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Appy1
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Has anyone sailed with Oceania cruises through South Pacific or from South Pacific to san francisco

if so, how would you rate them, we are looking ahead to go to South Pacific and trying to

find a good cruise, they are quite expensive or any other cruise lines that you would recommend 

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7 hours ago, Appy1 said:

Has anyone sailed with Oceania cruises through South Pacific or from South Pacific to san francisco

if so, how would you rate them, we are looking ahead to go to South Pacific and trying to

find a good cruise, they are quite expensive or any other cruise lines that you would recommend 

We've done Valpo to Papeete on Marina and Sydney to L.A. (through Papeete) on Insignia.

 

Always a challenge for any ship, we've managed to get onto Easter Island. (And BTW we also hosted the inhabitants of Pitcairn along the way). On Insignia, the chefs went fishing and returned with 400 lbs of tuna, part of which was cooked outside at the Terrace Café.

 

We mixed ship and private tours (with the famous Patrick of Maohi Nui -twice (see pic) and Marcus of Easter Island Travel).

 

One tip: If you are a regular Intercontinental hotels user and will spend a "changeover day" in Papeete, contact their Tahiti property well ahead and request a day pass with lunch at the Michelin starred Lotus (approx $125/person) 

 

Both trips were excellent though I'd give the edge to the 38 day transpacific.

 

As for the thought of "expensive," remember that the regular Oceania fare includes airfare or you can opt for an air credit. When comparing to other cruises, remember that O has included beverages, internet, specialty restaurants and the O Life perks (not to mention avoiding all the negatives of mass market ships).

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Edited by Flatbush Flyer
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We took a 12 day cruise RT Papeete on Oceania and loved it.

We elected to fly in a few days early so we could spend time on Tahiti, which was great.

Took mostly private tours. On Moorea, we rented a car with a couple we "met" on our Roll Call.

On disembarkation day, we booked a room at Faire Suisse for about US $100. They picked us up at the ship and let us check in immediately. We walked into town to sightsee, back for an afternoon nap, into town for dinner at the Roulottes, back to the hotel to shower and change, then they drove us to the airport. Worked great for us as we weren't interested in a resort experience. 

 

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12 hours ago, Appy1 said:

Has anyone sailed with Oceania cruises through South Pacific or from South Pacific to san francisco

if so, how would you rate them, we are looking ahead to go to South Pacific and trying to

find a good cruise, they are quite expensive or any other cruise lines that you would recommend 

 

We are on Regatta Tahiti to San Francisco in April 2020.

 

Did Sirena in May 2017 Tahiti to LA and LOVED it. We are Tahiti-ophiles and go once a year. We had an aft stateroom for Sirena which really made the trip but if we had to do an inside we'd still rate the cruise 10 out of 10. What more can you ask for with and a taste of Tahiti and all of Hawaii? 🙂

 

Did a 17 day Windstar Wind Spirit last December and it was superb. Did nothing but Tahiti on a beautiful sailing (sort of) ship. It's the perfect ship to see Tahiti. You need to be somewhat athletic to get the most out of Wind Spirit though.

 

But we rebooked and really infatuated the Regatta itinerary. There are about 8 sea days on an 18 day cruise and we love that as we are readers. If you've not yet cruised with Oceania you're in for a real treat. The ambiance, fellow passengers, dining, service- just superb. Hope you decide to go!

Edited by Petoonya
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Rule of thumb is the smaller the ship, the better itinerary experience you may have  as the smaller islands requires tendering - not good on a big ship.  However, these transpacific or partial transpacific requires alot of sea days which you may not like if you are used to much larger ships.  It is generally a much more relaxing cruise on a small ship as opposed to a larger ship.  We did a SF to Sydney back in 2009 on the Star Princess - we had a great experience visiting the Hawaiian Islands, Tahitian Islands, Samoan Islands, Fuji, and New Zealand.  A few years back we were on the Marina which went from Papeete to Lima, Peru - we also had a great time.  Sea days were tougher on the smaller ship and internet was non-existent most of the way.  With proper planning, you can have a great time on any type of ship on these type of cruises because islands like Bora Bora or Fakarava are simply gorgeous.  If you can afford it, do the smaller ships.    

