Pip Paul Gauguin Excursions

Thought I would start a thread to talk about excursions and activities on the PG. Please chime in with opinions if you've been before, and questions if you are going.

Just to start the ball rolling, I'll post what we've done in the past. In another posting, I'll post what I'm thinking of doing this time. There's also "not to be missed" stuff on the ship...

We've done:

Raiatea:

- Outrigger/4x4 land and water trip -- really good

Bora Bora:

- Shark and Ray feeding -- great, good snorkelling

- 4x4 trip-- really fun, some pretty rough roads, but nothing awful, lots of interesting things to see on BB

- Le Truck tour -- nice, although we took an a/c bus instead, which is good 'cause it's hot down there!

Moorea:

- sunset cruise--this ship is no longer there, maybe the catamaran would be as nice...

- Dolphin trip -- really great, especially if you are into wildlife. We got lucky and saw lots of dolphins, also did some really good snorkelling

- Bus trip, Belvedere. OK. Our first look at the island. Kind of oriented towards getting you to buy things, several shopping opportunities! Must see: Belvedere

- 4x4 trip. Great. Really liked it. See all the same stuff as above, but do lots of backroads too. Opportunity to climb really high up over Opunohu Bay! The agricultural station is quite interesting as well.

Tahiti:
- in the steps of Gauguin. OK. Good way to stay cool, if the Beachcomber lobby is the alternative. Must see: the Museum of Tahiti. A bust: the Gauguin museum

Wendy - thanks for starting this thread and for all the tips above. It's going to be such a huge help. We're lucky to be able to take advantage of your past experience.

Talked with Tom a little today about what type of excursions he's interested in and printed out the detail from Radisson's website. Now we have to find a way to narrow it down. It looks like we're going to stick to mostly the Island tours and snorkling. Maybe one of the 4x4 tours and DEFINITELY the waverunner. These are our initial thoughts.

Cyndi

Well Cyndi, I'm hardly the expert, lots of things I haven't done. And also lots of others here at LCT who have been as well, so they can give us their wisdom.

You also want to be able to play it by ear a bit. In my experience, not all excursions sell out immediately, so you have time to think about it on the ship.

And there are times when you just want to stay on the ship, or walk around town and take it easy.

Shipboard activities which I remember fondly:

- the children of Raitaea perform the first morning. Great fun, lots of great pictures--there are Mamas there who sell stuff as well, shell jewellery, pareos, etc.

- the pareo tying show

- the Gauguines generally

- Siglo, the band, many events poolside (we hardly ever made it up for the evening shows)

- the Polynesian dance troupe the last night--excellent!

fyi,

found this site on tahiti explorer thread on rental cars, since we will rent a car on Moorea in March. Discount coupons on other products too.

www.thetahititraveler.com/coupons/default.asp

I'm so glad to hear that there is lots of time spent on the ship. I was beginning to envision everyday spent doing nothing but water sports and excursions. Nothing against that, but I also like to lounge and relax and enjoy the beautiful sights.

Is Siglo still the band on the ship? I thought I read in a recent post somewhere that it was a different band. I've heard lots of good things about Siglo.

Cyndi

FYI,

If you are planning to do the Bora Bora Lagoonarium,
Bora Bora night dive, Bora Bora pearl farm or do the jet
ski (don't know that the 10% discount coupon)
will work for the waverunner on bora, bora.
but it is worth the shot..check out this
link..Also, there are 10% coupons for other
facilities (restaurants, bars, museums) on all
the tahitian islands..

www.tahiticoupons.com/English/dream_idp.php?debut=0&ile=1

Someone else can update us on Siglo, but my understanding is just that they get a long vacation every year, and are therefore replaced at times by another band. Sure hope they are on in May!

Thank Wes, I will have a look at those. We're going to rent a car somewhere, not sure where, either Moorea or Tahiti.

I haven't looked into prices yet, but there's lots of discussion about this and other stuff over at www.tahiti-explorer.com

Wes - Thanks for the website for the coupons. I'm checking it out now.

Wendy - I have gotten so much good info on the tahiti-explorer site. It helped me decide on my precruise. I visit it often.

Cyndi

Wendy - On our live chat did you say that the Waverunners is best on Moorea? I'm wondering if that would be the one we try to make our group excursion.

Cyndi

I think for the group excursion, are we talking ALL of Ngaire's people or just the LCT posters? We are very open to much of the excursions, but, I have been way to busy to read through the booklet yet - many many choices!

The wave runner on Bora Bora was unbelievable. Doug and I did it twice. The wave runner on Moorea was good too, but not as spectacular.

Parasailing over Bora Bora was beautiful.

All of the snorkle trips were great at all the islands...especially Sea and See. The snorkling was the best I have ever done. Doug is a scuba diver and doesn't like to snorkle, but he agreed that the snorkling was pretty incredible for just snorkling. You see a lot. I also liked the lagoonarium. The only trip I was disappointed in was the Pearl Farm and snorkle trip on the first island. It was just ok.

The motu days are not to be missed. They are wonderful.

We rented a car on Tahiti with another couple. It is a beautiful island and you can meander nicely around.

I know a number of folks who took some of the more historical, archeological trips and had high praise for them. I think, all in all, all of the excursions are really excellent. It is up to you to just decide what interests you.

Doug really enjoyed his scuba excursions.

Hi Cyndi,

No, we haven't done any waverunners. I have mixed feeling about this. It's also pretty pricey. I don't like jetskis in my home habitat--they are the scourge of our lakes. They probably don't harm the environment all that much, but they can't help either, can they?

We'll see, I'm pitching it to David to see if he's interested. It might just appeal to him since he loves his motorcycle, and otherwise doesn't really like the water that much.

Yes, the land trips that I have taken are all good. Seeing the Polynesians is good. Shopping is good too. ;)

I am interested in doing some different snorkelling trips this time, since I never felt that the snorkelling on the motus was that exciting. Lots of fun, and beautiful, but... there's a new one on Bora Bora where they take you to a coral hospital, where they are recovering damaged coral and nursing it back to health. That sounds really interesting.

As you can tell, I'm a bit of an environmentalist.

So, everybody's busy talking about Alaska, and it's freezing here in Toronto, so I'll bring this thread to the top again.

I got my new 5th edition "Hidden Tahiti" on the weekend. Am reading up, slowly, on the possibilities for driving around Tahiti and/or Moorea.

Also interested to hear from former PG-ers about their very favourite snorkelling excursions (aside from the motus).

Things I'm thinking about trying this time:

- Raiatea Lagoon and Snorkelling
- Exploration of Taha'a (have not set foot in this place!)
- BB Land and Sea Safari
- Moorea, Going to the Beach
- Moorea, Lagoon Discovery

I see that some of the newer excursions on the rssc website are not in the PDF brochure. I'm also interested in:

- BB, Coral Preservation & Snorkeling Program
- BB, Lagoonarium - Open-air Aquarium Snorkeling Experience
- Moorea, Botanical & Agricultural Walk
- Capture Moorea - Photo Adventure
- Raiatea, Jungle Hike up to the Waterfalls

Several references have been made to available night dives - we will be on the PG for 3 weeks in November with diving being a major attraction. I find, that as years go by, a night dive loses the battle against the attraction of dinner (and a few glasses of wine) compared to suiting up and getting wet! Ergo the question (finally) - Are the night dives really night dives (after dinner) or dusk dives (before dinner)?

Wendy - I hadn't thought about the noise level of the waverunners. I know that I always avoid areas with jet skis because of that. But it still sounds like so much fun. I'll probably give in on this one. Plus, if we're the ones making the noise, how can I complain :D

I pulled out the info Ngaire sent me when I booked. She has a lot of info and her own personal reviews about the excursions. Tom & I are going to go over it tonight I think. So maybe we'll be closer on being able to really get involved in this thread.

Thanks so much for all your info. It really, really helps!!!

Cyndi

I got all wrapped up in the Alaska thing and I am reading this thread thinking that I've hardly looked at the brochure and what excursions I want to take.

Since photography is my hobby, I will want to take lots of photos. I have to look and see what lends itself to lots of R and R and some photo ops with some other stuff in between.

Kathy, photo-ops abound:

- sunsets
- flowers and other plants
- fish and coral
- mountains!
- beautiful Polynesian men, women and children

The first time we went I shot a couple of pictures of children swimming of a quay in Moorea with horses. It was great.

Ah, makes me wish it was closer!

Wandra, What was your most favorite island to 4x4? Have you done any horseback riding on any of the islands? Have you done the aquasafari? Are your excursions always taken through the ship or directly from the tour operators on the islands?

Other thoughts...

Shopping is the best on Moorea. There are vendors at the dock who sell lovely things. There are also pearl company cars at the dock. They will take you to the pearl shops with no pressure and return you to the dock. You can be comfortable taking these vans. The pearl shops were the best on Moorea, but do look elsewhere as well. I particularly liked the Black Pearl Gem Factory. There are a number of nice shops in this strip that you can also visit. You can call the pearl shops and they will pick you up and deliver you to anywhere on the island. You can buy lovely things right on the ship and the price is right as well. I think I got the best price on Monoi oil on the ship. I bought a gorgeous necklace on the ship and lots of souvenirs brought on board by the Polynesian dancers.

The waverunner on Bora Bora is lovely because the waters are beautiful and gentle. You stop 2 times...once to swim on this spectacularly clear sandbar and another to have delicious fresh bananas and coconut on a little island. It is a very restful and enjoyable ride...lots of fun and you socialize alot.

The wave runner on Moorea was not as spectacular, but you get to play with the friendliest rays for a while. It is lots of fun.

The Lagoonarium experience was nice, but it was a controlled snorkling environment.

The Sea and See experience included wonderful views on a 4 by 4, a nice boat trip and then the best snorkling I have ever done.

I agree that the snorkling at the motos was not great, but it was a wonderful time.

