tahiti

January 19-20, 2026

I was excited to arrive in Tahiti and was looking forward to a private tour of the interior arranged by a previous world cruiser. Unfortunately, the weather gods did not cooperate and the tour operator had to cancel. Too late to book a ship tour, but there was a silver lining to the cancellation. The CFP Championship game (IU v Miami) was being played that day and my daughter was recording it so I could watch the replay. Given the tour setback, I asked her to set up a live feed of the game.(If you’re wondering why Viking didn’t do this, I am too.) We all know the outcome by now and most of you know I am a devoted Hoosier fan and alum. For the last few years, I have made it a practice to spend time in Bloomington during basketball season. Now it looks like I’ll have to make time for football as well.

Enough about the Hoosiers.

Our first evening in Papeete, Tahiti, was highlighted by an on-board dance performance of O Tahiti E. It was standing room only in the theatre which for this crowd is not medically advisable! So I watched the performance from my stateroom.

Day 2 began with even more rain than the day before, but I had a scheduled walking tour of Papeete and sufficient rain gear. Our guide, Edward, was born in France, but he calls Tahiti home. Our first stop was the Public Market where the locals shop for fresh fish, produce and flowers. The tourists gravitate toward the handicrafts, souvenirs and lets not forget pearls. The next two stops were the Papeete town hall and the Tahitian version of the Notre Dame Cathedral. By this time, several of the tour group defected primarily due to intermittent downpours. A more visually interesting stop was the garden surrounding the Assembly of French Polynesia. Also located there was a monument to the last queen of Tahiti. Our last stop on the tour was the Presidential Palace.

We (three of us) parted ways with Edward to do a bit more sightseeing and shopping. We got lost trying to re-locate the Public Market. I’m afraid my high school French teachers would be very disappointed in my awkward attempt to obtain directions. However, we did find the market and our way back to the ship.

Next stop: Rarotonga, Cook Islands