Latest news with #Tahiti
Telegraph
13 hours ago
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before you board a Windstar cruise ship
Launched in 1986, Windstar Cruises ticked along for years with four, then three, motor sailing ships – meaning they sail but are often powered by an engine. One was based in Tahiti, the others spent summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the Caribbean. That changed in 2013 when it bought three all-suite yacht-like ships and spent millions of dollars 'stretching' them – a procedure that involved cutting them in half and adding a new bit in the middle – to take capacity from 212 to 312 passengers. At a stroke, Windstar had a fleet of something-for-everyone vessels (as long as you wanted something small), between them offering romantic holidays under canvas, cabins with or without balconies, a variety of places to eat and an informal ambience. More ships also meant more destinations, with Alaska, Japan and Asia among those added to the line-up. The story doesn't end there. This December, Windstar – part of cruise giant Carnival's empire until bought by US-based travel group Xanterra – launches Star Seeker, a new 224-passenger ship able to cruise the polar regions (although so far there are no plans to take it there). Star Explorer, a sister ship, joins in December 2026. 1. Where does Windstar sail? Whether you fancy island-hopping in the Caribbean or Greece, going in search of geysers in Iceland or hiking through rainforest in Central America, Windstar has a cruise to suit. The yachts visit popular ports such as Kusadasi in Turkey (for Roman Ephesus) and Dubrovnik in Croatia, but their smaller size means they also sail to ports and harbours others can't. Instead of St Lucia's cruise port, its vessels anchor in quiet Rodney Bay. They can squeeze through Greece's narrow Corinth Canal. In Thailand, they dock close to the city on the Khlong Toei River in Bangkok, instead of being two hours or more from the city. All three sailing ships are in the Mediterranean in summer and autumn. Two then follow the sun to the Caribbean in winter while the third heads to the Canary Islands for a series of 10-night island-hopping cruises from Tenerife. Caribbean cruises are mostly one or two weeks, visit a port every day and depart from Philipsburg in St Maarten, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Bridgetown in Barbados. Two motor yachts are also in Europe in summer, sailing the Mediterranean and Northern European cruises to Norway, around Iceland and from the UK. One relocates to the Caribbean and Costa Rica for winter. The other, Star Legend, stays in the Med, offering out-of-season sailings for those who want to escape the heat and crowds. A third yacht, Star Breeze, sails seven-night cruises around the Society Islands year-round from Papeete in Tahiti and on longer voyages that also visit the Tuamoto Islands. New ship Star Seeker will sail expedition-style cruises in Alaska between May and August 2026, then relocate to Japan and Asia. 2. Who does Windstar appeal to? Cruises in Europe are likely to have a higher number of Brits on board, but the vast majority of Windstar fans are couples from North America, with an average age of 50. That's a tad lower than many other cruise lines, mainly because the sailing ships have a romantic aura that attracts a younger audience, especially in the Caribbean. Couples can also splash out on various wedding, engagement or renewal of vows packages. Regardless of age or nationality, Windstar cruisers are active types who like the line's casual 'do as you please' vibe. Something smart of the evening is all it asks, which essentially boils down to no ripped jeans or vests. Food-themed cruises in partnership with the James Beard Foundation and restaurant menus created by JB's award-winning chefs are an extra draw, especially for Americans. Smaller ships make it easy for solo travellers to meet people. The standard 75 per cent supplement sounds steep but keep an eye out for special offers that can bring that down to 20 per cent. 3. Windstar's fleet Wind Surf (342 passengers) With its five 67-metre tall masts and seven sails, Wind Surf is quite the picture when the canvas is hoisted. Just be aware that a lot of the time it is only for show. Don't expect large cabins or private balconies; instead there are fixed windows or portholes. If space matters, choose one of 18 suites that are essentially two cabins made into one with a living area and two bathrooms, or the three grander rooms on the bridge deck. Four restaurants, a spa, pool, gym and a water sports platform complete the line-up. Sails to: Mediterranean and Caribbean Wind Star/Wind Spirit (148 passengers) These were the line's first ships, launched in 1986 and 1988 respectively. They have teak decks, four masts and six sails, and handle better under sail than Wind Surf but again the canvas is hoisted mostly for show. Cabins have fixed windows or portholes; the Owner's Suite has separate living and dining areas. There are three places to eat, including al fresco. Passengers can snorkel, kayak and paddle board at no extra cost. Star Legend, Star Pride and Star Breeze (312 passengers) These three launched in the early 1990s but their story really began five years ago when they were stretched to add capacity (50 more cabins, or 100 passengers). Cabins and suites have fixed windows, portholes and balconies big enough only to stand on. New restaurant Basil + Bamboo serves a blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, has opened