first time on marina

[wally_bushy]

Re

Thanks very much for your generous offer to answer some Qs during your cruise. We will be on Marina from Auckland to Tahiti going to many of the same ports leaving Mar 9.

Q1. How easy is it to obtain last minute tours from locals at the ship dock

Each stop had local operators ready to offer tours. This was the first time we used Oceania for a number of tours as we were unsure if there were the operators available

Q2. What tours did you take at each port of call (Oceania or privately arranged) and what were your experience? Would you recommend them?

As usual the Oceania excursions are expensive but we were happy with all but one. This was the day in Apia which included a number of strange stops before heading to R L Stevenson museum ( only good part). We took a good tour on Pago Page which showed village life and culture. Suva town is uninspiring any a quick walk will confirm or deny this. Friends hired a car and saw some waterfalls but were also underwhelmed. Lautoka was a escape to a small island (Savala) which was ok but I think they take too many people for the size. It was also a bit blowy which made snorkelling harder.

Q3. "Bora Bora and will be heading out to swim with the sharks and rays again (third day in a row)"- do you mean, you just walk off the beach somewhere within walking distance from the cruise terminal, and swim with the sharks & rays?

These were Oceania excursions however local operators offer the same experience( we know now!). The tour boats take you some distance from shore to reef areas and the sharks/rays are in chest deep water. They are combined with another stop to a snorkelling area.

Q4. Tahiti - you mentioned renting a car and do the circle-island drive - what car rental company and what type of vehicle would you rent for safety etc? How long does it takes to complete both Tahiti Nui & Tahiti Iti - coastal drives as well as inland to the waterfalls. We are planning to stay one extra day after disembarkation and our flight to LAX is at 11:55 on Day2. Are parking easily available in downtown Papeete near the Food Trucks.

Remember the food trucks operate for dinner only

My apologies if I ask you far too many questions. Thanks a ton. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards/Ann

 

Replies in your quote area

We are heading to Noumea today for the Lagoon snorkelling.

In summary the Oceania excursions are probably the best available but their prices are definitely not. Let me know if more specific detail is required.

BTW we are loving the ship and everything on it, food, staff, cabin etc.

Edited February 16, 2016 by wally_bushy

[Bajantraveller]

Re

 

Replies in your quote area

We are heading to Noumea today for the Lagoon snorkelling.

In summary the Oceania excursions are probably the best available but their prices are definitely not. Let me know if more specific detail is required.

BTW we are loving the ship and everything on it, food, staff, cabin etc.

 

Thanks very much for your prompt responses. Greatly appreciate your effort.

 

Please share with us your experiences on the lagoon snorkelling in Noumea - we are on Oceania waitlist at the moment.

 

Re Tahiti, you only commented on the Food Trucks (Q being, if parking is reasonably available we will hold on to the car rental and use it the following morning, otherwise we will return the vehicle prior to dinner) but NOT the car rental and the drive etc. Perhaps you have not visited yet. Regardless thanks very much for your time in responding/Ann Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[wally_bushy]

Thanks very much for your prompt responses. Greatly appreciate your effort.

 

Please share with us your experiences on the lagoon snorkelling in Noumea - we are on Oceania waitlist at the moment.

 

Re Tahiti, you only commented on the Food Trucks (Q being, if parking is reasonably available we will hold on to the car rental and use it the following morning, otherwise we will return the vehicle prior to dinner) but NOT the car rental and the drive etc. Perhaps you have not visited yet. Regardless thanks very much for your time in responding/Ann Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Amazing and easily the best on the whole cruise

Saw school of young barracuda, sea snakes, turtles, sharks and great coral.

Small groups with guides who are superb.

30 minutes fast catamaran from ship.

We also had a large wait list

[Caroldoll]

We will also be on board, March 9 Auckland to Tahiti. Are you having a lot of rain?

[Bajantraveller]

Amazing and easily the best on the whole cruise

Saw school of young barracuda, sea snakes, turtles, sharks and great coral.

Small groups with guides who are superb.

30 minutes fast catamaran from ship.

We also had a large wait list

 

Wally, I am so glad to note that you had a great time and the best tour.

 

Any idea if everyone or most on the wait list eventually got on the tour? thx/Ann

[ORV]

Are you guys getting any of the cyclone hitting this area?

[wally_bushy]

Are you guys getting any of the cyclone hitting this area?

 

We have avoided all rain apart from shower in Noumea late in the day.

Amazing luck as we left Fiji and moved away to New Caledonia as the cyclone intensified and headed to Fiji.

Only problem was not being able to see Norfolk Island as it was unsafe to tender. The upside was another relaxing day at sea.:)

[wally_bushy]

Wally, I am so glad to note that you had a great time and the best tour.

 

Any idea if everyone or most on the wait list eventually got on the tour? thx/Ann

 

I doubt many did get on but not sure.

It was so much better than the other places but then our benchmark is the Great Barrier Reef:)

[Bajantraveller]

To-date, we are still on the O shore excursion waitlist for snorkelling in Bora Bora and Noumea.

 

In the event that we can't make it on the excursion, please share with us which part of:

 

1. Bora Bora that you swim with the sharks and rays.

 

2. Noumea - where in Noumea did you go for snorkelling.

 

Thanks very much/Ann

[NanciEA]

We just returned from Bora Bora where we had the best snorkeling excursion we have ever been on. Please contact Pure Snorkeling/Reef Discovery. There were just six of us and our guide. It was suppose to be a three hour tour with four stops. It ended up being four hours with five stops. There were stops for manta rays, "Nemo", sharks, the aquarium, and the coral gardens. You do not want to miss snorkeling in Bora Bora. Our guide was amazing and full of information. Yes, I got in the water even when the sharks were circling the boat!