Wind Spirit 17 day cruise spectacular

[Petoonya]

On the last 7 days of 17 days Twice the Tahiti. Did this 25 years ago on Wind Song and it was the cruise of our lives then, and it gets our votes for the same again. Service, food, atmosphere of the ship and of course the incredibly gorgeous Fr Polynesian adventures combine to make us the most relaxed and dazzled we’ve ever been. I’ll be back in a week or so to write a review but just had to report something now. Weather has been stunning for the last 10 days and we got our first day of overcast and rain today. But nothing’s a problem on this cruise.

Edited December 7, 2018 by Petoonya

[salmn]

 

37 minutes ago, Petoonya said:

On the last 7 days of 17 days Twice the Tahiti. Did this 25 years ago on Wind Song and it was the cruise of our lives then, and it gets our votes for the same again. Service, food, atmosphere of the ship and of course the incredibly gorgeous Fr Polynesian adventures combine to make us the most relaxed and dazzled we’ve ever been. I’ll be back in a week or so to write a review but just had to report something now. Weather has been stunning for the last 10 days and we got our first day of overcast and rain today. But nothing’s a problem on this cruise.

Looking forward to your review, especially what you did at each port.  We booked Twice the Tahiti for next November and would like to know the good and the not so good things about each port. We are looking forward to the snorkeling and water activities, so would like to know where the best places were if you did that. Which places would be good to rent a car and see more of the island and which places would be best to stick with WS excursions. Most of the reviews talk about the food and the staterooms, so got that, but would like details on the ports. It is going to be a long wait--good thing we have some other trips planned in the meantime!

[Petoonya]

Salmn, glad to hear this is what you’ve booked. Have lots to say about ports,activities, cars, other transport etc. We’ve snorkeled every port and been thrilled with all the providers. Today ended the 10 day cruise and started the 7 day so the ship had a day in Papeete. We took the ferry to Moorea and did a day stay at the Hilton Moorea- fantastic. Great snorkeling, scrumptious lunch included. Tomorrow the ship is back to Moorea and we have a car and more snorkeling at the Lagoonarium planned. Did an independent jet ski snorkel tour first Moorea day. Lots more details to come. Half the fun is planning isn’t it? Best wishes.

Edited December 7, 2018 by Petoonya

[minidonuts85]

Was wondering how it was going- so jealous! Cant wait to read your review!

[milepig]

We were onboard the itin before you. Toward the end the weather became so humid that it was almost unbearably hot - even the crew was complaining. Did it get better for you? Our day after the cruise we had one of those "get really hot, have a little rainstorm, the humidity improved, then it got hot and humid again, then it stormed..." days. People seemed to have two reactions - sit in the pool at the hotel up to your neck or hunker down in your room. Almost no one was walking around, the balconies were empty. Just miserable.

[Petoonya]

It’s still heavenly. We’re in Raiatea today and did L’ Excursion Bleue with Bruno. Was superb! We were the only takers in a catamaran that seated 12, so we got to snorkel just the two of us with about 100 gray tipped reef sharks in the lagoon among other activities. Stunning. Milepig, hate to say but our weather could not be more perfect. It was sunny the first 10 days- moderate humidity but always a breeze. Then had 2 days of cloudy/rainy stuff, but back to sunshine today. The last 2 nites have been quite rocky leaving the dining room half empty, and delightfully quiet. It’ll be at least a week before I can review but have to say that if you are thinking of doing this....DO IT. We’re considering a repeat of the 17 day next year.

[Petoonya]

Milepig, the weather is as you say, steaming hot now after a few days of rain. This is first day of two in BB and only day we did not have in the water/snorkeling trip planned. We’ve been hanging out on the marina most of the morning but just had lunch outside and it’s an oven. If we weren’t water people this could be challenging. But in a few hours a breeze will come thru with relief as it has in the afternoon almost every day.

[milepig]

4 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Milepig, the weather is as you say, steaming hot now after a few days of rain. This is first day of two in BB and only day we did not have in the water/snorkeling trip planned. We’ve been hanging out on the marina most of the morning but just had lunch outside and it’s an oven. If we weren’t water people this could be challenging. But in a few hours a breeze will come thru with relief as it has in the afternoon almost every day.

The breeze should come up at dusk, but our night in port in BB was miserable. We made an early night of it and crashed. The next morning was already very hot by breakfast. 

 

On the postive side. If you take the tender and then go to the road and walk right a very short distance you’ll find a gallery with the only real art we saw the entire trip. Beautiful glass. 

