Bud Gilroy, president of the Tahiti Cruise Club, reported that the region had 110,000 passengers in 2024 for 465 calls, and that the numbers are expected to be the same this year.

“Despite the simultaneous refit during the first quarter of 2025 of the three main ships operating year-round in French Polynesia (the Paul Gauguin, Aranui V, and Star Breeze), the number of calls in 2025 is just about the same as in 2024, at just over 1,000 calls,” he told Cruise Industry News in an interview.

“This does not include calls from Variety Cruises’ Panorama II (which carries fewer than 50 passengers).”

2026

Gilroy said that the forecast for next year is optimistic: “Growth is significant, and this trend is set to continue through to the end of the decade. French Polynesia has already registered 1,240 calls for 2026, which will be a new record.”

Gilroy highlighted that the region attracts new ships regularly, and more than 25 international cruise brands operate in its waters annually.

New

“Papeete Port Authorities have inaugurated their new international cruise terminal, handling the nearly 200 turnaround operations in Tahiti, mainly with ships of less than 300 passengers,” Gilroy said.

He added that the infrastructure is in line with the destination’s aspirations to reach a new sustainable level, an increase of approximately 300 percent since 2010.

Focus

“In addition to Tahiti, French Polynesia comprises 30 islands and atolls, spread over five different archipelagoes,” Gilroy said.

The major concerns linked to the increase in activity are twofold, he noted.

“On the one hand (is) to maintain 90 percent of the activity with 600-passenger luxury and expedition ships, and on the other, to distribute guest flows and economic benefits more evenly between the archipelagoes, which are currently two-thirds concentrated on the Society Islands,” he explained.

He highlighted that cruise lines are encouraged to invest in and increase cooperation with local communities on the islands and atolls through the Tahiti Cruise Club and in partnership with Tahiti Tourisme.