Thank you Pasadena Magazine for sharing my print story, “Sailing Tahiti in Style,” in their Summer 2026 Travel Issue and “” on their website!
“Personalized service and unforgettable experiences make every moment aboard Windstar Cruises feel like your own private escape.” By听
FRENCH POLYNESIA has long lived in the collective imagination as the ultimate escape, turquoise lagoons, jagged green peaks, and islands that feel both impossibly remote and deeply welcoming. Exploring the region with听听transforms that dream into a seamless reality, where every detail, from ship design to dining to shore experiences, feels intentional, personal, and refreshingly unhurried.
My journey began before boarding.听s听nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Papeete takes just eight and a half hours, with only a two-hour time difference this time of year, the same as Hawaii, making the transition surprisingly easy. Flying听M膩nava Premium, the vacation began in the air with wider seats, leg rests, refined meals, and warm Polynesian service. Even before takeoff, a听Windstar Cruises听video played onboard, an unmistakable sign that paradise awaited.
Windstar Cruises鈥� Star Breeze听is perfectly suited for Tahiti. With its small-ship design, the experience feels more like sailing on a private yacht, elegant, relaxed, and deeply personal. Guests recognize one another, conversations linger, and the pace feels human.
My suite offered generous space and smart design: a separate seating area, a large picture window framing endless blues, a walk-in closet, and a well-appointed bathroom with double sinks.听Windstar Cruises鈥�听commitment to sustainability is evident with thoughtfully provided refillable water bottles throughout the ship.
What truly defines the experience, however, is the听Windstar Cruises听team. Under the leadership of Captain Roman Krstanovic and hotel general manager Iulian Petrasuc, the crew delivers polished service with sincere heart. From officers greeting guests on deck to staff joining evening celebrations and teaching line dancing, there is a sense of joy and pride that permeates the ship.
Windstar Cruises听is the only cruise line that is officially partnered with the听, and that commitment to culinary excellence is evident throughout the voyage. Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, menus are creatively executed, and every dish is focused on flavor and experience. Guests may dine nightly in听Amphora, the elegant main restaurant, where menus change daily and service feels polished yet approachable.
Basil + Bamboo, new to the fleet and a standout on听Star Breeze, is a vibrant fusion of Mediterranean and Southeast Asian flavors. Shareable plates, fresh seafood, aromatic spices, and creative twists make each meal a delight for the senses. Chef-driven and beautifully executed, it became an instant favorite, highlighting听Windstar Cruises鈥�听evolving culinary vision.
Candles, the ship鈥檚 signature steakhouse, transforms from the open-air听Veranda, serving breakfast and lunch, into an intimate evening venue featuring premium cuts and beautifully prepared sides beneath the stars. From custom breakfasts to specialty steaks, every dining moment reflects careful sourcing, creativity, and an emphasis on taste and presentation.
Our itinerary included听Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, 罢补丑补鈥檃, Bora Bora, and Huahine, each offering its own natural beauty, culture, and charm. On听罢补丑补鈥檃, a private motu lunch at听Motu Mahaea听delivered palm-fringed perfection: tender boat rides, shaded loungers, tropical drinks, and a beach barbecue, all set against shallow, turquoise lagoons where stingrays glided past swimmers.
滨苍听Bora Bora, the听Destination Discovery Event: Feast & Fire听experience took us by catamaran to a private motu at sunset. Guests were welcomed with leis and enjoyed a lavish dinner under the stars, followed by a powerful Polynesian dance and fire performance. Immersive, celebratory, and deeply connected to the culture and place, it鈥檚 a memory that will linger long after leaving the lagoon.
I loved snorkeling in coral gardens and my encounters with black-tip reef sharks, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and turtles. I also went scuba diving in听Papeete听飞颈迟丑听 explored pearl farming in听Raiatea, where you can snorkel and harvest your own pearl, and fell in love with the lagoon colors and vibrant marine life throughout the journey. Each stop felt personal and unhurried, allowing true immersion in island life.
One of the most magical features of听Windstar Cruises听is the听Marina, opening from deck 3 when anchored. Guests can swim directly from the ship or enjoy kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear, and floating loungers, completely included, with attentive staff nearby. The spontaneous access to warm, crystal-clear water in every shade of blue is effortless and fun. From coral gardens to motu beaches, small-ship access and a talented crew make every adventure intimate and authentic.
