back to the islands

I have booked through Princess a trip to Caye Caulker, but they also offer the trip to  Rendezvous Caye mentioned above. I'm booking through Princess since it's a tender port and  for at least the Caye Caulker they pick you up at the boat. Sometimes it is just easier!

On 2/27/2024 at 2:08 PM, Elizabeth K. said:

We chose the Rendezvous Caye excursion through Princess, officially called Snorkeling Wonders of the Barrier Reef. I thought it was among the best excursions I've done in 15 Caribbean cruises.

Does anyone know which place has better snorkeling? I swam with the reef sharks last year in Bora Bora and it was fabulous, but swimming with sharks isn't what I'm going for. I want to see lots of marine life and healthy coral. I don't need to sit on an island without shade (have had several skin cancers), just want to snorkel. mitsugirly and jean87510 have been very helpful on the Cozumel forum. Also, Elizabeth, it sounded like you had the option to go out again on your own? From reviews I had read earlier I didn't know that was an option. I like the time of the Rendezvous excursion better...12:00-5:00. Caye Caulkner is 7:30 am. Anyone done both and can compare both snorkeling areas? Thank you so much!

I use an Olympus TG5. I started with Canons about 15 years ago. I killed one in Hawaii by not shutting it completely.😬 I had another just flood in mid snorkel and they replaced it. I bought a newer model after the D10 was replaced because I was fearful it would die... they both died mid snorkel in St. John in 2012 and I realized how much my camera was my security blanket! Ha With 3 flooding after being closed correctly, I bough the Olympus TG2 in 2013 and it worked great. It still works, but I upgraded before my S. Pacific trip last year. Between my new camera, the wonderful water clarity, shallow reefs, and the rainbow of coral colors I got the most stunning photos! Not just a lucky one here and there, but pretty much every single one! I love revisiting my photos and videos from last year and it just makes me want to get back over there!

Thank you! Hubby is not certified and has no desire. I'm not sure he'd even try it, but I will definitely look into it. Funny thing is he tried to get me to snorkel on our honeymoon 44 years ago and the water was rough and I thought of Jaws and climbed right back into the boat. He tried again a couple years later from shore and I did fine...until I realized how far from shore we'd gotten. I never tried it again til I was 50 on our 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. We started going to St. John and it was so easy from shore there I became addicted. He really wishes he'd never opened this up to me now because it's all I want to do most places. Sometimes he just stays on the boat and watches from there. 

Your video was great, mitsugirly! Love the swarm of fish! Yellow tailed snapper? Don't you have to get certified to dive? I don't know if the hubby would do Discover Scuba, but I think I would be game if it's safe without any prior preparation. Although he is my "safety blanket"... along with my camera. He thinks it would be claustrophobic and convinced me several years ago I wouldn't like it. Says I'd stay down too long because I get distracted following fish and don't listen well. He is correct on both accounts.

I have been all through your videos, pics, and reviews of all of our ports. Your Sakari is quite the mermaid! My husband calls me the Queen of the mermaids and one of my grands even asked about the color of my tail...before I gave it up like Arial! Ha! Please give me more info on the Discover Scuba and if one with no experience can do that. I really don't even dive down snorkeling...I seem to be uber buoyant so I like shallow snorkeling to get good photos and video. I can dive down in my pool at home, but never do on snorkel adventures. I really think my South Pacific trip last year may have ruined me for life. I guess that's a good problem.

Thanks so much!

Thank you all! Have any of you ever snorkeled at Mahahual? I have considered either snorkeling from Hayhu Beach Club or going out with Dr. Dive by boat. The video I've seen looked ok, but not anything special. Do you get to see eagle rays from any of these ports? I have gotten to see them twice only and once they were so deep you couldn't see the spots.The other time I could've touched it, but it was before I bought myself a decent underwater camera. Sometimes I sure wish I was certified to dive, but I'm not. Otherwise, I think I'll just plan to stay on the ship and my husband would love that! Thanks so much! 

On 6/9/2022 at 5:47 PM, c-leg5 said:

Cozumel has some of the best diving spots but most of the reefs are too deep for good snorkeling.

On 8/17/2022 at 3:40 PM, ABQrobin said:

Cozumel has some of the BEST SCUBA DIVING in the world, but the snorkeling isn''t.  It has to do with the reefs.  All the incredible diving reefs are 40-50' deep at minimum on the top, with a wall that drops off 200' or more.  The side of the wall is where the incredible diving is located.  From a snorkel boat  you really can't get down there.

