PAPEETE, French Polynesia, October 24, 2024 – Romantic small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises and the leading carrier to French Polynesia, Air Tahiti Nui, are proud to be part of Joan Vassos’ journey in finding her second chance at love on the first ever season of “The Golden Bachelorette” in the lush tropical paradise of The Islands of Tahiti. The Islands of Tahiti – world-renowned for their white-sand beaches and stunning turquoise lagoons – will be the picturesque backdrop on “The Golden Bachelorette” with Joan Vassos enjoying the comforts of Windstar's Cruises' all-suite Star Breeze in Bora Bora and Moorea. The upcoming episodes of “The Golden Bachelorette” will air on Wednesday, October 30th and Wednesday, November 13th, at 8/7c on ABC and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu. While in Tahiti, Vassos was hosted aboard Windstar’s Star Breeze, a 312-guest yacht that sails year-round in French Polynesia. The award-winning ship indulges guests with spacious ocean-view suites, multiple dining options, a spa, and a salon, but is still small enough to tuck into small ports like Bora Bora and Moorea for overnight stays. Guests especially enjoy Windstar’s Watersports Platform in Tahiti, which allows swimming off the back of the ship directly in the Pacific Ocean and activities such as stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. The Islands of Tahiti are perfect for exploring by sea with a year-round warm tropical climate, steady trade winds, and calm waters. With 118 islands spread across five archipelagos, they offer a variety of landscapes from lush mountains to pristine lagoons. For centuries the vast ocean was the only route for Tahitian tupuna (ancestors) who journeyed between islands in traditional outrigger sailing canoes. These days, most visitors including Vassos and her bachelors arrive in style to the islands on Air Tahiti Nui – the flagship carrier of French Polynesia. The in-flight experience immerses travelers in the beauty of French Polynesia long before the plane touches down, from Tahitian in-flight entertainment to the aircrafts’ livery and interior design, to the fragrant Tiare flower presented to each guest upon entering. Air Tahiti Nui offers direct flights to Tahiti from Seattle and Los Angeles. Vassos is a remarkable woman whose life has been defined by her resilience, zest for adventure and strong family values. It was those family values that led to her heartbreaking decision to leave “The Golden Bachelor,” stopping her journey after a medical concern with her daughter arose. Despite that and other challenges she’s faced along the way — including the heartbreaking loss of her husband after 32 years of marriage — Vassos remains an embodiment of strength and grace as a devoted mother of four, grandmother of three, and school administrator while finding solace in the music of Elton John, spending time with her dog and cooking. Now, as she steps into the golden spotlight and begins her journey to seek love once more, Vassos envisions a future filled with shared moments by the beach and cherished time with family. Windstar Cruises, The Islands of Tahiti, and Air Tahiti Nui invite viewers to see if Joan Vassos finds her happily ever after in Tahiti. Tune in to “The Golden Bachelorette” Wednesday, October 30th and Wednesday, November 13th on ABC or stream the episodes on Hulu the following day. | 