Holding room

[suenavy]

Good morning everyone. I asked the following question on the Regatta forum for March 16th Cruise from Tahiti to San Diego.

My question is we have paid for a transfer from the airport in Tahiti to what they call a holding area near the ship I assume, before we can board at 1 p.m. that day. My question is I realize you can visit the island but does anyone know what this holding area is like if we chose to stay there for the five hours or so before we board the ship? Has anyone ever done this?

[pinotlover]

Best choice is to have your TA call Oceania and ask to whom they have contracted with in 2019 to provide that service and what that service will consist of. Anecdotal answers of what occurred in years past may not represent current contractual arrangements. In that your cruise is about 70 days or so from now your TA contacts should have that information. Be advised that the customer service reps that answer Oceania’s phone are completely different employees than the ones the TA works with. Those answering the phone on the 800 line may not have ready access to that information, that why I recommend using your TA.

[no fuss travel]

When we ran into that problem they had set up an area where we could leave our hand luggage guarded and had snacks and drinks available. We were Able to wander around town and enjoyed the public market. Do get your TA to ask where the spit will be and I’d they will have a guarded spit you can leave your hNd luggage

[Flatbush Flyer]

OP: take the "air credit" and check out the new direct routes United has from California at very reasonable prices.Fly in a few days early and stay at the Intercontinental Hotel. 

[ORV]

Seeing how the cruise is in March I'd say it's past final payment and a little late for changing horses in the middle of the stream. Since the OP is committed to O air and O transfers they need advice to make the best of that. 

 

The time to ask how to deal with Tahiti would have been 3 or 4 months ago. 

[cswhistler]

We have flown into Papeete twice with O. First one arrived at 9 pm taken directly to ship no problem.

Second time we arrived early morning, luggage after custom pick-up is taken by O for everyone directly at airport to ship, however you are still stuck with hand luggage. Taxi are plentiful and we shared with others very reasonable About $30. So you can wait at airport not much there or at ship docking. We did not have transport and not use of the holding area.

It became a long day. We toured the market which would only take local currency.

Options  might be to take the ferry to Morea, docks next to cruise ship, a short skip and taxi to hotels nearby and spend day at beach, overnight would be great but day trip possible.

You may also be able through O to book a day room, expensive but if early arrival a nice experience.

 

[suenavy]

Dear cswhister, I like to thank you for your positive and very informational response.

 

Sometimes when I read these boards they are so negative. But every once in a while I will get informative answers & enjoy getting information

 

Thank you very much

[sammiedawg]

Not sure of your flight times but we boarded Marina a little before 11 am. We had taken a ferry from Moorea, which docked a few slips away.  Check in was on board the ship in the lounge. 

Taxis from airport to pier are about thirty dollars.  

A few days prior we killed time at an open air eatery next to the ferry.  No one cared how long  we stayed. 

 

[suenavy]

Thank you very much for the information. We are looking forward to our trip.

[delee78]

I can help with this question - hoping that they use a similar process in 2019 as they did in 2018.  We were on the Marina, so this might also be a different process. 

 

We were not able to fly into Papeete early due to work commitments.  I really tried to find information on how the morning would work, but couldn't find anything on the boards or via Oceania.  One thing that I did find out - there are only one or two smaller hotels that offer day rooms.  It is not an option for most unless you secure those rooms many months (or even a year) in advance.  In the end, I was very glad that I didn't pay for a transfer or secure a day room.  We saved hundreds of dollars. 

 

My husband and I arrived in Papeete at 6am on the day of the cruise.  We took a taxi from the airport to the pier.  It cost about $30.  They accept USD. 

 

We were going to drop off our bags and wander around Papeete, but we found out that they let you on the Marina starting at 9am local time.  You have to wait in the lounge until 11am.  But, we had a comfortable, relaxed place to sit.  It was perfect. 

 

I believe that the holding area for transfers was simply chairs in the tent where the luggage was stored.  The passengers who purchased the transfers were able to sit in those shaded chairs until 9am.  They were also the first to be able to board the Marina and were escorted to the lounge.  We probably had to wait an additional 5 minutes to access the ship and the lounge. 

 

At 11am, you are then able to visit all common areas on the ship and you will have access to staterooms per the schedule.  Just let me know if you have any questions - I would be happy to share our experience! 