on Breeze and will be added to Star Legend and Star Pride in December 2025 and April 2026 respectively. From December 2025: Star Seeker (224 passengers) The first of two sister ships joining the fleet in the next 18 months (Star Explorer is slated for December 2026), Star Seeker will have four places to eat, including Basil + Bamboo and Star Grill, an alfresco option that's heavy on barbecued meat and fish. All rooms are suites and in a first for Windstar several have full-size private balconies. For the biggest and best, choose the Horizon Owner's Suites (there are two) with beds looking out to sea. Sails to: Caribbean, Alaska, Japan 4. Loyalty scheme Passengers are enrolled in the Yacht Club loyalty programme after their first cruise and move up the ranks the more they sail, earning discounts off excursions, laundry and other rewards. 5. Access for guests with disabilities There are no accessible cabins on the sailing ships (and no lifts either on Wind Star and Spirit). Choose instead the Star-class ships (Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend), which each have four accessible suites.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
TV star Catriona Rowntree shares her travels do's and don'ts
Catriona Rowntree has hosted Getaway for more than 30 years – so if anyone is authorised to talk on the topic of jet lag (and travel dos and don'ts), it's her. The beloved TV presenter of the much-loved Aussie travel show has been to almost every corner of the world, assuring that the Catriona you see on TV truly is travel-obsessed. 'Let me assure you that what you see on TV is authentic – I absolutely love travel just as much as I love to shop,' she laughed, during a candid interview with The 54-year-old, who has been gallivanting around Paris and will soon take on the sights of Tahiti for the show, revealed the three things everyone should do to help minimise jet lag. 'The moment you book a flight, grab your phone and put two things in, 'world clock' and adjust your body to the location of where you are going,' she advised in her role as Compare the Market's travel expert. She sometimes takes an over-the-counter sleeping tablet like Ashwagandha (from Nature's Way) and sleeps on the flight, depending on where she's going. She also avoids drinking alcohol on flights. 'The moment you land, walk it out, don't run, don't go to the gym, don't over-exert the body,' she said. 'You want to walk and get as much vitamin D as you can. Vitamin D is the key.' You'll rarely catch the seasoned presenter wearing dark-coloured clothes while exploring the streets – mainly during summer. 'Wear white and or cream so you have a natural reflection on the skin.' She also said it's important to stay awake until around 9pm and above all, 'do not have an afternoon nap'. To help prepare her body before any travel she stocks up on the vitamins at least two weeks before her trip. 'This is because you generally will catch the cold in the first week of your holiday when your defences drop,' she said. 'I've never had Covid. I'm as healthy as a clam and I travel more than anyone. So trust me on the vitamins.' When asked what her big travel no-no is, especially when gallivanting around Europe, she said to avoid 'clam suitcases'. In fact, she shared a clip about it on Instagram that went viral. She titled the reel 'dumb things I've done in Paris' showing her suitcase barely fitting in a lift and having to send it down on its own as she couldn't fit beside it. 'Learn from my mistakes,' she joked. She shared another snap of her 'clam suitcase' in the boot of a car, showcasing that in small spaces it was impossible to open. 'You just need one of those surfer suitcases that open from the top because those 'clam suitcases' do not work.' Meanwhile, she advised to take a small, everyday bag for when you're sightseeing during the day. 'You don't want something too big throughout the day when you're travelling, you just want something cross body that's easy.' She's collaborated with Blue Illusion, an Australian-owned, French-inspired brand, to design her own crossbody strap bag, aplty titled the 'Catriona Crossbody Bag'. 'I've never actually had a problem with pickpockets but I did design this bag so it has a magnetised fall-over top.' She said it's the perfect everyday travel bag that easily fits your phone and has enough pockets to securely store things like passports. The self-confessed overpacker said it's best to pack light, avoid expensive suitcases and if you can, stop off at a surf shop and try and get a suitcase that opens from the top. The avid traveller said the one thing she loves the most about her job is the 'constant learning'. 'I just adore meeting people, learning from them, and living every day as though it's my last,' she told 'Every day is hectic and tiring and I love it. We are so fortunate to have the good health to be able to travel. '[Just] go for it. Book a trip. Don't put things off because none of us know what each day will bring. That's certainly a lesson I've learned the hard way. 'My dad always said to my mum, 'when I retire, we'll do this'. And unfortunately, he passed away from cancer way too young. And so now I try to spoil my mum with those trips, but I really learned that lesson the hard way.' Catriona said her bucket list is fluid, ever-changing and always extensive but the three things high on her list are The Galapagos Island, Antarctica and swimming with the whale sharks in Ningaloo.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Boy, seven, has part of leg ripped off after being attacked by a shark while swimming with friends in French Polynesia
