jilly08

Hi, I was on the Star Breeze for 2 weeks in December 2022 (including Christmas). Single traveler. I had a fabulous time. Our Ship was not full at all---low 100s of guests. They offered everyone the next week at a hugely discounted rate. How could you resist?

I just asked to sit at a large table for 6. I met some wonderful people at dinner and we did excursions and got together after dinner as well.

The crew was also top notch! They knew all of our names and I felt like they were watching over me.

They always asked if I would like to be walked back to my cabin!! 

I cannot say enough great things about the crew!

Have a fabulous time----if I can find the picture of our Christmas dinner menu, I'll post it!

Here is by blog:

https://gypsyjilly.blogspot.com/2021/12/its-happening.html

Also note, if you click on the link to my blog, I was in Tahiti in 2015 as well on the Pacific Princess. 

🙂

jill

Hi Everyone, 

I was on the Star Breeze in mid-December, 2021. I've been wanting to share the journey with all of you. 

I blogged the trip--the good, the bad and the ugly!

There is a link to my blog in my signature, below!

If you have questions, let me know. It's easier for me to answer if you post a comment on the blog itself, but I'll try and stop here regularly to look at comments!

jill

Just arrived a few days ago!  life is very good!  see my signature for the address!

Thank you Everyone that responded!

I appreciate all the options.

Hopefully, less than 2 weeks until I leave.

Jill

On 11/12/2021 at 11:35 AM, Petoonya said:

Thanks Jill. Our next trip is our 7th time to Tahiti (last early 2020) and I feel good about which providers to use everywhere and what we want to do. . It's just hard with 4 days in BB to know what to do on the 4th day- all we care about is snorkeling. If you're concentrating on  snorkeling you usually start to repeat the same snorkeling sites with providers. So was looking to do something different. Like go to the beach!

 

We've used just about all the providers there are, everytime in Huahine  as well as rent a car to drive the island. Think we'll either use the sports deck on the boat for one of the days and drive to a hotel on Huahine Iti, as they have day stays and on a great snorkel  beach. Was just wondering if there was anything new to do that we haven't done. 🙂 Raiatea is always a puzzle as you can go back to Coral Gardens, jet ski or kayak, or visit sacred site- all of which we've done several times. There are also car rentals but usually broken down cars that you have to worry about getting back to port with!

That is what I want to do on BoraBora Day 2 and have an obligatory Bloody at Bloody Mary's!  

Which hotel do you visit on Huahine Iti for the day pass?

thanks,

Jill

11 hours ago, Petoonya said:

@Wilcoam

What a wonderful day you had! Two days. All the information is helpful and terrific. Keeping it in my Tahiti file. Thank you!

 

We have four days in BB next August and trying to sort out what to on the fourth. This is perfect and full of detail. Anything else about doing things independently anywhere would be great.

What did you do in Raiatea and Huahine? Again two days in each and think I have it figured out, but appreciate any ideas and  details you have.

I was in Tahiti in 2015 and we visited both of those ports on Pacific Princess. Check out my blog. I reviewed the tours I did. 

Jill

On 11/6/2021 at 3:39 PM, Wilcoam said:

Just off the WS Breeze, we spent our first day in Bora making our own independent plans

 

We easily found a taxi in port, Duaro from Bora (lol) for $20 USD (or 2000 FPC), took the 10 min ride to Matira Beach, using a towel from the ship, we walked the sandy beach, swam in the ocean, interacted with locals and doggies 

 

Then we walked 10 min for a private guided paddle boarding, we booked independently, right by the IC Moana, I can't remember the co, but it's self owned and the guide, Evan, is terrific, it was also 'inexpensive' at 8,000 FFC each 

 

Then we walked 10 min back to the beach and had a scrumptious local Tahitian Tuna sampler at the Beach Club which we would highly recommend, not to mention the post meal Creme Brûlée and or Eclair was to die for, so yes the food on WS Breeze was way way above average, and free/included, but unlike PG it's in short supply of authentic local Tahitian food, so this was one of the best lunches, and an authentic one to boot, on our vacation, I mean the poisson cru, sashimi, etc was incredible, not to mention the patio view...     

 

Then back to the beach, where there was a shop you could easily rent kayaks, water scooters, jet ski's, or paddle boards, but we just hung out, on our ship towels, our mindset was it was a day of leisure, we diverted the money we would spend go a ship excursion to a local lunch, and private paddle board, and more lounged, while time stopped so to speak 

 

There were a handful of fellow independent cruisers from WS there too but I would think most WS pax were likely on ship excursions which did not include stops at Matira though a drive by Trolley with about 20-30 WS folks did stop for about 10 minutes 🙂 

 

We called Dauro from Bora by cell to pick us up, same fare, back to the port

 

Great day, and on day 2 we went back to the cruise excursions and did a fab afternoon jet ski around Bora with Moana Adventures, (we could have booked direct but got lazy) and that was a major excursion hilight of our cruise, but we loved the Matira beach day/paddke board on our own just as much, the mix of both worked, and we felt like gypsy beach bums away from other cruisers 

 

We also made an evening reservation to dine at St James, but found out it was the same night as the ship's Motu fire BBQ, we couldn't miss that, so unfort had to cancel the dinner reservation, we also highly reccomend the tasting menu at Villa Mahana, this is where a land stay in BB works much better with trying to dine locally than say a 2 day stop off a cruise, but we were glad to have done the local lunch 

 

jc 

 

 

 

   

Great information.   How did you contact Dauro? Private Taxi?    thank you!

