salmn

8 minutes ago, Mercruiser said:

I am wondering why FP visitors don't just use their smartphone plan from home and use tethering to get WiFi to other devices? This $350 option seems way more expensive than using Google Fi, T-Mobile, or the various $10 per day international roaming plans offered by most cellular carriers.

We were going to be in FP for 3 weeks, so Tahiti WiFi was a better deal than $10 a day with Verizon. I would not pay $350 for WiFi.  Not sure how long of a trip the OP is on, but I think you are right---there is a better way than the $350 plan.

1 hour ago, jka said:

For all of you who have had success with upgrades or seat assignments, did anyone book initially through American Airlines?

Yes, booked thru AA using miles, then purchased upgrade thru ATN using their record locator code.

11 hours ago, Verokaren said:

We are getting ready to head to FP in three weeks and are wondering if it's worth it to purchase the big package which will cost about $350 for five devices.  I appreciate anybody's experience with this portable router!

https://www.tahitiwifi.com/travel.html

 

We were in FP for three weeks.  We purchased Tahiti WiFi  router with 10 G. for about $120.  We were able to have multiple devices logged on.  We used for emails, facetime calls, maps, reading news, etc.  Only used about half the data.  Not sure if you need way more wifi than we did, but $350 seems a bit excessive. I would get the lesser package.  You can top it up if you need more.

12 hours ago, Verokaren said:

Thank you, Petoonya!  Does the Tahiti WiFi router work on a cruise ship?

Works great as long as you are in port. As soon as the cruise ship gets away from the island, Tahiti wi-fi does not work so cannot use it when ship is between ports. Normally not a problem because we were on Wind Spirit and  in a port every day except when going to the Tuamotus.

We used it a lot for emails, facetime calls, internet browsing, maps while driving on Tahiti, Rangiroa, Bora Bora and did not come close to using up our data (10G) in 20 days.

1 hour ago, jka said:

Unfortunately, no resolution despite doing all the suggestions.   Lots of it’s contractual, AA would have to change your ticket, we’re still working things out with them, yada yada yada.  Lesson learned for sure. 
 

Thanks all,
 

Nancy

We booked tickets through AA on Air Tahiti Nui and were able to select seats and upgrade to bulkhead for $80 pp.

Cannot remember if I used the ATN record locator to get the seats and upgrade or if I called their Los Angeles reservations phone. I did call them once and was able to get help. You do need to have the ATN record locator if you call.

Their contact info:

Reservations Call Center
Tel: +(877) 824-4846
Mon-Fri 6am to 5.30pm / Sat-Sun 8.30am to 5pm

7 hours ago, LewiLewi said:

I have just read a post on the Windstar CC board that says that onboard credit can not be used toward daily gratuities.

Is this correct?

 

When we were on Wind Spirit in November, we could not use the OBC given by Windstar for gratuities, but we were able to use the OBC given by our travel agent.

On 1/3/2020 at 5:04 PM, Nebr.cruiser said:

We are trying to arrange a tour for our shore excursion in Moorea.  We'll be doing water-based tours the two islands before this, so will probably do an island tour here.

 

I found a company that sounds great, but they use a van rather than the open 4x4 trucks that most companies use.  Do you think not being able to go to some of the more remote or on rugged trails/roads will impact our trip?

 

May never be here again; just want to have the best experience.  If the open trucks give a more scenic trip and/or go places a van can't, is what I am wondering.

 

Thanks!

 

To go to the top of Magic Mountain, it would require 4 wheel drive, not a street van.  The views were spectacular.  We did this in November. Also went to a pineapple plantation on Belvedere where the roads were a little rough.  It was nice being out in the open for the scenery and views and not having to try to take photos through a window unless the vehicle stops. Not sure why you would prefer the van.

37 minutes ago, Petoonya said:

Think I've actually got it figured out with help from Oceania wine connoisseurs. 🙂

Will probably forget about Carrefours and just go with ship's wine choices. I can stock up midway through the cruise with Costco's wine. Between that and Whole Foods in Maui we'll come out fine.

Thanks.

In case you change your mind, we purchased wine at le Cave in Pape’ete. Short walk from ship on rue du collette across from city hall. Prices started at $15 for wine from Spain. Large selection of more expensive. We also purchased some at a small grocery on trip around Tahiti when we came back on back to back. It was less—maybe $12-14, so think Carrefours would have a decent selection. All was drinkable, we are not total wine snobs but like decent wine. We used in our cabin while getting ready for dinner so didn’t pay corkage. If you have to pay corkage, would probably just buy the ship’s wine 🤔 Have a great time and thanks again for all the great advice we received from you!

US or XPF.  Not sure about Euros, but US no problem. In November, they figured 100 XPF per US $1, the exchange rate is actually like 107 to 109, so they make a little extra when you pay in US. Since tipping isn't expected, when we paid in US, we just let that extra be their tip unless they did something special like a lot of large luggage or wait at a store.

