Tahitian Priness - Transfer or no transfers

[madaroch]

For those of you who have ever done the Tahitian cruises, some say that getting transfers from the airport to the ship from Princess is the way to go because cabs or expensive. Others say get a cab and pay what it costs then you can move on you're own time. Those going over Christmas and New Year's what are you doing?

[Spikesgirl]

This can be a toughie and I will be the first to admit that we always get the transfers. However, when we flew in to Tahiti, we landed at about 1 a.m. and were whisked through Baggage Claim and Customs onto a bus, where we and several other folks sat forever until someone decided to actually show up and drive us to our hotel.

 

There were plenty of taxis, even at that time of the night. if you are coming in during the day, getting a cab shouldn't be a problem. Depending upon where you are headed and when can make a big difference in cost. If you are going directly to the ship, the cost can run you about $40 (at least that what it cost us to go from the ship to a hotel just past the airport).

 

We went the week after New Years and many of the shops were still closed for holiday break. Le Marche was open as were most of the stores at the mall though.

 

All in all, it was an incredible cruise and we can't wait to do it again.

 

Charlie

[sunsetme]

cabs are not expensive and you get to the ship much faster on your own both ways. do not buy the transfer.

[madaroch]

Thanks for the input. We get in at about 7:30 p.m. on December 17

[Cruise2Fun]

We did the Hawaii to Tahiti in June and we opted for taking a taxi to the airport. It was cheaper, $40 sounds right. And you don't get there at the same time as the buses with all of the cruise passengers to wait in line to check in. We had no problem getting a taxi, they were already waiting at the pier. And when we got to the airport the taxi driver gave us both shell Leis - a nice friendly send off home.

[Toto2Kansas]

Definitely NO TRANSFERS unless you like to stand in very very long lines for up to several hours. We took the transfers and when we were headed back home, we almost missed our flight. By the time we got checked in, we had exact 15 minutes until boarding. It was very close.

The buses load and you sit, and you sit, and you sit for sometimes hours before they allow them to unload. Not a fun way to end a cruise at all.

[chasetf]

Definitely NO TRANSFERS unless you like to stand in very very long lines for up to several hours. We took the transfers and when we were headed back home, we almost missed our flight. By the time we got checked in, we had exact 15 minutes until boarding. It was very close.

The buses load and you sit, and you sit, and you sit for sometimes hours before they allow them to unload. Not a fun way to end a cruise at all.

We ran into the same thing. They herd cattle loading buses, unloading buses, getting you in the check-in lines because you are all headed the same place at the same time.

 

You can probably beat the madhouse by disembarking early, getting a taxi to the airport, but you will probably have a wait at the airport if you are boarding the same plane(s) the herd is. But the wait in at the gates will be much more comfortable.

[guardhouse]

We were a group of 4 on the Tahitian in late April/early June. We had 14 bags total between us and one wheelchair. That included all outr carryones, snorkel gear, etc.

 

We paid $30 each way, including tip. Transfer was $30 PP, so we saved $30 per couple and were first to the ship out of our group of 14, and we were first to the airport by 30 minutes and we got off the ship at the same time as our fellow travelser.

 

The taxis were great.

[SeaYa52]

We found it much cheaper (our's was $20 - the folks who left at the same time in another taxi paid $25 - go figure - this was for the taxi, not pp). We stayed longer on the boat - left midway between to ship transfer buses - and ended up infront of the transfer folks in the long line.....really long line....but shorter for us at the front. I would not do the ship transfers.