Before and after the cruise, I stayed at the听, just minutes from the airport. Multiple pools, including the sand-entry听Le Lotus, a turtle sanctuary, expansive gardens, and excellent dining create an immediate sense of relaxation.
Bucket-list overwater bungalows provide serenity, sweeping lagoon views, and soaking tubs, perfect for celebrating milestones, enjoying champagne at sunset, and I loved hula hooping in the morning on my deck.
Adding my memoir,听, to the ship鈥檚 library was a reminder that travel is about new journeys, friendships, and courage, exploring both the world and oneself. From indulgent dining and immersive island experiences to quiet sunsets and bridge visits,听Windstar Cruises听delivers a French Polynesia adventure that is luxurious, intimate, and unforgettable.
See me on to talk about Windstar Cruises and all of my adventures in French Polynesia
More of my coverage including all of my social media posts:
from the Summer Travel issue of Pasadena Magazine
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View this post on Instagram
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See the article, “Chasing Paradise across Polynesia” on
“French Polynesia鈥檚 turquoise lagoons, overwater bungalows and postcard-worthy sunsets continue to make Tahiti one of the world鈥檚 ultimate escapes.鈦� 鈦� 馃寠 From Bora Bora to Moorea, the journey included coral gardens, manta rays and crystal-clear water in every shade of blue.鈦� 鈦� 馃嵔锔� Luxury dining, private island dinners and laid-back beach excursions made every stop feel unforgettable.鈦�”
Since Israel evacuated Gaza in 2005, the Palestinian population has grown from 1.3 million to 2.1 million. In the West Bank, it has grown from 2.4 million to 3.4 million. If the Israelis were hellbent on committing genocide, it鈥檚 one of the most epic failures in military history.
From Trump鈥檚 standpoint, the nuclear issue has been overtaken by the bedeviling problem of the Strait of Hormuz. What Trump sees now in Iran is a mess, not a victory.
The world鈥檚 fanatical fixation with a group that is less that 0.2 percent of the world鈥檚 population has crossed the boundaries of moral vocabulary and into creepiness.
It鈥檇 be one thing if Mamdani were a lowly Israelophobe with a few hundred followers. But he鈥檚 not. He鈥檚 mayor of the city with the world鈥檚 largest 91传媒 population.
For the director/artist, creating images inspired by Torah is a way of engaging with the stories, ideas and interpretations that have shaped 91传媒 life for thousands of years.
A classic Australian dessert chocolate coconut slice features a rich, dense, fudgy chocolate base packed with dried coconut, finished with a thick cocoa frosting and generously dusted with even more coconut.
Pasadena Magazine: Sailing Tahiti in Style on Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze
Lisa Ellen Niver
Thank you Pasadena Magazine for sharing my print story, “Sailing Tahiti in Style,” in their Summer 2026 Travel Issue and “” on their website!
“Personalized service and unforgettable experiences make every moment aboard Windstar Cruises feel like your own private escape.” By听
FRENCH POLYNESIA has long lived in the collective imagination as the ultimate escape, turquoise lagoons, jagged green peaks, and islands that feel both impossibly remote and deeply welcoming. Exploring the region with听听transforms that dream into a seamless reality, where every detail, from ship design to dining to shore experiences, feels intentional, personal, and refreshingly unhurried.
My journey began before boarding.听s听nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Papeete takes just eight and a half hours, with only a two-hour time difference this time of year, the same as Hawaii, making the transition surprisingly easy. Flying听M膩nava Premium, the vacation began in the air with wider seats, leg rests, refined meals, and warm Polynesian service. Even before takeoff, a听Windstar Cruises听video played onboard, an unmistakable sign that paradise awaited.
Windstar Cruises鈥� Star Breeze听is perfectly suited for Tahiti. With its small-ship design, the experience feels more like sailing on a private yacht, elegant, relaxed, and deeply personal. Guests recognize one another, conversations linger, and the pace feels human.
My suite offered generous space and smart design: a separate seating area, a large picture window framing endless blues, a walk-in closet, and a well-appointed bathroom with double sinks.听Windstar Cruises鈥�听commitment to sustainability is evident with thoughtfully provided refillable water bottles throughout the ship.
