CRUISING

Passengers must have a passport that’s valid for 6 months after the date of departure from French Polynesia.

Veterinary and phytosanitary services apply the same rules and regulations as in Europe to guarantee food safety and public health by the unfailing respect of the cold chain.

MANDATORY for all vessels arriving from an OUTSIDE PORT of French Polynesia (F.P.)

1. Inform the Biosafety Department in Motu-Uta via secretariat@biosecurite.gov.pf
   Tel: 40544585
2. If you are traveling with a pet, contact the Zoo-Sanitary Unit for your biosafety formalities via animal.impex@biosecurite.gov.pf
3. If your vessel has touched an infested port* in the 9 months before its arrival in the P.F :
   – You MUST dock at the port of Papeete in TAHITI;
   – Docking of the vessel only between 6:30 am and 4:30 pm
4. If your vessel Did NOT touch an infested port* in the 9 months prior to its arrival in P.F., your vessel must dock at an official port of entry in the F.P.

   * from a country, territory or area known to be infested with Oryctes spp. and Scapanes spp. – Order 2471 CM of November 4, 2021 (texts in French language only)source of the article: La Direction de La Biosécurité.

Appointed representatives responsible for the management of each stopover, maritime agents are in permanent contact with the port authorities and take care of related tasks and necessary formalities such as: customs and phytosanitary controls, fresh water supplies, waste management, organization and planning of excursions and transfers for the passengers..

Refueling procedures are overseen by a selected and trained crewmember who is responsible for ensuring the respect of international security rules and regulations.

Administrative formalities for customs clearance of merchandise are handled by the maritime agent in conjunction with the various agencies concerned (forwarding agents, customs agents, phytosanitary agents etc.). A transshipment status for food products was adopted in 2008, which greatly simplifies and improves customs formalities.

To cater to the needs of cruise passengers of different nationalities, food supplies are imported on a daily basis from the United States, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, guaranteeing a constant supply. To complement these imported products, cruise companies can order fresh fish and farm products (fruit and vegetables etc.) from local suppliers..

Piloting is obligatory in the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Fakarava :

• for ships over 40 m in overall length LHT within the limits of the port of Papeete ;
• for ships over 90 m in overall length. In other ports and lagoons, piloting is not obligatory but pilots are available on request and can also assist in the conception of itineraries everywhere in Polynesia.

Since March 1, 2016, crewmembers (sailors, service personnel) on ships operating in French Polynesia for more than three months at a time do not require long-stay visas. For more information, contact Tahiti Cruise Club or a maritime agent.