3 hours ago, LTCOP said:

For those of you who used a taxi - do the taxi drivers take US Dollars or Euros, or is it necessary to have Polynesian francs? 

 

Pam

What cruise line? We were on Windstar and did exactly that last month. The Wind Spirit left Moorea at 5pm and docked at Papeete at 9:00.

The guest relations manager arranged our taxi as we left Moorea. It was sitting at the dock waiting for us an another couple. We were at the airport before 9:30 for our midnight flight. (We were originally going to get off the ship in Moorea and ride the ferry to Papeete in the afternoon. The guest relations gal found out why we were getting off early and said we could stay on the ship because we would be there by 9:00 and she would arrange a taxi—she even helped carry some bags down the gangplank and to the taxi—first rate service!)

We did enjoy the coral gardens. We were on the early tour, so the weather was pretty good. A storm came in about noon and the ride back to the motu at Tahaa was miserable, then we still had the wind and rain our first day at Bora Bora when we went with Tohora. That was the only bad weather in 18 days. As long as we were in the water, it was good, but really cold when we got out because of wind. Simon had rain jackets which were lifesavers😉

14 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Salmn- can't tell you how happy I am to hear how much you enjoyed! Especially the ship- have to experience to believe yes?

Glad you got to go out with Ato in Fakarava- and great that you loved Pure Snorkeling. We preferred Tohora over Pure Snorkeling but fairness to them we just had a so-so guide, (impatient with a new to snorkeling Japanese couple). We loved Tohora last winter and using him again in April for an all day tour. (Fedexretiree....Tohora doesn't do sharks as he won't chum them as he is an "ecotour" guide.) Did you have nice weather for the Coral Gardens in Tahaa- and did you like it? That and Bora Bora were our favorites. Mostly nice weather?

 

If you haven't already hope you post on the Windstar board as people there will be anxious to hear 🙂

 

Nancy

 

29 minutes ago, eng58 said:

We are also looking for something to do in Raiatea, we are not strong snorkelers, is there something you can recommend to do. Sounds like Tahaa is beautiful, are there other tours that take you out on the water?  

Raiatea Jet with Jeremie. Great day. Several Motu stops, spinner dolphins, some shallow snorkeling if you want, pearl farm (not retail),

lunch included. Two person waverunners. We paid $250 but think he has raised to $300 per jet ski.

Tohora was good and like I said, the weather was not ideal that day. We went to one place for snorkeling coral garden and fish. Pure went to two different places, but the weather was good. No sharks for us either, but I think Simon would do that on request.

In all fairness to Simon at Tohora, the biggest difference was weather. The day with Simon was rainy and windy. We went to totally different spots, but may have been affected by weather. Saw Manta and eagle rays with both. Went to a great snorkel spot with Fabian, two moray eels and lots of fish and then to a coral garden close to the reef. The trip with Pure Snorkeling was longer, had water and snacks. There were four of us with Tohora and five with Pure Snorkeling, so both were nice sized groups.

We recently returned from our wonderful cruise aboard the Wind Spirit.  A special shout out to all those that helped here on CC. Petoonya, TBK, Milepig.  The cruise was everything we hoped it would be.  The service onboard was amazing, the staff great,  and the food was delicious.  Do not see how it could get better. We did Safari Mario on Moorea, Ato on Fakarava, Marc's combo with Huahine Nautique, Tohora Bora Bora, Pure Snorkeling Bora Bora, then ship's Coral Garden Drift Snorkel, Rangiroa Aquarium, and Bora Bora Intro Dive. Rented cars in Papeete, Bora Bora, and Raiatea.  All the excursions were good, but the one that really stood out was Pure Snorkeling with Fabien. The weather was great that day and the tour was the best!

If anyone has questions, will be glad to answer.

We recently returned from our wonderful cruise aboard the Wind Spirit.  A special shout out to all those that helped here on CC. Petoonya, TBK, Milepig.  The cruise was everything we hoped it would be.  The service onboard was amazing, the staff great,  and the food was delicious.  Do not see how it could get better. We did Safari Mario on Moorea, Ato on Fakarava, Marc's combo with Huahine Nautique, Tohora Bora Bora, Pure Snorkeling Bora Bora, then ship's Coral Garden Drift Snorkel, Rangiroa Aquarium, and Bora Bora Intro Dive. Rented cars in Papeete, Bora Bora, and Raiatea.  All the excursions were good, but the one that really stood out was Pure Snorkeling with Fabien. The weather was great that day and the tour was the best!

If anyone has questions, would be glad to answer. Will put this on the South Pacific forum as well.

25 minutes ago, banzaii said:

Thanks for that.

 

Do you know if there is an official port schedule for the region?  That one only goes out until May 2020.

 

I did find this http://crew-center.com/french-polynesia-cruise-ports-schedules-2020 but not sure how acurate as it says it is taken from the cruise line itineraries.

