sita

18 hours ago, Sighteer Sam said:

My friend, leaving this weekend for FP, just got off the phone with Air Tahiti and they changed their policy just this afternoon.  Apparently the letter is for passengers coming from this list of countries only.  We're in Texas, USA

Based on there French Polynesia government site (and the PG site), this is not correct, a medical certificate is required regardless of travel history.

It was outside the reef and it was an oceanic white tip not a reef shark. Horrible attack but extremely rare. 

The gathering for honeymooners and anniversary couples is lovely. They wrap each couple up in a tifefe with flower crowns and pose flanked by Gauguines with Borabora Mt in background. There is cake and a poem read and provided in writing as a keepsake. Mounted in frame the poem and pic is a nice momento. I have heard there is no longer a photographer onboard. No worries as you just hand your phone to a willing co-celebrant.

Probably going to do option 2 on our next PG cruise. In 9 cruises the ship has never been held up in the quick hop from Moorea to Papeete... imagine they have to tell you that just in case.  Regarding early morning taxi you must have the ship reserve for you as not available randomly at that hour. There is a charge... can’t remember how much just that it seemed a bit high. Well worth it for piece of mind. Would reserve also for leaving night before end of cruise, there is a taxi stand opposite the ship terminal but it’s a longish walk and sometimes have to wait a while. 

Understand some love to cruise in aft cabins. Have heard complaints about noise from disco above, also soot and cigarette smoke. Me? I miss the old connoisseur club which used to be in this space. 

Thrilled to follow along; have been thinking about a transatlantic and curious about what activities are offered. Have a wonderful time!

Dive both days and spend an afternoon at the Borabora  motu with my snorkel gear. The are several coral heads there. Also bring your gear to tahaa motu picnic. See TBKs previous posts with aerial showing best spots. We have done all sorts of snorkel excursions in BB; nothing beats diving. Happy planning!

Unless they have changed the timing, specific dives and times are available for booking 60 days out so in about a month for you. Again, times and dates may change by the time you are on board but if you have reserved you’re clear. You can always cancel without penalty( ask when you call but I believe within 24 hours.) Looks like your itinerary has only one day in moorea; although 4 dives are described the sites are all within apx 500 meters of each other; some difference in formations but same pelegics/fish etc. if whatever you were wanting to do was there; just reserve whichever is the 8am dive  that day (assuming you’re  not flying home Fri night per pressure table). Bora bora is more complicated. 3 completely different dives. Toopua  inside reef... like an aquarium.. tapu outside and Anau which is inside but on the other side of the Mt. the manta rays kept their distance from us (see some spectacular vid on YouTube where the flocked  around divers) but the ride around the island added to the fun. If choosing 1 would do Tapu. You’re in BB for 2 days; don’t miss the motu there.

hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions

Aurab - No one is going to be able to confirm this for you with any certainty.  If you make your outside excursions for the afternoon you should be fine.  Although you may be able to confirm certain dives and times on PG before you cruise, the schedule is fluid and may change based upon now many new divers on board, dive conditions, etc. 

tempting....

16 hours ago, Emdee said:

Totally concur. Has been true of my 65 cruises, 35 or so in the luxury market.

 

Sita, I had espoused my opinion but guess what, someone complained and it was deleted!

Emdee, I did see your post but before I could agree it was gone; yours was not the only one deleted. One of these days, I hope to be on a cruise with you! I will forever be grateful for your Sofitel Beach Bungalow recommendation in Moorea.... heaven! Happy travels to you!

On 10/26/2019 at 8:05 AM, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

 

IMO the very best agents don't need to give up much as they are knowledgeable and thus get a good client base plus referrals. When your giving huge amounts of commission away it tells me the agent may be price driven and not expertise driven..

 

....I can tell you the most troublesome clients are the ones who want discounts and are head hunting for the lowest price...

My 2 cents, this runs completely counter to 9 cruises on the PG. My agent is extremely knowledgeable.  It is commonly known that if you book directly with PG (or any luxury cruise company), you are leaving substantial savings on the table.

With either carrier run risk of strike, though  greater risk with AF. We did premium economy on AF last trip. They were on strike on way out and they chartered a Nigerian plane with Portuguese staff which was interesting to say the least. Also did not get PE as paid for...which, thanks to strict EU regulations, we were well compensated  for. On way home, strike was over and we found the PE seats and service to be good. We liked the scheduling of leaving ship early( need to have pg arrange for your taxi).  

Agree that pre cruise preferable, for many reasons.

All that said, would use the carrier/schedule you most prefer and cross fingers about potential strike as that is completely in knowable. 

If absolutely do not want to risk would look into United out of SFO. Happy planning!

We loved the Sofitel... felt it had more of a Polynesian feel than the IC. Haven’t been to the Hilton. Much closer to the ferry dock  which seems like would be a consideration in a one night stay. Wherever you stay, like plan b as I think will be worth the effort. Probably not a popular opinion but have always felt the IC properties to feel a little like Disney’s view of FP. 

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/tourists-hands-bitten-off-by-shark-french-polynesia

Horrible, freak occurrence. Having dove in Moorea a dozen times with sharks, never have seem an oceanic white tip, even when they used to chum the water. 

(Very) generally speaking.... around August water temp high 70s April mid 80s.  We like Nov when it’s around 80.

On 10/6/2019 at 9:04 AM, Travelcat2 said:

 

Mexico is a huge country and saying that you would not travel to Mexico is like someone saying that they will not travel to the U.S. due to some cities having problems.  

