Located in the South Pacific Ocean, The Society Islands are part of French Polynesia and are a mythical destination. Many people dream about coming to the islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and more. Our members recently made it a REALITY on the Tahitian Paradise President’s Club Singles Cruise.

Join me as I walk you through our slice of paradise.  We landed in Paradise or as some people call it Tahiti, in February, late on a Thursday. The greeting was one for the record books. Beautiful flower Lei’s and the sound of island music surrounded us. We loaded the bus and were whisked to the first leg of our Island adventure.

We visited 5 small Island

TAHITI

The Intercontinental Tahiti Resorts & Spa was our gateway to the islands. A lavish garden setting, a gorgeous turquoise lagoon, volcanic peaks rising up in the distance – the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa was the perfect launch-point for our French Polynesian vacation.  An adventurous Jeep journey to the center of the island, a gorgeous sunset President’s Club sponsored cocktail party and ocean side breakfasts were on the agenda the first few days.

We sailed on the Paul Gauguin; a small ship designed specifically to glide in luxury through the shallow seas of the South Pacific. She delivered us to intimate ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships, all the while providing a travel experience that is nothing short of luxurious. When I say this cruise was luxury, is an understatement. The rooms were spacious, the staff exceptional and the views spectacular.

HUAHINE

One of the smaller Island that we visited, Huahine is an immense tropical jungle thriving with coconut plantations, vanilla orchids, banana groves, breadfruit trees and watermelon fields. Beyond its lush landscapes and bright blooms, Huahine is also a culturally preserved sanctuary with sacred temples hidden throughout dense vegetation.

The Legend

This natural abundance blends seamlessly with a wealth of ancient history and mythical intrigue. Once the home of Tahitian royalty, Huahine is considered the cradle of Polynesian culture. The island maintains the largest concentration of ancient marae (temples) in French Polynesia, some of which are believed to date back to the original ancestors of the Tahitians—the Lapita people—around 700 AD.

Most members did either an Island tour or snorkeling. Many of us did a walking tour of the island, then came back to the ship for a rousing game of Shuffleboard. Grand Pooba of Shuffleboard….first time shuffleboard player Brenda S.

TAHA’A

Off the island of Taha’a, is a private slice of heaven called Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ South Seas Island. On this exclusive islet, we basked in the sun, while sipping on pina colada’s out of a coconut from the floating bar. Many Snorkeled with colorful tropical fish among the green and purple blooms of coral, others went kayaking, while others tried their hand at Coconut Bowling. They even provided a delicious BBQ lunch with an incredible fresh fruit bar. This was truly a day of fun and relaxation.

BORA BORA

Undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is French Polynesia’s leading lady. Her beauty is unrivaled and her fame, unwavering. Bora Bora is one of the few places on earth that everyone hopes to witness in their lifetime—and now that we’ve seen it, we are forever enamored.  The first thing you notice are the soaring mountain peaks and the pristine turquoise waters. Hibiscus of all colors line the hills and valleys, and the underwater world is a kaleidoscope of fish flowing through the water with sun rays dancing on magnificently sculpted coral. It is said that some of the best scuba and snorkeling can be found on here. Many members partook in the underwater world, while the rest of us took a magical island tour, ending at the infamous Bloody Mary’s.

MOOREA

Believed to have inspired the mythical Bali Hai from James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, Moorea is one of the most scenically striking islands in French Polynesia. Possessing a relaxed vibe and welcoming spirit, Moorea is just as warm and inviting as the Tahitians lucky enough to call this island home.

Moorea is the perfect playground for anyone seeking adventure on both land and sea. And of course, our members love adventure. There were those that dared to walk underwater with a helmet to see an abundance of colorful fish and lot of Stingrays. The sunsets are a blend of pinks and oranges, brightening up the sky, so why not take a sunset cruise? And many others went scuba or snorkeling one last time.  I went with 7 other members on a tour around the island where we drank fresh coconut water and saw views beyond our imaginations.

Back on the ship, we did not want for anything. Our meals were filled with French cuisine, wine and laughter. The evening shows were as good as some Broadway shows. I heard more than one member exclaim that the “Crew Show” was the best shipboard show they had ever seen. That’s some testimony.

Our Theme nights are a huge hit with our members. Paradise Luau and Black/White with a splash of Red nights were met with fun participation and lots of imagination. The Black/White with a Splash of Red went along with our Signature Experience event on deck 9. Our very own President of Fun and Adventure, Tammy, hosted a private cocktail party on the top deck of the ship. It became very windy, and we still got a picture.  Go big or go home is my motto when it comes to theme nights. And our members clean up nicely. They all played dress up for the Captain’s Formal night.

This is trip on the Tahitian Paradise President’s Club Singles Cruise is what dreams are made of…this bucket list for many was a trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to do this again. But until we do, check out our next Paradise Adventure to Fiji and Tonga in January 2023.