Edited January 9, 2019 by delee78

[suenavy]

Good morning delee78:

 

Thank you for all the information. We are arriving at 4:30 a m. Because I wasn't getting information about the holding room last week we purchased the transfer. Only because I had talked to a travel agency that told me that either they put you up in a hotel holding area or Pier area probably what you mentioned.

 

We picked this particular Cruise because we love the sea days. Husband and myself were both in the United States Navy, so being on a cruise ship is absolutely wonderful because we don't have to work a 16-hour day. And we can just relax. We are on inside cabin so I know from previous Oceania Cruises that we will not get aboard until 1 p.m. .

 

Thank you I am so pleased that I finally found somebody to be able to answer my question about the holding room. This is our fourth Cruise on Oceania and honestly it's the only Cruise Line we've been on because we've had no negative experiences.

[delee78]

Hi there suenavy! 

 

I guess I should've guessed the Navy background by your screen name! 

 

You are going to have an amazing time.  I don't know your exact itinerary, but FP is a magical place.  It is kind of hard not to have fun in Papeete or any other stop in that area. 

 

Enjoy that morning of your arrival!  We did!  We got to the pier and just people-watched until 9am.  We did some more people-watching in the lounge.  We got to our cabin and dropped off our stuff and went exploring.  I think we got on and off the Marina a few times before we sailed for Moorea.  It is a super relaxed place.  Given you motives for the trip, I think you will get everything you want!  Relaxation is super easy down there!

 

Have a blast!!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 hours ago, delee78 said:

I can help with this question - hoping that .......One thing that I did find out - there are only one or two smaller hotels that offer day rooms.  It is not an option for most unless you secure those rooms many months (or even a year) in advance........

Not true. The Intercontinental Hotel Resort (hardly small) offers "day passes." We use it for changeover days when we're on a multi-segment cruise that picks up folks in Papeete.

[delee78]

Intercontinental was the first hotel that I contacted in February 2018.  They did not offer a day room at that time.  I had to purchase a room at full rate and pay an extra fee to hold the room until the morning arrival.

 

From what I have gathered, they used to offer day rooms but have changed the policy.  I have heard that some folks have had luck with calling within a week of arrival and they might offer you an option if the hotel is at low capacity. 

 

There were two options that I found - the airport hotel and the Fare Suisse.  The airport hotel will not let you book in advance - you just have to show up upon arrival in Papeete and they will give you a day room if available.  The Fare Suisse was booked. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

20 minutes ago, delee78 said:

Intercontinental was the first hotel that I contacted in February 2018.  They did not offer a day room at that time.  I had to purchase a room at full rate and pay an extra fee to hold the room until the morning arrival.

 

From what I have gathered, they used to offer day rooms but have changed the policy.  I have heard that some folks have had luck with calling within a week of arrival and they might offer you an option if the hotel is at low capacity. 

 

There were two options that I found - the airport hotel and the Fare Suisse.  The airport hotel will not let you book in advance - you just have to show up upon arrival in Papeete and they will give you a day room if available.  The Fare Suisse was booked. 

Had an Intercontinental Tahiti daypass on May 28, 2018 including lunch at the Michelin starred LeLotus. Next time try asking for Ms Maeva Faatau and do contact her months in advance as they do limit the number of day passes.

[delee78]

You have to love it when a company gives two people two completely different options!

 

I was told that there were two options - a day pass which gave you access to the grounds (and they wouldn't take your bags as you weren't a guest) or a room at the full rate (which at the time was over $400USD for the cheapest option). 

[Flatbush Flyer]

29 minutes ago, delee78 said:

You have to love it when a company gives two people two completely different options!

 

I was told that there were two options - a day pass which gave you access to the grounds (and they wouldn't take your bags as you weren't a guest) or a room at the full rate (which at the time was over $400USD for the cheapest option). 

It may be that born-in-Brooklyn allure that gets me special consideration😎.

The two day passes with which I am familiar are the Tiare and the Lotus (difference being which restaurant you want for lunch- Lotus is more expensive). 

Not sure about the luggage issue - though I have often successfully asked bellmen to temporarily store luggage at hotels where, though not checked in, I am a loyalty member.

Never hurts to ask.

Also, I may be dreaming but I could swear that I saw a luggage storage concession at the Papeete airport.

In any case, flying in/out of Papeete is not on my list of favorites (though United now having direct flights from California may spur some changes at the airport). 

For those folks who have the time, Tahiti is best enjoyed enroute between continents. I highly recommend a Sydney to California  transpacific cruise.