As far as hiking and biking....remember, it is brutally hot.

Yes, I will concur on the heat. In that climate, for the most part, hiking is out of the question. But I thought I would at least consider it this time, if I spend the next 4 months in training :cool:

No, I have not done any horse-back riding. Not sure if any is available, although I did see long stretches of beach on Moorea where it would be very nice to do that.

We have always gone with the ship's excursions. Radisson treats you so well, there's nothing to worry about or plan. I like it that way.

Yes to the Monoi oil on the ship--the soap is great too, I use it all the time, but last time they no longer sold it on the ship. It's everywhere in the shops.

I think the Bora Bora 4x4 is probably the best, mostly because of the historical element--the WW2 history. On the other hand, the scenery in Moorea is breathtaking, and some trip up to the Belvedere is mandatory. And the Moorea guides seem to go out of their way to entertain their guests.

Kathy - You probably saw this, but there is the "Capture Moorea - Photo Adventure" Radisson excursion on Moorea. #MOO6893 - 4 hours. Limited to 6 guests so I guess it could get booked fast.

Tom & I have decided on just one excursion per day and are most interested in:

Raiatea -

Snorkel and Black Pearl Farm Adventure
Raiatea Island Tour

Bora Bora -

Waverunner (sounds like Bora Bora is
best for this)
Motu (offered by the ship)
Helicopter Flightseeing
Island Tour by "Le Truck"

Moorea -

Dolphin Watching Expedition
Lagoon Discovery with Snorkeling
Helicopter Flight over Moorea
Scenic Moorea
Botanical & Agricultural Walk

So now that we've narrowed it down, I'm going back to reading all the helpful posts I've printed out. There are so many past PG'ers that have given great insight - especially Wendy!! And Sedona you've helped too!!

Cyndi

Wendy & Sedona - Thanks for reminding us about the extreme heat. Even a short walk will be harder in that weather. I hadn't even thought of that.

Cyndi

Cyndi, My 2 cents....I would not recommend the
Raiatea -Snorkel and Black Pearl Farm Adventure. The snorkling was so so and the Pearl farm not too exciting. It was mostly set up to sell you things from a very small collection of pearls.

I heard that the Raiatea Island Tour was far superior and everyone who took it really loved it.

Bora Bora - You can do both motu and something else. Don't miss the motu. Everyone of the other tours was highly recommended. We only did the waverunner. We had a back to back and did it twice!

Waverunner (sounds like Bora Bora is
best for this)
Motu (offered by the ship)
Helicopter Flightseeing
Island Tour by "Le Truck"

Moorea - Heard great things about the dolphin trip. I enjoyed the Lagoon discovery.

Sedona - Thanks so much. From your post right before your last, it sounds like Moorea is the place to check out the black pearls. And we will be doing a lot of snorkling from our OWB in Bora Bora on our precruise. So I wouldn't even miss the Snorkel & Black Pearl Farm especially if it's not that great.

For the waverunner - we also want to wait to see what the majority will do so we can join the group excursion if one is planned.

All your info is helping to narrow it down!!

Cyndi

Since we were on a b2b, we had the first week to learn about black pearls and look at the shops in Tahiti and the second week to purchase. We thought Ron Hall at Island Fashions on Moorea was reasonable and had good quality. I had read good things about him before going. The shop is walking distance from where the tender lands. Someone also had recommended that we seriously look at the vendors on the motu during the all-day picnic. In the end, we found a few items from a woman on the motu, who had a pearl farm, and after having them appraised here, they turned out to be wonderful buys. (We had also shown them to Hall during our second, who acknowledged that we had done well.)

When we were on the motu, I wasn't impressed with the expensive pearls that the vendors had, but bought lots of the baroque black pearls at a great deal. Bring cash if you plan do buy things on the motu.

I loved looking at the shops on Bora Bora for the pearls. However, the deals were best on Moorea and the choices better. We did a back to back, so I controlled myself and shopped (did not buy) on week 1. I bought the best deals on week 2. I took cards, called ahead and had the purchases ready for me. They even delivered the pearls to the ship on Moorea.

I think the PG trip offers so much...great food, service, wonderful beaches, tours, shopping, entertainment. You are very lucky to go on this trip. Cyndi, where are you staying on Bora Bora? It is such a beautiful island and the beaches and water around the island is spectacular.

I haven't done the black pearl trip. But I have been on a black pearl farm tour elsewhere, and it was very interesting. Learned alot about the pearls, and why they are so expensive. Also learned about the grading and certification system (which I have forgotten almost completely.) What I do remember is that you get what you pay for.

If you buy the cheap loose pearls on the motu, you shouldn't expect much--apparently there is a kind of blight or something that affects some pearls. It shortens their lifetime drastically. Don't remember anything more about this. It may just be the high-end producers' way of getting you to buy their product.

You are all giving such great tips on the Black Pearls. It's going to help to be more prepared when I get there. Any specific tips about black pearl rings? I LOVE rings and think that is what I'll be looking for the most.

Sedona - We're going to Hotel Bora Bora for our precruise. When I was researching, it seemed like it was one of the best for snorkling, had fantastic service and quiet surroundings. We wanted to keep to the flavor of the islands and thought that HBB would provide that more than one of the bigger resorts (even though we usually love the bigger, beautiful resorts). Hope we chose wisely.

Cyndi

Well, glad I keep Ida away from this board..
have a tape recording going at night that
repeats, "NBP, NBP, NBP..No Black Pearls"

r/wes

Wes - good luck!! You know how determined we shoppers can be <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Cyndi

They have a great presentation on the PG about black pearls. I actually learned more about them there then on the tour. I highly recommend the lecture.

There are two organizations which grade the pearls, but they are done by the naked eye. Each of these organizations claims to be best.

Black pearls are not black. I was amazed at how many colors they come in many colors including magenta, turquoise, green, purple, blue, gold, black, grey, and mixtures. They are graded by eye... A, B, C...A's are flawless, B's have a flaw that can be hidden on a ring or in a setting and C's have more flaws. Then, there is luster. The best pearls have a luster similar to a mirror. There is no additional rating or higher cost for color. Then, there is size...a 10mm is large and costly and an 8 is rather small.

A C quality round pearl around 9mm with high luster should cost around 250-300.

Baroque or teardrop shaped pearls can offer a better value and can look lovely in certain settings. Hope this helps. You should see all of Ngaire's pearls. She is the real expert!!

Hey Cyndi,

The thing about the pearls is that it's really best to buy them loose, and have them set when you get back to the States. Gold is very expensive in Tahiti. You can work with a vendor to pick the right pearls for a particular kind of ring, or perhaps work with a jeweller at home, before you go.

We also had the "NBP" mantra going in 2000. But we came back with a modest pair, which I had made into earrings. I love them.

Wait until you see the natives wearing their pearls. Everywhere, they are just everyday jewellery!

Sorry I am so late to this topic. What we are thinking of:

RAI 444 snorkeling on Raiatea

Waverunner, helicopter, lagoonarium, and shark feeding on Bora Bora. Can all four be fit in over two days along with motu time?

Lagoon discovery and parasailing in Moorea.

Any that we need to ensure that we book 60 days out?

thanks,

Marc, you've worn me out just reading about all you hope to do in Bora Bora :D But then I guess the helicopter is rather short, so maybe you could add that in with another excursion. I'm pretty sure we want to do the waverunner (if the group decides on it). I think we decided to pass on the helicopter since we'll be flying over Bora Bora to get to our pre-cruise hotel. I also want to do the motu. Maybe one more, but not sure.

Wendy & Andi, I just realized I didn't respond to your last inputs on the pearls. Thanks for all the info. I can just print out this thread as a handy reference guide while I shop. That is, if I shop. I just re-read the info Ngaire sent on the PG. It includes all her great info on pearl shopping too. But, the prices are even higher than I thought! I'll look, but may not buy.

Marc,

I'm guessing you mean RAI 4444 "Raiatea Lagoon and Snorkelling". This looks fabulous, and includes a visit to Taputapuatea, which is good.

I've read that there is some nice snorkelling here, so I might do that too.

As I remember, we just have the afternoon there--in the morning the children come on board to perform, and tenders don't start until noon. Not sure why they don't dock in Raiatea--they built a brand new dock for the Renaissance ships, and I the Tahitian Princess uses it now, but the PG didn't last time we were there.

Cyndi, I've been reading in my guidebook about the Hotel BB--it sounds like the snorkelling there is fabulous. So lucky you! I'm still thinking of trying: Coral Preservation & Snorkeling Program
Tour code: BRB6911. This is at the BB Pearl, which hotel I would also love to see.

Marc, I know you love water sports, so it looks like you have it right.

I pulled out my old "Daily Passages" and looked up the schedule for BB. If the schedule is the same (and who knows if it is!), the Helicopter Flightseeing is first thing in the morning (8:30/9). So is the Shark and Ray Feeding (8:30). There were two Waverunner times, one morning and one after lunch. So, you should be able to fit in the motu one afternoon!

Or...I might just go kayaking from the sports platform that afternoon in Raiatea, or go the enrichment lecture, or go to a Tahitian dance class, or make shell necklaces, or...have a nap!

Wendy, one of the biggest reasons I picked HBB is for the reviews I read on the snorkeling there. Can't wait to try it from our OWB. That Coral Preservation & Snorkeling sounds good too. (so many do!!!) The BB Pearl is supposed to be beautiful. I also think I might vote for the things you mentioned in your post just above for the afternoon in Raiatea. I want to enjoy the PG itself and relax. I'll rest up for the fun filled days at Motu Mahana and Bora Bora.

Marc, The Bora Bora Lagoonarium #BRB1605 is one that we are considering. Is that the one you mentioned? It sounds good and is one that Ngaire liked and said that most people rave about it. But then again, the Shark & Ray Feeding Snorkeling Tour #BRB1606 sounds really good too.

