March 20 Review

[lhbsurf]

I've had a couple of requests, so I thought I'd just post my review here.

 

A wonderful experience, I hope to do it again one day!!!

We had a few problems getting there when Air Tahiti Nui cancelled our flight from LAX to Papeete, due to damaged cargo door. After spending the evening at the Hacienda Hotel, our 1:00pm flight on Friday, finally took off at 7:00am Saturday. We effectively lost one day. Luckily, we were staying in Moorea for a few days pre-cruise, so we didn’t have to worry about missing the cruise ship as others on a different ship were.

We had booked three nights pre cruise at the Intercontinental Moorea – we only got to spend two. It was nice. We only one full day there and decided to take a water taxi to a motu at the hotel – cost of $10 per person. They also had a picnic on the motu for $67 per person, unfortunately for the people that day, the Tahitian Princess picnic was the same day and they joined hordes of other Princess people, where as they dropped us off on a separate motu (six of us got off there). There is also a small restaurant on the motu, not owned by the hotel. We were unprepared and didn’t have any money with us, but would have enjoyed having lunch on the island. The snorkeling was very good here – you snorkel in a “lagoon” inbetween two islets. A little current – fins are needed.

Monday March 20th Tahiti - we took the 2:50 ferry from Moorea to Tahiti, to maximize our time on Moorea. It was an easy trip and a short walk from the ferry to the ship check in. Due to the strange time we arrived, only one person was in front of us, so embarkation was a breeze. No photographers though for “official” embarkation photo, so a kind passerby offered to take our picture in front of the ship.

March 21st Tahiti - we head over to Le Marche early so I can get some fresh flowers, as everyone reports, beautiful arrangements from $10 – $20 – they take US dollars 1 = 100, so it is cheaper here to use US $$. We shop in the morning and have lunch on the ship and relax on the ship in the early afternoon. Due to engine problems, sail away is delayed until 8:00pm and we can go back off the ship if we wish. Causes a little confusion with our CC get together, but most of us show up to meet eachother.

March 22 – Huahine – We took Marc’s tour. Marc himself was our driver – we did the 4x4 option in the morning, then did a brief drift snorkel and met up with the canoe trip others for a delightful picnic and pareo demonstration. It was perfect!! I am happy with the 4 x 4 choice, as I think all day on the water may have been too much for us on the first day.

March 23 At sea – typical at sea day, lounged by the pool and went to the wine tasting. Pleasant day.

March 24 Rarotonga - Unfortunately, we weren’t able to tender in Rarotonga – it must have been close because it took them a long time to decide. I was prepared for this after reading Cruise Critic, but most others on the cruise were most unhappy about missing this port. We sailed around the island – since our balcony was on the wrong side of the ship, we found a nice spot in the Tahitian Lounge to watch the island go by – it was great! I decide to get a spa treatment – Lime & Ginger exfoliation. It was nice.

[lhbsurf]

March 25 At sea – Ordered room service for breakfast – I indicated it was for two people – we got one croissant and one danish. Be sure to write exactly how many you want and I’m sure you will get it – we about starved!!! A lazy day with dinner at Sterlings – it was pretty good.

March 26 Raiatea – took Princess Drift Snorkel tour – I didn’t want to be gone all day on Bruno’s tour. It was great – we saw a lot of dolphins on our way to the Tahaa Coral Gardens. There were 12 in our boat and two guides, so six of us went with each guide. After the second pass, they showed us where to snorkel on our own and then gave us fruit and juice before the trip back. We got some souvenirs, including leis and head pieces for the tropical night on the ship.

March 27 Bora Bora – Got an extra morning here, since we had to skip Rarotonga, so arrived at 8:00am rather than 12:00 noon. We just picked up a circle island tour off the pier with Dino. Our driver was Joe, he was great. Hit several great spots, plus Bloody Mary’s where we made reservations for Dinner. We had reserved Richard Postma’s Tara Vana for a Sunset Sail (no champagne by the way, just Hinano and white wine – but was good) – there were a few extras joining us, but we had a beautiful sunset and a nice sail. Some wanted to go back to the ship for dinner and others stayed on and he dropped us off at Bloody Mary’s. The stars from the catamaran were amazing!!! They pointed out the southern cross and we were able to see the galaxy “cloud” described in one of the guide brochures. Richard docked at Bloody Mary’s and then escorted us in. It was his birthday, so he was having a celebration also. Were glad to have made the reservations, it was full. Food was ok – atmosphere was great – we all had a nice time. Free shuttle back to the ship for the last tender, 11:00pm.

