Flights

Getting to Tahiti

Connect through Los Angeles (LAX), then fly nonstop to Papeete (PPT) on Air Tahiti Nui — the only nonstop service between LAX and Tahiti.

No matter where you begin your journey, you'll simply fly to Los Angeles, then connect to one of these nonstop flights to Tahiti.

When to Arrive

Both nonstops depart LAX on Saturday, May 8, 2027 — either one lands you inside our target window (in Tahiti by early morning May 9).

• TN007 · evening arrival: dep 4:20 PM LAX (Sat, May 8) → arr 9:30 PM Papeete (May 8). Lands the night before your target — the most cushion.
• TN101 · pre-dawn arrival: dep 11:00 PM LAX (Sat, May 8) → arr 4:10 AM Papeete (Sun, May 9). Right on your target window, still a full day pre-cruise.

Returning Home

Air Tahiti Nui operates overnight nonstop flights from Papeete (PPT) to Los Angeles (LAX) on May 17:

• TN002: departs 10:30 PM
• TN008: departs 11:45 PM

The overnight schedule lets you enjoy a full final day in Tahiti before heading to the airport.

Transfers Between Airport & Hotel

Once we know everyone's hotel selections and arrival times, we'll share transfer details with the group.

Excursions, Celebrations & Activities

You can explore and book excursions through these options:

Viator: Link

Shore Excursions: Link

Your Windstar Booking: Link (don't forget to sign in)

Where to Stay

Pre-Cruise: Book 2 nights, May 8–10

Book two nights (May 8 to 10). Even if you arrive at 5 AM on the 9th, you can check straight in and rest — no waiting for a standard afternoon check-in. Be sure to tell your hotel or host when you're arriving, so they don't release your room.

Your Options

VRBO — homes & private rentals. Most cost-effective.

InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa — full-service resort, 5 minutes from the airport and 15 from the Wind Star terminal.

Hilton — trusted, familiar comfort.

Other Hotels — lots to choose from; ask us and we'll help you compare.

Post-Cruise: May 17

You disembark at 8:00 AM, but Air Tahiti Nui flies home late (10:30 PM or 11:45 PM). To bridge the gap:

Buy a day pass — a place to shower, relax, and use the resort facilities right up until your late flight.

Book a room for May 17–18 (request early check-in) — same comforts with somewhere to rest. You won't stay overnight, but you'll have the room through your departure.

Packing List

Clothing

Light, breathable layers — swimwear, shorts, sundresses, and one dressier outfit for a special onboard evening.

Footwear

Comfortable sandals for walking, water shoes for excursions, and one pair of closed-toe shoes.

Sun & Rain

Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light rain jacket — May is dry season, but showers can pass through.

Extras

Reusable water bottle, small day bag, dry bag for excursions, and travel adapter (French Polynesia uses type E/C plugs, 220V).

Weather Tips

May in French Polynesia

Marks the beginning of dry season — warm, sunny, and less humid than summer months.

Temperatures

Expect highs around 84°F (29°C) and lows near 75°F (24°C), with a steady ocean breeze.

Rain

Brief tropical showers are possible but rarely last long. Pack a light rain jacket just in case.

Sun Protection

UV is strong year-round — sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are a must, even on cloudy days.

Money & Currency

Local Currency

The CFP franc (XPF) is used throughout French Polynesia. As of July 2026, 1 CAD ≈ 74 XPF — it's held fairly steady, moving roughly between 73–82 XPF over the past year, so no major swings to plan around.

Cards vs. Cash

Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, resorts, and larger shops. Bring some cash for local markets, small vendors, and tips.

Exchanging Money

ATMs are available in Papeete and at resorts. USD is not commonly accepted, so plan to exchange or withdraw XPF on arrival.

Onboard Spending

Wind Star charges purchases to your shipboard account in USD, settled at the end of the cruise.

Using a Wise Card

Wise offers a multi-currency debit card that converts at the real exchange rate with low fees — handy for ATM withdrawals and purchases abroad. It's not as universally accepted as major credit cards, so pair it with a backup card.

Embarkation & Disembarkation

Wind Star Cruise Port

Fingers Pier — Quai des Paquebots

Embark — Mon, May 10, 2027

Boarding from ~1:00 pm; sail at 5:30 pm.

Disembark — Mon, May 17, 2027

In port overnight; leave the ship around 8:00 am.

Port times set by Windstar; subject to change.

7-Night Itinerary

Round-trip from Papeete aboard the Wind Star, May 10–17, 2027 — threading through French Polynesia's Society Islands.

