ChrisC101

If I had to do it again I would’ve booked the entire boat. We were the original two, they got four more (totally understandable) but we felt hostage to the four’s desires and plans. They also got the shade in the back, we had to be in the sun in the bow. The first place we went was fabulous but we spent way too little time there and way too much time at other places. So my advice: book the whole boat.

Leaving next week for Wind Spirit in Tahiti! Our first WS experience. 😎

In the old days you could get a day pass at a place in Moorea like the Hilton which has good snorkeling. It seems most hotels are not doing this so much anymore which is too bad because was a good thing to do. If most vendors sold out there are still some public beaches. Go in Moorea. I’m finding the CC boards to be low posting, I would try TA forums and Reddit/Tahiti for advice, those boards seem to be much more active. It’s disappointing because last time we did a cruise in Tahiti our board and roll call on here were very active, now not so much. Good luck

Well for us it was a bit different because we had no plans to take it, but we knew the captain and went to see he and his wife. Then he insisted we go and take his berth. So we had a sort of hybrid cruise. Also this was years ago. If you can’t find much on it on CC try TA or Reddit, see if you have better luck. What I will say is back then it was a very small ship but that’s what you want in Fiji and the Yasawa Islands are, to me, the best part of Fiji. Open air for us was no problem because we love the warm, we live in Desert SW. anyway good luck and one way or another do Fiji, our favorite in all the South Pacific.

Hi, we’ve been all over the South Pacific and it is really pot luck on weather. That said, our times in Fiji have been Spring and summer. We are returning next year (one of our favorite places in world) also in June to celebrate anniversary. We actually got married in Fiji. Anyway on our supposed wedding day in June that year it poured rain all day so we postponed one day. But the rest of the trip was great and we ended up sort of stumbling into the Blue Lagoon cruise as an add on. The entire Yasawa Island chain is fantastic. We’ve also been to Fiji in Spring and showers can blow through and then done and this can be true all over South Pacific. Maybe just roll the dice, the South Pacific can be so unpredictable.

So sounds like I need to wait until 6? Thanks

I’m an early riser, sometimes as early as 5. Is it possible to get coffee this early on Wind Spirit? Plan to get out on the deck and enjoy the sunrises. But need my coffee. Suggestions?

Laundry?

Last time we did this was 19 years ago. You might have more current luck getting info from TA forum or Reddit. Or search back through old posts. However what we did was just walk straight off our cruise right down the dock with our bags and bought tickets for the next ferry, rode across. We had, however, already rented a car so that was waiting for us when we got off.

Last time we went years ago we did a land tour in Huahine and loved it. See the sacred places, the eels, etc. Learned a lot about FP culture. We booked a private tour but not sure who it was. We loved Huahine, old South Pacific, undeveloped. We leave in 2 weeks and still considering a land tour here because last time was so great.

I think our devices are old enough they use usb? iPhone 8 and SE, Apple Watch SE, two older gen iPads all using lightning plugs. Newer Fitbit, not sure what it uses. Am I ok?

This is really helpful. Is it hard to get a taxi from PPT back to hotel? We’re going down one night from IC to eat at food trucks and will need to get a taxi back

Can we use our $200 OBC toward laundry?

We’ll probably walk over to the market for sure. Love that place. We’re doing Les roulettes the night before, probably eat on the ship that night.

Free with points can compete with that! 🙂

One thing for folks to consider is points programs. If you have IGH points you can get a deal at the IC, if Hilton at Hilton Tahiti or Moorea. We’re going in a few weeks and have 2 night pre-cruise and just staying at the IC because I have points with IGH. We have done Moorea before which was excellent but for 2 nights, IC Tahiti is fine. For anything longer, get off of Tahiti.

Hi we are on Wind Spirit in Tahiti next month. I want to bring a power strip. We have one that had USB and power ports that we have used all over Europe that has multiple plugs to use. However I have read you CANNOT bring a power strip with a surge protector on cruise ships. However I have also been looking for non-surge protected power strips on Amazon and almost all of them are designed for US outlets only. Help! I emailed Windstar but no response yet. Thanks

In some ways it’s unfortunate because it would be much nicer to be in Moorea rather than looking at all the industrial stuff in PPT. It also reduces the options for Candles. My spouse thinks it’s a little cheesy, paying for 7 but only really getting 6. There was someone else complaining about this too. But at least it’s Tahiti!

I spoke to WS about something else and asked. Whether true or not, guy told me because of flights. We’re flying in on Tuesday on the new Delta flight from LAX which arrives at 5 p.m. They also fly in on Thursdays at same time. But who knows for sure.

Thanks much. We, too, bring our own snorkel masks as we’ve been all over the South Pacific (next year back to Fiji where we got married!). So we will just need the WS fins. So do you think we should do a full day with H20 on the first day? She says they leave at 8:45, ship says it won’t arrive until 9:00 but Aimee from H20 assures me they’re always in early and we’ll make it. I have also read people say the second day WS will allow you to head to their motu for 1/2 day (like 10-3) and one cruiser said there were only 8 of them that did this and it was great. Is there any snorkeling there or just beach chill? Have to make final decisions in 2 weeks, would love more input. We leave in 4 weeks. Thanks. Also have you done the kayak on Raiatea? DH wants to do as a unique experience. We have done the drift snorkel once already so can skip that though very happy we did once before. would love any other tips! I know there is another person besides me who desperately needs info but the boards seem quiet. I have been trying to just gather info from the Paul Gauguin board since those seem more active but would rather get info direct from WS experts. Thanks!

Petoonya, we have booked H20 in BB already for next month. We booked both mornings on both days in BB. Would you keep this (2 different days) or book the full day once? DH really only wants to do half days and we were also hoping this way if weather is bad one day we’ll have the other day. Thanks, haven’t been back to FP in 19 years and first time WS.

So we bought the All In package for our WS cruise next month and thus not planning on extra tipping BUT if we did, can we use USD? We’ll be in Tahiti

At that time we used local currency cash, but like I say that was 19 years ago. So be curious what other replies show up here as I am interested too!

Haven’t done this exact scenario since we’ve not been back to Tahiti for 19 years (though going next month) but I have had to do this before for European trips. If you can, order a wheelchair through your initial flight, then have then take you to bag claim. Park your husband and get the bags. Then the person should help wheel you to the connection area to Tom Bradley where you would check in at ATN. Provide a BIG tip. 3 hours will be close but if you have Clear will help.

We’re going in March and haven’t been in 19 years so I kind of have the same question. I know we spent cash on some taxis in Tahiti itself last time and also we did most of our shopping for gifts and items for us at the market in Papeete. I recall we bought vanilla, and several other small things. I can’t recall what we bought outside of Tahiti itself though I know we came home with one pearl. Will watch this space in case anyone with more recent knowledge weighs in. Cheers