yvonneh

That was so nice of you. We are so excited for this trip, and this post is great!:)

My daughter will love this too. Thanks for posting.

We are on the June 1st sailing. :D

Cannot WAIT!

I am so appreciative to all of you who have taken the time to give all this wonderful information! Thank you so much!!:)

Rangiroa or Fakarava?

 

There was a ships tour last time in Fakarava. I don't remember Rangiroa but most sailings aren't there long enough to go there. Private excursions easily found.

I think the fast drift snorkel is in Rangiroa?

Fakarava looks like it's excellent for diving, but I read some mixed reviews for snorkeling.

I signed up for snorkeling excursions through PG for both stops.

What Blue Lagoon should I try to get to between the two?

If there are not any excursions offered by PG to the Blue Lagoon, how do you get there? Private operators? Suggestions?

We are hoping it is the drift snorkel, it sounds fun. I hope they let my daughter do it too. She is 10...but on a swim team. She is a very strong swimmer.

At Fakarava get to the Blue Lagoon. As beautiful as anywhere else you will visit in French Polynesia.

Thank you!

I hope the Blue Lagoon is where we will snorkel. I am planning on doing the PG Pinnacle Snorkel. Described as:

"Board your Zodiac® (or similar boat) for a 30-minute ride (each way) to the north pass in the lagoon."

Sounds like this is where we need to be?!? I hope. Or do you have another suggestion?

Not sure which ship you are on. If you are on the Paul Gauguin you cannot snorkel directly off of the ship.

Yes, PG. On any stop, or just these 2?

Thank you so much for the information and replies! :)

Do you know if they open the platform and you can snorkel on your own, or do you have to book an excursion?

Thanks for the link to the pics, Roothy, they were great!

Thank you! Maybe we will rent a bike for our daughter and go for a run together those mornings. I know we will need it, as I keep reading the food is amazing! :D

Could you please tell me if it is possible to self tour these islands? What is the public transportation like? And what is there to see?

We have snorkeling excursions booked for the afternoon for both stops, but don't want to miss anything on land.

Thank you!

Thank you for the responses! I just don't want to book snorkeling excursions where the diving is better. :)

So far I am planning on snorkeling in Huahine, and Bora Bora. Trying to figure out what tour is best in BB too. Reef Discovery, Moana, Lagoon Service. They all look good. Anyone have a preference?

On this 10 day itinerary, what are the best places to dive vs snorkel? Trying to plan and want to make the right choices. :confused:

Wed Jun 1 Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands

Thu Jun 2 Huahine, Society Islands

Fri Jun 3 Bora Bora, Society Islands

Sat Jun 4 Bora Bora, Society Islands

Sun Jun 5 Rangiroa, Society Islands

Mon Jun 6 Fakarava, Tuamotu Islands

Tue Jun 7 At Sea

Wed Jun 8 Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands

Thu Jun 9 Moorea, Society Islands

Fri Jun 10 Moorea, Society Islands

Fri Jun 10 Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands

Sat Jun 11 Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands

Dr! Poole is most definitely NOT the best way to see the island. By water. You will only see a very small section!

I think since it will not be whale season, and because of the small viewing section, we will pass on Dr. Poole's tour.

Off to see what else I can find. :confused:

Thanks!

Yvonne, it's not that casual snorkeling on Moorea isn't worthwhile and fun. It kind of depends what hotel you're staying at. Most of them you can just wade in and start swimming, and you will see fish.

 

Can't answer about scuba or the Ambassador's program, never done that, except to say to make sure you certify before you go so you don't waste time doing that onboard.

 

Doctor Poole is definitely worthwhile--the scenery looking back to the island is stunning, and the dolphins, when they cooperate, are really beautiful. And sometimes he does a snorkel break. As for the island, make sure to get up to the Belvedere, the views are breathtaking.

 

I'm not sure about Le Truck on Bora Bora, I know there's a ship's excursion that does this, but don't know if local transport is reliable. You can rent fun vehicles at the pier if you want to drive around.

 

The private beach on the motu in the BB lagoon is lovely. No facilities, but great beach, and great views back to the island. Snorkeling isn't great, but can be fun, but watch the current out in the pass. Take your water shoes!

 

Can't comment on your private excursions since I haven't done any of them. Are you organizing them yourself, or joining a group already organized?

Thank you again, Wendy!

I am trying to book the excursions on my own, but would be happy to join other groups as well. The problem is there are only 2 others on our roll call other than myself, and I don't want to wait too long to make reservations.

Trying to decide between PG excursions and private (or shared) is what I need help with. We have a pretty good OBC, but it will go fast, I am sure!

Thanks for letting me know about the rentals at the pier in Bora Bora, that is great! So the beach and possibly an island tour one day then.

As far as Moorea, Dr. Poole sounds like the best option to see the island by water.

Did you book directly with him or though PG?

Thanks!

Thanks, Wendy!

We are on the same sailing as the OP. Please let me know if what I have down so far sounds like a good planning start.

Please give advice! We are up for anything~ Our daughter is 10, but an excellent swimmer and very adventurous.

Which leads me to wonder if she is in the Ambassadors Program if some of these excursions will be included and we can pay to join in?

