javadoc3

We've been there 3 times.  The first time was for 2 weeks.  We just take the island bus and get off if a place looks interesting.   This usually includes a stop to snorkel.  Very inexpensive and you can take the bus clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Beautiful picture. Reading your tips reminded me of one of your Reunion Cruise lectures.

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Anyone interested in a January 2021 Reunion cruise?I am hoping that PG cruises will have one at that time.

 

 

 

Cannot make the 2019 one.

Hi Mirium,

This would be a time that we would consider. Not sure if we can wait that long though!

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Thanks!

At the ICT in the Motu bungalows, they now have US outlets, but I used my adapter also just to have 2 outlets

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Can anyone offer any input as to which is a better activity/tour? I am looking at the Vaka cruise ....have email twice and still no response vs the PG Lagoon cruise that I have reserved as of now. The Vaka looks wonderful and rates very high on tripadvisor but the lack of correspondence makes me a little concerned. Their price point is significantly better the PG also. The tours look very similar. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Have you considered Teking? We did his snorkeling trip last month and had a good day. It was booked privately through someone else on our cruise, so not sure how easily he can be reached.

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I been through Le Tahaa several times. My BH wants to stay there for our next trip. All we read from others is how fantastic it is.

We just staying at the Thalasso and love the property. It is a little isolated, unless you wish to take their boat to the Moana, but we throughly enjoyed our 3 days and wished we had more. We also had the breakfast and dinner package, so that we didn't need to leave the resort. Lov d spending time in the lagoon and the beach. Have a wonderful time!

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An update now that we are home. We did go out with Ben and Iti of Moorea Activities Center and would highly recommend them. Both were very knowledgeable, communicated well in English, and taught us about humpback whales. The boat was very comfortable as well. We saw whales many times, was able to get into the water with them twice. Early August they told us is a little early in whale season, so I think that we did well. A plus, Ben was very easy to reach by email. They had a 4X4 at the pier to shuttle us to their facility. We stayed out about an hour longer than planned, so they dropped us off at the tender pier coming back.

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We found the staff wonderful and enjoyed most of the food. I was not impressed at all with Claudine. We got off to a bad start when we wanted to leave the ship right after we boarded. She rather rudely told us that we shouldn't leave due to the muster drill, more than 2 hours later. We are used to the staff greeting us when passing -she rarely did, and it felt a little arrogant. Hopefully she warms up, or they replace her.

On an upside, I want to give a shout out to Captain Tony and his people. They tendered us safely in each port, and the afternoon at Aitutaki was something!

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Jeans are deprecated in general for dinner, and yes, they are hot in that climate. Some nice jeans "make it through", but strictly speaking, they're not allowed after 6 p.m.

My husband usually takes a couple of pair of Dockers - one to wear and one to the laundry. We love getting the laundry package, helps to travel lighter.

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I'll add one a day so you all can get your 'fix' for many months :cool:

 

As we left Motu Mahana (Tahaa) 2nd day ...

 

LInk to view in full resolution: https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-ZPnRjpc/0/c2b4c067/5K/leaving%20bora%20bora%20%281%20of%201%29-5K.jpg

Beautiful! Thanks for your tips at your on board lectures. Put as many as I could into practice and had some really nice shots. Now I'm just trying to cut some of the pictures. Probably don't need 10 or 20 of the same thing, lol.

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Arriving in LAX via ATN at 11am on the 17th of Sept. Delta has now moved up our departure flight to 1:00pm seems like it won't work and not many flights until the evening. Those who have RECENTLY gone through LAX via int'l to domestic would you please comment if there is any way of making it. Would have no checked luggage, and TSA pre-check but not Global Entry. Thanks a bunch

We just returned on Wednesday. We do have GE, and we cleared customs and were checked in for our flight at terminal 3 within an hour of arrival (and that was with a leisurely walk, as we had plenty of time). Hope you get your GE appointments. Also, have a great cruise!

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Last evening met The Dee, Carduchi, and a non-cc couple for drinks at the Tiki Bar. Service slow, as expected, but nice to see Linda and Colby, and Brenda and Scott again.

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Thanks Dandee2 for the info on Moorea Activities Center. They were very easy to get in touch with. We reserved our places with them for the one day that we will be in Moorea. Cam isn't sure that he wants to snorkel near whales and in deep water, but wants to go for what he may see from the boat.

Hope that you have a great trip with them and see many whales.

Emdee,

So glad that you are there safe and sound! Hope the food improves though. We are hoping for a OTW bungalow that is further out. Can't wait to hear more!

TWIN - wish we were going also. Was so nice to meet you last reunion cruise.

When checking in today for our flight from Portland to LAX, we got a super cheap upgrade to first class. Decided that with 2 free checked bags, that the roll-aboard that I was taking will be checked and we will have less to juggle on the plane. My big case is now by the front door and ready to go. :D

Great news for the second year in a row Travel & Leisure magazine and its readers has named our beloved PG #1 mid size ship Ocean cruise line. Seabourn was 2nd, Windstar 3rd, (Ducky please note!) Regent Navigator 4 th and Silversea 5 th.

