Society Islands French Polynesia Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
36 ships from 17 cruise lines
Society Islands French Polynesia cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 165 upcoming sailings on 36 ships from 17 cruise lines visiting Society Islands French Polynesia, calling at 3 places. Cruises visit Society Islands French Polynesia as a port of call and do not start or end here. More South Pacific & Australia cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Society Islands French Polynesia cruise lines
See every Society Islands 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 Society Islands French Polynesia
The Society Islands are the heart of French Polynesia: Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, and Bora Bora. This package focuses on small-ship cruising—the best way to see lagoons and volcanic peaks without the 'herding' of large cruise lines. Highlights include the UNESCO marae at Taputapuatea, coral-garden snorkeling, vanilla farms, and Bora Bora's iconic lagoon. The trade-off: long-haul flights, tender-based port calls, and a price tag that reflects remote island logistics.
Typical routes
- Classic Society Islands Loop – Papeete, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Papeete (7 nights).
- Extended Polynesia – Papeete plus Tuamotu atolls (Fakarava, Rangiroa), sometimes the Marquesas or Australes; the Society Islands remain the anchor of the route.
Ports overview
Society Islands cruises are short, small-ship, lagoon-based loops from Papeete, combining one or two 'big' icons (Bora Bora) with quieter islands (Huahine, Taha'a, Raiatea). Most calls are by tender, so mobility matters. The loop is easy to do with a 7-night itinerary.
Cruise season
Year-round; best weather May–October (dry, cooler trade winds). November–April is warmer and more humid with higher rain and possible cyclones (rare).
Find your Society Islands French Polynesia sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Society Islands French Polynesia, earliest departure first.
15 Days Papeete, French Polynesia Round Trip
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits French Polynesia
Paul Gauguin
12 Days One-Way from Papeete to Honolulu
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits French Polynesia, United States
Norwegian Spirit
13 Days One-Way from Honolulu to Papeete
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits United States, French Polynesia
Norwegian Spirit
Why Book With Waterways Cruise?
Four decades of expertise, one dedicated advisor, and every detail handled, from your front door to the gangway and back.
Cruise Concierge
A dedicated advisor who learns your name, your travel style and your preferences, then stays with you from the first conversation to the day you return home. Not a call center. Never a stranger.
100% Custom‑Built
No cookie-cutter packages. Flights, hotels, transfers and shore days are designed from scratch around how you actually like to travel, then refined until the trip feels like yours.
40+ Years in Travel
Founded by J. Richard, a four-decade veteran of the travel industry, and focused solely on premium river and ocean cruising. Decades of ship and itinerary knowledge go into every recommendation.
Book With Total Confidence
A travel agency that is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, CLIA, ASTA and IATA.
9 Days Papeete, French Polynesia Round Trip
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits French Polynesia, Cook Islands
Norwegian Spirit
80 Days Brisbane, Australia Round Trip
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits Australia, New Zealand, Fiji
Grand Princess
80 Days Sydney, Australia Round Trip
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits Australia, New Zealand, Fiji
Grand Princess
50 Days One-Way from Sydney to Tokyo
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits Australia, New Zealand, Fiji
Grand Princess
29 Days One-Way from Sydney to Los Angeles
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits Australia, New Zealand, Fiji
Grand Princess
13 Days One-Way from Papeete to Honolulu
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits French Polynesia, United States
Norwegian Spirit
80 Days Auckland, New Zealand Round Trip
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa
Grand Princess
22 Days One-Way from Papeete to Lautoka
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tongatapu Island Tonga
Star Breeze
15 Days One-Way from Papeete to Lautoka
Visits Society Islands French Polynesia. Also visits French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tongatapu Island Tonga
Star Breeze
Where Society Islands French Polynesia cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (0)
No cruises start here.
Disembarkation ports (0)
No cruises end here.
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 Society Islands French Polynesia cruise
Society Islands French Polynesia cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Society Islands French Polynesia cruise port guide →More South Pacific & Australia cruises
Australia · French Polynesia · Fiji · New Zealand · Vanuatu · Cook Islands · New Caledonia · Papua New Guinea
Frequently asked questions about Society Islands French Polynesia cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Society Islands French Polynesia?
3 Society Islands French Polynesia places are visited by 36 ships from 17 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Society Islands French Polynesia cruise?
Year-round; best weather May–October (dry, cooler trade winds). November–April is warmer and more humid with higher rain and possible cyclones (rare).
Sources and further reading
Background on Society Islands French Polynesia draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: French Polynesia
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Society Islands
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Taputapuatea
- Tahiti Tourisme: The Islands of Tahiti
- Paul Gauguin Cruises: Society Islands Cruises
- Windstar Cruises: Tahiti & Society Islands Cruises
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!