Day by Day

• Day 1 · May 10 — Papeete. Board at 1:00pm; set sail 5:30pm.
• Day 2 · May 11 — Raiatea. Arrive morning; overnight.
• Day 3 · May 12 — Motu Mahaea (Taha'a). Private-island day: beach BBQ and watersports.
• Day 4 · May 13 — Bora Bora. Arrive morning; overnight.
• Day 5 · May 14 — Bora Bora. Full day; sail in the evening.
• Day 6 · May 15 — Huahine. Full day ashore.
• Day 7 · May 16 — Moorea. Full day, then back to Papeete.
• Day 8 · May 17 — Papeete. Disembark at 8:00am.

Itinerary, ports, and times are subject to change by Windstar.

What's Included

• Unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails
• Wi-Fi
• All gratuities
• 30% off bottled wine and sparkling wine
• Your ocean-view stateroom aboard the Wind Star
• All meals in every onboard dining venue — no specialty-restaurant surcharges
• 24-hour room service
• Onboard entertainment, including the signature Destination Discovery beach party with Polynesian fire dancing
• The watersports platform off the back of the yacht — kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and swimming
• Still water, coffee, and tea

What's Not Included

A few things fall outside the cruise fare — worth budgeting for as you plan:

• Round-trip airfare and airport transfers
• Pre- and post-cruise hotel nights
• Shore excursions (roughly US$99–$499 each)
• Spa and salon services
• Premium spirits and top-shelf liquor upgrades beyond the All-Inclusive selection
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses — laundry, boutique purchases, and the like

Insider Tips

• You'll receive your own personal set of snorkeling equipment and fins for the duration of the voyage, custom-fit by our Marina team. So you can snorkel from the beach without having to wait in line to rent equipment.
• One thing you'll want to do as soon as you get on board — make a reservation to dine in Candles. This signature outdoor restaurant is the perfect place to watch a tropical sunset and enjoy a romantic tête-à-tête.
• In the islands you're almost guaranteed to come across noni (NO-nee) juice, made from the fruit of the Morinda citrifolia tree. Polynesians have used noni in traditional folk medicine for over 2,000 years and it's packed with antioxidants.
• While colorful reef fish are plentiful, French Polynesia is renowned for its big marine animals. And if you're into sharks, this is simply one of the best dive destinations in the world.
• We recommend all guests bring water shoes, as the beaches may be rocky and the coral can be sharp.

Cancellation Penalties

Windstar's standard penalty schedule is based on how many days before sailing (May 10, 2027) you cancel. Charges are per guest:

• Booking – 121 days out (through ~Jan 9, 2027): $50 per person fee
• 120 – 90 days (~Jan 10 – Feb 9, 2027): 15% of fare (typically the deposit)
• 89 – 60 days (~Feb 10 – Mar 11, 2027): 35% of fare
• 59 – 30 days (~Mar 12 – Apr 10, 2027): 50% of fare
• 29 – 0 days (Apr 11 – May 10, 2027): 100% — no refund

These are Windstar's standard published terms and can vary by fare type and for group bookings; Windstar also offers a flexible booking option for 2026–27 sailings. Please confirm the exact terms for our group with Debbie before the final payment date.

Travel Insurance

Before you travel, take a few minutes to review the coverage you may already have — through your work benefits, a credit card, or an existing policy.

Check what's included for out-of-country medical, trip cancellation, and trip interruption, and note any limits or exclusions.

Where your current coverage falls short, we recommend topping it up so you're fully protected for the trip.

Get a Quote

Explore Manulife options and get a quote here.

Questions?

Email our office at kitchener@expediacruises.com and we'll be happy to help.

Documents

Passport

Your passport must be valid until December 2027. If yours expires before then, please renew it well ahead of the trip.

Visa & Travel Requirements

Find the latest visa and travel requirements for your trip at www.joinsherpa.com.

Trip Extension Ideas

Explore Moorea

• Short ferry ride from Tahiti
• Hotels with overwater bungalows:
  • Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
  • Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
  • Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea

Explore Bora Bora

• Short flight from Tahiti
• Hotels with overwater bungalows:
  • Four Seasons Bora Bora
  • Le Bora Bora
  • St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
  • Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

Explore New Zealand or Australia

• Fly direct from PPT
• Cruise or tour
• Book an Airbnb and relax

Breathe. Marvel. Smile. Repeat.

Have questions or need help...

The Expedia Cruises team on Fairway Rd in Kitchener are one message away — flights, hotels, insurance, excursions, or just trip-countdown excitement.

kitchener@expediacruises.com  ·  519.896.0018

Shannon & Simon — Save the Date

Open Invitation

Hey hey hey… We’ve had a few cancellations. If anyone has friends or family they’d like to invite, please feel free.

As always, the more the merrier.

Shannon & Simon's Wedding

More information coming soon.

Polynesian Feast & Fire

More information coming soon.

Moorea Lagoon Snorkel

More information coming soon.

Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise

More information coming soon.

Send Us a Message

Questions about flights, hotels, insurance, excursions, or anything else? Send us a note and we’ll get back to you.

Prefer to reach us directly? 519.896.0018