourisme: Official destination site
- UNESCO: Taputapuātea
- U.S. Department of State: French Polynesia International Travel Information
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 30, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!