Oceania Vs HAL for South Pacific

[Guest ldtr]

On 8/2/2022 at 1:51 PM, madera1 said:

We have been on both HAL and Oceania. We will actually sail on Regatta in April for a French Polynesia cruise. We were scheduled for the longer HAL cruise in March 2020 on a ship smaller than the Koningsdam but it was canceled. In my opinion the beds are very similar and I am not a foodie and have had good experiences on HAL. If you like sodas and specialized coffee than Oceania offers these at no extra cost. We always seem to get more shipboard credits when choosing HAL. So I shop around and until I find  my desired itinerary. We have stayed on Moorea and you can jump on a fast ferry from Papeete so it is an option rather than stay multiple days in Tahiti. 

Where did you stay on Moorea?  Unfortunately our usual go to, the Intercontinental there is now closed.  

[pinotlover]

3 hours ago, ldtr said:

Where did you stay on Moorea?  Unfortunately our usual go to, the Intercontinental there is now closed.  

We stay in an otw at the Hilton Moorea. Great place.

[Guest ldtr]

15 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

We stay in an otw at the Hilton Moorea. Great place.

Thanks we have not tried them yet, though we did check out the Hilton on Papeete a couple of months ago.

[roberts2005]

3 hours ago, ldtr said:

Where did you stay on Moorea?  Unfortunately our usual go to, the Intercontinental there is now closed.  

Temporary or permanently?

[roberts2005]

29 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

We stay in an otw at the Hilton Moorea. Great place.

Can 2nd that.

[Flatbush Flyer]

14 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Thanks we have not tried them yet, though we did check out the Hilton on Papeete a couple of months ago.

What did you think about that relatively new Hilton? On Tahiti, our “go to” is the  Intercontinental.

[DAF7065]

4 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Of course, if OP wants the true FP experience, there’s always a crewed yacht charter, which is not as expensive as most folks think.

 

Contact a reputable Yacht Charter broker like Ed Hamilton & Co. They will spend a great deal of time on best understanding your preferences/expectations/desires including the profiles of the essential crew as well as customized provisioning, itineraries and activities. Not unlike cruise ships, there’s also a wide variety of price points from basic to luxury and all of the above are assembled as a result of your broker communications at the outset and skipper communications once you’ve chosen your ride.

BTW: IMO, it’s the best way to experience many other island destinations (particularly the BVIs) without being bombarded by cruise ship throngs of passengers.

 I have Bare Boated  BVI a dozen times, Thailand, St. Martin, Belize.   We got messed up during Covid Year and had to cancel the last BVI Charter.  Have not been back sense.  I long for this, I do not mind the sailing, working , doing the boating thing.   But we want to be "served" so to speak and no work for either of us for a change.  

[DAF7065]

So many good comments and discussions.   Thank you for your advice and thoughts.  

 

So the Cruise is Spring 2024.   When do I book?   Do I wait?   Do I go to Oceanian Direct?   Do I go to Internet Booking Site?   You all have been thru this many times.   First time for me.  

 

Dave

 

 

[Guest ldtr]

20 minutes ago, roberts2005 said:

Temporary or permanently?

They stated they were permanently closing and would not reopen during the pandemic.

 

When I was on Bora Bora and Papeete in May the staff at the Tahiti Intercontinental said that there was a rumor that they would reopen, but I have not seen any signs of it.

[Guest ldtr]

6 minutes ago, DAF7065 said:

So many good comments and discussions.   Thank you for your advice and thoughts.  

 

So the Cruise is Spring 2024.   When do I book?   Do I wait?   Do I go to Oceanian Direct?   Do I go to Internet Booking Site?   You all have been thru this many times.   First time for me.  

 

Dave

 

 

We just booked the Papeete to LA cruise for 2024.

[Guest ldtr]

20 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

What did you think about that relatively new Hilton? On Tahiti, our “go to” is the  Intercontinental.

We usually have stayed at the Intercontinental on Papeete.  While a nice hotel we found the food service quality to be lacking during this last visit.  Especially compared to the Intercontinental La Moana on Bora Bora.

