smoothcruiser Posted January 24, 2005 #1 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Just think, you joined your cruise vessel and: 1) It only took 5 minutes from the time of leaving the coach to being in your stateroom. 2) On arrival at the top of the gangway you were politely greeted with ‘Welcome Back’ 3) The photographer ready to take the obligatory arrival photo, was friendly and pleasant and really wanted you to have a good portrait. 4) You are escorted to you stateroom by a steward, whom then explained about the knobs and switches in your cabin. 5) The bathroom was large and the shower area generous 6) The bathroom amenities were generously replenished 7) There is plenty of passing room at the end of the bed 8) The balcony was private and not overlooked. 9) There were no stains on your carpets or settee 10) No noise from above or adjoining cabins 11) You are soon visited by your stateroom steward to ascertain your preferences and dining room sitting 12) No queuing in the buffet area and always a clean table to sit at 13) Food orders ‘cooked to order’ at the Grill Bar by a friendly chatty chef. 14) The Maitre D is readily available and tries his best to find you the table size and sitting of your choice. 15) The dining style was traditional 1st and 2nd sittings 16) Food service and standard to a very high standard. 17) No Norwalk virus 18) There were only 20 children on board 19) There are no sunbed chair hogs 20) The Jacuzzis were not constantly engaged 21) Polite and regular bar service around the pool 22) There was no MUTS 23) Polite, positive pursers with personality and a smiling face,, always willing to help 24) You never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a tender 25) No queuing for Internet service which is always accessible 26) Impromptu singing cabaret by the Captain 27) Value for money tours with helpful and knowledgeable tour staff 28) There are no large ‘hispanic’ families aboard! 29) Champagne waterfall under the stars 30) Weather exceeding your expectations and no rocking and rolling. Sounds to good to be true The above were some of the positive experiences on our early January French Polynesian cruise aboard the Tahitian Princess. We felt that all the staff worked well together and really wanted to be there, and furthermore, wanted to come back to that ship on renewal of their contracts. We felt that on this small ship (680passengers) Princess has got it right. The only disappointment was that due to adverse weather conditions we missed the port of Raratonga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guardhouse Posted January 24, 2005 #2 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Excellent post! We are on the TP in April 2006. We cannot wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelhound Posted January 24, 2005 #3 Share Posted January 24, 2005 We were on TP when it was still Renaissance R3 (July 2001). It was our favorite ship and favorite destination out of 16 cruises. We experienced most of the same "joys" that you did. We can't wait until we return to this ship as the Tahitian Princess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maygoddess Posted January 24, 2005 #4 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Ohh..sign me up!! Oh wait..I AM signed up!! LOL! I cannot wait to get on the TP in September! I am busy planning excursions already and bursting at the seams to get on the ship and go! 220 days and counting down..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K32682 Posted January 24, 2005 #5 Share Posted January 24, 2005 28) There are no large ‘hispanic’ families aboard! I was nodding in agreement with your post until I saw this. What's your problem and why is the absence of any ethnic group "too good to be true" as far as your concerned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamima Posted January 24, 2005 #6 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Smoothcruiser- We are going in a month and boy have you notched up the excitement level!! Thanks! K32682 The reference was to problems people had on holiday cruises with large extremely rude, wild extended families who happened to have been Hispanic. Go back and read the posts. I'm sure Smoothcruiser meant no ethnic slur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MVPinBoynton Posted January 24, 2005 #7 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I am looking forward to experiencing the TP when we board her 4 weeks from today :) Yippee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahhh Posted January 24, 2005 #8 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I was nodding in agreement with your post until I saw this. You took the words out of my mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdjam Posted January 24, 2005 #9 Share Posted January 24, 2005 The positive experience you note is some of what I experienced on Pacific Princess as well. I think these size ships are Princess’ forte…they should have more in the fleet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzfvr Posted January 24, 2005 #10 Share Posted January 24, 2005 We loved the Tahitain Princess sailing we took last July also. But, looking over your post, I too, was bothered with the reference regarding Hispanic families. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeD Posted January 25, 2005 #11 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Glad to hear as we board next Tuesday, our first Princess cruise. Is formal night really formal? Do not want to take any jewelry with me or heavy dresses, this is Tahiti after all :>) Would hope one could wear cocktail dress. Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jegoodman Posted January 25, 2005 #12 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hi Mike and Carol... Saw your thread and had to pop in and say hi. I'm very interested in how Tahiti goes for you. That's the former Renaissance Ship. I've heard good things about her. I've started cruising again solo.... and closer to home. My mom is home with a full-time attendant. Crystal Harmony last November to the Caribbean. Diamond Princess March 5 to the Mexican Riviera. Also doing Crystal Symphony through Panama Canal next November. Happy Cruising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MVPinBoynton Posted January 25, 2005 #13 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hi Jeff, So good to hear from you. It has been a long time. We sure wish you had been able to go on the Jewel with us. Did you see our review? We took enough pictures so you should be able to experience the whole trip. I am so glad that your mom is back home and that you are cruising again. It sounds like you have picked some good ones. Check our website in late March and we should have our French Polynesia review and way too many pictures. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K32682 Posted January 25, 2005 #14 Share Posted January 25, 2005 The reference was to problems people had on holiday cruises with large extremely rude, wild extended families who happened to have been Hispanic. Go back and read the posts. I'm sure Smoothcruiser meant no ethnic slur. If no slur was intended perhaps the original poster would edit to reflect that there were no large unruly families on the ship and dispense with the gratuitous ethnic reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurieb Posted January 25, 2005 #15 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I'm so sorry we didn't get to meet you and Sally. Maybe next time? we are looking at the same cruise for next january. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jegoodman Posted January 25, 2005 #16 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hi Mike, I read your review with interest and had printed the whole thing out. I felt as if I was there.. and wish I was. Have a great trip to Tahiti. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Gal Posted January 25, 2005 #17 Share Posted January 25, 2005 We loved our experience on the Tahitian last March. Would love to have gone again with friends in October who are doing the Marquesas but we have too many other cruises on the way. Never mind there is always tomorrow. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoothcruiser Posted January 25, 2005 Author #18 Share Posted January 25, 2005 K32682 If you have been reading the boards regurlarly you can't have missed the problems over christmas aboard the Island Princess, with apparently large groups of children running amok all over the ship. My review, listed lots of impressions making our cruise an excellent experience. There was no ethnic slur intended upon the hispanic families, but as the thread about the Island Princess led us all to believe that the problem was with unattended family members of 'hispanic groups' (their words not mine) I purley was reporting that there were no such problematic areas on this voyage. George D: I think that all persons in the restaurant for the formal nights were suitably attired. I don't recall seeing anything out of the ordinary. About half and half with tuxedos, and probably less than half of women in long dresses probably favouring the cocktail dress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rberne1 Posted January 26, 2005 #19 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Hear Hear Smoothcruiser ! Agree with all you've said. We loved the TP as well and can't wait to go back! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted January 27, 2005 #20 Share Posted January 27, 2005 What airline did you use to get to Tahiti? Is there a Business class on it? Was it direct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rberne1 Posted January 27, 2005 #21 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Air Tahiti Nui - non-stop out of LAX. Yes, they do have Business and First class. But I must say their economy was the best I ever experienced internationally, that is. Your own TV, good food and all the drinks 'on the house'. Made for a relatively fast 8 hour flight. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted January 27, 2005 #22 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Smoothcruiser -- sounds like a great "old fashioned" cruise. The smaller ships really do have the right feel and attention to detail that's missing on the behemoths. We're less than 3 months away from our Royal Princess cruise. Can't wait to back on her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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