 I love snorkeling and do it every chance I get. I was looking at going out with Cozumel H2O since they were highly rated. I think I'm spoiled. Hubby took me to the South Pacific last year and the coral and fish were so amazing and close! I have never seen anything like it & am dying to get back before I'm too old! I also loved the Virgin Islands, around the Grenadines, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, and Hawaii. Several islands have disappointed me due to dead coral and lack of wildlife. Even some places on my favorite St. John aren't as good as they once were.My faves are Watermelon Cay and North Hauler there. Am I going to be disappointed with a snorkeling tour to the northern reefs? We would visit 4 of these:  Paradise shallow,Villa Blanca, Casitas, Little Wrecks, Palomita, Cantarel. I love to take pics so shallow is always better. We will also be going to Caye Caulkner and West Bay Beach to snorkel. I am also considering going out on a boat in Mahahual. My husband has told me to temper my expectations and he would really like to stay on the ship more. I would just like to see either great coral or abundant fish/sea critters, preferably both! I would enjoy any snorkeling, but he says I see the same fish, "Fred," everywhere I go! Ha! Some unusual creatures would be great, too. Sorry this is so long, but I'm struggling with deciding. Lucky problem to have! Thanks so much!

We did the Paul Gauguin this past April and stayed 3 nights pre cruise in Moorea at the Hilton. I'd do it all again! Loved the Moorea Hilton and the great snorkeling right off our OWB.

I get hot so I take this and it works very well for such a tiny fan. It has a USB plug.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PZBVLC7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

On 5/3/2023 at 3:25 PM, kleenrcruise said:

Hi We were told to call PG to schedule our excursions (60 days out) The website shows our excursions but their site is not great, you can't click on them to see a description etc. I booked our excursions so long ago I wanted to read them now that we are getting close and I had to go back through the main site and find them. We did a Virgin Cruise last summer that was very app focused (almost too much in my opinion) but I get the feeling that PG and Ponant are a little behind in this area. 

We also called and booked our excursions  last month directly with PG about 60 days out. My understanding is that is the only way you can book their excursions.

We stayed at the Moorea Hilton last month for 3 nights precruise. We hung out at the pool until our room was ready. We arrived about 10 AM and our room was ready between 2 and 3 PM. Actual checkin is at 3 PM. We got into our room a little early, but not a lot. It probably depends on how busy they are. We loved the Moorea Hilton and the snorkeling around the bungalows is very good!

We stayed at the Hilton and I loved it! We also went to the Sofitel for an excursion. It was beautiful, but  my choice would be the Hilton in an overwater bungalow, but I don't think you can go wrong either way. The snorkeling was great around the overwater bungalows. Lots of pretty coral in pink, purple, blue, white and gold. 

On 2/3/2023 at 1:23 PM, JulieD said:

I hope it’s okay to ask this question here. Have any of you compared the PG to a Regent Ship? We are trying to book something as soon as  we can but I’m torn between these 2.  We can afford either but I’m leaning hard to PG because we are down to earth casual folks who recently lost their only child. We like things nice but not stuffy. I feel like PG might suit us better because I get a warmer vibe. 

Julie D. I am so sorry for your loss.

We will be on the April 15 cruise, as well!! Cannot wait!!!

I’m sure you will love either, but the angled balcony is a great choice! I felt like I had the amenities of a mini suite without the extra cost. Enchanted princess is absolutely beautiful - my favorite ship so far. Food was good overall. Some was excellent. Entertainment & the house band was awesome! Don’t miss the sailaway parties from different islands. If the pianist is Funch he was great. They had an Aretha tribute show that was really good, too. I sailed on Grand Princess 2 months later and entertainment wasn’t nearly as good. I felt it was more catered to  “old” people. Of course, there were no deck parties except the day we boarded because of covid. Covid was around when I sailed on Enchanted, too, but none of the deck parties were canceled. I hope you love your cruise as much as I did!

@TexasneeOur balcony was 1/2 covered, so I’m guessing standard balcony would be fully covered since they are 1/2 the width of ours on the widest side. I loved our balcony! It was big enough for footstools and we had a loveseat in our room. I ‘d book that same room  type again in a heartbeat! 

What time is the last tender the first night on Bora Bora and Moorea? Thank you!