Edited December 11, 2018 by milepig

[Petoonya]

Actually we were able to comfortably sit and read on the front of the boat here in BB by 3:30 pm today with lush breeze cooling us. The Yacht Club party was at 5:30 and it was heavenly out on deck. Tomorrow we’re doing all day with Lagoon Service and then the BB motu dinner. Was wonderful our first time thru last week and as long as no rain looking forward to again. Our friends were chosen as dance partners by show members last week, and my husband swears he’ll be in the men’s room at partner choosing time tomorrow, the spoil sport. It’s all just been wonderful. Can’t wait to write review and share about shore excursions too. 

I did see the gallery with the beautiful glass. Stunning.

Edited December 11, 2018 by Petoonya

[milepig]

12 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Actually we were able to comfortably sit and read on the front of the boat here in BB by 3:30 pm today with lush breeze cooling us. The Yacht Club party was at 5:30 and it was heavenly out on deck. Tomorrow we’re doing all day with Lagoon Service and then the BB motu dinner. Was wonderful our first time thru last week and as long as no rain looking forward to again. Our friends were chosen as dance partners by show members last week, and my husband swears he’ll be in the men’s room at partner choosing time tomorrow, the spoil sport. It’s all just been wonderful. Can’t wait to write review and share about shore excursions too. 

I did see the gallery with the beautiful glass. Stunning.

 

We enjoyed the Motu BBQ - I thought the participatory dancing went on too long, and I was the one in the men's room at that point a couple weeks ago. I got caught by the similar event during the lei making demonstration on board. WS does a really nice job of the Motu night, and the food was excellent, although dessert, which we didn't need, was a bit week.

 

I mentioned in another thread that we had the WS Brass on board. They had their own little VIP table on the Motu, and as we left they were behind me and I heard the CEO say "nice event, what did it cost us?"

 

Bring your camera and watch for the sunset, it was unbelievable the night we were there. Also a great chance to get some shots of the Spirit with the sails illuminated.

Edited December 11, 2018 by milepig

[Petoonya]

Yes Milepig we really enjoyed the first Motu BBQ here on BB last week on this Twice the Tahiti cruise. Agree with you, it went on longer than it needed to but everyone seemed to really appreciate. This second go round of the cruise gives me a chance to get shots I didn’t get the first time, tonite being no different. Pretty funny comment you picked up on! Interesting Twice the Tahiti is a combined 10 and 7 day. Only 30 people stayed for both. These last 7 days it is an entirely different loud party crowd than the first 10. The dining room which is usually noisy (to us anyway) is deafeningly loud. And where the lounge after dinner used to have 3-4 couples, now it’s packed. There a few large family groups and a large travel agent contingent. Next week an Indian family has rented the whole yacht for a wedding as well as a motu.

Today is the 4th of our four days total in BB, tomorrow second of two in Huahine. Then back to Papeete. Not ready for it to be over but  we more than got our moneys worth. Would do it again in a week but not for the Indian wedding. Wonder where the elephant will come from?

[milepig]

1 hour ago, Petoonya said:

Yes Milepig we really enjoyed the first Motu BBQ here on BB last week on this Twice the Tahiti cruise. Agree with you, it went on longer than it needed to but everyone seemed to really appreciate. This second go round of the cruise gives me a chance to get shots I didn’t get the first time, tonite being no different. Pretty funny comment you picked up on! Interesting Twice the Tahiti is a combined 10 and 7 day. Only 30 people stayed for both. These last 7 days it is an entirely different loud party crowd than the first 10. The dining room which is usually noisy (to us anyway) is deafeningly loud. And where the lounge after dinner used to have 3-4 couples, now it’s packed. There a few large family groups and a large travel agent contingent. Next week an Indian family has rented the whole yacht for a wedding as well as a motu.

Today is the 4th of our four days total in BB, tomorrow second of two in Huahine. Then back to Papeete. Not ready for it to be over but  we more than got our moneys worth. Would do it again in a week but not for the Indian wedding. Wonder where the elephant will come from?

 

At a recent Indian wedding I attended there was no elephant but the entire wedding party must have practiced their dance routine for weeks - spot on Bollywood and then there were fireworks off Navy Pier. Chartering the entire Spirit for a family event - great idea for those with deeper pockets than mine.

 

I can imagine the group line dancing all around the Spirit from the Bow aft to the Pool deck and then around again. It sounds like a total blast.

 

Does the large travel agent group bother you? We had one itin. where they sort of took over the entire ship and the rest of us felt almost captive.