A seven-year-old boy had part of his leg ripped off by a shark while swimming off the coast of French Polynesia. The child was one of around 10 friends playing in the picturesque waters of Taiohae Bay on Nuka Hiva, the main island in the Marquesas archipelago, on Friday when the ocean predator struck. The shark inflicted multiple bite wounds, ripping off one of his calves and leaving the boy with additional injuries to his right forearm and left hand, The Sun reported. The boy was taken to the island's small hospital before being airlifted to the French Polynesia hospital center in Tahiti, around 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) from Nuku Hiva. 'I'm 35 years old and this is the first time I've seen this. These were long and deep wounds,' a firefighter who helped the child with serious bite wounds said. 'It's probably related to the fish carcasses that fishermen throw in this area. 'There are many sharks, such as blacktips, hammerheads, and lemon sharks,' the firefighter added, confirming reports by local TV channel TNTV. Shark attacks are rare in French Polynesia and most commonly target underwater fishermen or people engaging in shark feeding, a prohibited activity. French Polynesia is home to over 30 species of shark and was declared a shark sanctuary in 2006 - but has seen a series of attacks in recent times. In May last year a South African man managed to fight off an 8ft shark by stabbing it in the gills with a four inch pocket knife used for cutting diving lines. Angus Kockott, 20, from East London, South Africa, was snorkelling in shallow waters off the island of Mangareva, French Polynesia when he was attacked on May 23, 2024. Out of nowhere, a suspected grey reef shark approached him from behind a reef - and clamped its jaws on his arm. Luckily, a quick-thinking Angus was able to pull a 4in blade - from his pocket to stab the shark in the gills before swimming to safety. An emergency military aircraft was called to fly him to the nearest hospital, where he underwent life-saving six-hour surgery. Incredibly Mr Kockott said that he planned to get the teeth left embedded in his arm from the attack turned into jewellery. While sharks are often painted as mindless predators out for blood, new studies suggest that they may actually mainly bite in self-defence. Researchers led by Dr. Eric Emile Germain Clua of the Paris Science et Lettres (PSL) Research University reviewed over six decades of data on shark attacks. They found that bites classified as in self-defence all came after a human acted aggressively towards a shark, by for example trying to shoot it with a harpoon or speargun, or handling it roughly. In most instances the injuries inflicted on the human were only minor to moderate, challenging the idea that sharks were monsters out to cause maximum damage.
Travel Weekly
22-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
Ponant is adding a second ship in French Polynesia
Ponant Explorations Group is adding a second vessel in French Polynesia for the 2026-27 winter season. Le Jacques Cartier will join the Paul Gauguin in the region from October 2026 through February 2027, marking the ship's first time sailing French Polynesia. It will sail three different 14-night itineraries round trip from Papeete, Tahiti. One will visit the Austral Islands, another will travel to Pitcairn Island and the third will call on the Marquesas and Society Islands. Le Jacques Cartier has 88 staterooms and suites and an onboard marina. "While the m/s Paul Gauguin continues to define immersive, year-round discovery in the region, the winter deployment of Le Jacques Cartier brings a new perspective — more remote and more expeditionary," said CEO of the Americas Samuel Chamberlain.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Meet the tiny 12-year-old set to debut at pro-surfing's heaviest wave
Twelve-year-old Tahitian local Kelia Mehani Gallina will become the youngest pro-surfer in competitive history when she debuts next month at Teahupo'o - the heaviest wave on the championship tour. Gallina - whose self-styled 'Miss Teahupo'o' Instagram page has already gained a significant following - booked a Tahiti Pro showdown with Australian title hope and world No.1 Molly Picklum by taking out the local trials earlier this week. Gallina's victory secured the first of two women's wildcards to surf the Teahupo'o event from August 7, with the youngster's 13th birthday falling a few days later on August 10. Gallina first surfed Teahupo'o - which loosely translates to 'place of skulls' in the local dialect - when she was just four years old and has regularly pushed herself into waves twice her size at the feared break. 'I have no words. I'm so happy. I can't believe it,' Gallina said on the WSL broadcast, adding that a first-up Tahiti Pro heat against Picklum is a dream come true. Gallina's Instagram page - run by her father Ryan - chronicles a childhood spent navigating the left-hand barrels over infamously shallow reef. In an interview with Stab Magazine following Gallina breakthrough Tahiti trials win, her father said: 'when Kelia was only a little girl, she was always the only girl out there [surfing Teahupo'o],' in reference to the WSL mothballing the women's championship event from 2006 to 2022 because it was deemed too dangerous for them. Since the women's event returned to Teahupo'o, women's surfing in waves of consequence on the WCT has shot to unprecedented levels.
