Luxury Yacht Sailing Between Hawaii and French Polynesia: An Overview
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has just unveiled 13 new itineraries sailing between Hawaii and French Polynesia aboard the Azamar, a small ship accommodating up to 298 guests—making this an intimate alternative to massive cruise vessels. These voyages run from December 2026 through March 2027, offering travelers a chance to explore some of the world's most remote and beautiful island destinations in genuine luxury. The experience combines all-inclusive dining and beverages with the freedom to explore lesser-known Pacific locations most travelers never reach.
This style of travel suits adventurous luxury seekers who want authentic Polynesian culture without the crowds, combined with high-end comfort onboard. Whether you're drawn to pristine lagoons, dramatic volcanic peaks, or extremely remote coral atolls, these yacht voyages deliver both the glamour and the genuine exploration that make luxury travel memorable.
Key Moments
What You'll See on These French Polynesian Sailings
- Honolulu to Tahiti route (12 nights): Four days sailing Hawaiian Islands, two days open ocean, then Fanning Island—a remote 2,000-person coral atoll in Kiribati virtually untouched by mass tourism
- Fanning Island, Kiribati: Described as the definition of off-the-beaten-path, offering an authentic Polynesian experience rarely accessed by cruisers
- Bora Bora overnight: Luxury overwater bungalows, crystal-clear lagoons perfect for snorkeling and water sports
- Moorea overnight option: The "magic island" with greener, more dramatic volcanic peaks, pineapple plantations, hiking trails, and a more intimate, less developed atmosphere than Bora Bora
- Round-trip Tahiti sailings: Port visits to Taha'a, Huahine, Raiatea, and Papeete with 10 departures between December 2026 and February 2027
- Return voyage to Honolulu (March 2, 2027): Reverses the French Polynesian route, including another stop at Fanning Island on the northbound passage
Essential Details Before You Book Your Voyage
- Duration: Sailings range from 7 nights (round-trip Tahiti) to 12 nights (Honolulu to Tahiti)
- Capacity: The Azamar accommodates up to 298 guests, creating an intimate shipboard experience versus mega-ships
- All-inclusive pricing: Meals at all restaurants (except one specialty option), top-shelf alcohol, coffee, tea, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are included
- Not included: Shore excursions, spa treatments, and boutique purchases
- Availability: 13 itineraries departing between December 3, 2026 and March 2, 2027; early booking is highly recommended given the remote destinations and luxury positioning
- Best islands: Bora Bora suits those seeking luxury resort vibes and water sports; Moorea suits hikers and those preferring authentic culture over commercial development
Questions About Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Sailings in French Polynesia
What makes Fanning Island so special on these voyages?
Fanning Island is a tiny coral atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a population of just around 2,000 people. It is so remote that most travelers have never even heard of it, and it remains virtually untouched by mass tourism, offering an authentic Polynesian experience most cruise passengers never access.
Should I choose the Bora Bora or Moorea overnight?
The video describes Bora Bora as the glamorous luxury showstopper, known for overwater bungalows and crystal-clear lagoons ideal for snorkeling and water sports. Moorea, by contrast, is the "magic island" with greener, more dramatic jagged peaks, pineapple plantations, hiking trails, and a more intimate, less developed feel. Choose Bora Bora for resort luxury and water activities; choose Moorea for authentic Polynesian culture and nature exploration.
What is included in the all-inclusive pricing?
All meals onboard at every restaurant except one specialty restaurant, unlimited top-shelf alcohol, coffee, tea, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are included. Shore excursions, spa services, and purchases in the onboard boutique are not included in the base fare.
How many passengers sail on the Azamar?
The ship accommodates up to 298 guests, which the video describes as "very intimate" compared to mega cruise ships, allowing for more personalized service and smaller groups exploring each destination.
Which route should first-time French Polynesia visitors choose?
The 12-night Honolulu to Tahiti sailing (December 3, 2026) offers the most comprehensive experience, with four days exploring Hawaiian Islands, the ultra-remote Fanning Island stop, and then three days sailing to reach Bora Bora, Moorea, and Papeete. The 7-night round-trip Tahiti sailings work well for time-limited travelers or those who have already explored the region.