If we were to do the waverunner in Bora Bora what are the pros & cons of doing it on the 1st or 2nd day of Bora Bora? According to the schedule we get in Bora Bora at 9:00 am and the 1st waverunner starts at 8:30. So we would have to do it at the 1:30 time. What do you all think? Would it be better to do the waverunner in the morning on the 2nd day? Or afternoon of 1st day?

Cyndi, I really envy your pre-cruise! I'm sure you will have a fabulous time. I thought about upgrading our pre-cruise, but decided not to be greedy--we are doing a back-2-back, after all, so 2 days in Tahiti should suffice!

And gotta keep something for next time! I am definitely addicted to French Polynesia, so I can always live in hope there will be yet another visit in the future!

Cyndi, I will try to give you my perceptions on some of the tours.

We enjoyed doing the waverunner in the afternoon on both of our trips and did the Lagoonarium in the am in week 1 of our back to back and the shark and ray feeding on the other week.

I don't think it makes a difference am or pm for the waverunner. However, I think being with the animals in the am is better. I personally preferred the shark and ray feeding to the Lagoonarium. I liked the Lagoonarium a lot, so this is just comparative. The pros of the Lagoonarium are to be able to see a lot of fish in a controlled setting. You can swim from area to area holding onto the sides in a combination of large tanks. So, it is a "pool" experience. You can get out and sit and then go back in.

The shark and ray experience is unique. It is exhilerating to stand or swim among these fish and a learning experience as well. You stand on a sand bar, so it is a comfortable experience in the open sea. I preferred the less controlled environment and the ocean was just beautiful in this area.

Marc, Yes, you are pushing it with 4. Let's say you spend 1/2 day on the motu on one day. You have 3 other excursions to enjoy over the three days. You could do the helicopter very early in the morning to enable you to fit it in on the day you do the motu.

The water in French Polynesia is so gorgeous, if I had to choose a controlled pool experience or to be out snorkling in the ocean, I would choose the latter. The snorkling tours were fantastic. The moto snorkling on your own was just so-so.

Bring bug spray for the motus. I remember getting bitten up by gnats. You will also need water shoes and loads of suntan lotion. Try the delicious shandys (beer and lemonade).

Andi,

Such great advice. Thank you, thank you. After hearing your input on the Lagoonarium and Sharks & Rays, I really think we will choose the Sharks & Rays. My hope is that we will have enough snorkeling on pre-cruise at HBB to see as many fish as possible without needing the controlled environment. But sharks & rays won't be as common (I think).

So maybe on the 1st day we could do the motu when we 1st get there and then the waverunner in afternoon. Then on next, full day, we could do the Sharks & Rays in the am and maybe just relax in the afternoon. We probably won't need any kind of tour of the island as we'll be there on our pre-cruise for 3 days. Yeah!!! I think I've now worked it out (with everyone's help) at least all except Moorea. I'll move on to that now.

Wendy, I envy YOU with the B2B!!!! If only we could have it all. But then we'll both have things to look forward to for the next time. I also envy you, Andi for already having done the B2B :)

I remember now that I really want to do the Dophin Watching Expedition on Moorea. It starts at 1:00. We appear to arrive on 1st day at noon. I guess we could still make it by 1:00. Or we could do it the 2nd day. If we did that, maybe we could do the helicopter on the 1st day. Any other "must do's" I should consider for Moorea? (Besides pearl shopping :) )

Cyndi, you have to go up to the viewpoint at the Belvedere, at least I think that's a "must do" on Moorea. It's ravishingly beautiful. All the land-tours on Moorea take you there.

Keep this in mind for sure, "you can't do it all". The time is short at each of the locations. And for you, having the pre-cruise, you want to leave some latitude, because you may decide to do an excursion or two on Bora Bora before the cruise!

I have heard that the helicopter ride on Bora Bora is more spectacular. I can believe this--the island has an interesting shape, and the lagoon is very large.

I really loved the Dr. Poole excursion. I learned alot, and we saw lots of spinner dolphins. Others have not been so lucky. He also comes on board ship, I believe, to give a lecture. I haven't eaten yellowfin canned tuna since.

I also heard great things about the dolphin tour. The folks, who took the tour, said that they can never participate in one of the controlled "swim with the dolphins" after that experience as they learned it is too inhumane.

On one of the islands, See and Sea was a tour. It included jeep rides up to the top of the island (Belvedere?) and then a boat trip and snorkling trip. The snorkling was unbelievable - More fish than at the lagoonarium. People on our first week raved about it. The waverunner is fun there as well, if you want to do two tours. You get to kiss the rays. It is so cute..you pull up on the wave runner and the rays come up to see you, like puppies.

Cyndi, I envy you. It was two years ago for me. I have my memories and you will have the experience. Have a spectacular time. It's hard not to have a great time.

So many great FP excursions to choose from! I'd have to say our favorite (and most unique) was the lagoonarium in Bora Bora. I doubt if you could go wrong with any of the choices.

We didn't do the dolphin watch but since you're out on a boat getting to the Lagoonarium or the shark & stingray feeding (we did both) you will see the dolphins if they're out there. Paul went on the dolphin watch but didn't see any dolphins on that particular day!

Too many choices!

With the two snorkeling excursions in Bora Bora, if we have to choose just one, will probably be the easier one. I prefer shallow water snorkeling. Still would be nice to fit in both snorkeling excursions; after all, the helo and waverunners are both short.

Thanks for all of the advice!

The waverunner wasn't short. We all had to assemble and be driven to the place to get our waverunners. Then we were fitted out and shown how to use them. Then the ride was really long and fun and we stopped to swim on a sandbar. Then we went some more and we stopped again for fresh bananas with shaved coconuts. Then we went riding again and went back to the place we started and switched back to the van to be brought back to the ship. We then had to wait to be brought to the ship at the pier. We didn't seem to have any time left over. The waverunner in Moorea had some time left to shop at the resort and was shorter than the Bora Bora excursion.

Thanks Andi. We may have to shorten our list of planned excursions. Waverunner and helo one day and one snorkeling excursion and motu the other.

thanks,

Edited to add:

I just checked schedule for an earlier sailing. Looks great for doing helo (1 hour) and wave runner (2.5 hours) first day, just that shark feeding and lagoonarium are both scheduled for am of second day. May have to choose one of those two and spend rest of time at motu. Oh, life's tough decisions. :D

I bet you could do Lagoonarium on your own with a taxi. It is a water park/museum. Perhaps rent a taxi and go on your own? I think this would be doable.

Well Marc, I didn't do the Lagoonarium, but it's probably pretty controlled and easy, and "walkable". The shark and ray feeding was easy too, snorkelling-wise. Most of it was shallow enough to stand. I ventured off to see some great clumps of coral with lots of fish, it was very calm and may have been over my head, but not by much--the boat was nearby, and there was no undertow or current. Easier even than the motu snorkelling, where there, you have to be a little cautious with the current, also no sea urchins. The snorkelling part was lovely--since I'm usually solo, I have be a bit cautious, despite the fact that I'm completely comfortable in the water.

Wandra is correct. It is like going to a pool. It is rather deep, but you climb down stairs and can hold onto the edges. It is walkable.

Wendy & Andi,

In looking thru this entire thread once more, I see you both had already answered some of my questions. Forgive me, it's hard to keep track sometimes. And thanks for taking the time to tell me again :)

I see there is an Island Drive and Belvedere #MOO1794 on Moorea. But, Ngaire does not recommend this as the A/C in bus is not good and they drop you off to shop in a tiny place with nothing to buy. She does recommend renting a car and touring the island yourself, including Belvedere. Maybe we could do that.

Marc, isn't it so hard to choose? So many things we want to do and not enough time. B2B is sounding better all the time!!!

Andi, I don't see a "See and Sea" tour mentioned. Does it go by another name sometimes? Maybe they aren't offering it anymore.

You both are making the Dr. Poole excursion sound really, really good!.

Marcie, thanks for your input too. Was Paul very disappointed that he didn't see the dolphins on his excursion? I guess it's the luck of the draw sometimes.

Wendy, I have heard that the helicopter ride on Bora Bora is more spectacular than Moorea. But I've also heard that if you get on the correct side of the inter-island plane on the ride to Bora Bora for pre-cruise, you can get a fantastic view. And that will already be paid for. What do you think?

At HBB I've read that each night a couple of huge Manta Rays come to the boat dock by the OWB's. I can't remember if people feed them, but here is a picture I ran across of one of the guests with the ray:

http://www.kathyandandrew.com/media/honeymoon/hotelborabora/IMG_1391.jpg

Cyndi, we did the Island Drive and Belvedere first time, in 2000. I think it depends on the tour provider how it works. We had a small modern bus, with very good a/c. And a fairly entertaining commentator. And we got dropped at a place with some decent stores. But we also spent alot of time at the island distillery (all the tours stop there), so I thought the tour was pretty commercial and mostly oriented towards getting us to buy stuff. Any type of land tour seems to include: the distillery; the Belvedere; the main marae. Most of them include: a trip to the agricultural research station; some kind of shopping.

I agree that renting a car would be good--I think we will do that one week or other, or maybe a motorcycle if we can find one--my husband would love that, he's a real enthusiast, and a very good driver. I've heard that renting scooters is too dangerous, and the road up to the Belveder e is fairly steep, I remember.

As for helicopters, sounds like your flight into BB has that covered. I'm too cheap to pay that kind of money for a 15 minute or so helicopter ride.

Again, we really loved the 4x4 on Moorea. But no shopping included.

Wendy - you are right about it depending on the tour provider and commentator. That even happens on the tram at San Diego Zoo. Some guides are great - others, blah!!! I'm still thinking about the Island Drive & Belvedere. Being that it will be at the end of the trip and us old folks will be tired, we may just enjoy going on an excursion with not too much excitement, yet beautiful views. I may just veg out on the ride - Ha!!

