If you were to tell me that I could only sail on one more cruise in my lifetime, I'd want the destination to be French Polynesia. While there are dozens of compelling cruise itineraries spanning the globe, I believe there's nothing more inspiring and soul-healing than island-hopping across the South Pacific.For the past year, there's really only been one luxury cruise option in French Polynesia: the venerable Paul Gauguin Cruises, which sails the 332-passenger m/s Paul Gauguin throughout the Society Islands, Cook Islands, Marquesas, and Tuamotus. (Read my review of a seven-night Paul Gauguin voyage.)
June 27, 2011 marks the return of Nomade Yachting to the equation. Previously the company sailed two intimate yachts in the region. Nomade spent the past year restructuring and will now focus on charters as well as a series of four- and six-night voyages aboard MY Tu Moana. (Nomade sold off sister ship Ti'a Moana, which is now in the Maldives.)
The French-flagged Tu Moana is currently in dry dock. Built in 2003 by Austal Ships/Oceanfast, the yacht is 226 feet with a beam of 45 feet and a draft of 7.5 feet. Her cruising speed is 12 knots.
During dry dock, accommodations on the Bridge Deck and Upper Deck are being completely refitted while general maintenance is performed on the entire vessel. When the yacht goes back into service this June, she'll offer 16 cabins: seven suites and nine staterooms. At capacity, Tu Moana will welcome 32 guests with a crew complement of 35.
The coveted Te Arii Suite (owners suite)—that comes complete with its own dedicated tender—spans the entire Bridge Deck and is a spacious 1,076 square feet. The Upper Deck is home to six suites: two forward Taha'a Suites (about 538 square feet each) and four 323-foot Bora Bora Suites.
The nine regular 172-square-foot cabins on the Main Deck are called Raiatea rooms.
2011 Nomade Yachting Cruise Schedule
June 27–July 3
July 11–15
July 18–24
July 25–29
August 1–5
August 8–14
August 15–19
August 29–September 2
September 5–9
September 12–16
September 19–23
September 26–30
Dates in red indicate six-night itineraries. Dates in black are four-night sailings.
June 27–July 3
July 11–15
July 18–24
July 25–29
August 1–5
August 8–14
August 15–19
August 29–September 2
September 5–9
September 12–16
September 19–23
September 26–30
Dates in red indicate six-night itineraries. Dates in black are four-night sailings.
Four-night sailings begin and end in Bora Bora and call upon Taha'a, The Orchid Island, and Raiatea, The Sacred Island.
Six-night sailings embark from and return to The Supreme Island (Bora Bora) and visit Taha'a, Huahine (The Island of Bards), and Raiatea.
This is an ultra high-end, all-inclusive experience. Six-night sailings from 5,950 euros per person (plus 175 euros tax). Four-night itineraries start at 4,000 euros (plus 125 euros tax).
For more information or to book a cruise or charter the entire yacht, talk with your travel agent or contact Nomade Yachting directly at resa@nomadeyachting.com or Tel: +689544505.
—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Photo courtesy of Nomade Yachting
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Learn more about our clean water project.
We're 73% of the way to our goal of $5,000!
We've raised $3,655 and need $1,345 more by March 31, 2011.
Consider making a small donation to improve the
lives of 250 men, women, and children in an undeveloped country.
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