Burpelson

I love snorkeling, but imho too much time and attention is spent maneuvering compared to watching for cool things. That said there was free time at the end to do one's own thing.

Hi Brandon, I was on this cruise, and I love this review! Accurate, detailed. I'm reliving it! I thought this might be you as I overheard you talking ground stops early on. I too had Midwestern problems w tarmac ins n out at the bend, and ground stops in dtw. Planned almost 5 or 6 hours to change from delta dom to atn in lax, but ended up w just short of an hour. Ran thru w bags, and atn staff checked in asap, then used badge to get us thru security. Holy Cow! Luckily had days in moorea, but missing those would have been costly heartbreak.

Saw you at IC afterwards too. Now I wish I said hi. I love this review! I love that you appreciate your luck and planning and maxing out activities. Good job!

The way I read it, the larger one is US roll aboard sized 14x 22x 9 (which don't have weight limits in the US to my knowledge). So the 2nd at 3kg is much more constricted than my day pack w books, camera, binos, etc.

So this is difficult. The penalties for the hand luggage seem unspecified. ..

Dear Folks,

I was just wrapping up packing and this 3kg constraint for the hand baggage (in addition to a standard sized roll aboard) turns out to be a real constraint. But do they really enforce this? It is their policy (pasted below), but it seems draconian.

Any insights welcome! Thank you.

From their website:

"In compliance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority Regulations, it is necessary to limit the size, weight and number of passengers' carry-on baggage. Passengers on Air Tahiti Nui are allowed the following carry-on baggage:

All carry-on baggage allowances in the table below. Piece AllowanceWeight Limitation

(Maximum per piece)Maximum Dimensions

Combined dimensions

(length + width + height)Adult & Child

(From 2 years old)1

*plus 1 personal item22 lbs / 10 Kg45 in / 115 cm

*In addition to your cabin baggage allowance, one personal item (3kg max) may be carried in the cabin including one of the following: Handbag/pocket book, small camera case, infant bag or baby food, and laptop computer with case."

I was thinking I'd like the security of at least some CPFs. But if taxis take USD, and the ferry to moorea a credit card, I can relax after that.

Tbk is the awesome once again. But at least in some areas, never been to ppt, arrival airport atms can set one up for trouble. Or if they r like my local bank, they can go offline or run out of cash at any tine. I'd gladly change 100USD at LAX to avoid a taxi isdue, etc. Just my well travelled, but not in fp pov.

I'm hoping LAX has a currency exchange w CPFs, hopefully near ATN terminal. Any info on that?

Rick Steves sells adapters for a buck on his .com, both euro and UK styles.

Can someone please describe the dog noise problem some more. Where are they? On the property? How loud are they? Do they really affect only the left (sunset) side?

High prices, but no backing out now! The good news is if those prices are fixed. (Ty, dandee2) I've read little but horror stories about the cabs, with warnings to get price in advance. So are the prices fixed or could a printout of that post be used to set a price?

Is this for both days of a BB visit? What does this for the folks in the other thread trying to plan dinners? Do the sunset excursions operate directly from the ship?

Many thanks for all the feedback! Now I'm going to put my feet up!

Hi all,

I'm on the July 15th 11 day cruise that includes the Cook Islands. What I want to know us how to eat best on the PG esp for dinners.

I'm assuming la Veranda is best food quality, but is it? Should one get to ship to embark at 2:59pm ; ) to make whatever reservations are possible, as soon as possible?

I'm sure there are fairness rules. But I still want to optimize within whatever rules exist and common sense fairness applies.

I've read a lot of love on CC for the Grllie too, esp the al fresco part. How hard is that to reserve? Indeed, am I worrying too much about resto reservations? Perhaps day before or same day reservations work almost all the time?

If la Veranda is optimal, are there limits to the number of reservations? Can one reserve al fresco (specific locations) at la Veranda? Or elsewhere?

Thanks for any help. It will be cherished and put to good use.

TY in advance.

Hi all,

Any updates to this post?

I read somewhere that they added a new tunnel or passageway to speed up transfers.

Also, I've read one should allot 4 hours to safely transfer from dom to intl (ATN) at LAX. Is this true?

Should one allot more time on the return to the US than in the departure, at least LAX-wise?

TY!

TBK,

You are great. One of the most specific recommenders on almost any forum I've frequented.

TY!

Here's some info on laundry prices from PG:

https://www.pgcruises.com/faq?subjects=346#node548 for both cleaning and pressing.

No limit on items. This could be a big benny for those with active days, longer cruises, and/or with longer stays on either side.