I have also heard that the scooters are dangerous. I know the 4x4 would be a great scenic tour, but I just know I'd be a big chicken on those steep, rough roads. And no shopping, not a plus :D

I just copied a calendar page for May to jot down the excursions we are interested in. It helps me to see it on a calendar so we don't overextend and can plan times, etc.

I hear you, Cyndi. But you sure don't look like old folks to me! Funny how none of us mention our ages ;)

I'm looking at Raiatea, and see this:

Clear Kayak Safari to Motu Ofetaro

This sounds pretty cool.

I just saw this in RSSC website for Bora Bora:

Waverunner & ATV Action-packed Adventure

Any body done it before?

I am sorry to hear that the See and Sea isn't offered. It was a 4X4 ride to the Belvedere and a snorkling trip with huge moray eels and wonderful fish of all kinds.

The waverunner and ATV sounds like fun. It wasn't offered 2 years ago. I'm sure they are constantly improving the tours. All I can say is I was never disappointed in any tour I took over the 2 week trip. I know the choices are hard. I was glad for a back to back for that reason.

Yes the waverunner/ATV is new this year (I think). Just wondering how much it will be, since the waverunner alone is 200$ already.

Also, the web said only avalible for 4 people at a time (VERY limited).

Waverunner and ATV is $395 per couple (share wave runner and share ATV).

If you want to see prices, all you have to do is select a sailing within 60 days and time of day (am or pm) and price are included.

Wow, that's way over my head. And ATVs are another one of my private hates, along with jetskis and their ilk. Oh well, have to content myself with the BB motu or shark feeding!

What's the difference in a Jet Ski and a Wave runner? I just got told that I have a disk problem and I have to be somewhat careful to not have any trauma to my neck, so I am thinking that I will not be able to do the waverunner?

Technically, they're the same thing - just different companies.

Kawasaki Jet Ski
Yamaha Wave Runner

Masaki

Kathy, I was wondering the difference too. Thanks for clearing that up Masaki.

The excursion info does warn about people with bad necks and backs. Tom has back problems on and off. I'm getting concerned about him. Are the waverunners really that bad if you take it easy on the speed?

The group tour leaders tend to go very fast on the wave runners. There were significant bumps. That's what makes it "fun." So, unless you are doing this privately or with another couple with the same restrictions, you are not guaranteed of a slow ride.

Cyndi,

Well then Tom can hang out with Frank (who is very conservative about this stuff) and me (who is not, but has to be careful - sniff).

I think I will go thru the whole 90 pages in the next few weeks and make our more sedate selections.

Don't stress over the excursions. We have found RSSC to be great about last minute sign ups and have never had a problem getting on a tour -- even at the last minute.

Kathy, well if Tom doesn't go, I sure won't. I'm the chicken in the family. :D

90 pages? No wonder this is all so confusing :)

Andi, thanks for giving the info on the speed of the waverunners. I was afraid of that (literally - LOL ). I'll talk to Tom and see what he thinks he should do. Glad to hear we may still have a chance to change our minds about some of the excursions once we get there.

Yeh Cyndi, keep in mind that it's only lately that you could even book them in advance! This on-line booking capability is bound to change things a little, but I'm betting that most won't bother. That's just a feeling I have, not sure if it's true.

I remember stressing about booking the Dr. Poole Dolphin trip, because that was something that notoriously sold out, and I really wanted to do it. So, if there's anything that you have your heart set on, by all means pre-book, but the rest can wait, I figure. Of course, you can always cancel the bookings once you are on board, so I guess it doesn't hurt to pick some in advance.

Wendy, I wonder if there will be any bugs in booking on-line. Yes, the Dr. Poole trip is one I'll book 3/22/05 (I think that is the 1st date we can do it for PIP).

Wes, you are within 60 days of your PG cruise,( :) ) have you tried booking on-line yet?

Cyndi, no, we're going to wait until we board...just kidding; yes, did that back on 4 Jan..booked six dives with the PG and four with outside operators, wave runner, parasailing for Ida, Bora 4x4, Dolphin Watching, River & Island Tour, Shark & Ray feeding, Lagoonarium, NBP farm adventure, ..one day week #2, just for car rental on Moorea with Hans and Kim (LCT Members on the 12 March sailing)...r/wes

Wow, Wes, you're going to be busy!

I'm thinking about a car rental as well on Moorea. Did you do a booking using one of those discount coupons?

Yeah, Wes!!! I knew I could count on you. We'll be waiting with baited breath to hear all about these excursions to help us make up our minds :) Of course, we won't mind hearing ALL about the PG too!!!! I sure wish you & Ida were going on PIP with us, but I guess it's too much to ask you to wait till then :D :D

Wendy, was going to use Europacar (sp?) but on
CC they say there no longer in biz on Moorea..Albert's gets good reviews..and our T/A
Susan of B&K said you can easily book one right off the dock...r/wes

Cyndi, thanx for asking, when we booked last June, I was unaware of LCT--so did not know about PIP..but I will take lots of photos and
post either during or after our trip..r/wes

We'll hold you to that, Wes!!!

Hey Wes, yes, Albert's is pretty popular. And I remember them being there at the dock at Cook's Bay last time. So that's what we'll do too--that way we don't have to plan it in advance!

We booked on line for our New England Itinerary last year on Navigator and we Faxed our request for Bermuda - it was an experiment. For Bermuda they claimed it was not received but we got on all tours anyway and for New England our tickets appeared on our door when we were unpacking. Very smooth. So other than the photo tour and maybe the Lagoonarium or any snorkling trips for the out of shape swimmers where I can touch bottom would be perfect. A car rental or 4x4 trip is good too.

Kathy, Glad to hear the on-line worked really good. Just a note - the 4X4 excursions also warn about neck and back problems. :(

As for the 4x4s, they are not that bad, but you have to use your own judgement--it's a very "hands-on" trip, periods of jostling where you have to work to hang on. But it's slow-mo, not break-neck speed.

And since you're sitting sideways in the back of a jeep, motion sickness is another issue--if I go on one of these again, I will definitely pop a bonamine pill first.

The 4x4 portion of the river trip on Raiatea was quite tame, as I remember. The one on Bora Bora was the worst, jostling-wise.

I didn't realize you sit sideways. I really have a problem with motion sickness. That isn't good!

Yeh, the ones I've been on were all Land Rovers with benches in the back, down each side. But, there's always one lucky passenger who gets to sit with the driver, so maybe you could be that person!

One of my favorite things to do is rent a scooter (from Alberts at Cook's Bay) and tour the island of Moorea on our own. There is only one road and it is very easy. The scooters give you the freedom to stop where ever you want and go see the resorts and see the Dolphins at IC Beachcomber. There are some breathtaking places to stop along the road. We have also taken scooters up to Belvedere twice with no problems whatsoever. The scooters have a little storage compartment so you can take a towel and stop at the public beach by the Sofitel Hotel. You can also stop at the little shops around the island. It only takes a couple of hours to drive the whole island. My other favorite thing to do is to stop and have a drink at the outdoor bar at Club Bali Hai on Cooks Bay. It is a gorgeous view and their hot dogs are the best! We have felt very safe on the scooters (they don't go very fast), but I would not recommend driving them at night.
Sally

Sally, Did you have to worry at all about someone stealing the scooters while you were away from them? Can they be locked?

Sally, that's good to know. And you've not found it particular dangerous? You share one scooter?

That sounds like just the ticket for us.

Wendy/Mounds - Yes, my husband and I shared one scooter. I don't recall worrying about someone stealing them - I'm sure Albert's can advise you of it. We didn't find them particularly dangerous at all, we are pretty careful. They give you helmets to wear. It is just so great to have the freedom to stop and see everything as you go! I would also encourage you to go on your own to Belvedere - it is so cool! Moorea also has these little weird looking 2 seater "fun cars" - I'm sure you will see them on the road. But there are lots of tourists out with various rental vehicles. The circle road around the island is pretty flat and a 2 lane road. I would do it again in a heart beat. My husband and I have rented them the last 2 times we were there. If you were staying on the island and needed transportation at night - then I would definitely rent a car. But during the day you should be fine.
Sally

PIPsters - Here is a very handy site which has time for cities all over the world, including Papeete:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock

Rats, it did not copy as a URL. Oh well, it is short and easy to enter manually. To find the time for Papeete, click on Australia/Pacific in the Time Zones section at the top of the page. Then, when you click on Papeete, you get options including sunset and sunrise times (on May 21, PIP Day, sunset is at 5:32 pm). This whole world clock site is a great one to add to your Favorites. I use it all the time at work. Much easier than trying to add sixteen hours to Pacific time to try to determine whether I will be waking someone up when I call them in Singapore. Have fun.

Cheers, Fred

Well, maybe it will copy as a URL. Here is the one for May sunsets/sunrises in Papeete:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclo...=sun&month=5&year=2005&day=1

Here is the one for the world clock for Australia/Pacific (Marcie, lots of Austalia and New Zealand cities here):

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?continent=australasia

And here is the one for Papeete:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=278

Fred

Just read this thread. I'm not going on PIP but...Cindy and Wendy, remember you can always cancel a Radisson excursion with 24 hour notice. We usually pick the excursions ahead of time and change as we need to. Only once did they not receive the choices we faxed to them before the cruise. It worked out anyway. Now you can choose them online. Just document in case you have a problem.

