Best TV Tonight: Cruising with Susan Calman visits Tahiti and French Polynesia

Part One of Cruising with Susan Calman in Tahiti and French Polynesia is on Channel 5 and My5 tonight at 8pm.

In this two-part slice of paradise, Susan travels further than ever before as she explores the sun-drenched tropical islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific. To get there, she needs to take two planes and travel over 9000 miles.

In the first part she boards the ship – a beautiful and sleek vessel sailing ship complete with five enormous sails – and explores her new home for the next 10 days. She meets some of her fellow passengers and crew, including Second Officer Brian (all the way from Wales) who welcomes her onto the bridge and even lets her operate one of the sails.

Despite being a relatively small ship, there is a lot to do onboard. Susan even signs up for a ‘Couples Massage’, though she’s yet to find someone to share it with! She’s kept busy getting kitted out for her snorkel, mask and fins and is soon able to test them in the water, as she goes snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Fakarava. She just has to overcome her fear of sharks, but the diving instructor keeps mentioning the many varieties in the bay. A triumphant Susan reflects on what she’s achieved – and a pod of dolphins nearby seem to want to celebrate too.

French Polynesia is famed for its pearls and in Rangiroa – the largest atoll in French Polynesia. Susan heads off on an excursion to learn about how the famous black pearl is produced and the delicate work that goes into harvesting this precious gem.

Back on board and the tropical weather has made itself known, so the ship heads for cover back in Tahiti – which gives Susan the opportunity to join Head Chef Danilo as he goes to the local food market to stock-up on supplies – and Susan gets to taste his work over dinner later with fellow guests, hosted by the crew onboard.

Finally the ship sails to the majestic island of Bora Bora and, on a snorkelling trip to the lagoon, Susan learns about the conservation work that goes into protecting the coral reefs and the wildlife that call these waters ‘home’. The first leg of her South Pacific paradise cruise finishes back on the ship with a barbecue and a bit of tropical line dancing.