Le Meridian - Isle Of Pines

[BecL]

Hi All - new member and first time cruiser leaving on Carnival Legend in Feb 2016. Very excited!

 

Just had a quick question as i couldn't find many reviews but just wondering if anyone has done the Le Meridian resort experience on Isle Of Pines?

 

Husband likes the idea of it but considering i can't find out a whole lot about it i'd really like to hear from someone who's actually done this.

 

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!!!

[MicCanberra]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Sorry I cannot help you with your question but this will get it back to the top as well.

Good luck.:D

[OzKiwiJJ]

I haven't been to Le Meridien but I have been to the Isle of Pines and it's gorgeous.

 

My thoughts are that if you want lunch in elegant and comfortable surroundings and are prepared to pay the excursion price then it will probably be enjoyable.

 

However if you are happy wandering along gorgeous beaches and buying local food cooked in front of you, visiting interesting markets, maybe a swim at a sandy beach with crystal clear water, or perhaps some snorkelling, then save your money and just go for a wander once you get off the tender. Local tours can be booked on the spot if you want to see more of the island than the two main beach areas.

[BecL]

I haven't been to Le Meridien but I have been to the Isle of Pines and it's gorgeous.

 

My thoughts are that if you want lunch in elegant and comfortable surroundings and are prepared to pay the excursion price then it will probably be enjoyable.

 

However if you are happy wandering along gorgeous beaches and buying local food cooked in front of you, visiting interesting markets, maybe a swim at a sandy beach with crystal clear water, or perhaps some snorkelling, then save your money and just go for a wander once you get off the tender. Local tours can be booked on the spot if you want to see more of the island than the two main beach areas.

Thanks for that. Basically same thoughts i was having.

 

Now i just have to convince the hubby we're better of seeing places rather than just sitting in a nice resort having lunch (isn't that essentially what we're doing on the cruise on sea days?!?!?!)

 

Thanks for the response though!

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for that. Basically same thoughts i was having.

 

Now i just have to convince the hubby we're better of seeing places rather than just sitting in a nice resort having lunch (isn't that essentially what we're doing on the cruise on sea days?!?!?!)

 

Thanks for the response though!

 

Yes, that is what sea days are for.:D

[WellieCruizer]

Hi and welcome.

 

I've sailed with RCI now twice first in Feb 2014 and just Feb 2015 and both sailings had Noumea as the first port of call. As cruise virgins in 2014, we did a shore excursion that included a city sights bus tour and aquarium visit. The excursion finished late morning and we were free to take aircon bus back to port or wander and take hop on/hop off bus back in our own time. We opted for the latter.

After walking around the foreshore hubby expressed he was getting hungry being close to lunch time and expressed an interest in wanting to eat a French meal. What he didn't know is that I'd done some initial searches back home for restaurant reviews and was interested in L'Hippocampe. So being only 2 bus stops away I steered him into 'checking out' Le Meridian's restaurant approx 10 min walk away. I had made no booking, but was no problem walking in as casuals to the hotel front desk asking for a lunch table for 2.

 

The meal was SUPERB silver service! The staff were so very accomodating, we were the only foreigners there with only 4 local tables occupied. Drank French wine and money spend was well worth it. This year the plan was to visit again for lunch, unfortunately when I made contact via email they would still be in the middle of renovations so we went next door to Chateau Royal's Le Taom. Nice but our experience at Le Meridian was better, in our opinion. :D

[BecL]

Hi and welcome.

 

I've sailed with RCI now twice first in Feb 2014 and just Feb 2015 and both sailings had Noumea as the first port of call. As cruise virgins in 2014, we did a shore excursion that included a city sights bus tour and aquarium visit. The excursion finished late morning and we were free to take aircon bus back to port or wander and take hop on/hop off bus back in our own time. We opted for the latter.

After walking around the foreshore hubby expressed he was getting hungry being close to lunch time and expressed an interest in wanting to eat a French meal. What he didn't know is that I'd done some initial searches back home for restaurant reviews and was interested in L'Hippocampe. So being only 2 bus stops away I steered him into 'checking out' Le Meridian's restaurant approx 10 min walk away. I had made no booking, but was no problem walking in as casuals to the hotel front desk asking for a lunch table for 2.

 

The meal was SUPERB silver service! The staff were so very accomodating, we were the only foreigners there with only 4 local tables occupied. Drank French wine and money spend was well worth it. This year the plan was to visit again for lunch, unfortunately when I made contact via email they would still be in the middle of renovations so we went next door to Chateau Royal's Le Taom. Nice but our experience at Le Meridian was better, in our opinion. :D

WellieCruizer - that is perfect! Thanks for the info.

 

I didn't think we could just walk in and eat but now it means we can see the island and still enjoy a little luxury. Perfect!!!

[WellieCruizer]

You are welcome BecL if you are interested I could include a scrapbook page of dishes we had to feast your eyes unless you want to be surprised...

 

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

[BecL]

Oooooh I am sooo a picture person and would love to see what you have if you don't mind sharing!

[WellieCruizer]

Woops I am talking about Le Meridian in Noumea not Isle of Pines sorry.

 

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

[BecL]

Haha no stress. We're going to Noumea so maybe it's an option for something we can do there. Didn't realise there was a Le Meridian in Noumea.

[WellieCruizer]

We did do Isle of Pines, which was our last port of call in 2014. Just beautiful, a place to relax and snorkel with choice of 2 beaches. Water was crystal clear and just stunning. My advice maybe bring some pastries and fruit of the ship for a snack and return for a late lunch back to the ship as from memory the prices for drinks and snacks from the cafe there was pricey. There were some locals doing some food by the road back to the tender pier too.

 

Here some photos from L'Hippocampe back in Noumea

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hb1Rh-KCxevDTT2_QLWeIdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

[BecL]

Wow! That looks great!

 

Thank you so much for your help. I'm sold!

[Adidas4fun]

The review I read from another cruise company passenger of a ships tour to Le Meridian on Isle of Pines, they were very unhappy and felt that other passengers who had found there own way there and dined alacarte got a better meal and better deal.

[madfisher]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Sorry I cannot help you with your question but this will get it back to the top as well.

Good luck.:D

 

Hi Mic

Just read the post re Numea unrest can you shed any light on the subject as we are heading there in 2 weeks on the Dawn Princess

thanks Michael