The best cruises to tick off your travel bucket list

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Stunning sea stories and big-wave thrills hit Exeter cinemas

From the depths of the sea to the edge of your seat — an ocean-inspired film festival is making waves across the UK, promising adventure, awe, and adrenaline. The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is returning this autumn with a brand-new collection...

Civil Society calls on Forum Leaders to make Human Rights and Self-Determination permanent agenda items

By Elilai Rengiil Honiara, Solomon Islands— Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are calling on Pacific Leaders to include Human rights and Self Determination as standing agenda issues for future Pacific Island Leaders Forum (PIFLM) meetings. In...

7 of the best cruises to tick off your travel bucket list

Many keen travellers have compiled a bucket list of trips or natural wonders to experience, and a cruise can be an ideal way to tick-off off your dream destinations. From gazing upon towering icebergs in Alaska to spotting the giant tortoise of...

Wind Star joins Star Breeze to Sail Year-Round in French Polynesia

Windstar Cruises is doubling down on Tahiti, with the return of its newly refreshed sailing yacht, Wind Star, to Tahiti in March 2027. At that time, the Wind Star will join the all-suite Star Breeze to sail year-round in French Polynesia — making...

Political turmoil in Paris creates rippling effects in New Caledonia's quest for independence

When New Caledonia's President, Alcide Ponga, arrived in Honiara last week for his first Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM), the French government in Paris was facing a major crisis. The upheaval follows a confidence vote in the French...

Beyond The Checklist: Embedding Sustainability Into Hotel Strategy for Lasting Impact

Let’s start with the obvious: there is a lot going on in the world today. In a rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable global landscape, hotels must find ways to remain competitive and resilient in the long term, even when the realities of...

French Polynesia’s president endorses nuclear-free Pacific

AMERICAN singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer, Akon, is set to electrify Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, confirmed for September 16. After months of keeping everyone on the line, he made the announcement...

Solar eclipse 2025: Will ‘surya grahan’ be on September 20, 21, or 23? Timings, visibility and everything you need to know

As 2025 draws to a close, the skies are preparing a spectacular farewell gift: a solar eclipse. Throughout history, eclipses were often feared as ominous signs, symbolizing change or forewarning disasters. Today, however, they are celebrated as...

Pacific news in brief for 15 September

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Fiji - bureau Four officers from Fiji's Counter Narcotic Bureau have been arrested for possession of illegal narcotics. As a result, the Fijian government is closing the bureau down entirely and returning all officers...

Pacific leaders reach agreement on big issues – but unity remains elusive

The Pacific Islands Forum wrapped up its annual leaders meeting last week with some significant agreements, including the launch of the region’s own climate financing facility, the endorsement of the Ocean of Peace declaration and policies on...

A return trip to French Polynesia became more than just another trip to paradise

Open this photo in gallery:The m/s Paul Gauguin is a 330-passenger cruise ship, named for the French painter who was inspired by the islands.Tim McKenna/Paul Gauguin Always follow the sound of the drums. That might be the best bit of advice for...

Devaluations and lost benefits: 4 frustrating hotel loyalty program trends that are likely to continue

I spend well over 200 nights a year at properties participating in major hotel loyalty programs. But while there's a lot to love about these kinds of programs and the hotel elite status that can come with them, I also experience some frustrations...

Exploring the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia

raphaëllesmn/stock.adobe.com We cleared through the Panama Canal and sailed back into Pacific waters for the first time in a decade—but I looked west from our 50-footer, Atea, with a sense of despondency. All of our sailing friends had worked hard...

Bezos Earth Fund invests $37.5M to accelerate Pacific-led ocean protection

Grants will safeguard 835,000 square miles (2.16 million km²) of ocean across 12 countries and territories Washington, D.C. — A groundbreaking effort led by Pacific Island leaders to safeguard the ocean took a major step forward today, with the...

France has rare opportunity to avoid another 'bloodbath' - French Polynesia says

French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson in Honiara for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting from 8-12 September 2025. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Caleb Fotheringham French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson is cautioning France not...

All-business class flights – why is it so hard for airlines to make them work?

Over the years, many airlines have attempted (and failed) to make the all-business-class model work. Although the concept gained momentum in the early 2000s, with several such carriers coming and going in just a handful of years, the model has...

Thousands take to the streets against methamphetamines in French Polynesia

Tahitians march against methamphetamins abuse on 7 September 2025. Photo: Supplied / Radio 1 More than 6500 protesters across French Polynesia took to the streets over the weekend to oppose the growing influence of methamphetamines, which is...

Solar Eclipse 2025: List of countries to witness the partial ‘Surya Grahan’ with timing and safe viewing tips

The solar eclipse 2025, known in India as Surya Grahan, is set to occur on September 21, 2025, and has already sparked global curiosity. This partial eclipse will be the last celestial eclipse of the year, making it a significant astronomical...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – September 5 – 11, 2025

Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...