Tahitian Travels

This will be a multiple post trip -- I'll try and keep it under control and not get too carried away!

 I am listing the gang that I traveled with.  That will make it a little easier for us all as I write this blog - here is the crew on our phenomenal tropical vacation:

Susan - Andrea - Cathy - Michael - Rhonda - Edward - Dave - Kelly

Michael & Edward 

Kelly, Susan, Dave.Andrea

Top: Edward & Rhonda
Bottom: Edward, FP Guide, Andrea, Cathy

Sue & Robin

Our supporting cast - friends made on Cruise Critic:

Sue & Robin

Elizabeth & Robert

Joanne & Paul

Kelly & Marie

We made many other friends on Cruise Critic, but the above mentioned couples joined us on one or  more of our excursions.




Tahiti
Day one

If you would like to travel to a tropical paradise, Tahiti is a great choice.  It's expensive though, and tourism there has not fully recovered since 9/11.  The hotels are beautiful, but pricey to be sure, so we booked a cabin on the Pacific Princess.  This is a small ship, with 680 cabins.  It used to be part of the  Renaissance Line, but alas, that company went bust after 9/11.  The Renaissance ships were bought up by Princess & Oceania. Traveling by cruise ship through the Tahitian Islands is a less expensive way to go, and you get to see more islands.

Our itinerary:  Papeete, Huahine, Day at Sea, Rangiroa, Day at Sea, Riatea, Bora Bora for two days, Moorea, then back to Papeete.

Susan & Andrea take the train

arriving at Union Station. 

Andrea & I live in San Diego, so we decided to take the train to LA.  This was Andrea's idea and it sure was a good one!  Rather than taking a small plane to LAX and all the hassle that goes with it, we took a nice leisurely ride up the coast.  When we got to Union Station, we took the LAX Fly-away bus to the airport.  It was the most stress free trip to LA I've ever taken!

There are not a lot of flights to choose from when traveling to Tahiti.  Air Tahiti Nui has a Monopoly on flights.  They code-share with American, Quantas & New Zealand Air.  It actually cost us more to fly to Papeete than it did to book the cruise.  Even if you plan super early, you can expect to pay between 1200 - 1400 USD for a round trip.  If you can save up rewards points on your Credit Card or have a Frequent Flyer reward system, this is a good time to put those points to work for you.

At Papettee airport

Le Meridian in the back ground

We arrived at Papette after an 8 1/2 hour flight from LA.  Arriving at 6:30 am.  We were not scheduled to board the Pacific Princess until 2 pm.

We booked the 11:59 PM departure out of LAX, so we need a place to hang-out before we could board the ship.









We picked the Le Meridian Hotel, and booked what is called a 'Day Room'.  We were able to check in as soon as we arrived, and had a 4 pm check out.  A short cab ride,and we were at the hotel.  We were greeted at the front desk and served a chilled juice and handed cool towel as we checked in.  Our room was pleasant enough.  We dropped our luggage and went to breakfast.  Let's just say the breakfast options were limited, we were very tired having flown over night, so we went to the way too expensive Breakfast Buffet at the hotel.  After a quick visit to our room to change, we planted ourselves poolside. 

Le Meridian has a lovely pool with a white sand bottom.  A few short steps away was the beach, but we found a spot at the pool to relax.  It was a warm day, partly cloudy, which was perfect!  Every time it got too warm, a cloud would roll on by cooling us off.  We spent a pleasant day poolside, tested the new under water camera I had purchased for this trip in the pool & enjoyed a light lunch poolside with a couple of island beverages.  The poolside service was very nice, and the lunch delicious.

the Le Meridian Pool 

comfortable beds

At 2 pm, we headed back to our day room to shower & clean up before heading to the ship.  Our room was spacious, clean, well maintained and had a shower & tub.  This would be a nice place to say for a few days if you wanted a little relaxation before going on your adventures.

 When we checked out, the front desk agent asked us if we needed transportation and was kind enough to call a cab for us. We thought it might take a while, but the taxi arrive in less than 10 minutes and we were whisked away to our floating hotel.

The Lobby of Le Meridian 

The Pacific Princess 

Upon arrival at the dock, Princess is very organized.  They have your cruise cards ready to go, take your luggage for you and send you off to your cabin.  Security is tight on cruise ships so when you get to the top of the gang plank to enter the ship the first time, they swipe your cruise card and take your picture.  If you have never done a cruise before, FYI - this card is very important!  You need to swipe it each time you come & go from the ship.  Also it is your room key and if you want to purchase anything on the ship, you use your card.  Bottom line - don't loose it! Several of my friends bought laniards to to keep their card in.

Once we arrived at our cabin, we unpacked and settled in.  There is always Food & Beverage of some kind on a cruise ship, so we checked it out and waited for our friends to arrive.



A word about Cruise Critic.  I am a big fan of this website.  If you are taking a cruise you can go on this site and find the 'Roll Call' for your cruise and meet people that will be on your ship.  People use this to fill out private excursions.   For example - I wanted to do a private drift snorkel while there, but 6 people were not enough to make it cost effective.  I posted on CC that I was looking for 2 to join us and found Robin & Sue!  We always plan our own excursions because it is much less expensive than doing it through the ships excursion office.  You have to do the planning and research but it is worth the work.  Cruise critic makes the planning part a lot easier.

I will talk about each of the tour operators as we proceed through the Islands and will talk a bit about how to plan your own excursion,

Safe & Happy Travels
Susan

Websites/Businesses mentioned in todays blog:

This cruise was booked by Joan Mosquinski at Vacations to Go.  Joan@vacationstogo.com or 800-338-4962 ext 7509.  Joan is fantastic and VTG offers great deals.

CruiseCritic.com - Great source of information on any cruise line or itinerary.  I highly recommend this site.  You can see what previous cruisers have done on your exact itinerary/ship, get great ideas for your excursions, fine people to join up with, find out the best things to do and what to stay away from.

Le Meridian Hotel Papeete.  Nice hotel, very accommodating staff, reasonably priced room. Exception - $40 buffet breakfast, I wish they had a continental breakfast option.

Princess Cruises:  this was my second time cruising on Princess.  It was good, but not as great as the Crown Princess.  However, it suited our needs as a moving hotel room.

Air Tahiti Nui -  the only way you'll fly in to Tahiti.  Comfortable plane, pleasant service.