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Two Luxury Yachts Re-define Travel in the South Pacific |
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Less is more on the two Bora Bora Cruises' yachts sailing the turquoise waters of French Polynesia. The Tu Moana and Ti'a Moana, two 226-foot Australian-built, French-registered super-yachts, are tantamount to a millionaire's playthings. |
Actually, the word "cruises" is misleading. Yes, these are "voyages aboard a ship that sails from place to place." But the word "cruise" has its inevitable implications of the hokey-pokey, garrulous cruise directors, and crowds. And nothing could be farther from the Bora Bora Cruises reality.
Bora Bora Cruises has dubbed the experience "nomade yachting" -- a smooth blend of sensual luxury, private idylls and refinement in a relaxed atmosphere.
Here's what makes this so special:
• Even though each yacht has 30 staterooms, only 20 are made available for each cruise. There is a crew compliment of 4:1, affording intimacy and personalized service.
• There are no rules and no clock-watching on board the yachts. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served when and where passengers want: in the dining room, outdoors on Main Deck, under the Bridge Deck, in their stateroom, or in a private perch on Sun Deck. Meals are also served ashore - with lavish tables set up in the surf.
• Breakfasts are lavish - both buffet style and à la carte. Lunches and dinners are fashioned from the catch of the day and what's freshest in island markets. The creativity of the cuisine, the elegance of its presentation and the wine cellar rival a supreme French resort.
• Bora Bora Cruises scours the world for its crews, searching for smiles, charm, graciousness and experience. The right candidates are then flown to Tahiti from Europe, America and Southeast Asia for training.
• Instead of the resort-mandatory ranks of lounge chairs, the sprawling Sun Decks of Ti'a Moana and Tu Moana, sport a dozen couch-beds that can be moved and angled at travelers' whim.
• Drinks and snacks are served everywhere - in the main lounge and in every corner of every deck. There are no bills to sign: everything is included in order to maintain the atmosphere of total luxury.
• As dusk falls, the colors of the two yachts subtly change. The covers of Main Deck banquettes are transformed from light to dark. Dozens of throw pillows are plumped and strewn. Candles are lit within dozens of sleek hurricane lamps.
• The design of the identical staterooms is an outpouring of taste and good quality. The rooms are large, with queen or twin beds, each with giant picture windows. Bathrooms are compact and beautifully conceived - surrounded by windows with Venetian blinds, to let in both light and the view. Under-bed storage closets enable travelers to unpack totally for a one-week cruise and make suitcases disappear.
• Rooms are refreshed multiple times a day. Each evening, wet swimwear is taken away, washed, dried and returned at dawn.
• A short stroll on Bridge Deck brings passengers to the Bridge, where the Captain, his deputy and the pilot are on duty 24/7. The Bridge is always open, and passengers are encouraged to wander in, ask questions and chat.
• "Vavau" ("My Bridge Deck") is a new addition to the two yachts, whereby four cabins on Bridge Deck can be sealed off, along with the aft bridge deck, into a private yacht-within-a-yacht. The Vavau affords über personalized services, including a dedicated chef, butler, masseur and housekeeper. From this eerie, Vavau guests can choose to mingle with other passengers or keep entirely to themselves.
• The yachts have a deliberately shallow draft, so that each can enter the smallest cove. The yachts' tenders ferry guests ashore for a moonlight swim, a day of snorkeling, or a massage on the beach. Kayaks are available too. The crew arranges beach towels, beach chairs, coolers with water and wines, and anything from a picnic to a romantic lunch à deux. For a romantic evening ashore, a lavishly draped canopy bed can be set up on a secluded beach.
• Optional activities include horseback riding on a beach, jet skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling, jeep safaris, bike rides through the rain forest, valley-treks, submarine rides to observe the underwater wildlife, helicopter tours...anything is possible...
Bora Bora Cruises rates are $6430 double occupancy for the six-night/seven-day (Monday - Sunday) voyages. Everything is included: gourmet meals, all non-alcoholic beverages, a selection of wines for lunch and dinner, non-premium liquors, afternoon tea, NOMADE service (butler, private coach) and a number of unique events and activities, use of kayaks and snorkeling equipment available onboard, transfers to/from the Bora Bora Airport and all local taxes. Port charges are $200 per guest.
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