March 28 Bora Bora – My 40th Birthday. I had researched and booked a Jet Ski Tour thru Top Dive with Matira Tours. It was marvelous. We zipped thru the lagoon, all the way around the island. Then we stopped at a motu where our guide, John, showed us how to crack coconuts and fed us banana and coconut “sandwiches” (they were yummy!!) and “grapefruit”. One word of advice – if possible to contact Matira directly, it would be worth the cost of the phone call. We booked thru Top Dive and paid almost $200 (two per jet ski), our dinner tablemates got off the ship on Monday, got a brochure, called them with a group of 6 and got a rate of $130. I was glad to have the guarantee, but we did pay a significant amount more for it – that being said – it was worth every penny!!!

March 29 Moorea – rented a car at the pier for $60 for 4 hours and had a wonderful day. We snorkeled at the public beach near Sofitel – current was very strong. Moorea has by far the best tent vendors of any island. I wished I had waited and bought everything here – got some great buys on cheap, lower quality pears for my daughter and nieces.

March 30 Tahiti – we have one night in an overwater bungalow at the Intercontinental. We leave for the hotel around 11:30 and take a taxi for $22 (Princess offered us their transfers on the ship for $30 per person!!!!). There was a small problem with the room, but they worked it our upgraded us to a suite. We had dinner with friends at Le Lotus – it was wonderful atmosphere and the food was good – not sure it was worth the $200 it cost us for two, but you’re only in paradise for a short time, huh?

March 31 Tahiti – we spend the day lounging on our deck and snorkeling. It is amazing!! The pina coladas are great, as is the great views of Moorea. By joining their Ambassador club, we not only got a free night in Moorea, but also got to check out at 4:00pm (free of charge) rather than the usual 11:00am – plus we got a lovely fruit plate and large bottle of water. We had planned to eat at The Belvedere, but since we were on the 10:00 flight, it appeared we would be cutting it too close, so we checked out of our room at 4:00, read around the pool in the shade for a while, then had dinner at the hotel. We took a taxi to the airport for $15. The check in line took us an hour and we were there quite early. ATN flight was quite comfortable and I slept most all the way home.

Stateroom was great – we used the balcony a lot. Food on the ship was good. Mix of passengers was mostly honeymooners or couples. Met significantly more people than we do on the bigger ships and had a marvelous time. Weather was great – a couple of showers totaling about 4 minutes all two weeks. Never thought I was do laundry on a cruise ship, but it cost $2 in quarters for washer and dryer (free soap) and was right down the hall. Ended up doing 3 loads while getting ready for dinner.

What I would do for my future trips:

-Spend all pre or post nights at the Intercontinental Tahiti – Moorea was nice, but not worth the extra effort to drag the luggage back and forth, we really preferred Tahiti, which is different from most people - just preference I guess. I would stay as much as I could in the OWB – it was heaven!!

-Not exchange dollars for francs, unless I landed on Rarotonga, where I hear differently – we had no experience.

-All tours we took were great. We had a good variety. Would try to contact Matira (jet ski) directly – unfortunately, I didn’t get home with their brochure and phone number.

-I will pack A LOT lighter next trip!!!!!

[SeaYa52]

Thanks again for a great review.

:-)

Sandy

[tahitisweetie]

great review- had a lot of fun reading it-

tahitisweetie

[MichTraveler]

Laura, Great review of our sailing!

We did IC Tahiti 2 nights before and loved it.

In Huahine, I did the snorkel with Princess and it was great. Guide was ready for advanced, moderate, and newbie snorkelers. Something in everyone's comfort range.

We also were prepared to possibly miss Rarotonga due to CC, so we were not that disappointed. And our balcony (free upgrade from an inside!) was on the correct side to see the island as we circled.

In Raiatea I did a regular snorkel (not drift). We saw so many fish -- it was great. (I was too concerned about getting cut-up on the coral if I drifted.)

In Bora Bora, we were happy to arrive at 8am instead of noon. We did some shopping near the port. So hot and humid we almost melted :rolleyes: Did another snorkel there which had the most colorful corals -- and they were alive! The guide tried to get the rays to come in with food, but 3 black-finned sharks come in instead -- I swam within feet of them :eek: The guide apologized for no rays and then hooked up with another boat guide and found some. So we got snorkeling, coral, rays, and sharks all in one.

I agree with your comments on Moorea about the pier shopping -- nice trinkets and pearls too.

We checked out of our cabin on the last day at 10am and stayed on the ship until we headed to the airport. We had planned IC Tahiti, but for a 10am-6pm stay they wanted 2 nights fees. It was surprisingly comfortable on the ship. Left our carry-ons in the steakhouse, had buffet lunch, played cards and read books in the Tahitian lounge. (Wish the internet cafe had been open that day -- especially with free email due to being platium.) Dinner buffet at 5PM, then headed to the airport before the Princess buses.

Long flights there and back, so I cannot imagine doing this every year. But would hope to do this again!