Editing to say, this is Kim:

So much to take in :rolleyes: I can hardly decide what excursions I want to do! After reviewing everyone's suggestions, here is our wish list: (addtl suggestions appreciated!) Prices were taken from the 3/26 itin.
Raiatea: Clear Kayak Safari to Motu Ofetaro/ $54pp, 4hrs, PM. Clear kayak taken across the lagoon to the Motu, swimming, lots of fish. I didn't see anyone mention this, I think this looks fun. Anyone??
Taha: What do we do there? Relax??!!
Bora Bora: I was stuck on doing the group waverunner excursion (if we have enough participants), but, just ran across this: Fun Cat Tour/$225pp,31/2hr,AM 1st day, PM 2nd day. 2hr ride, two-seater w/bimini top & cooler, goes to the Motu, snorkling. Seems to be the same type of tour as the waverunners. Anyone interested?? Probably won't be as rough as the WR since it's a little boat. We've been on these before, fun. And I can't handle being on the back of a waverunner, makes me ill. I'll have to have my own. So, this would actually be better for us. I think it sounds like a blast!
Still interested in the WR tour, no ATV's for us, John doesn't like them :(
The other two I'm interested in, is the Shark & Ray feeding $79/AM both days; and maybe the Aqua Safari. But, I noticed they offer that in Moorea also. So, maybe we'll do it there, so each day won't be jam-packed.
Moorea: Definitely will do Sally's suggestion of renting scooters for the day. Actually, probably will rent one of those little 2-seater cars, get all our shopping done, see Belvedere and tour the island. On the other day, I'm undecided between:
Dolphin trip, Dr. Poole/$95, 31/2hrs PM
AquaBlue Underwater Walk/$79, 30min. underwater.

So, I still have some narrowing down to do. I would love to do a group excursion with everyone. I mentioned the funcat since some of you seemed to not be so keen on the WR excursion. I like either one equally. My only preference would be to do it in the afternoon. Just because I happen to have cruised with some of you and KNOW that I won't be able to resist the late night shenigans :D :D :D and get up at a decent hour.

OK, this is a very late response to hrprof's question, but I just got around to reading this thread. The Bora Bora lagoon night dive is an actual night dive. When I did it in January 2004, I skipped dinner to go on the dive and caught a snack on my return.

One nice thing about that particular dive is that it is the same site as the morning dive that day. So, if you go on the morning dive and also the night dive, you see the same place with daytime active life and nightime active life.

george

I knew this was my kind of group!!!!

Maybe I missed it, but how much does it cost to rent the scooters on Moorea? (Sounds like fun)

Ah yes...

Tinker Kimmi is wise for her years.

Afternoon excusions are best! OK, we get to FP rarely, but so do we get to party with friends like these. :banana: I want to do it ALL!!!!

Hmmm .. how about BOTH the waverunner and the funcat excursion? Cheers, Anne

WARNING. Those little two seater car/scooters look cute but they are VERY bumpy and there is often a fuel smell from the engine behind. Take a Towel with you to sit on to be kind to your rear end if you do one of these. They ARE cute and they are fun but you need to be aware of the bumps and the smell. Maybe they have improved them since our last trip but that is the way they were. You cant really go far with them - trying to get around the island would be a bit difficult they dont go very fast.

Tahaa - John and Kim you dont do anything except snorkel, canoe, eat and enjoy yourself. No excurison on Tahaa the day at the beach is perfect. I will be under my umbrella, with a BIG hat with a BIG tee shirt with periodic dips in the ocean to keep cool. To me this is a "heaven" day.

My two main excursions will be the Jeep Ride in Bora Bora and the Michael Poole Dolpin watch.

Here's what Pacific Andy over at tahiti-explorer.com says about scooters on Moorea:

On Bora a scooter is fine but in Moorea I wouldnt even think of them anymore. Many years back I use only rent scooters on Moorea but in the last 5 years no way. Traffic moves too fast, the road curve all different ways, the roads are not smooth and have big bumps, your looking at something and vere off into gravel or grass and lose it. The list goes on. [... graphic accident description deleted...]

Maybe we'll try it on Bora Bora instead. It's only about 20 miles around.

Okay, so I suppose no scooters or the two-seaters in Moorea.....Maybe rent a car???? I'd like to shop a little, see the island, but not be stuck on a tour. John falls asleep the second we sit down inside of an a/c'd coach. Maybe some of you veteran FPer's can lead us around? ;) ;) and we will do the Dolphin's the other day. We'd still like to do something in Bora Bora on the water. Anyone up for the WR's or the FunCat's?
Other than that we will be sitting on the beach with a cocktail :pass: trying to pronounce Tahaa and Raiatea correctly :rolleyes:

Kimmi,

I meant to get back to you sooner re: the FunCat's. I hadn't paid any attention to that excursion before. But it sounds really good. I like the part about neither person having to be behind. And it sounds like a slower, calmer pace which appeals to me. It did mention at the end you have a chance to go faster for those that want to. Tom & I think we would vote for that one as a group.

You made me laugh about trying to pronounce the Tahitian words. I'm having trouble too :D Of course, after a few tropical drinks will we care?

Wendy, every time I think of scooters in a tropical location I think of the movie "The Deep" where they were on a scooter being boxed in on the narrow roads by the bad guys. No scooters for me :D :D

Ngaire, the Tahaa Motu Mahana does sound like heaven and plenty enough fun and relaxation for the day.

Donna, thanks for the advice about booking now and maybe canceling later. Can't go wrong that way (unless you forget to cancel in time :) )

Freddie, I assume you are the "Fred & Pat" who are going per our PIP list? I have not had the pleasure of "meeting" you yet on the board. I see your cabin is 702 and we'll be in 706, almost neighbors!! Looking forward to meeting you and Pat in person!!!

I think Fred and Pat are in 723 because we are in 623 and I was teasing them that I am bringing my broomstick to knock on the ceiling when it gets too wild up there! ;)

I was looking at the RSSC website and I saw we can book our excursions on March 22nd. :D

We had dinner tonight with veteran PG'ers. They liked the snorkel and ray feeding excursion. They are busy kinda people and this was too sedate a cruise for them. They did mention that they had a good time when they took a zodiac out and went water skiing and as they put it "a bunch of old guys got it up" <img border="0" alt="[c]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

We'll that won't be our kind of activity. So I will be with Ngaire under the palm tree with the big hat and T-shirt and a coconut filled with a nice cool drink in it and a good book. After we snorkel and swim and walk around a bit.

Too many choices. Are those Cat things like the little pedal boats? Those are fun and good exercise. We need lots of exercise to combat all that good food on board.

Ah decisions, decisions.

Well gee, I think this destination lends itself to as much activity as you like, really. Unless you are an avid fitness junky--they have a walking track, but you can't jog on it (at least only at certain hours I think), and the fitness centre is small, as is the pool.

But, you can be out there riding bikes and hiking and sail-boarding and kayaking, let along swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Kathy, the FunCat's I believe are little jet boats (impellers). You sit in them like a small little sports car and they have a steering wheel sometimes. Some look similiar to the peddle boats you mentioned and some are more enclosed, like a "real" boat. Here's an example of some:
www.craigcat.com

Kimmi - last summer we rented a car (stick shift, with A/C) from Avis at the dock at Cook's bay on Moorea for 4 hours. We drove all around the island and made several stops including the Belvedere. The cost was sixty some dollars. We pre-ordered box lunches from the ship the previous day and ate them during our stop at the Belevedere.

Thanks Kathy. I think we will do that, play it by ear and just rent a car. I have to narrow down some of these excursions! Too many interesting ones to choose from.

Kathy Z, I like your idea too. The one thing I learned on our Navigator cruise was that by the end of the cruise we were all excursioned out. We spent the last port day just taking a relaxing, short stroll in the little town by the pier. It was perfect!! Renting a car would allow us to go at our own pace. I saw you mention before in another post about the pre-ordered box lunches and thought it was a great tip!

Kimmi, I took a look at the CraigCat site. It looks like a lot of fun!!! I love the way you just sit down in a relaxing position - like a lounge chair!!

Cyndi - Yes, indeed, we are Fred & Pat. But we are no longer in 702 (although I did like the idea of that nearly private forward hallway section - no traffic). Rather, we are now in 723, which was bequeathed to us by Marcie when she switched to the world tour. In either case, we also look forward to meeting you.

By the way, even though this is not the Packing List thread, can anyone verify for us that "reef shoes" are like Tevas?

Since we will be on a B2B, like Wendy, we will not feel pressured to try to fit everything in on the first week - we plan to spend lots of time in the water snorkeling and pretending to be whales (and, sadly, being quite likely to be mistaken for such), wandering around the islands (maybe rent a car on a couple), and generally staying away from noisy things like Jet Skis, which we don't like on the water where we live and therefore cannot in good conscience use in another set of islands.

Cheers, Fred

Freddie:

These are reef shoes (Mine are black) and I have spotted them in past years at Target:

A bunch of us got them at WalMart for DDD last year. As I recall they were about $4. Cheap enough to leave behind...

Those are very cute. Mine are just old dull black as well, tried to get a pretty colour, but they were out.

These work much better than Tevas, by the way, because you can swim in them without the water dragging your feet. They often do instead of fins if you are just poking around with your snorkel.

Some sort of footwear is required in the water, since there are dangerous things lurking at the bottom like stonefish, sharp coral, and slimy things like sea cucumbers.

Hey Fred, so you are the other back-to-backers! I agree with you about the jetskis, and taking it easy, since we have twice around to do what we like.

Fred - Sorry to lose you as "neighbors" on the port side, but understand you grabing Marcie's 723 on starboard. You'll have a great view. Looking forward to meeting you & Pat too! Lucky you, joining Wendy on the B2B. The ONLY negagive I can find in B2B is more decisions to make :D :D

I love those pretty colored reef shoes, Kathy. Maybe if I start looking now, I can find some. If we get closer to spring, the pretty ones will surely be all gone.

Good words of advice about all the things lurking on the bottom Wendy. Thanks!!!

Cyndi, All of the stores are getting the reef shoes & bathing suits out now. HURRY!!!!!!!!!

