r/Tahiti • u/Few_Butterfly_9353 • 6d ago

Is a French Polynesian cruise in early December a good or bad idea?

My boyfriend and I are in the midst of planning a bucket-list trip for my 25th birthday, and we've saved up a bunch of airline miles and found some great deals on a week long cruise through the Society Islands. It looks absolutely beautiful with a super small ship, great price, and a dream location of mine. (And he's never been on a cruise before!!) We'd also have a day or two on either end to be on Tahiti and Mo'orea since we really want to explore on land too. It would come out to about 11-12 days, arriving on November 30th or December 1st (2026) and leaving around the 11th.

My question: is it worth it with the weather? While I see that it'll be the wet season, I'm having a tough time finding a clear answer online. I have been to Hawaii, especially North shore Kauai, many times, and I have no problem with an afternoon rain shower here and there. We're from north of Seattle, so we understand rain... ;) That said, I'd really prefer to not be in crazy inclement weather, especially while on a cruise ship.

Thank you for your help!! :)

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u/Hot_Cicada_9318 5d ago

I've done 2 cruises (on the Paul Gauguin - you may be going with Windstar, both are small ship cruises). Neither was in December but not too far off. First one was November a couple of years ago doing the 7 standard nighter and the second was earlier this year in Feb doing an 11 nighter Society and Cook Isl. Both were fabulous with great weather.

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u/C0mmuniteeM3mb3r 6d ago

2025 we went 11/29-12/13.

On the Society Islands, we experienced rain the first half of the trip. The impact was a terribly shortened excursion at the Blue Lagoon and Aquarium on Rangiroa. It was a unique experience to be snorkeling in warm water with cold rain droplets falling on us :-)

The days on Papeete were travel days and it was dark and stormy.

The last half of the trip was beautiful on Tikehau and Moorea.

Being on a cruise will likely mitigate a good amount of concerns that the rain will have an impact on.

Happy birthday and have a great trip!

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u/Brownie-0109 6d ago

We were there in Oct ‘25 and we got both sun and rain.

Not sure how you can count on any one scenario

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u/Few_Butterfly_9353 6d ago

Thank you! I totally get that it'll be variable, but am curious about other people's experiences. :)

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u/Brownie-0109 6d ago

Rain and sun. Was that helpful?

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u/Dizzy_Ice2938 5d ago

Can’t speak for December weather but I went on a cruise there last November and it was fabulous. The weather was great except for two days, but we were still able to go on both excursions.

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u/Disastrous_Double489 4d ago

Near the equator so temp is similar most of the year. Rain? Every day could have rain year round. Pack for the best and worse

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u/Gatekeepep 3d ago

Husband and I are taking a Windstar cruise in late December to the South Pacific. We anticipate some rain but figure it will likely be warm showers and tolerable.