Tahitianbigkahuna

I've been on-board when it was rocking due to the weather ... due to the rounded hull the ship will move around a bit more than many other ships but remember the ship was built for zipping between islands that are usually close together ... she does not like open seas. Went to med with a group last year (late September/early October) ... was surprised how busy it was though we still had a great time.

I've been on the PG 16 times ... some with groups and several just on our own. Our experiences have always been good if not great. Sure there have been a few issues over the years but nothing like you mention. Would agree the crew is top notch .... I've been on 4 smaller ships in FP waters ... the PG is one of the best. Again I'm not hear to debate ... simply stating our experiences on this wonderful ship. Sorry yours wasn't like any one of the 16 we've enjoyed on the PG.

1. yes 2. very few cars are at the tender location, usually you need to be picked up by either Avis or Alberts. They will take you to their office/cars and do the paperwork. Alberts is closer but Avis has the better cars. 3. Moorea

Ah ....

I must ask .... why didn't you fly via SFO on United? This would of made things easy 😉

one - two air strikes per year is common ... rarely do they last more than a week and usually they try and keep the international flights on-time as much as possible. Appears the strike in influencing 'air Tahiti' (local) more than international flights. Beyond this info I'd need a prophetic word 😇

Love Kotor ....

No delays right now ... https://us.airtahitinui.com/departures-arrivals

AHHHH .... isn't that what a phone call to United can do 😁

All this info is available with a bit of searching 😉 After customs/entry go to your right (see map)

Love closeups .... Sony RX10IV

Re-check is correct Will they hold them? Have no idea

A few from the garden .... taken yesterday and today. Sony RX10IV - lightroom, no filters, flex spot, circle metering mode. RAW, Aperture mode, 600mm, 1/500, F/5, ISO 320 RAW, Aperture mode, 600mm, 1/500, F/5, ISO 250 RAW, Aperture mode, 600mm, 1/500, F/5, ISO 400 RAW, Aperture mode, 600mm, 1/500, F/5, ISO 400 RAW, Aperture mode, 600mm, 1/500, F/5, ISO 400

Usually 30 - 60 minutes after the ship arrives the tenders will start.

Follow up ... I always tell my private vendors that we will be on the first or second tender ... Officially my vendors know the excursion starts at 9AM if the first tender leaves the ship @ 8AM ... this allows time for us to be on the 2nd tender. Hope that makes sense.

Depends on how full the ship is .... I've been on-board when we could not get the first tender ... but the ship weas full. Depends on which island .... as an example on Rangiroa there are only a few ship excursions but on Bora bora there are many which take up room on the first tender. Been on the PG 16 times so I have a good idea of what to expect. As mentioned letting the excursion desk know helps .... if there is room they will have you get at the end of the line (after the ship ecursions)

Which date? I also have an 11 night on the PF in 2025.

When you get off the ferry in Tahiti have a taxi take you to Avis ... about 1/4 mile away. Rent there and set it up to return to the airport the following evening.

If your going to want to snorkel Cook's Bay does have some stone fish you need to be careful of ... not many but that is the location on the island where they are most active. Personally I would look at https://www.hoteltipaniers.com/ or https://mooreaislandbeach.com/ Personally I would just hop on the ferry and rent a car once you get off in Moorea. Closest will be Avis ... right across the street. Hertz/Thrifty are close by and may pick you up from the ferry if you pre-arrange. Then drop the car off when you leave Moorea. Once you have picked your hotel for thwe 8th I can better help on a car for Tahiti.

Where are you staying post Moorea in Tahiti?

Moorea Hilton is a wonderful place to consider .... we've stayed at all the major places on Moorea and Hilton is right up there ... enjoyed our honeymoon on Moorea.

You already got my two cents worth 😉

"real" photographers shoot in the mode that best handles the current situation. Most often that is aperture mode with some custom settings. If I was shooting sports or car racing I'd be in the 'S' mode and if it's fast run and gun I'd shoot in the 'P' mode. But I'm like you ... when the minimums are set I prefer to control the depth of field.

Practicing with my 'travel' camera for our trip next month to the Galapagos. I have better cameras but prefer this 'all in one' camera ... RX10IV Likely going to shoot in the aperture mode with some custom settings. Settings this morning for the 2 pictures ... pretty much at the limits set Aperture mode Maximum allowed ISO-800 F/5 Minimum allowed shutter of 1/500 This is a good compromise for this camera for wild life/birding

Taxi would be around $20 Public bus is $3 😉