American Samoa - East or West tour?

[Computer Nerd]

For those who have done the 28 night Tahiti cruise that goes to American Samoa, which side of the island is best to see? It seems they have a tour that does the west side of the island or the east side, but not one that covers both. Any thoughts on which would be more picturesque??

[Yehootu]

Talofa Lave

We are doing this cruise in March 2023 for the sole reason to go to Pago Pago. My wife and I met after a fun night in Pago on a layover. We spent alot of time in Pago ( 1985-90 ) but it's been along time. 

 The west tour will take you out of town along the coastal route till the airport where you'll go inland and pass the golf course on your way to a Ava ceremony. Ava is a root that is ground up, strained and served. It has a alcohol type effect, and tastes like dirty dishwater, but still have to try it.

 The east tour takes you out of town, pass the tuna cannery (I didn't eat tuna for along time after smelling the plant). You'll continue out pass beaches and bays and finally it says you go to $2 (it's more than that now) beach for a frosty Villima beer. As my buddy says, the brew masters in Germany were glad to get rid of the guy who went to Samoa to brew beer.

 I'd chose the east route excursion, but that's me.The east is more beaches and the west is more cultural.

 We will probably hire someone to drive us we want to see all our spots on both the East and West sides of the Island. After that night we've been together 41yrs, and don't think we'll be reacting any Blue Lagoon scenes like we did many years ago.

 

[mnocket]

I did this cruise just before the Covid shutdown.  Unfortunately American Somoa was canceled because of a measles outbreak.  Otherwise we loved this cruise and were thinking about doing it again, but since Bora Bora is no longer a port of call we're rethinking it.  Two nights in Tahiti is no replacement for Bora Bora imho.

[Computer Nerd]

6 hours ago, Yehootu said:

Talofa Lave

We are doing this cruise in March 2023 for the sole reason to go to Pago Pago. My wife and I met after a fun night in Pago on a layover. We spent alot of time in Pago ( 1985-90 ) but it's been along time. 

 The west tour will take you out of town along the coastal route till the airport where you'll go inland and pass the golf course on your way to a Ava ceremony. Ava is a root that is ground up, strained and served. It has a alcohol type effect, and tastes like dirty dishwater, but still have to try it.

 The east tour takes you out of town, pass the tuna cannery (I didn't eat tuna for along time after smelling the plant). You'll continue out pass beaches and bays and finally it says you go to $2 (it's more than that now) beach for a frosty Villima beer. As my buddy says, the brew masters in Germany were glad to get rid of the guy who went to Samoa to brew beer.

 I'd chose the east route excursion, but that's me.The east is more beaches and the west is more cultural.

 We will probably hire someone to drive us we want to see all our spots on both the East and West sides of the Island. After that night we've been together 41yrs, and don't think we'll be reacting any Blue Lagoon scenes like we did many years ago.

 

Maybe we'll see you onboard. We're doing the March 2023 cruise as well.

[oldracer]

It really doesn't make a difference; the scenery is the same all the way around. The highlight of the tour is that it is done by American Samoa High School kids. They do a great job, and you can tell they love their island.

[PacnGoNow]

On 5/21/2022 at 2:11 PM, mnocket said:

I did this cruise just before the Covid shutdown.  Unfortunately American Somoa was canceled because of a measles outbreak.  Otherwise we loved this cruise and were thinking about doing it again, but since Bora Bora is no longer a port of call we're rethinking it.  Two nights in Tahiti is no replacement for Bora Bora imho.

Agreed