Not sure of any others websites.  Like you said, not sure how accurate the crew center one is.  It doesn't show the Oceania Regatta being in Bora Bora on Nov. 18 and 19 of this year, the same days as the Wind Spirit. It does show up on the Cruisett. 

2 hours ago, banzaii said:

 

I mean, how to check when other cruise ships are calling on Bora Bora.

www.cruisett.com

Click on ports on the top bar, then scroll down to French Polynesia.

2 hours ago, woody14h said:

Bora Bora , Raiatea, Kiribati and Fakarava.  Having a difficult time finding decent land tours for these islands. We are beyond snorkeling tours.  Not able.  Looking for history, food and scenery. Any suggestions would be very most helpful.  Leaving in March 2020.  Thanks.

Most cruise ships offer some land excursions, so assuming that you have already checked there, I would look at  www.viator.com which is part of tripadvisor. They do have some land tours at these ports, as well as some on the water that do not involve snorkeling, such as whale watching, sailing, etc.  Rental cars are also available in Bora Bora and Raiatea if you are willing and able to DIY. There are also companies that offer private tours, but not sure of their names.  Maybe someone else can help there.

3 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Oh- The Six Passengers does the tour in Rangiroa- they are primarily a diving company but they also do snorkeling.

https://www.the6passengers.com/fr/

Wind Spirit Twice the Tahiti was the cruise of a lifetime. When those sails go up it takes your breath away. The dining is beyind superb as is service. We snorkeled every day! The sports platform is a blast- sailing, kayaking, tubing and just relaxing out on a big foam raft with others. It should be Thrice the Tahiti.

 Four days in Bora Bora- what more can one ask for?

Thanks again for your help.  We are pretty well booked.  Definitely planning on a lot of snorkeling.  We followed your suggested tour operators at most stops and threw in a couple of Windstar tours. Can't wait.

9 hours ago, Petoonya said:

We did the 17 day Twice the Tahiti last December (it was fabulous!). We got Tahiti Wifi 10GB for what you will be using for and it was perfect. Hope you understand that in Fakarava and Raiatea there is no service at all.

Thanks Petoonya. We will get the 10GB. 

Did you mean Rangiroa or is there no service in Raiatea.

I think we are all set with planning now, just counting the days😉

We will be doing the Wind Spirit Twice the Tahiti, so will be in FP for 20 days.  Will need to check emails, send texts, and phone calls only in emergency.  Trying to decide whether to use Verizon Travel Pass at $10/day, only charged on days used, or whether to get Tahiti WiFi router. The wifi is 78 Euros for unlimited basic, 158 for unlimited starter, and 120 for 10 GB. There is a 5% discount available.

Has anyone out there used the Verizon Travel Pass in FP?  Understandably, only can use in port. Those that have purchased the Tahiti WiFi, would the 10GB be enough for 20 days, checking emails daily and web use for staying current on news, etc., no streaming, or would we need one of the unlimited packages?

Thanks in advance for your help.

17 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

 

 

Thanks so much for your reply.

 

Is that $194 pp? Eeek. I knew it would be expensive but geesh (especially when there's 3 of us). Is there an age limit for children?

 

So you are talking 2 hours in one direction (then of course another 2 hours in reverse). Geesh. That is a long time. It still sounds absolutely amazing though!

 

Good to know about July and August. Since we will be in Cozumel in another week, I'm going to at least keep my eyes peeled for them as we pull in/out of port. Maybe we'll spot them in the water. 😁

We did this while land based on vacation in Cozumel.  It was well worth the time and money.  Call it a bucket list item.

The time frame is long- 45 min. ferry, 1 hr. van to north Cancun, orientation, 1 hr.to 1 1/2 hr boat ride depending on where the whale sharks are located that day, 2 hrs with the whale sharks and then transportation in reverse. 

It is snorkeling and you need to be pretty good swimmers. It is not like floating around looking at fish.  You need to jump in off the boat and kick hard to try to keep up with the whale sharks.  There are regulations against diving with the whale sharks and strict regulations about how many people in the water at a time and how close you can get.

We went during early June and saw plenty of Whale Sharks.

I believe there is an age limit of 12 years old?

Having done this and totally loved it, if I were to recommend to anyone, it would be to do it when land based in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or Isla Holbox and not from a cruise ship in Cozumel. It would be about half the price and not so much travel time.

If going from a cruise in Cozumel, definitely need to do the ship's excursion and not independently as it is a long day and high possibility of not making it back to the ship on time. For us, it was a 12 hour excursion from Cozumel.

You could get a few pesos from you bank, but if you do not use them all and want to change them back, it ends up costing more than a vendor that gives you an unfavorable exchange rate.

If you are going to be there for one day, just take plenty of small ($1 and $5) currency. There are so many cruise tourists that most places now quote their prices in US dollars.  If you are staying for a week, then getting some pesos might be worth it.