Also, we are considering on getting scuba certified before this adventure. Where are the best places on this 10 day itinerary to scuba?

Day 1 Papeete -- Embarkation Day! Yay!

Day 2 Huahine -- Huahine-Nautique Combo tour

Day 3 Bora Bora -- Lagoon cruise w/ Polynesian Feast PG or tour with Patrick or another private tour...can't seem to find Christophe?

Day 4 Bora Bora -- Private beach? Can you hop on Le Truck to see the island?

Day 5 Rangiroa -- Drift Snorkel with PG

Day 6 Fakarava -- Pinnacle Snorkel with PG or Blue Lagoon with Ato?

Day 7 Sea

Day 8 Taha’a -- Relax at the beach (anyone recommend anything else?)

Day 9 Moorea -- Spending 2 days beforehand and renting a car to explore the island, so not sure what to do these 2 days if snorkeling isn’t that great

Day 10 Moorea

Day 11 Cry. Just kidding. Well, we will see.

If it isn't whale watching season, is it still worth it to take the tour with Dr. Poole? I know there is much more than whales to see and learn about, but it does kinda seem like the highlight!?1 Thoughts anyone?

Or can anyone suggest another good water based excursion? (We also will be going to Moorea pre cruise)

Thanks!

We like to keep 3 to 4 hours. You will find Global access to be a real boon. It will also depend on how far apart your terminals are. ATN comes into Tom Bradley.

 

Once we were delayed in Tahiti for two hours.

 

What we tend to do is book a later flight and then try and get onto an earlier flight on stand by. You do have yo pay for the change usually but it's safer than booking with two small a window.

What do you mean by "boon." about Global Access? It saved us big time a couple months ago in Miami returning from Belize, it was an absolute MADHOUSE!:eek: Well, it always is in Miami!

We most likely will take Southwest home, if I cannot talk my husband in staying the night. ;) I think it's terminal 1.

I have a question regarding the original topic of this thread.

Upon return from PPT to LAX, how many hours should I give ourselves before a connecting flight (not attached to the ATN flight, we would have to check back in probably at another terminal).

We do have Global Access but I haven't been to LAX in ages (and never international).

Is 2.5 hours cutting it way too close?

What makes the food trucks "special" is that it is amazing to see them setting up every evening. Unlike here in the States in Tahiti each food truck sets out a dozen or more tables with up to 100 chairs. The food is decent, the quantity huge and the price is cheap when compared to purchasing food anywhere else.

Wow! That is a lot of work. I can't wait to experience this.

Do they set up everyday?

Thank you everyone. I have heard of the food trucks, and really hope to visit them…just never heard them called Roulottes. Thank goodness for you all! I thought it was some sort of French food. :D

I remember seeing an Anthony Bourdain episode a very long time ago that showed this area and thought it looked amazing and fun!

I appreciate the responses!:)

Yeah I know, it's just that everybody seems to be misspell Roulottes.

I have tried to google and search for what Roulottes are (an amazing food, I am assuming) and I cannot find anything besides a casino reference.

Would you please tell me what this is?? I cannot wait to have one!?! I think.:D

Thank you, I will look into it. The Fare Suisse's is fully booked.

Thank you Wendy, Emdee and flightmedic555! I appreciate the suggestions.

I have us booked at Le Meridian right now, but I have put in a request with Fare Suisse. Since we are not going to even be at the hotel but to sleep that night, the B&B sounds like a much better choice. Thanks!

We are traveling for our first time to FP and to our first PG cruise. :D

We are staying in Tahiti 1 night and then traveling to Moorea for 2 nights before the cruise.

Is a taxi the best way to get to the hotel when we arrive at 9:40 PM? Then to get to the ferry port the next day? Or would we be better off renting a car (price wise)? What about Le Truck?

Where do you suggest car rental in Moorea? And how do we get from the dock to the car rental place?

Also, we are going to do this crazy thing the last day and get off the ship, plan to rent a car and explore until our late night flight. Any suggestions with this? Are there car rental offices by the port in Tahiti, or just the airport? What are some things we can go do and see?

Thank you in advance for any tips and suggestions!

I've always enjoyed the Formal Nights on Celebrity, and yes I did wear my Tux. I'm kind of go with the flow person, so I will have some fun with this "Chic" thing and see where it leads. Maybe I can find some alternatives to update my look???:rolleyes:

 

My wife looks stunning in anything, so if I can just keep up with her I will be fine.

 

 

 

I don't think this is the end of the world stuff and I'm willing to give it a fair shot. Cunard is still a Formal Alternative; Oceania and Azamara make the upscale casual work, so maybe it will also with Celebrity?

 

 

 

Now, if we can just get Celebrity to go back to their quality beef supplier they had four years ago!:o

 

 

 

Cruising the Equinox in December, so I will report back with my take on all this.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Kel:)

Kel!!

So happy to see a post from you~

We are sailing on the Silhouette in December. Always wished we could have spent more time with you and your wife last summer!

I will still continue to dress up, as I like to.. My husband, however, may leave the jacket and tie at home.

It will all workout, I see that most people dress nicely for dinner.