Silversea Cruises‘ expedition ship, Prince Albert II, will call French Polynesia home from mid-March to late October 2009. The ship’s deployment to Papeete, French Polynesia’s capital, will correspond with a collection of new itineraries that feature the “less-traveled regions” of Polynesia, stretching from the southernmost Austral Islands to the northernmost Marquesas Islands. The 132-passenger ship’s deployment to the region comes on the heels of successful meetings between Silversea and the government of French Polynesia.

The ship’s tentative schedule promises to be one of flexibility, allowing expeditions to be less dictated by time constraints. For example, the ship will stay longer in areas of particular interest and veer course when curiosity dictates so.

Highlights of the 2009 French Polynesia program include: the Austral Island Adventures (Prince Albert’s eight Zodiac boats will get passengers up close and personal with the unique culture, flora and fauna of Rapa, Raivavae, Tubuai, Rurutu and Rimatara on five 11-day, roundtrip journeys from Papeete); Journeys to the Marquesas (an expedition team will lead explorations of Fatu Hiva, Pua Mau, Hiva Oa, Atuona, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva and Tahuata, as well as Manihi and Fakarava Island in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Society Islands of Bora Bora and Tahaa); Tuamotu Expeditions (departing from Papeete on five 10-day expeditions, the ship will explore the Tuamotu islands of Tikihau, Rangiroa, Apataki, Arutua and Fakarava, as well as Raiatea, Maupihaa and Huahine in the Society Islands).