A sea of dreams. Windstar Cruises Tahiti

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From the time Captain Bligh and Captain Cook found their way to Tahiti, this extraordinary group of islands have maintained a mystique as a paradise on earth Today, travellers can experience the same remarkable beauty that seduced these original visitors and they can do it by sea just as they did

The Windstar Cruises brochure describes their Tahiti cruise as "...the perfect way to experience the true wonder of Tahiti. We'll let the trade winds fill our sails as we visit one legendary island after another..."

Sometimes marketing blurbs can be a little overdone, but with a lead in like that, you'll make your way to Tahiti with the highest of hopes

Our chosen cruise was Windstar's Dreams of Tahiti onboard the MSV Wind Spirit A 7 day itinerary that starts in Papeete with visits to Moorea, Tahaa, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Huahine, before returning to Papeete.

Windstar Cruises specialise in small ship cruising They provide an intimate experience that won't see you crammed in with a couple of thousand other passengers In fact, at 100 per cent capacity, the Wind Spirit caters to just 148 guests in 73 deluxe, oceanview staterooms, plus 1 deluxe Owner's Suite that comes with queen beds and its dining/sitting area.

Being small comes with numerous advantages. You don't get the throng of people that you'll find on big cruise ships. Because the numbers are so small, you get to know and make friendships with fellow passengers and you get to know all the crew, which makes for a more personalised service

On top of that, a small vessel like the Wind Spirit can take you into waters a large cruise ship can't navigate.

And so after a very easy embarkation process, we were warmly welcomed on board In fact, from the moment you step on, the warmth of the crew was obvious

Every guest is made to feel like they're part of a family This hospitality goes all the way to the top with Captain and Hotel Manager, mixing and mingling throughout the cruise

First impression? Wow! With the safety briefing carried out, each passenger receives a complimentary snorkel and mask for their use during the journey essential equipment when you're in the world's most beautiful waters!

Leaving Papeete, we enjoy the signature sail away with the Columbus 'Conquest of Paradise' theme music The sight of 6 huge white sails unfurling on the four masts was quite magnificent and we glide out of the harbour and onto our exciting adventure.

The first port of call is Moorea, "The Magical Island" It's hard to imagine a place more picturesque Gaps in the surrounding reef give way to protected bays that sit against a backdrop of deep green volcanic peaks that have been chiselled by oceanic elements for over a million years.

Not surprisingly, Moorea is a watersports paradise and Windstar guests have every opportunity to make the most of it Snorkelling, stand up paddle boarding you name it, you can do it

You can even swim with the dolphins that call this place home. If you're not the active type or would just prefer to chill out, the Wind Spirit has everything you need for some first class relaxation

The next stop is the island of Tahaa, which shares the same lagoon with its sister island Raiatea Again, Tahaa is an underwater paradise the multi coloured coral gardens provide a playground for snorkellers and divers.

Tahaa is also known for its abundance of vanilla as your nose will certainly tell you The fragrant air is quite amazing

Windstar also offers numerous land excursions The off road adventure is a popular way to see the island and the famous black pearl farms are also interesting to visit.

Again, relaxing on board is always an option, however, you do miss the chance to get a taste of the local way of life and talk to the Tahitians themselves, so it is worth making the effort to explore

Late in the day we pull up anchor and make the short trip over to Raiatea. There are more chances to get in the water, plus you can go on land and explore the lush tropical forest. The evening is finished off with a glorious barbecue dinner on the deck Watching the sunset and then seeing the stars come out It doesn't get much better

aking of food, the quality and choice of ine was quite phenomenal. It would be ossible to pick a highlight, there were so ny. From the champagne that welcomed ner in the Amphora Restaurant to barbecue ghts such as lobster tails, suckling pig, New and lamb and fresh local fish

akfast, lunch, dinner the food was amazing being a small ship the service was personal very professional.

Next stop, the iconic island of Bora Bora Home to some of Tahiti's finest resorts, Bora Bora has long been a playground for the rich and famous Hollywood stars, business moguls, you name them they've stayed there

When you sail in, you can see why it attracts people. Dominated by two spectacular peaks, the views are something that will stay with you forever

For Windstar guests, there are plenty of options to get out and amongst this special place The 4x4 tours are a great way to explore the island and get to some of the best vantage points.

You can go on a jet ski snorkel safari which includes an encounter with the stingrays that frequent these waters don't worry, they might be big, but they are quite harmless!

And for underwater adventurers, there's an aqua safari that takes in some of the island's best spots. If you'd like to stay on top of the water, the glass bottom boat tour gives you a fish eye view of all the sub marine wonders, giant coral and over 300 species of fish.

With that kind of setting, it's pretty tough to leave, however, one of the advantages of cruising is being able to experience a variety of places And with a fond farewell to Bora Bora, it was off to Huahine.

Nicknamed the Garden of Eden, Huahine is famous for its lush forest, tropical landscapes and quaint villages.

The Highlights of Huahine tour give passengers the chance to explore the island. This includes a visit to a vanilla stall and a quick lesson about the drying process and how it is turned into a fragrance You'll also visit Maeva Marae, one of Tahiti's best preserved archaeological sites

Back onboard, we were treated to a wonderful show of nature. First, a pod of dolphins swam by us and then a whale and her calf frolicked in the water less than 50 metres away. It was a memorable ending to an unforgettable 7 days

We'd come to Tahiti with high expectations, but would it match up to the marketing blurb? We're glad to say the Windstar experience in Tahiti was all they said it was and a whole lot more.