Tahitian Princess - the way we like it!

[smoothcruiser]

Just think, you joined your cruise vessel and:

 

1) It only took 5 minutes from the time of leaving the coach to being in your stateroom.

2) On arrival at the top of the gangway you were politely greeted with ‘Welcome Back’

3) The photographer ready to take the obligatory arrival photo, was friendly and pleasant and really wanted you to have a good portrait.

4) You are escorted to you stateroom by a steward, whom then explained about the knobs and switches in your cabin.

5) The bathroom was large and the shower area generous

6) The bathroom amenities were generously replenished

7) There is plenty of passing room at the end of the bed

8) The balcony was private and not overlooked.

9) There were no stains on your carpets or settee

10) No noise from above or adjoining cabins

11) You are soon visited by your stateroom steward to ascertain your preferences and dining room sitting

12) No queuing in the buffet area and always a clean table to sit at

13) Food orders ‘cooked to order’ at the Grill Bar by a friendly chatty chef.

14) The Maitre D is readily available and tries his best to find you the table size and sitting of your choice.

15) The dining style was traditional 1st and 2nd sittings

16) Food service and standard to a very high standard.

17) No Norwalk virus

18) There were only 20 children on board

19) There are no sunbed chair hogs

20) The Jacuzzis were not constantly engaged

21) Polite and regular bar service around the pool

22) There was no MUTS

23) Polite, positive pursers with personality and a smiling face,, always willing to help

24) You never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a tender

25) No queuing for Internet service which is always accessible

26) Impromptu singing cabaret by the Captain

27) Value for money tours with helpful and knowledgeable tour staff

28) There are no large ‘hispanic’ families aboard!

29) Champagne waterfall under the stars

30) Weather exceeding your expectations and no rocking and rolling.

 

Sounds to good to be true

 

The above were some of the positive experiences on our early January French Polynesian cruise aboard the Tahitian Princess. We felt that all the staff worked well together and really wanted to be there, and furthermore, wanted to come back to that ship on renewal of their contracts. We felt that on this small ship (680passengers) Princess has got it right.

 

The only disappointment was that due to adverse weather conditions we missed the port of Raratonga.

[guardhouse]

Excellent post! We are on the TP in April 2006. We cannot wait!

[travelhound]

We were on TP when it was still Renaissance R3 (July 2001). It was our favorite ship and favorite destination out of 16 cruises. We experienced most of the same "joys" that you did. We can't wait until we return to this ship as the Tahitian Princess!

[maygoddess]

Ohh..sign me up!! Oh wait..I AM signed up!! LOL!

 

I cannot wait to get on the TP in September! I am busy planning excursions already and bursting at the seams to get on the ship and go!

 

 

220 days and counting down.....

[K32682]

28) There are no large ‘hispanic’ families aboard!

I was nodding in agreement with your post until I saw this. What's your problem and why is the absence of any ethnic group "too good to be true" as far as your concerned?

[chamima]

Smoothcruiser-

We are going in a month and boy have you notched up the excitement level!!

Thanks!

 

K32682

The reference was to problems people had on holiday cruises with large extremely rude, wild extended families who happened to have been Hispanic. Go back and read the posts. I'm sure Smoothcruiser meant no ethnic slur.

[MVPinBoynton]

I am looking forward to experiencing the TP when we board her 4 weeks from today :) Yippee!

[Ahhh]

I was nodding in agreement with your post until I saw this.

 

You took the words out of my mouth.

[bdjam]

The positive experience you note is some of what I experienced on Pacific Princess as well. I think these size ships are Princess’ forte…they should have more in the fleet.

[cruzfvr]

We loved the Tahitain Princess sailing we took last July also. But, looking over your post, I too, was bothered with the reference regarding Hispanic families. :(

[GeorgeD]

Glad to hear as we board next Tuesday, our first Princess cruise.

Is formal night really formal? Do not want to take any jewelry with me or heavy dresses, this is Tahiti after all :>) Would hope one could wear cocktail dress. Thanks for the info!

[jegoodman]

Hi Mike and Carol...

 

Saw your thread and had to pop in and say hi. I'm very interested in how Tahiti goes for you. That's the former Renaissance Ship. I've heard good things about her.

 

I've started cruising again solo.... and closer to home. My mom is home with a full-time attendant. Crystal Harmony last November to the Caribbean. Diamond Princess March 5 to the Mexican Riviera. Also doing Crystal Symphony through Panama Canal next November.

 

Happy Cruising!

[MVPinBoynton]

Hi Jeff,

So good to hear from you. It has been a long time. We sure wish you had been able to go on the Jewel with us. Did you see our review? We took enough pictures so you should be able to experience the whole trip. I am so glad that your mom is back home and that you are cruising again. It sounds like you have picked some good ones. Check our website in late March and we should have our French Polynesia review and way too many pictures. :)

[K32682]

The reference was to problems people had on holiday cruises with large extremely rude, wild extended families who happened to have been Hispanic. Go back and read the posts. I'm sure Smoothcruiser meant no ethnic slur.

If no slur was intended perhaps the original poster would edit to reflect that there were no large unruly families on the ship and dispense with the gratuitous ethnic reference.

[laurieb]

I'm so sorry we didn't get to meet you and Sally. Maybe next time? we are looking at the same cruise for next january.

[jegoodman]

Hi Mike,

 

I read your review with interest and had printed the whole thing out. I felt as if I was there.. and wish I was.

 

Have a great trip to Tahiti.

 

Jeff

[Aussie Gal]

We loved our experience on the Tahitian last March. Would love to have gone again with friends in October who are doing the Marquesas but we have too many other cruises on the way. Never mind there is always tomorrow.

 

Jennie

[smoothcruiser]

K32682

If you have been reading the boards regurlarly you can't have missed the problems over christmas aboard the Island Princess, with apparently large groups of children running amok all over the ship. My review, listed lots of impressions making our cruise an excellent experience. There was no ethnic slur intended upon the hispanic families, but as the thread about the Island Princess led us all to believe that the problem was with unattended family members of 'hispanic groups' (their words not mine) I purley was reporting that there were no such problematic areas on this voyage.

 

George D:

I think that all persons in the restaurant for the formal nights were suitably attired. I don't recall seeing anything out of the ordinary. About half and half with tuxedos, and probably less than half of women in long dresses probably favouring the cocktail dress.

[rberne1]

Hear Hear Smoothcruiser !

Agree with all you've said. We loved the TP as well and can't wait to go back!

 

:)

[dog]

What airline did you use to get to Tahiti? Is there a Business class on it? Was it direct?

[rberne1]

Air Tahiti Nui - non-stop out of LAX. Yes, they do have Business and First class. But I must say their economy was the best I ever experienced internationally, that is. Your own TV, good food and all the drinks 'on the house'. Made for a relatively fast 8 hour flight.

 

:D

[Pam in CA]

Smoothcruiser -- sounds like a great "old fashioned" cruise. The smaller ships really do have the right feel and attention to detail that's missing on the behemoths. We're less than 3 months away from our Royal Princess cruise. Can't wait to back on her.