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Thank you all for your input, now it’s whether to do a 10 day around the islands or do the 18 day. We have been to Hawaii before and have done several transatlantic crossings,

like a few days at sea, but do the islands start to be similar after a few?

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11 hours ago, Appy1 said:

Thank you all for your input, now it’s whether to do a 10 day around the islands or do the 18 day. We have been to Hawaii before and have done several transatlantic crossings,

like a few days at sea, but do the islands start to be similar after a few?

I don't think Tahiti islands start to be similar after a few. Different activities, sights- some mountainous, some little more than coral atolls. Rangiroa is known as the endless lagoon. Raiatea is for hiking canoeing in back country, boat and catamaran rides to neighboring islands and motus. Moorea rivals Bora Bora for natural beauty- low hills, back country adventure trips and tons of water activities. Fakarava is an atoll with only 400 people and is virtually untouched and known for it's diverse ecosystem. And then the crown jewel Bora Bora with it's beautiful mountains, incredible lagoon- everywhere you look you have stunning views.

 

We are avid snorkelers and each island/atoll is a little different underwater too. The best snorkeling, water clarity I've ever experienced.

 

The 18 day Oceania only gives you a taste, as Papeete is not a beautiful place altho interesting. A drive around the island of Tahiti is worthwhile. The cruise is only Bora Bora, Rangiroa and Nuku Hiva. Nuku Hiva we found less of a draw as interesting as the Marquesas are. Jeep ride, into the interiors, some beautful views

 

You might want to post on the Pacific Island board. Lots of Tahiti aficionados who may help with your choice. 10 days of cruising is never enough for me especially on O. It's just a day on each island for Hawaii, but over many years we've chosen our favorite beaches/snorkel spots on each and one day is fine. But if you are a water person, and are OK with a smaller cabins with a porthole, love water sports, can handle 4 floors no elevator, you might want to look into a 10 or 11 day trip on Windstar. It is a dream- just expensive.

 

What lines have you sailed on previously?

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On 9/19/2019 at 6:05 AM, Appy1 said:

We have sailed celebrity which we love, Holland America, carnival, Norwegian 

and Royal Caribbean.

 

Consider Oceania a HUGE upgrade, small ship, no crowding, elegant and yet casual atmosphere, superb dining even in the MDR, outstanding service and most importantly the ship is CLOSER to the water than Celebrity or any other cruise line you've sailed. So you feel like you are really cruising! You will have complimentary soft drinks and specialty coffee, and 5-6pm two-fers in the bars. I started with Oceania about 15 years ago, did a smidge still of Celebrity but after the Solstice ships came out we threw in the towel on the Nordstrom of the Sea, the massive crowds, and all the glitz.

 

If you like entertainment and big casinos you won't find that on Oceania. There is a small casino and small production shows that we mostly live without. This is a more relaxed, quieter crowd on O, who like to read, work out, socialize and enjoy outstanding dining. I think one of the greatest things about doing Tahiti and Hawaii is that the ship is only 680 passengers and the ship can get in closer than the mainstream behemoths. Yes it is more expensive than the other lines you've sailed but you get what you pay for. The brochures show a lot of "fancy pants" people enjoying their cruise, but you'll find casual, low key, sometimes mussed-up hair (!) passengers.

 

Do the 10 day Tahiti if you really want to see the islands. Or the 11 day on Windstar. The 18 day Oceania doesn't see as much of Tahiti as the others but it is a bargain. The ship was about 2/3 full the last time we did it, and because it does have a lot of sea days the ship will again probably not be as populated. I hope you'll give one of these a try 🙂 I'm not just an Oceania cheerleader- I just happen to absolutely love it.

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Thank you so much, we are going to go with Oceania just trying to decide which one to do. Do you think you see enough South Pacific islands if you do the 18 day or just start with the 10 day, I do enjoy days at sea.

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