Mounds - thanks for the warning! Good thing I don't need too much encouragement to go shopping :D :D

When it comes to bathing suits, I was hoping to lose a few more pounds first ;)

But the new suits are appearing gradually on the Land's End site, which is where I buy my suits. I think I'll be realistic and pick one out in the next few weeks!

Oh and another thing--I've been thinking about the prescription lenses for the snorkelling mask. Not sure it's going to work in my case, since I wear bifocals. To see things close up, *and* at a distance, I would have to have bifocal lenses, either in contacts (which I have never had), or in the mask, which would be very expensive.

So, given that I'm not that blind really, I may just stick with the usual, which means one thing less to carry. Or, I may just try a *small* correction in each eye--I'm going to the optometrist in a week or so, I'll ask him.

Wendy,

You could try "Mono Vision" where the dominant eye is for distance and the less dominant eye is under corrected so you can see up close. So you use your left eye for distance and your right eye for close up. When I had lasik surgery, that was what they did for my correction, although I had a bad reaction and I wear a reading prescription to see distance with one eye.

Right, I've read about that, and I know it's common for people who have had lasik. Did it take a while to adjust to? I wonder how it would work with lenses. Will ask the doc.

I did something today I haven't done for more than 20 YEARS...

I bought a bikini :eek: !!!

When I showed it to my S/O he said "Well, what are you going to do about your thighs?"
I replied "If I wear this, everyone will be too busy staring at my stomach to notice my thighs!!"
(Good logic, huh?).

Of course it may never make the final cut into the suitcase...

Wendy, I was thinking the same thing this morning about the bathing suit. I have one I have yet to wear (too tight!!) As much as I'd love to finally fit in it, I was thinking I better go get one that fits now - just to be safe. I have another one that fits fine. But I want at least 2.

Kathy, since I wear bifocals, too, I am now wondering about the RX Mask being a problem.
Tom has had the lasik done on both eyes. Now he has to use reading glasses. That would drive me crazy. I have mono vision with my contacts (one for reading and one for distances) and I love it. I don't have to be bothered with reading glasses. I can't bring myself to do the lasik yet.

As an alternative, I have questions about the disposable lenses. I have gas permeable lenses (dinosaus, I guess) and have never had the disposable lenses. If you were to wear those snorkeling and tossed them after, is there still a chance of eye infection? Would that be very expensive to go thru a bunch on the trip?

Suzanne, way, way too funny!! You are so thin - if you are having troubles, what hope is there for the rest of us!!! Again - so, so funny <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

I had lasik done monovision three years ago and it is still wonderful. I had done monovision first in contacts, then glasses. The glasses took 3 days for full adjustment. I felt a bit drunk for awhile. The contact adjustment took 24 hours. The lasik was immediate.

The only drawback is when I lie on my left side,I can't watch TV as my right eye is only for reading! It is great not having multiple glasses

Cyndi, I too have been thinking about getting disposable contacts to snorkel with, so I'll be interested to hear any responses to your questions.

But with that route, I still have the "up close" problem, unless I go with bifocal contacts. And since I've never worn contacts before, and probably don't want to start to wear them generally, I suspect this would not be an option.

For me, since my sight is not overall that bad, the best compromise may just be no glasses.

"Tahaa and Raiatea correctly"

I beleive I heard when we were on the PG you pronounce every letter.....
TA HA A is the way to say Tahaa... I think.

Sorry so late with this. The 4 x 4 trips that we took were REALLY bumpy, if I had a back problem, I would not do them. (just my opinion)

Bob

Thanks Bob!
Wendy, I wear disposable's, not bifocal though. I go under water, snorkel, etc. no problem.
Hey Suzanne, WEAR the bikini!!! I think we should all make a pact to wear what we darn well please and make no apologies :banana: If we were men, that's what we would do (no offense to the men) ;)

Bob, yes, that's the right way to say Taha'a.

And Raiatea is something like:

Rah-ee-a-tay-ah

And Moorea: Mo-oh-ray-ah

And Papeete is: Papa-ay-tay

Bora Bora is interesting--they kind of soften the "r" a bit, so it comes out kind of like a spanish r, not the rolled one, but the soft one. Pretty difficult distinction for my ear.

Go for it Suzanne :cool:

For what it may be worth (to me, a lot; to you, ?), Marsha gave me a prescription mask for Christmas in 2003 (before our last trip to FP). Since I'm a SCUBA diver, am just short of not recognizing myself in the mirror without my glasses (bifocals), and was going to be diving just about every day for two weeks in the tropics, it seemed a wonderful gift.

It was. I saw everything clearly, near and far (thanks to the bifocal lenses in the mask). The one thing I was quite glad of was that I'd spent time looking at multiple mask designs and going for one that made the bifocal approach usable.

That's my testimony to prescription diving masks. Your mileage may vary!

george

Thanks George. I'm sure a prescription bifocal mask would be great, but I'm just a snorkeller, and only get to snorkel every few years for a week or so--not a diver. So, I don't think it's worth it to me. But it sounds great!

Wendy - Another option, depending upon your prescription, is to get a mask with one of the "set" corrections in the lens for each eye. I am nearsighted and that works very well. The dive shops have lenses for every .25 correction. At the suggestion of my opthalmologist, I just went for the correction just above my prescribed one for each eye. This is much, much cheaper than having lenses ground to a prescription and works well unless you have major astigmatism, too. (I have some of that; but the stock corrective lenses work fine, since I, like you, only use this mask every few years.) Cheers, Fred

Suzanne,

Believe me when we say go ahead and wear the bikini. I'd rather have all eyes on you then on me in my one piece with pareo on top!

Kimmi, you are on to something!!!! You're my kind of thinker!!!!!

For the visually challenged:

Well, I will tell you that I am eyeglass city. I have bifocal glasses for everything vision, when I am not wearing contacts. I have a special pair for computer work. I have an all distance pair with some clip on sunglasses. I generally wear my disposable contacts for regular distance but I do need readers over them to work and read. I often make people (especially my assistant) hysterical, because I will have a pair hooked on my shirt collar and sometimes two, and one on top of my head like a hairband. The readers are all over the office and I have pairs all over the house and the car.

Anyway, I am going to get the rx mask at the dive store. Even if I don't use the mask for several years again, I don't anticipate being in Tahiti or elsewhere to snorkel for a while. If you are spending $5,000 for a week (give or take), I'd rather spend an extra $100 to have a really great experience than miss it. My disposable contacts are $75. for 6 lenses. Other brands are about $35.00 at Costco for 6 - depends on your RX. Since the lasik, my vision in my two eyes is too far apart to be without one form of correction or another. If you have an astigmatism be careful with lasik. If you are over 40, you will need reading glasses if you get full correction for distance. I had the same thing with my old Gas Perms. The disposables are very comfy. If I had worn them before I had the lasik, which they said I couldn't do, then I'd have never had the lasik.
I am one of the lucky ones who is 100% correctable and no side effects post lasik. Some people cannot have correction to 20/20 post lasik if they did not get a good result.

Wow! A wealth of information here from all of you!!! I'm impressed. Now I'm going to sit down and digest it all and MAYBE make a decision about what to do :D :D

fyi, susan walsh our T/A pointed out to me the new excursions on the PG (See Wendy's earlier post)..decided to sign up for the Jungle hike to waterfalls (see below)..upside is it is an excursion we both can do together (earns brownie points with ida) downside is now will do only nine dives versus ten...will report back on how it goes..r/wes

Jungle Hike up to the Waterfalls

Tour code: RAI6881.
Duration: 4 Hours.
Difficult Walking.


A 15-minute transfer by minivan will take you over to the Hamoa valley, from where you depart for this refreshing hike to the waterfalls of Raiatea, on the eastern coast of the island.
Follow your guide an experienced botanist on the path running next to the Hamoa river, up to the numerous waterfalls at the bottom of the valley. All along the way, learn about the rich tropical flora of Raiatea. You will discover numerous flower & fern species, among them the mape (local chestnut tree) and the very useful purau (wild hibiscus)

It will take you about 1½ hour to reach the first cascade and another 20 minutes to reach the second one, making your way through lush vegetation, slippery rocks and entangled roots. There are ropes to hang onto at the most steep passages. The reward for your efforts is the pleasure to have a bath into a beautiful natural basin of clear and cool water!

Please note: Availability of this tour is subject to good weather conditions. This is an extremely strenuous and very physically challenging hike that involved scaling rock formations with the use of permanently attached ropes. This tour is for trained hikers who love to and are physically able to hike for 3 hours (2 hours uphill and 1 hour downhill), with an elevation gain of 600ft / 200m. Plastic sandals or trail shoes with anti-skid sole are the best footwear as the trail is very slippery. Wear your swimsuit and bring insect repellent. There is no restroom stop on this tour.

Col Wes, Is there a way to look at all the excursions if you are not going to be on a cruise within the 2 months prior? I thought Marc had a post, but I can't find it. Boy you and Ida are really going to be busy diving!! Thanks, Mounds

Mounds, I found a PDF file that's downloadable here:

http://www.rssc.com/specials/detail.jsp?offerId=230939

If you click on the link that says, "Tahiti Tours", you can download a PDF which has everything in it.

But I don't see the new excursions there, at least not the hiking trip on Raiatea. (Which is much too strenuous for me, by the way. I used to be a serious hiker, but that hike looks too much for me, especially in the heat.)

Wendy, I could be wrong but I think the hike is listed on our trip. I just went to our date and the itenarary and clicked on the port and the excursions popped up. Or, are you talking about something else?

Wendy, Thanks so much for the PDF file info. I had no idea it was there. I had been looking all over the Radisson site for something like that. Yeah!!!

Wes, the hiking trip on Raiatea sounds like a wonderful time. But I'm afraid I have to agree with Wendy about it being too strenuous for me (I'm a wimp, don't forget :D ). But I can't wait to hear all about it from your first hand experience. Aren't you getting very, very, very excited? Your time is almost here!!!!!!!!!

