Tahitianbigkahuna

Use an agent that is Tahiti certified. We are not allowed to give individual agent recommendations. Agents are allowed to give OBC but not kickbacks. I know ... some will say their agent gives money back but it isn't officially allowed.

Ponant use a type of dynamic pricing which typically means the sooner you book the prices are best. As the ship fills to price typically goes up. 

A few times a year Ponant does a few promos ... usually on cruises that need a little help to fill.

Typically best pricing can be found on cruises between the Middle of November through the end of March. This is known as the more humid/rainy season. 

29 minutes ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

Just talked to Ato ... said to try his email again as he received nothing 😉

I told him to check his spam folder ...

Nothing in his spam folder  ...

I sent him a test email ... he received. Send him another email 😉

Just talked to Ato ... said to try his email again as he received nothing 😉

I told him to check his spam folder ...

45 minutes ago, Tom Sandra said:

@FlightMedic555 I can't get a response from Ato; I've emailed him a few times in the last 5 weeks. Any advice for connecting with him? Our sailing is in July 2024.

 

Also, have you ever booked directly with Reef Discovery in Bora Bora? I've heard them mentioned a few times on these boards and would like to book in advance with another couple. Just looking for some reassurance that they are a reputable company to pre-book with. It's a sizeable payment and we don't want to lose it for two couples. Thank you for sharing any of your experiences. By the way, it appears that Reef Discovery now provides the longer day with motu lunch according to their website.

 

Thanks so much again!

Reef discovery is a very reputable company to do business with ... 

I assume you have the correct email address for Ato: fakaravaexplorer@hotmail.com

You can also send him a private message on his Messenger/Facebook under: https://www.facebook.com/lissant

This question comes up all the time  ... here is my two cents worth on this important topic.

Click on this link: Which Ship is Best for Visiting French Polynesia?

Answer to the OP's question  ....

https://streamyard.com/n5q5pzttqqcy

"I prefer to use something like Trip Advisor to see what the real people think. Admittedly, you have to get through several reviews to get to a sense of the real information" Solid advice  ...

What you need to be careful of is those that go once and now they think they are an expert. I'm an 'expert' in regards to French Polynesia  ... 32 trips there ... I've seen so much and can give a balanced take on this part of the world and/or ships that frequent FP. 

Look for those that have balance ... those that have been there many times 😉

On 3/7/2024 at 11:15 AM, susiesan said:

I did book the Windstar cruise for April 10, 2025. This current March it has been raining every day in Papeete and I was concerned next March could be similar. I do have the flexibility of when I travel being recently retired.

Susie

Best time of year to go to French Polynesia

BTW  ... I have 3 Star Breeze cruises in FP coming up over the next 16 months. 

My two cents worth ...

4 hours ago, jean87510 said:

I just watched the video and am confused about one part although I may have misinterpreted.  We actually purchased priority passes for the check in and Air Tahiti lounge passes (2 separate purchases).  We are in economy.  Your video says only the Air Tahiti business class gets into the lounge and priority drop off?  Just a little confused.

 

Edited to add this is a flight leaving Tahiti to the US.

Possible for an added charge ... ATN does not include use of their lounge without paying for it unless your in business and the business class was purchased through ATN.

My example was the case where you hold American Airlines most premium credit card, an annual $450 membership fee which also secures your membership is the Admirals club ... you purchased your business class seats on ATN using American miles, thus through American which is a code share airline with ATN. You can not use the ATN lounge at FAAA international. You would think your in business class flying on ATN ... you would be able to use their lounge without purchasing a pass  ... but you can't. 

Your question/statement fell through the cracks ... I guess I should of stated that the exception is purchasing a pass for an added charge ... I don't read off of notes when I do a video  ... simply talking so occasionally something might not get addressed such as the point you brought up. 

This was such a slap in the face (the example I mention) that the person will no longer fly ATN ... as I mentioned the person at the lounge desk could of made a mistake. Maybe I should stop with the videos ... I might miss something ....

A little visitor to our garden this morning ...

9 hours ago, oakridger said:

Thanks for the informative video @Tahitianbigkahuna.  The background picture is beautiful. Where is it?

 

~Nancy

Thank you for the kind words ... the background is the Maitai Lapita Village on Huahine. One of my favorite places to take pictures.

Here you go  ...

How much local money should I bring?

Taken yesterday from my patio. Red Tail hawk was about 75 yards away.

This is why I love the Sony RXIV for a wildlife travel camera. The long reach of the lens make this shot possible. Sure I would love to have a 600mm full frame lens on one of my A7's but I don't so 90% of the time I use my cropped RX10IV.

Taken last Sunday ... in the garden

Sony RX10IV

You might want to check to see if the Bora Bora motu is back in operation. It was not available a few months ago and they were taking people to Matira Beach 

Sailed on PG 16 times ...

As Medic stated for us that have going for decades we see some differences. PG is still a wonderful experience. 

Star Breeze is the new kid in town. She is now in FP full time. Have several cruises booked on her in 2024 and 2025. Star Breeze has some good things going for it.

Without going into great detail as everyone has their beliefs I'll simply say the big 3 cruise lines that are full time in FP is the way to go. All 3 have the Polynesian Mana. You will not find that on cruise lines that come to FP for a few months or passing through. 

The big 3 are ... PG (Ponant), Star Breeze (Windstar) and the Aranui 5. 

Stick with the big 3 😉

2 hours ago, TBruc said:

Faaroa river kayaking or snorkeling tour? 
Has anyone done the kayak trip? 

not a river as many think ... short kayak tour. 

There are only 3 places ... if you have 2 of them in your sights you should be fine

In the garden  ... a beautiful finch  ...

Sony RX10IV - jpeg

No filters

On 2/22/2024 at 10:36 AM, CathyK2 said:

My understanding is that we are tendering from Opunohu Bay.  I THINK the tender dock is in Papeto'ai.  What would be the most convenient rental car company to use from here and are there any in the area or do we need to get transportation to the airport to pick up one.  Second question:  Since we are in this port for an overnight, does anyone know if there is parking for a car in this vicinity that would still be walkable to the tender port?  Any help or guidance would be so very appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  (Our Roadster booking we had booked almosts 9 months ago, canceled, so we are scrambling while out to sea for a replacement.)

Not many options for the major car companies ... they will want to transport you to the ferry docks or Albert's in the main village ... both are a drive.

There used to be parking at the tender dock but no longer ... car companies will require you to return the same day if your on-board and return the following day if you want to rent a second day ...

On 2/23/2024 at 1:18 PM, john2003 said:

Has anyone found a snorkeling tour in Bora Bora that just goes to the Coral Gardens. No Rays or sharks as we have done these before. I have found one option so far. 

Not many as to get to the coral gardens you are circumnavigating the lagoon  ... most people will want multi stops for this reason. 

In our garden ... why we pay so much to live in California ... the weather.

iPhone SE3

In the garden this afternoon  ...

Sony RX10IV

Totally agree with Medic ...

Only good thing in January is usually the better fare rate.

I've been 32 times to the South Pacific ... December - through early March is always a crap shoot.

Just returned from FP  ... was there for some of the cyclone ... we had 4 days of rough weather to deal with.