 

On our trip many people gathered on the pool deck as Candles was starting to finish up. The breeze was up and there were beautiful evenings up top. I must admit that we never poked our noses into the Lounge after dinner - I hate that space and with the evening breezes calling... Our cabin was right below the lounge and I could hear a bit of noise coming through our vent in the bathroom, but it didn't penetrate into the cabin.

 

To anyone else reading this thread. If you'r thinking about French Polynesia just DO IT. The Spirit is the perfect ship for the ininerary. We did the 11 day and had a great trip, but if you only have time for the 7 do it anyway. The 17 sounds like a dream, but by the time our 11 days were over work was calling.  The trip is great for anybody, but if you scuba or snorkel the agenda is beyond perfect.

Edited December 11, 2018 by milepig

[carysb7478]

Is the casino still there? We'll be on the 7 day departing next week 

[milepig]

Yes. as of 2 weeks ago. 

[Petoonya]

Yes casino still operating but will be closing very soon.

Mikepig, it just is a very different vibe on this than the last weeks 10 day. Sometimes feels like a lot of whooping and hollering of cowboys! People trying get into Amphora in cutoffs. People blasting their TVs at 5am in cabins on either side of me so loud I can hear like the TVs on in my cabin. It’s really not so bad but noticeable. I hear there are about 35-40 TAs on this leg. We don’t like the lounge either but start off walking thru it before we head out to the upper deck at night. 

 

Outside of that the cruise is out of this world. The staff knocks themselves out trying to make you happy. And the natural beauty of this part of the world is overwhelming. We have plans to do the 17 day again in 2 years as long as Windstar is doing it then. Yesterday we snorkeled with lemon sharks in the open ocean. Big, beautiful and mind blowing.

 

Yes, just do it. I think the 10-11 day would be right do most people, unless you’re like us and can’t get enough water activity. Then do the 17 day!

[minidonuts85]

This has been inspiring!!! cannot wait to see your pics when you return if you dont mind sharing.   I am now looking at the 10-day over New Years Eve Dec 2020.

[Petoonya]

Minidonut,

if you are able to your best chance of good weather is May-Oct. It’s the rainy season right now and while we lucked out with beautiful weather it’s a little unusual even according to the crew. We’ve been fortunate in the past too- have cruised FP in January, but next time will do Apr/May. So happy to hear that this thread influenced your decision to go. You won’t regret!

[minidonuts85]

2 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Minidonut,

if you are able to your best chance of good weather is May-Oct. It’s the rainy season right now and while we lucked out with beautiful weather it’s a little unusual even according to the crew. We’ve been fortunate in the past too- have cruised FP in January, but next time will do Apr/May. So happy to hear that this thread influenced your decision to go. You won’t regret!

I am glad you raised that point about the weather because we also considered July for my BFs birthday! I think we will settle on July !

[Petoonya]

We just got home last night and I did my review tonight. I'll start a new thread when it's posted. It's terribly LONG! I'm still on a Wind Spirit high I guess. It's been so long since I did a review that I didn't know there were two parts to it, and the ports were separate from the main review. So mines all jumbled together 😞

[minidonuts85]

On 12/15/2018 at 8:01 PM, Petoonya said:

We just got home last night and I did my review tonight. I'll start a new thread when it's posted. It's terribly LONG! I'm still on a Wind Spirit high I guess. It's been so long since I did a review that I didn't know there were two parts to it, and the ports were separate from the main review. So mines all jumbled together 😞

Cant wait to read it! welcome back!

[salmn]

On ‎12‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 8:01 PM, Petoonya said:

We just got home last night and I did my review tonight. I'll start a new thread when it's posted. It's terribly LONG! I'm still on a Wind Spirit high I guess. It's been so long since I did a review that I didn't know there were two parts to it, and the ports were separate from the main review. So mines all jumbled together 😞 

Looking forward to your review.  Any idea when it will be posted.  Thanks--glad it was a good trip for you.

[Petoonya]

I posted it about 5 days ago and they pretty much said they'll review it when they get around to reviewing it which I suspect won't be after the holidays. Thanks for your interest!

[minidonuts85]

Awesome pics!! What kind of camera did you use? 

[milepig]

Great pics indeed. Then, it’s really hard not take them on this itin. The one is a joke. Apparently WS couldn’t decide whether it was center or centre, so they just left out the R entirely. 

Edited December 22, 2018 by milepig

[milepig]

A couple more. The last is from the Motu bbq.