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French Polynesia
Star Clipper
Ship: Star Flyer
Best for: Sailing aficionados (or wannabes) and their significant others
Why it's a good value: The rainy season in French Polynesia brings short showers and big discounts
Length: 11 nights
Departures: October and November 2009 and January 2010
Number of Passengers: 170
Cost: From $2,225
The intimate and relentlessly romantic Star Flyer, a 360-foot, four-masted sailing vessel, is the next best thing to chartering a private yacht—at a far more attractive price. Star Clipper operates year-round in French Polynesia, but you'll save a few bucks by choosing one of its "economy" sailings, such as those in November and January, which fall during the rainy season. Fortunately, even then you're likely to experience only a brief thunderstorm each afternoon. (It's unusual to see a storm settle in for more than half an hour, since the fronts pass quickly over these low-lying islands.) Many larger cruise ships call only at the Society Islands, but the Star Flyer also sails to the lesser-visited Tuamotu Atolls, where you'll find coral reefs and atolls ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving (800-442-0551; starclippers.com).
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