French Polyneisa has 3 time zones, but we will refer to the time zone for the capital Papeete, Tahiti. Local time in the most-visited islands is 11 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. That is 6 hours behind U.S. Eastern Standard Time or 3 hours behind Pacific Standard Time.  The Marquesas Islands are 30 minutes ahead of the rest of the territory.

Since French Polynesia is on the east side of the international date line, Tahiti has the same date as the United States, the U.K., and Europe, and is 1 day behind Australia and New Zealand.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

French Polynesia has a hot, humid, and tropical climate. Year round, you will encounter warm temperatures and lots of sun. Be sure to bring sunscreen (reef friendly, in a higher SPF than you would normally use, also a hat and sunglasses.) Insect repellant wipes are convenient to carry for the pesky mosquitos you may encounter, especially on the remove islands or jungle excursions. A lightweight rain jacket is handy as it can get cool on the water or when near the waterfalls on land, and quick bursts of tropical showers can be common in the early afternon. Don't forget your bathing suit, a sun cover up, and water shoes or water sandals. 

Clothing -- Evening attire for men is usually a shirt and slacks; women typically wear a long, brightly colored dress (slacks or long skirts help to keep biting sand flies away from your ankles). Shorts are acceptable during the day almost everywhere. Outside Papeete, the standard attire for women is the colorful wraparound sarong known in Tahitian as a pareu, which can be tied in a multitude of ways into dresses, blouses, or skirts.

Dressy clothing is not necessary on this tour, but you may wish to bring a nicer blouse or scarf if you would like to "dress" for dinner on the ship.

All visitors to French Polynesia must have a passport that will be valid for 6 months beyond their stay here. Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing normally takes 3 weeks, but can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). And keep in mind that if you need a passport in a hurry, you'll pay a higher processing fee.

Visas- Citizens and nationals of the United States, Canada may visit for up to 30 days without a visa.

The tour starts in Lautoka, Fiji on Monday, September 29, 2025 and ends on Friday, October 10, 2025 in Papeete, Tahiti.  

The French Polyneisa tour group is limited to the maximum of 16 women + the Tour Director. The minimum group size is 11 women + the Tour Director. In addition to the Tour Director, the tour guests will be assisted by the Silversea staff (almost 1 :1 ratio of staff to cruise passengers) and expedition guides.

To avoid paying the single supplement, we offer guaranteed roommate matching, and we will try to match you with a roommate of similar age. Otherwise, there are some single suites available on this tour, but since the price is almost double that of a shared space, we expect that most of our travelers will be matched with a roommate. 

Tahiti and French Polynesia pose no major health problem for most travelers, although it's a good idea to ask your doctor about any recommended vaccinations. Use sunscreen, treat any minor cuts promptly with antibacterial cream, and watch out for jellyfish when in the water. You may wish to bring insect repellant for the pesky mosquitos that come with the tropical environ.

Tap water is safe to drink only in the city of Papeete on Tahiti and on Bora Bora. You can buy bottled spring water in any grocery store.

The islands are among the planet's safest destinations.  As always, be aware of your surroundings, and don't leave valuable items in your hotel room, in your rental car, or unattended anywhere. When heading outdoors, stay on the established trails.   

To be able to fully enjoy the journey and participate in scheduled activities, you need to be able to frequently walk on uneven, rocky, sandy surfaces, uphill and downhill.  

Humidity begins to creep up as September and October progress, but the climate overall remains pleasant and the islands are quieter. Late September marks the spring equinox, when the sun’s rays hit the islands' lagoons at just the right angle, bringing out the vivid turquoise hues of the classic French Polynesian landscape.

All guests onboard Silversea Cloud will be granted free, unlimited standard Wi-Fi for 1 device at the time. Standard Wi-Fi is provided at regular satellite speed, ideal for emailing, web surfing, chat or similar, but not suitable for video, audio calls, or streaming. Premium WI-FI access is available at an additional charge and is suitable for all kinds of applications, including video and audio call and streaming. Telecommunications via satellite is a significantly different experience compared to high-speed connections on shore. The signal travels in a similar manner to radio waves but at much greater distances. That is why onboard Internet access is inconsistent and cannot be guaranteed at all times. Satellite communications are also affected by weather and the ship’s location. On board, guests may make and receive phone calls, text messages and other select data services on their own cell phone. Guests will be billed by their home cell phone provider and calls or messages will appear as roaming charges on their bill. Before leaving home, you should contact your provider to confirm that a roaming agreement with Silversea has been established. Silver Cloud is also equipped with a phone system that allows guests to make direct-dial calls from their suite whilst at sea. Calls will be billed to the guest’s onboard account.

Both 110-volt (U.S. current) and 220- volt (European current) outlets are provided in all suites, accommodating small appliances without the use of adapters or electric converters. A hair dryer is provided in each suite.

Electricity -- Electrical power is 220 volts, 50 cycles, and the plugs are the French kind with two round, skinny prongs. Most hotels have 110-volt outlets for shavers only, so you will need a converter and adapter plugs for other appliances. Some hotels, especially those on the outer islands, have their own generators, so ask at the reception desk what voltage is supplied.

The local currency is the Comptoirs Français du Pacific, or French Pacific franc (CFP), which comes in coins up to 100CFP and in colorful notes ranging from 500CFP into the millions.U.S. dollar and European euro notes (but not coins) are widely accepted as cash in the islands, although at less favorable exchange rates than at banks. The ATMs operate in both French and English, and they usually are reliable at giving cash or cash advances. Nevertheless, I carry some cash or traveler's checks with me in case the local ATM runs out of cash or is out of service.

All gratuities are included in the cost of the Silversea cruise. When dining on your own, 10% is the customary tip for restaurants. Porters, chambermaids, etc. can be tipped CLP$1,000 per night (about $1.50 USD). Taxi drivers do not receive tips. At the conclusion of the tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director a gratuity. We recommend $15 per person per day if you feel that her services enhanced your experience of visiting French Polynesia. 

Language -- French is the official language. Most residents also speak Tahitian, and English is widely spoken among hotel and restaurant staffers.

Even though many women go topless and wear the skimpiest of bikini bottoms at the beach, the Tahitians have a sense of propriety similar to what you find in any Western nation. Don't offend them by engaging in behavior that would not be permissible at home.

The islands are relatively safe for women traveling alone, but don't let the charm of warm nights and smiling faces lull you into any less caution than you would exercise at home. Do not wander alone on deserted beaches.

While onboard, the Silversea Cloud Boutique is located on Deck 5, and it offers a selection of designer fashions, perfumes and Silversea logo items. Toiletries and convenience items are also available for purchase. The boutique is closed whilst in port and on occasion due to local government regulations.

Popular items include jewellery, crafts, sarongs, monoi oil, carvings and gourmet products with shops, markets, and craft centres to be found all over the islands. You can also buy crafts directly from the producers and craftspeople at local craft centres during your stay in French Polynesia. Tahitian pearls and vanilla are particularly prized.

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