 

Hearty congratulations to the PG management and especially the staff who make the PG excel. So happy that your amazing service and fabulous location is getting recognition not just from your loyal following but from others as well.

 

Way to go to PG...shall definitely toast you with a glass of bubbly on the 26th of July!

We are with you we you in toasting all who make the PG experience so wonderful!

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This will be my first PG cruise, and although it's still five months away, I'm really excited as I have always had French Polynesia on my bucket list. A little bit of background, and then a few questions.

 

 

 

I will be travelling solo, and my travel agent booked a "solo-designated" cabin for me on deck 7 at the rear of the ship. The room will be a bit smaller, but the balcony much larger than most of the other balconies on board the ship. I am a mid-50s male, single, and love getaway trips like this. My first cruise was to Alaska last year on Princess, and while I enjoyed the experience, I think I'll enjoy this experience even more from the standpoint of the ship itself (smaller and more intimate). I cherish my alone time and enjoy the privacy of a balcony, where I can enjoy the outdoors in privacy when I'm looking for that "alone time". I also enjoy meeting other people who share my interest in travel and enjoy life in general. I tend to be moderately active when travelling, and love sitting on the beach and taking a swim in the ocean or the pool on the ship. Not really big on snorkeling, though I've done it before and enjoyed it to some extent. I will arrive in Papeete very early in the morning the day before the cruise, spending the night at the Intercontinental Tahiti (overwater motu bungalow). I have an early check in, so I'll basically have the entire day, as well as the evening, and about half of the following day, at the resort to relax before I board the ship the afternoon of the cruise.

 

 

 

I do have a few questions, and am open to suggestions/recommendations.

 

 

 

1. I absolutely love taking photographs, and was wondering what some of the best excursions would be for great photo opportunities? Based on my research thus far, it looks like the land excursions offer the best for this.

 

 

 

2. It sounds like a great deal of time is spent off the ship, as the time at sea tends to be overnight, and when in the various ports it seems like you don't want to spend too much time on the ship. When do you find the best times to hang out on the ship, at the pool, etc? It almost sounds like it's ideal to leave the ship early for the excursions, and then come back in the afternoon to hang out on the ship? It doesn't sound like I'll want to spend the entire day at any of the stops on the ship though. I am taking the cruise to FP to see the spectacular scenery and to immerse myself in the culture.

 

 

 

3. Has anyone had a spa treatment on the ship? If so, do you recommend it? One thing I found out the hard way on my first cruise last year on Princess is that the therapists are trained to do a sales pitch on their spa products. I'll admit, I didn't do my "homework" on this and was completely taken aback by it. It was not one of the more pleasant parts of my experience, as I absolutely detest sales pitches, especially when my intent is to relax and not feel any pressure to buy something more. I've read that on the luxury cruises this sales pitch generally doesn't occur. Can anyone confirm (or deny) that? I'll more than likely book at least one massage while I'm on the ship, but would just like to know one way or the other so I can be prepared accordingly.

 

 

 

4. Inside the cabin, I understand the refrigerator is stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water. I assume all of it is complimentary...including the beer? I'm not much of an alcohol drinker, but do occasionally enjoy it.

 

 

 

5. I know I'll be in the minority on the ship by being a solo traveller, but I never feel out of place or awkward. Any thoughts or suggestions on things I might want to consider doing, or doing differently, on this cruise?

 

 

 

6. Has anyone been to FP in November? If so, how was the weather when you were there? I know it's the beginning of "summer"/low season, and I hear it's more humid and rainy.

 

 

 

Looking forward to any feedback/suggestions/thoughts, as I prepare for this upcoming adventure.

One thought for a photo op - from the deck of you OTW bungalow at the ICT. Our last time down there I woke up very early and saw the moon setting over Moorea. I have some fabulous photos.

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Thanks for the replies. I will look up both vendors and see if I have any luck. Great pictures!

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We will be on the July Reunion cruise and wondering if anyone has snorkeled while in Moorea during "whale season". I believe that during the last reunion cruise some saw whales there while they were out on their snorkel excursions. Any info about vendors there is appreciated.

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Thanks for the info on the tunnel/skyways at LAX. See you on the Reunion Cruise!

We have been on board twice, both on deck 7. Wonderful cabins, however the pool deck is above, and they move chairs in the evening and early morning.I'm a light sleeper, so was awakened with the noise.

We love this line and have scheduled B2B cruises in 2017, but no longer on deck 7.

We've cruised to Hawaii (and back) 3 times - November, January, and February. We have had seas more rough going to Alaska and in the Carribean, than the Pacific crossings. Love this cruise, going in February and can't wait.

Hope you have enjoyed your first day at sea. Will follow your thread, as we will sail Feb.2 on the Grand.