Just booked-Tahitian Princess-What can we expect?

[seetosea]

Three families have just booked the Tahitian Princess for June 13th. None of us has ever cruised on Princess, although we have cruised other lines.

 

Questions:

 

Is it freestyle seating for meals?

What happens after the long flight from LAX?

Do you explore on your own or are there excursions you would recommend?

Any formal nights, or is it all casual?

Does a cabin on Deck 3 have a porthole?

 

Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated.

[Rauld]

Hi:

First I want to say you will have a wonderful time in Tahitii. It was one of our favorite cruises. There is no freestyle dinning because the ship is so small but you can always eat at the buffet.

 

The cruise line will take you directly to the ship when you arrive. We choose to go early and spend a few days exploring.

 

The best excursion we took was with Patrick's Adventures in Pappitte (spelling??). He took us an a jeep ride to the interior of the island. He was very knowledgable and the scenery was gorgeous. We did a ship tour where we swam with the stringrays and one where we had lunch on the water. Both were excellent. I can't remember which island these were on right now, and since I am at work, I do not have the information with me. Most of the time we explored on our own. It is a lovely place but be careful of the coral when you snorkle!

 

There were two formal nights.

 

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Have a wonderful time, Princess does a great job and the Tahitiian Princess is a lovely ship.

[Druke I]

We were on Tahitian's sister, (new) Pacific Princess, and it is a lovely ship.

 

Tables are assigned in the dining room, 1st or 2nd seating, with the two alternative restaurants open on rotating schedule.

 

Cabins on Three Deck have portholes, not picture windows.

[laurieb]

you will have a great time! you will find lots of info on this board concerning what to do. be sure to check out some of the websites about french polynesia.

[OnVacation11]

We just returned from the Cook Islands itnerary on Christmas Day. It was a great cruise - we had fabulous weather with very little rain.

As we purchased transfers from Princess, after we got off the plane at 7pm and went through emigration and customs, we dropped off our checked luggage outside the airport and got on a bus with our carry-ons for a short ride to the ship. Check in was quick (there was no Express line).

Since we were tired, we walked around the ship for a bit, then took a shower and went to bed around 10pm. Our luggage was not delivered to the cabin until early next morning (5am).

 

Couple notes about the ship:

- there are no refrigerators in the rooms

- hairdryers are the horrible 'vacuum cleaner hose' types bolted to the bathroom wall - you may want to bring your own

- on the sea days the lounge chairs in the shade by the pool fill up fast

- there are only a few (4 or 5) teak chairs on deck 5 - if you are looking for a quiet and secluded spot

- ice cream is served in the buffet area 3-4pm but it is not advertised anywhere

- there is no skim (fat-free milk)

 

Enjoy your cruise. French Polynesia is amazing ! Moorea was our favorite island. Avoid the 'circle island' tours as there is not that much too see from the road. Try tours that either take you snorkling, go to beaches of 4x4 safaris. That is real attraction of the islands.

[galelynn]

Expect to have a wonderful time. This was one of our favorite cruises.