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Star Breeze – Phoro credit: Sarah Kuta
In July, UNESCO revealed the newest additions to its World Heritage List—and the remote Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific made the cut.
In honor of this important decision, Windstar Cruises is unveiling two new celebratory cruises.
The first will depart September 26, 2024 and will be hosted by Hironui Johnston, Windstar’s French Polynesia attaché. Three Marquesas mayors—from the islands of Ua Huka, Fatu Hiva and Tahuata—will also join the 14-day voyage, which sails roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti, aboard the 312-guest Star Breeze.
During the voyage, the mayors will share details about the process of being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They’ll also discuss rāhui, a traditional, community-based approach to resource management. The island leaders will also talk about their cooperative approach to governance, the legends that inspire their cooperation and how they are tapping younger generations to protect the Marquesas.
The itinerary is Windstar’s “Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas” voyage, which includes stops in the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Islands.
“We are honored to host the mayors of these incredible islands on board Star Breeze for this celebration of the UNESCO World Heritage status,” says Stijn Creupelandt, vice president of hotel operations at Windstar Cruises. “This designation is a testament to their work at preserving their culture and environment.”
The sailing will also include hands-on workshops on Marquesas traditions like lei crafting, haka manu (bird dancing), I’a mito (a fish dish similar to poisson cru or ceviche) and keukeu (a traditional dish featuring goat and coconut milk). Professional photographers Pat and Rosemarie Keough will also be onboard to lead photography workshops.
For travelers who can’t sail this fall, a second celebratory cruise will depart March 27, 2025.
Windstar has been sailing in French Polynesia for 36 years. Earlier this year, it began sailing to the Marquesas Islands for the first time. The company has a designated French Polynesian cultural ambassador onboard for all of its sailings in the region.
The Marquesas are a chain of rugged, volcanic islands located roughly 900 miles from Tahiti, which UNESCO described as a “hotspot for biodiversity.”
This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.