Tahitianbigkahuna

I've taken that early AF flight. Simply have PG reception/excursion desk reserve a taxi for you ... pickup @ 5:30 - 6:00 AM. Sometimes they've charge a reservation fee and sometimes they haven't ... but it is money well spent. I would follow up with PG to make sure this is still possible 😉

Officially it is 7:30 PM Sometimes they will let you off a little before that but I would plan on it being 7:30 PM.

Yes there is a bit mor humidity in April compared to months of June - August. But notice the average monthly rainfall in April, not all that bad ... and notice the water temperature in April ... the warmest which is a biggie for most as you are in the water much of the time. Coolest month is August but the trade off is the water temperature is the coolest as well ...

I think I stated .... "IMO ... April" But frankly anytime is a good time .... I've been almost in every month and had a wonderful time ... Prices are usually better in January - March

IMO ... April Paul Gauguin or Windstar? Both are good choices .... but 2024 brings in an interesting situation. Windstar plans to leave the Sea Breeze full time in FP. PG and SB are similar in their capacity count. Both have their strong points ... big question ... will Windstar hire some local Polynesians to be on-board full time to give some cultural feel/experiences to the ship, something PG has done very well with over the years. Both have good food, both have specialty islands of their own and both have marinas. PG is all -inclusive ... Windstar has an optional all inclusive plan for a large fee. There are no bad choices for you ....

Back to back ... 2 of the most popular itineraries ... I'll be on both 🙂 April 13, 2923 - 11 nights Society/Cooks April 24, 2024 - Society/Tuamotus

You need to ask yourself how much driving your going to do. If your going to circle the island it's a no brainer ... get unlimited miles. I rent with no miles as I just zip around Papeete and may place 20 KM on the car. As to insurance it is better to pre buy, it's more expensive at the counter.

In the mall steakhouse: https://www.facebook.com/Lannexeplaza/ The place with the best views will be: https://www.o-belvedere.com/ Personally I like going down to the food trucks ... down by the ships ... Place Vai'ete

There is a few places to eat across the street from the Hilton, one is a nice place. You can walk down to the food trucks from the Hilton, about a 20 - 30 minute walk, the views of the harbor area including the PG when she arrives about 6:30 PM. On the way while your walking there are several eateries along the harbor edge. You can take a taxi to the Marina past the Nui shopping area, there are several nice places there and the view looks out over the marina and Moorea in the distance.

Which hotel?

Yes

My grandfather is buried in the Redlands cemetery.

I'll be on the April 15th cruise 🙂

The Captain's Lounge is used for meetings up to about 20 people. The Bridge entry is just past the door to the lounge. There may be a tad more 'traffic' simply because of crew going and coming to the bridge but I wouldn't worry about it.

Day use changes often at the resorts ... and some won't let you use the pool. Best to contact the resorts and ask.

In the 'cove' it is rather shallow ... for snorkeling you would go in the water toward the mountain from the tip of the beach. Go out 125 - yards and you will have decent snorkeling.

Usually the last tender on your itinerary is 4:30 PM Tender to the motu is only from the ship

Wedding on the motu ... a perfect place for one.

Nothing is free 😉

Or if your on top of things you book a new 3 Star hotel for $74 per night 🙂 OK, I'll mention the name ....Hotel Kon Tiki. You can't get it for that price now but I grabbed it for 4 trips over the next 2 years for that price ... before it even opened.

The balcony question depends on what is important. I don't use the balcony very much but my BH loves it. We were in a window room last October and she really missed having her balcony. She would enjoy her coffee and continental breakfast while she put on her makeup on the balcony ... Are there places to enjoy the views on the ship? Of course ... Remember embarkation is only between 3PM and 5PM. You can not take and afternoon flight from the west coast and arrive in Tahiti in the evening to board the ship, you must go the day before and spend the night or do the red eye which arrives in the early morning. A few days on the islands before the cruise is nice as you get on FP time. Moorea is so accessible for a few days before your cruise. The Sofitel and the Hilton really deliver for a few days. Nice thing is the ship is only 100 yards from the ferry terminal ... to go from Moorea back to Tahiti on an ferry that arrives around 2PM - 4PM and walk your bags and yourself over to the ship. As far as the return I don't like the early departure in the morning ... to early for me. United has the earliest night flight back to the west coast but you still need to find a way to burn about 8 hours before heading to the airport. As Medic stated a day room isn't easy to get unless your ready to spend a large sum. I usually rent a car and drive around Tahiti stopping for sites and a bit of shopping but make sure your bags are not visible. Another way is to get off the ship once you arrive back in Tahiti (around 7PM) and head directly to the airport taking a late flight back to the west coast.

Medic and I agree on most things concerning FP 😉

Agree with Medic on everything ....

Keep in mind some islands in French Polynesia are considering size restrictions on ships. Not sure on the timing as the talk is it will be done in phases but eventually they are talking about is to eliminate ships larger than 1000 passengers from visiting some islands. Ships larger than 1000 will likely be held to the islands of Raiatea, Tahiti and Moorea. I would do some searching to see forums/post that might give some more details on this issue. While this is being sorted out just imagine a ship with 1500 - 2500 passengers visiting an island with less that 1000 population. Not many will see or enjoy an excursion on an island with that amount of infrastructure .