What truly defines the experience, however, is the听Windstar Cruises听team. Under the leadership of Captain Roman Krstanovic and hotel general manager Iulian Petrasuc, the crew delivers polished service with sincere heart. From officers greeting guests on deck to staff joining evening celebrations and teaching line dancing, there is a sense of joy and pride that permeates the ship.
Windstar Cruises听is the only cruise line that is officially partnered with the听, and that commitment to culinary excellence is evident throughout the voyage. Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, menus are creatively executed, and every dish is focused on flavor and experience. Guests may dine nightly in听Amphora, the elegant main restaurant, where menus change daily and service feels polished yet approachable.
Basil + Bamboo, new to the fleet and a standout on听Star Breeze, is a vibrant fusion of Mediterranean and Southeast Asian flavors. Shareable plates, fresh seafood, aromatic spices, and creative twists make each meal a delight for the senses. Chef-driven and beautifully executed, it became an instant favorite, highlighting听Windstar Cruises鈥�听evolving culinary vision.
Candles, the ship鈥檚 signature steakhouse, transforms from the open-air听Veranda, serving breakfast and lunch, into an intimate evening venue featuring premium cuts and beautifully prepared sides beneath the stars. From custom breakfasts to specialty steaks, every dining moment reflects careful sourcing, creativity, and an emphasis on taste and presentation.
Our itinerary included听Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, 罢补丑补鈥檃, Bora Bora, and Huahine, each offering its own natural beauty, culture, and charm. On听罢补丑补鈥檃, a private motu lunch at听Motu Mahaea听delivered palm-fringed perfection: tender boat rides, shaded loungers, tropical drinks, and a beach barbecue, all set against shallow, turquoise lagoons where stingrays glided past swimmers.
滨苍听Bora Bora, the听Destination Discovery Event: Feast & Fire听experience took us by catamaran to a private motu at sunset. Guests were welcomed with leis and enjoyed a lavish dinner under the stars, followed by a powerful Polynesian dance and fire performance. Immersive, celebratory, and deeply connected to the culture and place, it鈥檚 a memory that will linger long after leaving the lagoon.
I loved snorkeling in coral gardens and my encounters with black-tip reef sharks, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and turtles. I also went scuba diving in听Papeete听飞颈迟丑听 explored pearl farming in听Raiatea, where you can snorkel and harvest your own pearl, and fell in love with the lagoon colors and vibrant marine life throughout the journey. Each stop felt personal and unhurried, allowing true immersion in island life.
One of the most magical features of听Windstar Cruises听is the听Marina, opening from deck 3 when anchored. Guests can swim directly from the ship or enjoy kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear, and floating loungers, completely included, with attentive staff nearby. The spontaneous access to warm, crystal-clear water in every shade of blue is effortless and fun. From coral gardens to motu beaches, small-ship access and a talented crew make every adventure intimate and authentic.
Before and after the cruise, I stayed at the听, just minutes from the airport. Multiple pools, including the sand-entry听Le Lotus, a turtle sanctuary, expansive gardens, and excellent dining create an immediate sense of relaxation.
Bucket-list overwater bungalows provide serenity, sweeping lagoon views, and soaking tubs, perfect for celebrating milestones, enjoying champagne at sunset, and I loved hula hooping in the morning on my deck.
Adding my memoir,听, to the ship鈥檚 library was a reminder that travel is about new journeys, friendships, and courage, exploring both the world and oneself. From indulgent dining and immersive island experiences to quiet sunsets and bridge visits,听Windstar Cruises听delivers a French Polynesia adventure that is luxurious, intimate, and unforgettable.
on STARBREEZE:
ARTICLE: : A Return to Tahiti and Life at Sea
Read and the 91传媒 Journal
On Bored Panda:
PODCAST:
See me on to talk about Windstar Cruises and all of my adventures in French Polynesia
More of my coverage including all of my social media posts:
from the Summer Travel issue of Pasadena Magazine
See the article, “Chasing Paradise across Polynesia” on
“French Polynesia鈥檚 turquoise lagoons, overwater bungalows and postcard-worthy sunsets continue to make Tahiti one of the world鈥檚 ultimate escapes.鈦� 鈦� 馃寠 From Bora Bora to Moorea, the journey included coral gardens, manta rays and crystal-clear water in every shade of blue.鈦� 鈦� 馃嵔锔� Luxury dining, private island dinners and laid-back beach excursions made every stop feel unforgettable.鈦�”
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