Ordinary, I would agree with this logic; however, the actions of the cartels defy anything that can be relied upon.  Right now, Baja California is bad (especially Cabo), Mazatlan, Acapulco, Veracruz and inland, Mexico City and Guadalajara. That could change in a heartbeat but can count on the cartels to war over the highly touristed areas. Cancuun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen area seems okay for now but for us in SD, most readily travel (for flights) through airports in the affected areas; Monterrey seems okay now too. Lots of other interior areas okay but not places people (especially on cruise ships) travel to.

The increased police presence is problematic for a couple of reasons. First, emphasizes just how bad an area has become as struggling country throws their limited resources there... the second is that police corruption is a big part of the problem with the cartels.

Honestly, I am not an alarmist and love Mexico.  It's bad right now the warnings on the state department site speak for themselves.

As we live in San Diego, perhaps we are more aware of the widespread violence in Mexico. It is not safe. That you felt safe at some point during travels there is irrelevant as the dangers are real. We love Mexico but will not travel there right now.

Our deviation experience

Like many west coasters, we like to fly on an international carrier direct to Europe... in our case from San Diego that means Lufthansa or British Airways.  In deviating we went out on Lufthansa and return flight was supposed to be on BA. Yes, we, too were affected by the strike. Interestingly, Regent took care of the rebooking before we even knew were affected (we were enroute to Athens). Naturally, at this point we were rebooked on US carrier thru JFK... just what we were trying to avoid In deviating... but honestly was grateful didn’t have to spend one moment of vacation time scrambling. And domestic flight portion was first class.  In the past we sometimes arrange our own flights but this experience will make us rethink that. Stuff happens but Regent gets top marks for handling.

Currently on Voyager and are enjoying Nature’s Rhythm Trio; definitely not loud.

On the Vero water thread and I think one other, there is some discussion regarding recycling on Regent and in luxury cruising in general.  I remembered WesW's great staff spotlights, and particularly this one (sorry not savvy enough to do anything other than copy and paste.) It makes sense to me that Regent would not have passengers pre sort out their plastic, cans etc and there are also probably space concerns as well as just looking.... well unsightly to have multiple trash receptacles in public areas. That the job requires a there person team seems reason enough to want to lesson the load but I understand why others may feel differently.

"What happens to your trash when on Regent Seven Seas Mariner?

Meet the Mariner’s Incinerator operator who is our next “behind the scenes” crew member, whose hard work that guests on board are not aware of, is critical to the enjoyment of their cruise.

Mark Mondonedo Cuer, according to the Mariner General Manager, Michael, “is the hardest working crew member on board.” Mark hails from Philippines, Cebu near Boracay island.  He is married to the beautiful, Gervinho, and they have one adorable 13 year old daughter, Hera Danna.  Like her father (Mark is one of the Mariner Krew Caper performers that shines brightly during the hip hop dance performance).  Mark and Gervinho’s daughter, Hera Danna is following in her father’s dance steps as she is also a very active upcoming hip hop dancer.  Both Mark and Hera danna learn new hip hop steps by intensely watching Hip Hop dance performances on “you tube.”

Mark began working in Regent’s Deck department, more than five years ago in early 2013.  Mark began his career with Regent’s Mariner which is still his favorite ship to serve on the Mariner. Mark’s, very first crew duty assignment was as a dish washer for the Mariner Galley about two years or two contracts ago.

Mark is now a very proud member of  the Mariner Deck Department where Mark serves as a member of the three person Incinerator Operator Team.  Mark’s main crew duties are to segregate, all the Mariner garbage (Guest, Crew, Staff); paper, plastic, wet plastic, plastic bottles, glass, aluminum cans, tin cans, hazardous waste (electrical,razor blades). 

Mark and his team vigorously, during their four hour work shifts, work as whirling dervishes actively putting separated garbage in the appropriate bins for plastic, glass, cans, and hazardous waster.  Then Mark and his team use the Mariner’s glass crusher, plastic compactor, plastic botttle compactor, can crusher (densifier) to reduce the volume of the Mariner of this segregated garbage.  You easily can now begin to visualize, why Michael, the General Manager says, “Mark is the Mariner’s hardest working crew member.”

The GM says Mark is the hardest working Mariner crew member.  Mark, tells me his most challenging duty as an incinerator operator is Off Loading garbage he receives from Housekeeping initial trash bags (suite garbage).  Mark and his team are use Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., gloves, et. Al.,) during their Mariner incinerator duty.  Mark, also says his easiest incinerator duty is when he is on break and gets the opportunity to go ashore with fellow crew members.

Asked Why I like working for Regent, Mark enthusiastically says (comparing his time with another cruise line) on Regent, “there is no discrimination, there is very strong comraderie/bond with fellow crew.”  And most importantly, Mark says, “Regent really cares (e.g. with change in itinerary due to original itinerary path leading smack in the Hurricane Willa’s eye) causing the Mariner to miss ports (including San Diego).  Regent and the Mariner leadership then, sent three crew home (departing from Costa Rica vs. San Diego), leaving some departments short (over the next eight consecutive sea days) by ensuring these crew were able to reunite with after more than six months of duty with their families.

Please, remember that the hard work that Mark and the Mariner Incinerator team performs when you through your next can of soda in your in suite trash can."

Reservations not needed for ferry, perhaps would be different if bringing a car over. 

Beach towels provided on ship

1 hour ago, Emdee said:

Things always change when a cruise line is sold...for the good or bad. Time will tell.

 

 

My thoughts exactly!

Believe TC referring to the Luxury Cruising board on cruise critic.... look under Special Interest cruising under categories