Oceania Cruises has announced seven additional summer 2025 sailings to French Polynesia and Hawaii aboard the 670-guest boutique-style ship Regatta.
Oceania‘s new cruises will visit French Polynesia and Hawaii during the months of August, September, and October, when the islands enjoy plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures, and decreased humidity.
The itineraries include the beautiful blue lagoon of Bora Bora, Tahiti’s black sand beaches, the colorful coral reefs of Raiatea, the mountains and jungles in Nuku Hiva, and more. Four of the seven new sailings connect French Polynesia to the Hawaiian archipelago’s lush waterfalls and spectacular canyons.
Discovering French Polynesia and Hawaii with Oceania Cruises
The premium-plus cruise line lets guests experience the traditions of native Polynesian culture, taste the fresh flavors of local cuisine, and explore the communities and surrounding natural wonders firsthand on immersive tours.
“At Oceania Cruises, we offer a captivating array of sailings in French Polynesia and Hawaii, charting lesser-known coastlines and taking travelers to boutique ports and off-the-beaten-track islands thanks to our small, luxurious ships,” commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises.
“One of the highlights of these parts of the world is undoubtedly the food. Whether you’re exploring Bora Bora and Nuku Hiva or Nawiliwili and Hilo, the flavors of these islands are meant to be savored and enjoyed just as much as the spectacular scenery,” Del Rio continued in a press release.
The seven new cruises vary from 10 to 18 days and depart from Tahiti or Honolulu, offering plenty of time for exploration, adventure, and leisure in these spectacular parts of the world. Tahiti’s capital Papeete is easily accessible by flights from New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Sydney, with 8-hour non-stop flights from Los Angeles and 5-hour non-stop flights from Auckland.
Similarly, Honolulu is just a 6-hour direct flight away from Los Angeles and an 8 ½-hour direct flight from Auckland.
In addition to the seven new sailings aboard Regatta in 2025, Oceania Cruises also offers dozens of other destination-rich itineraries in the South Pacific—as well as Australia and New Zealand—in 2024 and 2025.
Oceania’s new French Polynesia and Hawaii itineraries
The seven new cruise itineraries for 2025 will go on sale on October 4, 2023, and include:
Polynesian Dreams: 15 days from Honolulu to Papeete aboard Regatta, visiting Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Lahaina, Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Papeete. Departs August 1. The September 15, 2025 sailing offers the itinerary in reverse.
Tahitian Legends: 10 days from Papeete to Papeete aboard Regatta, visiting Papeete, Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa, Bora Bora, and Raiatea. Departs August 16 and 26, and September 5, 2025.
Divine Pacific Oases: 15 days from Honolulu to Papeete aboard Regatta, visiting Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Papeete. Departs September 30, 2025.
Song of Polynesia: 18 days from Papeete to Los Angeles aboard Regatta, visiting Papeete, Moorea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva, Hilo, Lahaina, Honolulu, Nawiliwili and Los Angeles. Departs October 15, 2025.
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What to expect aboard Oceania’s Regatta
Regatta, with a capacity of only 670 passengers, offers a boutique experience for travelers looking to explore the region, with itineraries designed to present a distinct flavor of the South Pacific. Offering 340 suites and staterooms—over 70 percent of which have private verandas— Regatta guests can cruise in small-ship luxury.
Cruisers can enjoy the top-of-ship library’s hundreds of volumes, relax and revitalize in the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, or chat with old and new friends in one of the ship’s eight lounges and bars. Dine at one of the four gourmet open-seating restaurants, and after dinner, take in a show or spend the evening in the casino.
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Enjoy the best of French Polynesian and Hawaiian cuisine
Trying the food is one of the best ways to learn about the local island culture, and both French Polynesia and Hawaii offer many delicious specialties.
Poisson cru, French Polynesia’s version of ceviche, consists of raw local fish marinated in coconut milk and lime juice, and is often accompanied by vegetables. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try it on shore excursions, since the dish frequently appears on local menus.
Enjoying a mahi-mahi burger and a mai tai at Bloody Mary’s is a must-do in Bora Bora. The thatched-roof restaurant with sand floors has served celebrities including Jimmy Buffet, Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Goldie Hawn, and Kurt Russell.
Breadfruit, known as uru in Tahitian, is a French Polynesian staple. The versatile starch will appear on the table in various recipes, but a popular format on Nuku Hiva involves roasting it over hot coals and then mashing it with coconut milk to create a dish called kaka.
Traditional poke, a raw fish dish beloved for its simplicity and freshness, is unmissable when visiting Hawaii. Though many versions have become popular around the world, for an authentic taste of the classic dish, try ahi poke or tako poke (octopus) at its birthplace.
Kalua pork, another Hawaiian staple found throughout the islands, is a must-have at luaus. Slow roasting the pig in an imu—a subterranean pit—and seasoning it with local sea salt produces luscious, smoky meat that is often served with rice and sautéed cabbage or coleslaw.
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Notable destinations on Oceania’s French Polynesia and Hawaii itineraries
One of the most photogenic islands in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is dominated by two 2000-foot-high peaks: Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia. They form a dramatic background for Bora Bora’s sparkling lagoon, known for its gorgeous turquoise water. The reef surrounding the island provides a home for turtles and a variety of unusual fish. Explore the glittering lagoon of Bora Bora, embark on a guided off-road adventure across the island, or view sharks and stingrays from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat.
The capital of French Polynesia, Papeete, Tahiti features swaying palm trees, mild weather, and a rich island culture. Enjoy a wide range of eateries and some of the greatest shopping in the region, including hand-carved wooden figurines and bowls, as well as colorful patchwork fabrics known as tifaifai. Or stroll to Fautaua Waterfall, Tahiti’s highest at 443 feet. Visit the Robert Wan Pearl Museum to learn about the iridescence and brilliance of pearls, or enjoy a walking tour of the colorful and innovative street art and murals painted by international artists.
Hilo, Hawaii, is located on the Big Island’s east coast and is known for its lush greenery. See how Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, reawakened in 2018 and altered the landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Active excursions include a helicopter ride to Kilauea Volcano and zip-lining through a river valley. Or, visit Richardson Ocean Park, a black sand beach carved into the rocky shoreline, or stroll through farmers markets with aisles of colorful foods, vegetables, and flowers, for a relaxing day ashore.
Hawaii’s Kailua-Kona boasts a laid-back feel and lots to do, like exploring a national park, swimming or snorkeling, or playing a game of golf on one of three courses overlooking the sea. Visit Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation to learn about various beans and roasts, as well as to taste their fresh brews. Or check out Magic Sands Beach, a magnificent stretch of turquoise ocean and white sand.
More news about Oceania Cruises
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- Oceania Cruises Announces First Annual Culinary Masters’ Cruise
- Oceania Marina Will Undergo Extensive Refurbishment in May 2024
- Oceania Cruises to Introduce Riviera in Alaska in Summer 2025
- Oceania Cruises Announces Seven New 2025 Summer Sailings to French Polynesia and Hawaii
- Oceania Cruises Launches Simply MORE Program to Offer More Included Amenities
Have you taken a French Polynesia or Hawaii cruise with Oceania? What were your highlights of the voyage? Let me know in the comments below!
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