13 minutes ago, kleenrcruise said:

Hi! Curious if you went on your dream trip, we booked for May '23 without too much research and I'm just now reading up on everything. Would love to hear how the trip went and if it met your expectations

We aren’t going until April. I will try to remember to come back here and post detsils. I have finalized all my shore excursions, as long as they aren’t full, except Moorea and Raratonga. It’s too far out to book yet. All of my excursions will involve some snorkeling because, for me, this is a snorkel intensive trip ( before I’m too old to do it!😬). @Tahitianbigkahunaand @Petunia have been a wealth of information in 2020 when my trip was canceled less than a month before we sailed and this time, too. I KNOW it will be wonderful!

Thank you everyone. I am beyond excited! I have booked the PG and just broke the bank and we are staying 3 days pre cruise at the Moorea Hilton. I will probably be back with a lot more questions!! Woohoo!!

Oh wow, your photos are beautiful!! What a marvelous looking place!

Do I just google South Pacific travel agents?

Thank you, both! 

37 minutes ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

but do know there are some good offers usually twice a year when PG does their 2 week sales. 

 

Tahitianbigkahuna, can you tell me when these sales are? I am afraid to wait months, but if one is coming up soon, I'd sure like to save some $! I think I'm leaning toward PG. Is it better to stay a night or 2 before the cruise or after? I'd like to stay in an OWB at the Moorea Hilton to snorkel under my room. Guess I might as well blow my whole year's travel budget. LOL

1)What were your favorite islands for snorkeling in French Polynesia and were there any that weren't that great? Rangiroa and Fakarava or Aitutaki and Raratonga better? I prefer coral gardens, lots of fish, shallower depth because I am too buoyant and don't dive down.

2) Is there a big difference between mid April and late May weather?

3) If I want a balcony, looks like Paul Gauguin is the ship. How does that compare to a visit to Moorea Hilton and Bora Bora Conrad in an OWB to get the most snorkeling time? If you were going for 10 days would you limit to 2 islands, vs 3, or cruise? Thanks! 

Any other valuable tidbits appreciated! Hopefully the 3rd trip I plan will be the charm!

I am trying to plan a Paul Gauguin cruise or a trip to Moorea/Bora Bora/possibly Tahaa next spring for my birthday or our anniversary.

1) Is there a big difference in weather between April 20th and very end of May/early June?

2) Which islands offer the best snorkeling? I may decide to stay on 2 or 3 or If we take Paul Gauguin in April it goes to Rangiroa and Fakarava, but in June it goes to Aitutaki and Raratonga.

3) Best time to book Paul Gauguin/do they have sales?

4) Travel agent or book on my own? 

5) First, and possibly only visit, would Paul Gauguin or an OWB on the island give me more frequent, enjoyable snorkeling. I would choose the Moorea Hilton and Conrad Nui Bora Bora to stay due to better snorkeling at the resort, but would also do Pure Snorkeling and maybe an outrigger tour. I snorkel everywhere I go. I don't know if I'm a good snorkeler, but I do it every chance I get. I'm much more excited about coral gardens than sharks...I have seen nurse sharks up close and personal, but that is it.  

I was supposed to visit on a Princess cruise in April 2020 & we all know where that went. Rescheduled on Pacific Princess for Sept. 2020 and that didn't happen, either. The  price of the PG is high and doesn't include air or transfers. I found a 10 day pkg for about $5000 less than the PG with 5 nights in an OWB. If my breakfast is included, would $300 per day cover our meals and drinks? We do like drinks! I'm a little overwhelmed and don't know where to look so any help or input is appreciated! I read all the boards here and on trip advisor. I can swing either, but the PG will use my travel budget for the year and I'd like to do one other trip..., but this may be once in a lifetime. My list is long, but FP is at the top.

On 2/19/2022 at 6:05 PM, mellon1 said:

Very nice!  Do you have a clear around thing to put the medallion in to attach to the chain?  Looking for that.  Thanks.

It comes within a clear plastic holder. Here’s a pic of the back of mine. you don’t need anything else. I took magnetic hooks and hung my mask and lanyard together by the door. I only forgot one or both of them twice…that’s really good for me. I had to run back to the room for my mask once and get our room steward to open doors once. Hubby was already out and I couldn’t get back in.

I don't always have pockets or like to carry a purse so I bought this beaded necklace for our Christmas cruise and it worked perfectly!

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