We made some tentative decisions on our excursions. We have decided for the more sedate versions. We'll live vicariously thru all of the more adventuresome PIPSTERS.

Raiatea - Island Tour #RAI3568
Tahaa - Motu Mahana, OF COURSE!!!!
Bora Bora - 1st day - Motu and play the rest by ear
Bora Bora - 2nd day - Shark & Ray Feeding Snorkeling Tour #BRB1606
Moorea - 1st day - Island Drive & Belvedere #MOO1794
Moorea - 2nd day - Dolphin Watching Expedition #MOO1798

Of course, we reserve the right to change our minds :D :D

Sounds perfect, Cyndi. No decisions here yet. My husband David doesn't like to think about these things until a little closer. When the date approaches where we can choose on-line, then I will barrrage him with suggestions. I'm thinking of parasailing on Moorea on one of the weeks. And I think I want to do the shark and ray feeding again! So maybe I'll be out there with you!

Wendy, I'd love to share the shark and ray feeding with you guys! Hope it works out that way. I understand what you mean about David - I've been bombarding Tom with question, after question to get a feel for what he'd like. I think he's just been saying "That sounds nice" to get me to shut up <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> . But SOMEONE has to worry about all of this :D He always lets me plan the entire vacations we go on and he's usually happy with it.

Wendy - I have worn progressive lenses for more than 15 years (no visible line but sort of like trifocals). But my prescription lenses in my snorkeling mask correct just for distance. Since George is a diver I'm sure he needs to be able to read gauges etc. But for just snorkeling the distance correction alone works fine for me.

Thanks Kathy, that's good advice! You've reminded me to make an appointment to have my eyes checked!

Kathy, I was just wondering yesterday if I would really need to see close up for snorkeling. Thanks for the input.

all PipSTERs, fyi

for our PG cruise, I signed up online the day all the excursions were available
4 Jan….then when I saw Susan Walsh's post on the new excursions (e.g. jungle hike (decided to give up one dive, so Ida and I could do this one together)

After I signed up I got an email confirmation for this excursion…and it got me thinking
I did not receive any confirmation on the 4 Jan excursions…

I called RSSC, they just said redo them and the new requests will supercede any excursion requests before them..


I Did that last night and got most of the excursions I wanted..unfortunately, the

Dolphin watching expedition was sold out during the first week..and we are renting a car in Moorea the second week with LCTr's Kim and Hans..hopefully, I can sign up when I am on the PG during the first week.

The lesson learned for PIPSTERs is when you sign up online, make sure they you get an email confirmation….I would not have been happy, if I boarded the PG, and after spending 30 min on 4 Jan to sign up for excursions, I was not signed up.

Happy excursion planning & booking.

r/wes

Wow, what a drag, and thanks for the heads-up. This online thing is a mixed blessing, isn't it? Sorry about the Dr. Poole trip, hope you get a cancellation on the ship.

Don't know why RSSC can't get their web act together! I updated our guest info forms a while ago, and only some of the info that I put in there "took", so I have to fax a bunch of changes.

Now that I think of it, I wonder if doing the excursion booking by FAX would be more reliable? It worked last summer for our Diamond trip. I wonder if the FAX forms will be available about the same time frame?

Wendy, the difference is timing..with the web online booking for excursions--you are suppose to get availability 60 days out...with the fax form (comes in your cruise docs package) you get this about 27-30 days out..so by booking online
you get about 30 days preference...that is, if it works...good luck..r/wes

Good to know, Wes. Thanks.

Wes - I hope this will work out for you. When we went last year we prebooked Dr. Poole's excursion and were on a very full boat but did not see a single dolphin or whale (it was whale season then). Because the excursion had sold out and they had several more passengers that wanted to do the trip they opened up a second Dr. Poole trip the next morning. That much smaller group of passengers were treated to sightings of several animals. Knowing you though, you may already have something else planned for that following morning.

Thanks Kathy, yes, diving at Shark Gallery, but if they offer a second expedition during week one, I may forgo shark gallery since I am doing it again the following Friday..r/wes

caveat: Any "confirmation" I have received from booking "on-line" has specifically said that this is merely a "request", as I think the fax forms do as well. All the more reason to do one or the other before boarding. That being said, I have never been shut out of any excursion I booked with either of these methods. However, I did get shut out on PG for on-board booking, when that was the only available method, because I took my time getting to the desk after boarding! In the end, it all worked out and we got what we wanted, just not all at the same time.

Wes, thanks for the info on the booking. It will help us to know to watch for the confirmations. I sure hope you can get the Dolphin excursion booked once you get there. Do you think you could keep trying to book online even now, in case there might be a cancelation - it couldn't hurt.

I need some expert help.

Relooking at Beachcomber reservations. Now that we are in penalty period on cruise, looking at changing to nonrefundable hotel. The difference between "breakfast included" and non-breakfast rate is $50 USD per day. Anyone know what the breakfast costs? If we get breakfast included, does that include the canoe delivered breakfast to OWB?

Any recommendations?

thanks,

Sheri will be the expert in the OWB as this will be her third time in one at the Beachcomber. Hopefully she'll jump in here...

I seem to recall from Todd's review of his time at Le Meridien that breakfast purchased separately was a fortune, so to get it included (for a smaller fortune).

I did find this on the Beachcomber's website:

"It's star product for those staying in an Overwater Bungalow has got to be the Outrigger Canoe Breakfast. It appears as if by magic from across the lagoon and delivered straight to your terrace by a smiling island vahine. The most romantic breakfast ever! Book the night before."

I would assume ( :rolleyes: ) that if you had breakfast included all you needed to do was to tell them the night before that you want it delivered...

Sheri, set us all straight!

Marc, not sure what you mean by a non-refundable hotel. Are you looking at different hotels? $50 for two breakfasts does not seem out of line for Tahiti. I can't lay my hands on any hotel restaurant rates right now, lost all my bookmarks yesterday, but I'm betting at least $20 for a continental breakfast would not be unheard of. Don't know about the canoe breakfast, sorry. Probably Ngaire knows what's included in your package.

Wendy,

I think Marc is booking on his own, not through RSSC. The Intercontinental's website has a number of different rate types (30 day advance purchase, 30 day advance w/breakfast, flexible rate etc.) Some of them have penalties that apply if you cancel...

Ah, okay, I understand. Marc, good luck! There's always the Radisson, but no OWB there.

Thanks Suzanne and Wendy! If $20 pp is probably min, I will just inlcude in hotel. My current rate is 37232 XPF for AAA rate. As Suzanne found, I can get 30 day adv purchase with breakfast for that same 32732 XPF rate. Since VAT on meals is about same as total tax on room, doesn't seem like there is any advantage to paying separately for breakfast.

I'll go head over to the Air France Flyertalk board where Sheri has been lurking... :D

...and see if she has anything to add.

Again, thanks,

Hey, cool that you have that flight/cabin attendant looking after you!

If she can request your AF flight, she may be able to help you and Arlene "switch" to more forward seats... ;)

If Tahiti Meridien breakfast prices are anything like the Moorea Beachcomber, they are over the top, like $45, or so as I remember, and that is not for canoe delivery, just the rather mediocre buffet of standard fare (yes, included are omelettes, but forget about Eggs Benedict) Fortunately, our breakfasts in Moorea were included in our Pre-cruise price through Radisson. Much less than now, because the FP exchange is tied to the Euro. However, canoe was separate and extra, and would have cost another $47 as I remember. I saw that Buffet at the Tahiti Meridien when we got off the ship and checked into the hotel. Lots of flies, and birds waiting at the gate (it is open air). It was not much, believe me. The way I see it, just find something you can tolerate and don't make it a dining "experience". This is part of the reason I recommend a pre-cruise over a post-cruise. Anything is going to be a step down from the PG.

Well, I solved it for us. I just called Beachcomber reservations. There are no flights on Wed to FP, so we are going in on Tues. I booked an OWB originally for 3 nights and called to add a night. I originally booked a refundable with breakfast rate of $533 US per night. New Rate same room i $409. but I had to prepay for the first night non-refundable. There are two kinds of OWB's - regular with sitting area and Jr. Suite. The Jr Suite would be $533 at the non-refundable prepaid rate with breakfast included

Kathy, they maid me pay for both nights to get that rate. Oh well, we save $100 and won't have to worry about a large Amex bill when we return.

Olivia, thanks for the info. I think we will try to get out of Papeete as cheaply as possible. We have pre-paid hotel with breakfast now. We won't plan on anything fancy for either dinner. We'll wait for the PG to be dazzled.

Olivia,

Good info for me. I don't like breakfast in general and NEVER eat it except on RSSC.

Sheri and I are in the Junior OWB suite. I am happy to save another $40 and walk into breakfast.

Suzanne,

We don't eat big breakfast usually and a small lunch. We plan on eating breakfast late and not really eating lunch in Papeete. The included breakfast will be more cost effective than lunch will be.

Just checked out the website that Karen mentioned in another thread, that tells you which cruise ships are in which ports. It tells me that the Tahitian Princess is in the same place as the PG on these dates for Pip 2:

Moorea: 6/2/2005
Bora Bora: 5/31/2005 and 6/1/2005
Papeete: 6/4/2005

But nowhere nearby for Pip 1. This tells me that the ports will be more crowded on those dates, and that rental cars might be harder to find. So the Bora Bora motu will look pretty attractive that second week.

Fortunately the TP cruise starts *really* on June 3rd, so my worries about the airport being crowded have been allayed.

The upside is that the TP has a webcam, so maybe you can stalk us Pipsters #2!

