Tahiti Cruise Club has a new executive committee led by the newly elected President Edouard Gaide, according to a statement.  

Elected unanimously during the Club’s General Assembly, Gaide is a graduate of the ENSM (École Nationale Supérieure Maritime), serving as maritime pilot with the Te Ara Tai Pilot Station since 2024.  

Since 2011, he has served as an officer with several shipping companies, including five years in French Polynesia aboard the Aranui, as well as experience aboard cruise ships operated by Scenic and Swan Hellenic. 

Gaide will initially be supported by Ororiki Rickenbach, head of the cruise department at Tahiti Nui Travel, who was named the secretary of the Club.  

She brings extensive experience in organizing activities across the various ports of call, as well as several years of professional relationships with senior representatives of international cruise companies. 

The team is completed by Torea Colas, marketing manager at Air Tahiti Nui, who continues as treasurer of the Tahiti Cruise Club, a position he has held for more than ten years. 

Cruise activity in French Polynesia has tripled since 2012, with the sector now generating more than XPF 20 billion (around $195 million) of annual economic impact for the territory. 

A strong increase in both numbers of port calls and passengers is expected this year, with 1,300 scheduled port calls, 89% of which will be operated by ships carrying fewer than 600 passengers. 

The destination is continuing to consolidate its model, based on small ships for nine out of 10 port calls, while giving preference to vessels operating from Papeete. A 25% increase in Papeete port calls was reported this year, which is expected to increase a further 10% in 2027.

Cruise ships carrying more than 2,000 passengers are expected to account for 3% of all port calls this year. 

Furthermore, 87% of the port calls scheduled for 2026 will be operated by homeporting vessels, complemented by the calls of the 49-guest Panorama II, operated by Variety Cruises. 

This includes more than 150 homeporting calls in Tahiti, with passengers arriving by air, beginning their cruise through the Papeete Cruise Terminal, completing their cruise itinerary, and departing again by air.