I'm sure that this has been covered before, but I need some help. We were thinking about spending a few days before our PG cruise in '05 at the Hotel Bora Bora or the Bora bora Lagoon. Research indicates that the flight to PPT from LAX arrives in the evening, then a short flight, to BB followed by a boat from BB airport to hotel. Is this correct? Are there timely connections? What is total transit time? And, this has to be repeated in reverse to board the PG? These resorts are not bargain basement beauties and don't want to eat up a lot of time getting there and back.

I'm booked for a Radisson pre-cruise at Hotel Bora Bora for the 5/21/05 PG cruise, so I will also be interested in any answers you get on your questions. This is the schedule based on pre/post cruise info Ngaire sent me:

* Late arrival Tuesday night or early arrival Wednesday morning in Papeete
* Transfer to hotel in Tahiti for overnight or morning hospitality service
* Wednesday transfer to domestic airport for flight to Bora Bora
* Boat transfer to resort
* Days at leisure
* Saturday flight to Tahiti and transfer to pier for embarkation

You may have this same information. It does not give any times. I have not done much research on that yet. One of my concerns in deciding on the pre-cruise was whether or not we'd want to deal with the extra connections and time involved. But we decided that since the flight into Bora Bora is supposed to be so beautiful (with the view of the lagoon from the air not to be missed) and with Radisson's organized connections (hopefully!) we would give it a try and just make it a part of our "adventure".

Plus, we really wanted to go to the Hotel Bora Bora. We based that decision on many, many wonderful reviews about it's location, quality accommodations and excellent service. Also, the snorkling there is supposed to be very good, which was one of our requirements. However, we also read a lot of good reports on the Bora Bora Lagoon resort.

Have you gone to the website http://www.tahiti-explorer.com I found so much helpful information there. They have a message board and trip reports and photos that are all good.

When are you going in 2005? Whatever pre-cruise you decide I'm sure it will be a wonderful addition to your cruise.

Cyndi

It may depend on where you are coming from. From the east coast, we had to go PHL to Charlotte to LAX, perhaps with a stop in between. Then we got on a very late (10 p.m.) or so flight from LAX into Papeete, arriving very, very early in the a.m. It was straight through, and very long coming from the east coast, but our rooms were ready at the hotel at 8 a.m. For others, they take you to LA for the night, and then put you on the1p.m. flight the next day, arriving at about 7 p.m. in Papeete. Ours was arranged all through RSSC, as we booked our pre-cruise with them.

As for those hotels in Bora Bora, I have only seen them, although on our cruise, my son and his girlfriend went over to the Bora Bora Lagoon for dinner as a Virtuoso included amenity and said it was beautiful. I think, however, that the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort may be on it's own motu and accessible only by boat (I know they went from the PG by boat)? Hotel Bora Bora is on the mainland, along the same road as Bloody Mary's and the place they take you from the ship for the wave runners. It is known in T&C and other high end publications as one of the finest resort hotels in the world. VERY pricey, but lovely!

The flight to Bora Bora, if I recall, is about 45 minutes with one stop. It is a beautiful flight as you go over alot of the islands. Be sure and get on the left side of the plane. I would check to make sure when you land in Papeete that you can catch a connecting flight. I know to Moorea, Air Tahiti's last flight is around 10pm and many of the international flights don't arrive in time, meaning you may want to get a room for one night in Papeete. The Beachcomber or Le Meridian in Papeete are both fine for one night. The Hotel Bora Bora is one of the older hotels and is on the mainland - service is suppose to be superb and has one of the best reputations on the island. Snorkeling there is suppose to be great. I have never heard a bad word or comment. The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort is on a motu and I believe has just been renovated. I stayed at the Bora Bora Pearl Beach, but have read many great comments on the hotels you are considering. Go to Tahiti Explorer message board and you will get all the information you need to make a decision.
Sally

Thank you all for your help - this is long range planning - we are booked on PG for the 2 week Marquesas combined with a BtoB 1 week trip in November of '05., so will be on the boat for 3 weeks - hope to do a lot of diving so extended the trip to accomodate that. Because of negative experience with cruise line pre-cruise programs, we make our own arrangements - both Hotel BB and BB Lagoon are listed as AMEX PC hotels - we have hed good luck booking through them. It is clear that arrival night must be at a Tahiti hotel - Le Meridien best bet? - also a PC hotel. Am inclined to Hotel BB, have stayed at Aman resorts and found them to be first class properties, but not cheap! Would like to hear from some who have stayed at Hotel BB describe their experience.

Ted

Your arrival time in PPT depends on your
airline carrier. Air New Zealand, for example,
arrives at 2:55am! This means you must either
have booked that night in a PPT hotel or wait for
your room or daylight flight over to Bora Bora.
The non stop flight is under one hour and the one stop takes about 1hr 20min. Give your arrival time to BB hotel as you will need boat service to the in-town pier. If you book a PPT
hotel you may wish to consider closeness to the airport e.g. Intercontinental.

Welcome Paula JK to LCT.

Betty

Welcome from me as well, Paula JK!

Masaki

We're on the 12/4/04 PG cruise with pre in Le Taha'a and post in Bora Bora. Should get our documents next week and I'll let you know if there's any useful info. Same when we return.