- All-inclusive
- A pricing model where meals, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and most onboard amenities are included in the fare; certain services like spa and shore excursions are excluded.
- Coral atoll
- A ring-shaped coral reef that encloses a lagoon, typically found in tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- Overwater bungalows
- Luxury accommodations built on platforms directly over water, common in French Polynesia and allowing direct lagoon access.
- Small ship luxury
- A yacht or cruise vessel designed for fewer than 300 passengers, emphasizing intimacy, personalized service, and access to smaller ports and remote destinations.
- Boutique
- The onboard shop where passengers can purchase retail goods; purchases
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www.upclosetravel.comVideo transcript for “Sailing Paradise: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection in French Polynesia & Hawaii” Accessibility
A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.
Hey everyone, Jersey Pausner here with Uplo Travel, getting you up close with the world's most incredible destinations. Today we're going to get up close with the Ritz Carlton yacht collection and some new itineraries that they just released. They are fantastic. But before we start, if you have any
questions, I'm always around. You can contact me anytime. And I am a travel adviser. If you need help planning your next adventure, keep me in mind for that as well. So, the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, they just released 13 new itineraries that sail between Hawaii and French Polynesia. The they are fantastic
itineraries. We're going to take a look at those in a second, but they sail on the AMA's The Ritz's first ship uh up to 298 guests, so it's very intimate. But for now, let's take a look at those itineraries. So, here we are. 2026 into 2027 sailings. First sailing is Honolulu to Tahiti. Let it zoom in here. So
here's that sailing. So the first sailing is December 3rd, 2026. 12 nights. You start in Honolulu. There are 4 days of sailing the Hawaiian Islands. Then you start to head south. Uh 2 days of sailing. Then you hit Fanning Island, Kiribati. Uh this is the definition of off thebeaten path. This is a tiny coral
atl in the middle of the Pacific. It's so remote that most travelers have never even heard of it, which is exactly what makes this place extraordinary. It's got a population of just around 2,000 people. Fanning Island offers an authentic Polynesian experience that's virtually untouched by mass tourism. So,
after that, we have 3 days of sailing further south. When we get to Bora Bora, so we're finally in French Polynesia, and then we'll sail Bora Bora, uh, Mora, and then we end in Papete. So, this is the first sailing. Then there are 10 roundtrip Tahiti sailings. So they start on December 15th. So 10 sailings down to
February 23rd, 2027. So here we start in Papete. We visit Taha Huahin Reatea Bora Bora overnight Mora and then we finish in Papiete. So this is seven nights. There are 10 sailings. There is one other Tahiti round trip that is on January 19th. So, it's same itinerary
where it's Papete round trip. The only difference here is we're doing an overnight in Mora instead of Bora Bora. So, while both islands are stunning, they have turquoise lagoons and dramatic volcanic peaks. Gorgore is the more glamorous showstopper luxury overwater bungalows, crystalclear lagoons that's
perfect for snorkeling and water sports. While Maria offers more of an authentic Polynesian experience. It's known as the magic island. It's greener, more dramatic with jagged mountain peaks, pineapple plantations, and it's got excellent hiking trails. The lagoons are both equally beautiful, but Moria feels
a little bit more intimate and less developed. So, that's January 19th. And then the 13th sailing we started in Honolulu. So now we're basically going back to Honolulu March 2nd, 2027. So we sail the uh French Polynesian islands here and then we start heading back up north. So we have 3 days of sailing the
Pacific Ocean. We stop in Fanning Island, Kiribati, and then two more days of sailing before we get into uh the Hawaiian Islands. So, 4 days of sailing before we end back in Honolulu. Those are some amazing itineraries. If you wanted to sail around the French Polynesian islands in a small ship
luxury yacht, this is a perfect opportunity. So, the Rich Carlton Yacht Collection is all inclusive. All your meals on board are included with the exception of one specialty restaurant, but you get to have unlimited meals at all their other restaurants. All your beverages are including including top
shelf alcohol, coffees, teas, your Wi-Fi, gratuitities, all included. Only thing that's not included is anything you buy in the boutique, anything you do in the spa and your shore excursions. So, as always, thank you so much for watching and we'll see you next time. Bye-bye.
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