 

The Hilton has Taken over the Hotel Tahiti property.  It actually looks quite nice.  We plan to try it instead of the Intercontinental Tahiti on our next trip.  It is a bit more convenient to down town than is the Intercontinental.

[Flatbush Flyer]

21 minutes ago, DAF7065 said:

So many good comments and discussions.   Thank you for your advice and thoughts.  

 

So the Cruise is Spring 2024.   When do I book?   Do I wait?   Do I go to Oceanian Direct?   Do I go to Internet Booking Site?   You all have been thru this many times.   First time for me.  

 

Dave

 

 

If you’re talking about Oceania, book now. Do some research and find a cruise specialist TA that sells a lot of Oceania and has “preferred partner” status. It can make for better TA perks (that can have sizable value).

[Flatbush Flyer]

19 minutes ago, ldtr said:

We usually have stayed at the Intercontinental on Papeete.  While a nice hotel we found the food service quality to be lacking during this last visit.  Especially compared to the Intercontinental La Moana on Bora Bora.

 

The Hilton has Taken over the Hotel Tahiti property.  It actually looks quite nice.  We plan to try it instead of the Intercontinental Tahiti on our next trip.  It is a bit more convenient to down town than is the Intercontinental.

I hope we find it better at that IC next March when we stay a few days after a Regatta cruise SYD-SYD-PPT. Did you eat at Lotus? Still worth its Michelin star?

[DAF7065]

22 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Oceania and has “preferred partner” status

What is that and where do I find?   I have discussions with some "internet Sites" and it is a bit much.  

[LHT28]

56 minutes ago, DAF7065 said:

So many good comments and discussions.   Thank you for your advice and thoughts.  

 

So the Cruise is Spring 2024.   When do I book?   Do I wait?   Do I go to Oceanian Direct?   Do I go to Internet Booking Site?   You all have been thru this many times.   First time for me.  

 

Dave

 

 

I would book as soon as you are ready

Shop around for  a good TA that knows Oceania & all the ins & outs of booking with them

You will get lots of advice  on what a good TA can do for you

JMO

 

[Flatbush Flyer]

27 minutes ago, DAF7065 said:

What is that and where do I find?   I have discussions with some "internet Sites" and it is a bit much.  

We can’t recommend TAs here on CC. However, you can search here for several of my (and others’) instructions on how to find a few excellent ones. These TAs will help navigate O’s sometimes complicated booking policies and perks and most will offer added amenities ranging from gratuities coverage to refundable SBC and/or rebates.

 

Oceania used to have a section on their website where you could plug your zipcode in and find a list. Not the best or most accurate way to do it though.

 

Once you start cruising with O, regularly ask other passengers who they use. Over time you’ll find the same handful of agencies and even specific TAs mentioned often. But, fir now, read as much as you can and talk to a few who will ID themselves as members of the Oceania Connoisseurs Club and/or are designated as an Oceania Preferred Partner. 
 

[sunlover12]

2 hours ago, ldtr said:

We usually have stayed at the Intercontinental on Papeete.  While a nice hotel we found the food service quality to be lacking during this last visit.  Especially compared to the Intercontinental La Moana on Bora Bora.

 

The Hilton has Taken over the Hotel Tahiti property.  It actually looks quite nice.  We plan to try it instead of the Intercontinental Tahiti on our next trip.  It is a bit more convenient to down town than is the Intercontinental.

 We were at the Intercontinental in Papeete in March. It's fine for staying for a night or two to adjust to the time change but it has definitely seen better days.  The food isn't great and the air conditioning in the rooms does not get cool enough to get a good night's sleep.  We had 2 nights of uncomfortable sleeping temperatures and were glad to get out of there and board the ship.  I've seen good reviews of the Hilton so if we went back we would stay there. 

We stayed at the Hilton in Moorea post-cruise in an OTW bungalow and it was excellent. 

[pinotlover]

In Tahiti, we stayed at the former Meridian. Forgot the name of the group that took over but still a really nice place to stay. Conveniently located with a good store, with great wine selection, just outside the gates. Also a very good restaurant in the same complex.