Wendy, I was worried last year when I saw the same kind of port schedule overlap on our second week as you will have. It really didn't amount to any problem for us. They're actually in different bays and we even rented our car on Moorea on a day that the Tahitian Princess was also in port. We did talk to the Avis guy our first day and book it for the second day because we wondered if a car would be available. The trinket vendors almost all moved over to the docks the Princess tendered to on our second day on both Bora Bora and Moorea. And, yes, we did go to the Bora Bora motu on day 2, week 2. It was the most relaxed and romantic day of our trip.

Yes, we ran across a really big Princess last time we were in BB. It was coming through across the Pacific from New Zealand. That certainly caused a little pocket of inflation in Bora Bora. And the ship sure dwarfed us!

I think it's great news that for PIP #1 we won't be sharing the ports with another ship!! I know, I'm being selfish :D

Wendy, I hope for PIP #2 that it doesn't interfere with any of your plans. Your idea about saving the motu on Bora Bora for the second week sounds like a good plan for that day. And the fact that it won't affect your departure from the airport is good news!! I've heard it is really hot in the airport and with added crowds that would be much worse.

Regarding the outrigger canoe delivery to the OWBs for breakfast at the Intercontinental in Tahiti, that is a seperate and additional charge and is NOT related to the breakfast buffet that is included with the breakfast plan. We did it our first morning, and it was excellent. We never did make it to the actual buffet until our last day, despite it being included in our package (out diving early on the other mornings). The final day brunch buffet was excellent however, and I believe that the cost would have been about $50 per person if it were not included.

Cheers,
Ken

Interesting because I am sure I get one day of my stay where the canoe breakfast is included. I booked with American Express - maybe it's their amenity for staying there.

Kathy, That could well be the case. We booked direct with Radisson, and it was just the normal buffet that was included, but I did not mind paying extra for the canoe delivery, especially since we got a better rate on the OWB through Radisson than was available from any other source that I tried.

Yes Cyndi, I'm afraid that the airport is the worst part of the trip. But it's the worst part of any trip, isn't it? We will just have to go with the flow, and enjoy. Frankly, we should be glad the airport is so small and inefficient--it means that the islands are not yet swamped with tourists! The land operator, Tahiti Nui Travel, is also kind of bumblingly-inefficient. But it's FP, so I forgive them.

On the subject of hotels, I figured it all out in my head yesterday, and the rate we are getting for our two-day pre-cruise at the Radisson is almost a wash, compared to what we could do ourselves. When you factor in the transfers and airport greeters, the lunch on Saturday, then add on the deviation fees and the fact that we would not get a free overnight in LA if we deviated, it works out just about the same as those special rates now posted.

I do see cheaper rates, at the hotel that I like, the modest 3-star Royal Tahitien, so we could save a couple of hundred dollars by doing that, but frankly I am now dying to see the Radisson, and I do like being taken care of from airport to hotel.

We'll probably visit the Royal Tahitien for lunch on Friday, since it has a very charming patio restaurant, with really great food.

We're rapidly approaching the day when we can book excursions on-line.

Can anyone remind me where on the RSSC website I can see a complete list of excursions, with prices? I have the PDF brochure, and it does not list any of the new excursions (like the kayaking on Raiatea, or the coral recovery). And the link on the cruise itself just lists the excursions, not the prices.

Wendy - I think the prices will appear for your excursions on the date that you are first able to book them online. I know when I go to the website the prices show up on the cruises that are within the next 60 days but not for our date in June.

Aha! Thanks Kathy, just what I need. Just want to get an idea so that we plan.

Wendy, I can't believe it is so close to 3/22, the day we can start booking excursions on-line. I remember when you started this thread - it seemed like such a long ways off!!!

Kathy, thanks filling us in on how it works. I sure hope I can meet you someday. I've read so many past posts of yours about the PG and you have been such a big help in planning for PIP. Wendy too!!! You guys are great!! Luckily, I will get to meet you, Wendy. Looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to meeting you too, Cyndi.

I'm torn about pre-booking. I think we'll just pick a few things that we know we want to do, and leave the rest until we board. I know we can change our minds, so might book a few on spec. But I'd like to maintain a modicum of spontaneity.

Just thought I'd bump this topic, since the booking day approaches. What does anyone think about the mountain hike that Wes took? It sounds way to strenuous for me, although I do love hiking. The thing to remember is that it's pretty muggy and hot. The waterfall at the end sounds great.

Last time it was April when we went, and it's hotter then than May, but... Even the thought of the "trail of the Ancients" on Moorea was too much for me then. I am in better shape now than I was, however. And my elliptical finally arrives tomorrow, then David has to put it together for me. So if I turn into superwoman by May, maybe.

Ordered a bathing suit yesterday--the second one. I had to return the first 'cause it was too big! :cool: I have my fingers crossed about this second one.

Wendy - too big is very good news!!! Your elliptical is going to be great. You'll be superwoman in no time!!

I think Wes's mountain hike sounds so exciting. But I'm too big a woose to even think of trying. I'll live vicariouly thru him (and maybe you???)

Less than 1 week to book on-line!!! Decisions, decisions :D

Hi, just thought I would bring this thread to the top. I decided to go back to the RSSC website and add an excursion. But all the excursions I actually reserved, and got email confirmation about, have been "zeroed". So, my question is, should I enter them all over again (with the new one), or should I just add the new one?

I would just add the excursion and then confirm with the Excursions desk on embarkcation. I did that when we boarded the Navigator last year and it worked perfectly. One of my excursions requested was sold out, but they added another one

Kathy, so you're saying that your "my cruises" excursions also claimed to be zero? So by choosing one, you're adding a new one, not wiping out all the others you have already chosen?

If that's the case, then I will go ahead.

Thanks!

You can also double book and cover all bases. They are used to seeing that I am sure. I would just take your email confirmations with you to show you booked the excursions in either case.

I got my prescription mask yesterday. Turned out I only needed one lens, which is a -2 diopter. My eyes are kind of opposite each other, so the other eye is actually +.25. The dive shop did not have any positive lenses, but apparently they only come in .5 increments in any case, so nothing would really be gained by that.

Tax season is over - YEAH - so now I'm back on LCT now that I won't be working so much!!!!

Kathy - good idea about taking a copy of the excursion email confirmations - just in case!!!

Wendy - I hope your excursions work out fine. Also, glad you were able to get your "vision" situation worked out for snorkeling. I solved mine when my eye doctor reminded me I have an old pair of contacts (older prescription) and I can just wear those when I snorkel. Then, if I lose one, it will not be a big deal. I tried them out the other day and they still feel fine and the prescription is definely good enough for snorkeling. They are mono vision (one eye for distance, the other for reading) so I'll have all the bases covered.

Cyndi, welcome back! Serious count-down time is beginning now.

I will be working very hard over the next few weeks, I am *so* glad I booked this vacation, I will definitely need it.

Wendy - you are so right about the "serious count-down". I hope you don't work TOO hard. Just keep in mind the RELAXING vacation on your B2B PIP!!!! A delicous tropical drink(s) will be awaiting you!!!

Well, I will bring this thread to the top!

Anybody else booked excursions since we last spoke? Changed any? I decided to stick with what we have until we get on the ship.

Wendy,

Thank you for pointing me over to this thread. You read my mind that many of my questions are related to excursions.

Tonya and I are moderately experienced divers, but we really aren't the live-aboard 5 dive per day type of divers. We are probably just going to dive 2 or 3 days on the cruise. So, that being said, what are the top few dives on the cruise that shouldn't be missed? Should we sign up for them online, or are they usually not sold out?

Thanks,
John aka FFMilesJunkie, aka FFMiles, aka Junkie :)

Hi John and welcome to the board! Have you read Ken's Tahiti review yet? If not, you can find it here.

You can read in detail about Ken's diving experiences in the review.

John, having dove 8 times while on the PG for
two weeks last month, here are my favorite dives:

a. Sharks Gallery (Friday)
b. Tapu (lots of lemon and black tip sharks)
c. Ledges (nice coral formations, lion fish, turtles)

Two dives were with Bora Bora Dive Ctr (ken recommended them from his Sept trip) our second
favorite all all dives was Anau--where we dove
with giant manta rays (actually swam with them for 20-30 yards)

Dominque, Christophe, and Camille are the best dive team in French Poly..they will take good care of you..just book the dives online 30 days out, then verify the dives with the dive team on the Saturday you board.

Have fun!

r/wes

Wes,

Perfect answer; looks like we'll be booking some dives this weekend. Do you take your own equipment? We usually drag our BC's & regs to Kona every year, but not sure about dragging everything down to Tahiti. If we do, will they store everything for us during the cruise?

Thanks again!

John

John, I'll second the suggestions from Colonel Wes. I just watched some of our dive videos from those sites this morning, and they were our favorite three out of the nine dives that we did in FP. We took all of our own gear (since we were also doing other dives pre-cruise and post-cruise) and the PG staff took great care of it for us, and let us keep everything at the marina. The PG's gear seemed to all be ScubaPro, and in excellent condition - they will even give you wet suits. If we were diving just with the PG, I don't know that I would have dragged all of gear along, but I was glad that we had it for the other dives.

Cheers,
Ken

John, ken's recs are spot on..even tho I dove
on the PG and w/outside op's, I just brought a shorty, mask, fins...but the PG's equip is all new and in great shape (they do all the set up)
but do what makes you feel comfortable..have a blast..wish I was going again...r/wes

ps..The PG dive team will store all your equipment
and set it up for you...after the dive they have fresh water rinse bins--just drop your wetsuit, fins, mask in..the next day your equipment is set up ready for another dive in paradise.

Not sure if this question fits here, but here goes: We bought new snorkel mask, but we have our old fins. Should be lug them on PIP? Does the ship have a sufficient amount of fins? What about the hotel? I'd like to snorkel off the deck of the OTW bungalow, do we need fins? Thanks!

I would not bother. The fins on the ship are fine and plentiful. And since you will be bringing reef shoes (you have to do that!), they should be fine for puttering around near the hotel, if there are no fins available there.