On 10/29/2021 at 11:47 PM, Petoonya said:

The other possibility for you is a day stay at the IC Continental on Matira Beach. It's not cheap but gives you chairs, access to the beach, shade, umbrellas, pool, beach toys and a superb lunch. We've done it a few times and it's excellent. I don't recall any places to rent umbrellas and beach chairs for the public area at Matira, but I could be mistaken. In their summer, November to March, the sun really bakes down and sun faces the beach. I'd be uncomfortable without an umbrella or unless I sat in the water much of the time.

 

The lagoon is the BIG deal in Bora Bora. Doing your own thing is great anywhere else, but Bora Bora is a place worth splurging on- it's like no other place on earth. You can find a 3 hour snorkel excursion in BB on Viator on Tripadvisor for a very reasonable price and still have time for Matira Beach. You can do an excursion in the morning, hop back to your ship for lunch and go back to Matira Beach in the afternoon for a few hours.

Hi!

Yes I do have excursions booked, but I wanted to spend some time just being in that water. When I was there in 2015, the section of beach I was at had no chairs etc but was wondering if any other strip of the beach may have them.  

Thank you for your input. 

Jill

Hi, 

I'm sailing on WS Star Breeze  in December of this year.  If anyone has been to FP since October, were those trucks that take you to Bloody Mary's or Matira beach operating?  Or were taxis available at the tender pier?

And does anyone know in which bay WS will anchor in Moorea?

I am looking to took an independent Jet Ski tour in Moorea. Can any recommend a good tour operator?

thank you, 

Jill

On 10/19/2021 at 7:33 PM, Petoonya said:

 

@jilly08Did you ever get a place to stay?

There's an Airbnb that we like to stay that's in Punaauia about 8-10 miles from the port. The owner will take you pick you up to/from the ship or airport for a very nominal fee, like $10. It's a lovely suburban home on a hillside with a small pool and beautiful view of Moorea. Your room is a cute little bungalow and it's only $70/nite! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21355854

We usually stay at Fare Suisse the nite pre-cruise and then the Airbnb when we return from our cruise and are waiting for our late nite flight. They are happy to let us sit out back and enjoy the pool till our room is ready at 1p. We've never done it but they have an extra car that it's possible to rent from them too. It's too far to walk to restaurants so they take you to a grocery store for quick prepare foods for dinner.

Oh thank you for that information. I did have no trouble finding a place for the cruise in December. 

Jill

All, 

Thanks for the information!  I will look into booking on a private tour ahead of time!

Jill

Hi, 

I was in Rangiroa in 2015, on the Pacific Princess, and there were plenty of choices available on the Pier for Snorkeling the Aquarium and water taxis. 

Now that we are allowed to book our own excursions on Wind Star, I'd like to do a morning snorkel and then head down to the Kia Ora Resort for lunch and float back to the pier. (ala Pesacdo Amarillo)    Link to her blog:  http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/2014/12/day-47-rangiroa.html

Has anyone been to Rangiroa lately that can provide an update on what is available at the tender pier near Taputa pass?

thanks,

Jill

On 7/27/2021 at 10:20 PM, baloothecat said:

Based on recommendations here on CC we booked at Fare  Suisse for 1 night twice during our upcoming trip. The rooms are clean, AC and transportation to/from ferry/airport is included. approx $100USD. They have a continental breakfast for an additional fee. 

http://fare-suisse.com/

Thanks! I checked there and he is booked!   I am sad that Hotel Tiare Tahiti seems to be out of business. Even the phone number I had for them is disconnected.  

Jill

Yes, I've stayed there in the past. However, email is bouncing back and none of the hotel booking engines can come up with availability.  Wondering if they survived the pandemic and lack of tourism.

Their rates were so reasonable and the breakfast they provided was a feast!  I'd love to stay there again.  If anyone has information, it would be greatly appreciated. 

Jill

Does anyone have any information regarding the hotel?  I sent a couple of Emails and they bounced back. Are they still open?

thanks!

Jill

Just browsing cruises and saw NCL is doing an entire series of cruises in and around Papeete. Noticed some 7 and 10 day cruises. 

1 ship 2106 passengers  - Spirit.

I know a ton of people are missing Pacific Princess-----me included. 

jilly

On 10/24/2019 at 11:33 AM, denmarks said:

I would like to update my Meet and Greet Coordinator List. I have updated it to make it easier to find a ship so coordinators are now duplicated. Please post any updates.