[JeffElizabeth]

We find 35 days about a week too long on either line, especially if you aren't cruisers. We are long term cruisers on HAL and like them. I slightly prefer Oceania.  My wife finds HA easier to deal with and she does all the communication. 

Either way, I hope you have a great trip. 

[avalong]

On 7/31/2022 at 2:27 PM, DAF7065 said:

I hope this type of topic is allowed.   Here is my question for those that have cruised both ships.   Or in the area we are looking to visit. 

 

At the end of 2023 I retire and was looking for a break away cruise.   Something to start our new life and get out of the work mode.

 

With that we saw two options.   One is the HAL 35 day round trip San Diego hitting HI, Tahiti and other French Polynesia. 

KONIGSDAM

February 17 - March 23, 2024

 

The other is

Oceania Cruises

REGATTA

March 30 - April 20, 2024

21 days Tahiti, HI then LA.  

 

I go back and forth on these two trying to weigh out each option.    Here are some questions and concerns

35 days seems long time to be away from home / on a ship,  especially as this will be only our second cruise.   Plan one 12 day Med in 2023.  Any issues / advice for the 35 days vs 21 days?

Any thoughts on either line?   What I see is both are good in their own way.  

Dates?   I am guessing both about the same for travel and weather.

Flights not so worried about as I probable use my Delta Miles will have some left over from work.  

Round trip San Diego is easier.  But for me I have been on plenty of Trans Pac flights for work.   So I am OK. but not so much my wife.  

Spending a few days in Tahiti before the Oceania Cruise seems worth the while, any thoughts on this?  I think in general this is pushing us to Oceania.  

 

I look forward to hear any advice to help with these questions.    I also look forward to hearing your opinions on either of these two lines if you cruised and enjoyed either line. 

 

Thanks,

Dave

 

 

Neither. Think Windstar or Paul Gaughin. Also, you'll want to go in July, August or September when the humidity isn't oppressive as it can be in the months you are considering.

[PGCruiser2]

We sailed on the Paul Guigaun to Tahiti and we have sailed on HAL. Paul Guigaun was amazing and will never be forgotten. Our trips on HAL have been wonderful and will also never be forgotten. We made a decision 20 years ago to enjoy each and every vacation experience and we have not been disappointed. We do not compare we just embrace and enjoy.

[Leejnd4]

How fun to find this thread! I just spent a month researching South Pacific cruises, and landed on this Spring 2024 Papeete-LA cruise. Pretty sure we're going to do it, although we haven't made a final decision yet.

 

I've only been on one O cruise - Riviera in the Caribbean several years ago - and loved it. I'm a little worried that the Regatta won't measure up to that experience, at least in terms of the ship, but hopeful!

 

I would TOTALLY pick any O cruise over a HAL cruise any day of the week, for reasons too numerous to mention. 😉

[Flatbush Flyer]

4 hours ago, Leejnd4 said:

How fun to find this thread! I just spent a month researching South Pacific cruises, and landed on this Spring 2024 Papeete-LA cruise. Pretty sure we're going to do it, although we haven't made a final decision yet.

 

I've only been on one O cruise - Riviera in the Caribbean several years ago - and loved it. I'm a little worried that the Regatta won't measure up to that experience, at least in terms of the ship, but hopeful!

 

I would TOTALLY pick any O cruise over a HAL cruise any day of the week, for reasons too numerous to mention. 😉

If you query here on the O forums, you’ll find many folks who prefer the intimacy of the R ships (including us).

[Leejnd4]

2 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

If you query here on the O forums, you’ll find many folks who prefer the intimacy of the R ships (including us).

I generally prefer smaller ships as well. My biggest concern is the cabin size, and the teensy bathroom. Also, I recall really enjoying the entertainment on Riviera...I'm assuming Regatta has less. This itinerary has quite a few sea days.

[ORV]

1 hour ago, Leejnd4 said:

I generally prefer smaller ships as well. My biggest concern is the cabin size, and the teensy bathroom. Also, I recall really enjoying the entertainment on Riviera...I'm assuming Regatta has less. This itinerary has quite a few sea days.

Just get a PH or higher.