South Pacific R/T Los Angeles

[louden]

28 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Are you stopping in Hawaii on the way there?  If you are, you could buy snorkeling gear there?  🤷‍♂️

 

We have purchased snorkling gear at ABC stores in Hawaii in the past.

Will keep that in mind in case we do not bring our own.  Thanks again

 

Louden

[Projunior]

We docked in Moorea on the Tahitian Princess way back when. We prebooked an Avis rental car and circumnavigated the island. Made various stops along the way. 

[DiRonT]

We all do did the 28 day round trip from L.A. on the Sapphire.  We LOVED it - but we love the "cruising" part of cruising.  There were a number of passengers that were going a little stir crazy with 8 days straight sailing back to L.A.  

[pppatpc2]

Did the 28day last November on the Crown.  If you have seen the movie Moana, that is the cartoon version of Moorea.  Like a fairytale.  We took a tour on a private company starting with a V and it is one of my top 3 tours of all time, maybe number 1.  We took a small outrigger boat with about 12 people.  Swam with sharks and rays, went snorkeling, barbecue lunch on a motu.

 

When contemplating this trip, keep in mind that (although we had an inside cabin) with the Princess plus package the trip cost about as much as a round trip airfare to Tahiti.  Plus that airfare included two stops and took over 24 hours.

[Therese S.]

On 10/17/2023 at 8:42 AM, PescadoAmarillo said:

If that port in Fiji is Dravuni Island, you are in for a snorkeling treat. Walk far to the right after leaving the tender dock. On the elevator that night, everyone was talking about it and comparing fish stories. 

It is Dravuni..thank you for the tip.

[RLK33853]

6 hours ago, Therese S. said:

It is Dravuni..thank you for the tip.

 

Further info if you like snorkeling.  On Dravuni Island, instead of snorkeling by the dock with everyone else (yes we have seen some turtles and small fish, etc),hike up to the top of their "mountain" (big hill), and then proceed across the width of the island on a footpath.  We have snorkeled all over the world and this was the best day ever.  You will see maybe 10 other people.  We were out for probably 3 hours and each minute was more amazing than the last.  Huge fan coral which is pristine.  Giant clams, you name it.  Ever color of coral.  Since no one goes to the other side of the island it is untouched paradise.

[marden1970]

On 10/16/2023 at 11:09 PM, Yehootu said:

Did it last the 28day last March, Bora Bora was cancelled and we instead overnighted in Papeete. On a cruise now and we keep comparing it back to that one. Very relaxing.

We were on that one as well (50th anniversary and in a full suite)  Really stretched our budget but would do it again if we could.

[Parrottdizes]

Have been on the 28 day one and loved it.........now we are booked on the 32 day one. As everyone here has said, it is a great itinerary but you need to like sea days for it to work for you. 

[skynight]

The lower photo on post 33 appears to be the crossing the equator event. If you wish to participate as a passenger volunteer on the first day by notifying the CD or maybe passenger services. There are a limited number of passengers that represent all passengers. There may also be some representative crew members that have never crossed the equator

[SailorJack]

8 hours ago, RLK33853 said:

 

Further info if you like snorkeling.  On Dravuni Island, instead of snorkeling by the dock with everyone else (yes we have seen some turtles and small fish, etc),hike up to the top of their "mountain" (big hill), and then proceed across the width of the island on a footpath.  We have snorkeled all over the world and this was the best day ever.  You will see maybe 10 other people.  We were out for probably 3 hours and each minute was more amazing than the last.  Huge fan coral which is pristine.  Giant clams, you name it.  Ever color of coral.  Since no one goes to the other side of the island it is untouched paradise.

 

Thanks for the tip, we will be in Dravuni next April.

 

Jack and Jill

[SailorJack]

26 minutes ago, skynight said:

The lower photo on post 33 appears to be the crossing the equator event. If you wish to participate as a passenger volunteer on the first day by notifying the CD or maybe passenger services. There are a limited number of passengers that represent all passengers. There may also be some representative crew members that have never crossed the equator

 

Kiss the Fish!

 

Jack and Jill

[kathylynnt]

What are they doing in that last picture?

Kathy

[Yehootu]

These are some of my favorites from the King Neptune ceremony. Very colorful characters.

[skynight]

9 hours ago, kathylynnt said:

What are they doing in that last picture?

Kathy

It's the crossing the equator event. There is a traditional ceremony, initiation for those that are crossing the equator for the first time by sea. Princess selects about a half dozen passenger volunteers to represent all passengers that have never crossed the equator by sea. First time crew members may also be involved. The ceremony is a kind of scripted event with crew members playing different parts.

Those being initiated will be asked to do things like kiss a fish, get stuff like pudding, whipped cream and spaghetti dumped over their heads, as well as some other skits. In the photo you can notice a women in a bathing suit and two men sitting on the left. It appears that they have been anointed with some pudding and other gooey stuff. 

[Parrottdizes]

16 hours ago, skynight said:

The lower photo on post 33 appears to be the crossing the equator event. If you wish to participate as a passenger volunteer on the first day by notifying the CD or maybe passenger services. There are a limited number of passengers that represent all passengers. There may also be some representative crew members that have never crossed the equator

Yes, that was the "crossing the equator event". The people sitting on the chairs were the ones that had to "Kiss" the fish.

[Parrottdizes]

12 hours ago, kathylynnt said:

What are they doing in that last picture?

Kathy

That is the event they have for when the ship crosses the equator. There is a sign up for passengers and crew to participate (if this is there first time crossing the equator). Everyone also got a certificate to commemorate the event your steward will leave it in your cabin). 

[Parrottdizes]

A few more images from the "Crossing the Equator" ceremony.