 

Caribbean	Coleen Reyes	(661)284-4447	creyes@princesscruises.com
Coral	Bernadine Grayr	(661)284-4448	bgrayr@princesscruises.com
Crown	Jodi Rudolph	(661)284-4450	jrudolph@princesscruises.com
Diamond	Diana Hall	(661)284-4449	dhall@princesscruises.com
Emerald	Rosanne Pennucci	(661)284-4443	rpennucci@princesscruises.com
Golden	Jan James	(661)284-4452	jjames@princesscruises.com
Grand	Jenny Streeck	(661)284-4444	Streeck@princesscruises.com
Island	Rosanne Pennucci	(661)284-4443	rpennucci@princesscruises.com
Majestic	Rosanne Pennucci	(661)284-4443	rpennucci@princesscruises.com
Pacific	Jan James	(661)284-4452	jjames@princesscruises.com
Regal	Bernadine Grayr	(661)284-4448	bgrayr@princesscruises.com
Royal	Darlene Howell	(661)284-4455	dhowell@princesscruises.com
Ruby	Craig Blish	(661)284-4417	cblish@princess.com
Sapphire	Jenny Streeck	(661)284-4444	Streeck@princesscruises.com
Sea	Coleen Reyes	(661)284-4447	creyes@princesscruises.com
Sky
Star	Diana Hall	(661)284-4449	dhall@princesscruises.com
Sun	Stacey Anderson	(661)284-4333	sanderson@princesscruises.com

All, I will be on the Pacific Princess and there is a new contact for the Meet and Greets:  Jodi Rudolph  

On 4/19/2019 at 11:41 AM, PescadoAmarillo said:

CentslessCruiser- awww, gees, thanks! 😊 But there is still much suspense to be had!!!  The odds of a season unfolding exactly in the manner we initially booked it is about 20% (readers have no idea of all the changes that happen behind the scenes). And then there’s the impact to this year’s season.  Will we do it at all? Shorten it? Cheapen it?  What does life have in store?  Let’s just say I’m not starting a packing list. 

Jeannie, 

I am hoping your season continues to include the last 10 day segment. It would be lovely to meet you for more than a few minutes!  

Hoping and praying we are all able to visit our most favorite place in the world again!

Jill

I did two whale watches while in Tahiti. One out of Papeete and the other from Moorea. Go to my blog and scroll down the right side to "whale watch". There are two posts about my experience and some pictures!

http://gypsyjilly.blogspot.com/

Jill

Thank you for all the comments! It makes the writing worthwhile!

Jill

Thanks for posting it. We're looking forward to our cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam in a couple of months.

 

We experienced everything you listed here on our recent Carnival cruise. However, I didn't view these differences as anything other than a reflection of the difference in price between Carnival and Holland America, on average. My spouse and I are, of course, going to face the choice for future trips, and we'll still make the decision on a case-by-case basis, based on the specific type of cruise (Alaska was a no-brainer for Holland America) and based on our current finances (if things get tight, there will be more Carnival in our future).

 

Excellent!

 

I am a fanatical fan of smoked salmon... Did you see it offered at breakfast in the Lido?

 

This is the first I'm reading about a Thai food area in the Lido. Could you (or anyone else) please provide more details?

 

There is an extra fee at the burger joint, correct?

 

There are a lot of legal things that you're not allowed to do on a cruise ship: Bring on-board your own liquor, for starters. And smoking is one of the few legal things that adversely affect the health of others, so I completely see the cruise line's side of things here, and greatly appreciate the changes they've made to make the cruise ship healthier for all of us. While I sympathize with the situation of those addicted to nicotine (my spouse is one such person), I also sympathize with the situation of non-smokers who are concerned about their health in the long-term, and those who face short-term risks, including those with asthma, and those at higher risk for heart attack or stroke due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

 

Everything I've read indicated to me that the best place to buy liquor, these days, is the liquor superstore near the mall (at home). That is not just a cruise ship thing, but even applies to duty-free purchases in airports: These purchases apparently have become status-driven and/or impulse-driven purchases, and so the sellers are cultivating that. They probably make more money selling much less liquor (and perfume and cigarettes, etc.) by making it more of an exclusive purchasing experience, putting much less money into inventory carrying cost and just a bit more money into glitz and glamour for the purchasing experience.

 

We can't wait!

I do see someone else has answered some of your questions. As for Carnival, I would sail that line again if they offered an itinerary I could not find on another line. But for now, I believe my 'go to' line will be Holland. And quite honestly, I didn't see that much different in pricing--at least for this time of year.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you very much for your review and link to the photos.

 

Would you happen to remember who the piano players were in the Billboard Onboard dueling pianos area?

No, I'm sorry I do not. I only remember that they were both young and the dealer in the Casino told me that they'd only recently joined the ship.

Jill

I have never eaten or drank dishwater, can you tell me what it tastes like????

It tastes just like the French Onion soup on the ship!

We loved our cabins -- 6155 and 6159. We felt the location was perfect.