Hi all,

When weighing the ATN 11pm departure vs. the 11:45 departure from PPT to LAX, I'm wondering if there is any difference/s in hassles, lines, level of checking/customs staffing, chance of flying on the only unrefitted ATN plane (the Bora Bora), or any other considerations that might mitigate in favor of one departure time or the other?

Many thanks!

Dan

How about Xanax or generic equivalent? I know folks who swear by it.

Dear All,

You have me convinced to do the Moorea hotel stay prior to the PG cruise and not after. What is your favorite OWB on Moorea? The Hilton, Intercontinental, and Sofitel seem to be the big players here, so which of these is best or are others in the mix? Les Tipaniers?

(yes, I've searched the forum and this topic has not precisely been asked or well answered since the Hilton was rehabbed in 2012, PG page 5/12)

My instinct is Hilton as it seems to get the best reviews for snorkeling. But overall relaxation, great food for non super prices, proximity to food/drink options, cool bar options, not nickel and diming, etc. could all be part of the mix.

It seems quite hard/expensive to travel to other islands by air, but I'd hear a case if another choice seems worthy.

Best, B

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. Pls keep them coming from any and all who wish.

Yes, I mean resort/hotel more generally. Somehow, I hope to have some time in PPT too, but also a OWB. I'm probably not coming back anytime soon, so it is sort of all in. Am thinking Tiare in PPT as I want to be in town. Cruise is already 11 days, so that is not bad (Cooks + Society).

One theory is to have some time before and after. I get the time zone args. But a friend suggested to have time to process the cruise after, before the daily grind comes back. Both sound good to me.

Dear all,

What are the pros and cons of doing an OW Bungalow resort option before OR after the PG cruise?

I could see wanting to do it first to get time acclimated or after to unwind even more after what, with active excursions, could be a fairly active cruise? Etc.

What are factors to consider? What do you do?

Many thanks!

Has anyone ever ordered a special diet meal to avoid the dreaded head cheese on ATN (kosher, vegan, low cal, fish, etc.)?

Also, if I understand the hours correctly, AF leaves pretty early in the morning - 730ish, while ATN leaves much later - almost at midnight.

Hence, food and seat risks aside, it seems like you basically get a free whole day in PPT if you fly ATN. Am I reading that correctly?

If so, while I love AF/Delta, I'm warming to ATN as I (anyway) am willing to gain a day in PPT to suffer 10ish hours of first world problems.

Also, as I am probably spending some nights in Moorea post cruise, ATN means I won't have to leave there a day early as I would if I flew AF and wanted to be sure to make it without a heckish wakeup and a ferry gamble.

Great, detailed review. Even small nitpicks can help future travelers (like bring water on excursions!!! Bring food for the return flight - head cheese?? How nutty is that? Want return customers ATN??).

But the overall sense was one of great enthusiasm. Looking forward!!!!

When I googled "tommy Bahama" type shirts, that came up T-shirts. Are collared Hawaiian shirts ok after 6pm and for dinner? TY

I spent a fair amount, but I figured I probably wouldn't do it again. Here are my views on priorities:

Economy air. Can't justify more.

Best rooms in pan pacific and captain cook, Vancouver n anchorage respectively. Really wanted good views as this is central to an ak vacay. That said, here is the most obvious place I'd economize if I go again.

Ship; celebrity in celeb suit 8401. Plus cruise tour. Perfect for great panoramic view in suite or on balcony. I love good food, so luminae and great room service helped. I could see shrinking this too, though. Cruise tour was well led, but did not offer view maximizing rooms. Shame on celebrity. Might consider other land options if do again.

Food on shore, Esp during cruise tour. I tried whatever i had room for. Budget nearly unlimited, tho oddly I did little foodie pre research. Did not buy super great wines by bottle tho. Would never cut local food.

Excursions. Spent anything on this, well over 2k for two. Extended helo glacier excursion was great. Etc. Would find this hard to cut again, except maybe isp zipline.

I loved the misty fjords boat tour. Arrived on day bad enough so that flights were cancelled. But flights were going by afternoon. I don't know what betters flights offer, but surely there are tradeoffs. The boat is 4.5 hours, offers close and somewhat contemplative views. Orcas, bald eagles, and the new eddy stone rock, up into Rudyerd bay fjord, etc. Truly enjoyed it. Plus some of the best claim chowder anytime, anywhere. Boat was only 1/3 full so easy to move to see sights wherever. Perhaps not even a second best option. ; ) That said, I also loved the helo part of my glacier tour at Juneau. Perhaps the best plan is the one u execute!