My husband and I have recently booked the PG 5/21/05 cruise. We are soooo excited! Now that we have it booked, I want to start making plans for one of the Radisson Pre-Cruises. I would love any input or suggestions that you may have.

We are looking for a quiet location (beautiful views of course!) in a premium overwater bungalow with good snorkling right off of our deck or at least very close by. We don't require much nightlife.

Based on info I've gathered so far my top pick is the Le Meridien Bora Bora. I'm also interested in Huahine - Te Tiare Beach Resort.

Any opinions and suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Cyndi

Welcome to PIP Cyndi. Quite a few are doing pre cruises so it may be when the 2005 information comes out there will be a lot of discussion on the options available.

Cyndi, we are looking at two nights only at Beachcomber Intercontinental on Tahiti. As we've never been to any of the islands, and we aren't planning on doing very much except snorkle and relax, Beachcomber has lowest price OWB.

Ngaire,

I will definitely enjoy all the pre cruise interaction when the time comes. More to look forward too!!

Marc,

The two nights would be a good alternative to the full pre cruise and the I imagine the price would be more attractive. I'll be thinking about that. Thanks for your input.

Cyndi

Hi Cyndi,
I think it is great you are doing a pre-cruise. Tahiti is so far away, both times I went I did one week on land and one week cruise. Personally I was so glad to experience the islands with the natives and then have the fabulous cruise on the PG. My first trip (honeymoon) we did a one week pre-cruise on Moorea at the IC Beachcomber - it is a fabulous resort but the OW Bungalows are not really over the water - more like beach bungalows. But they do have an outside deck that you can snorkel from. The grounds at the Beachcomber are absolutely beautiful. Our 2nd trip we did a precruise with 3 nights in an OWB at the Sheraton Moorea and 3 nights at the Pearl Beach resort on Bora Bora. Both the Sheraton and Pearl Beach resorts had deep OWB. For snorkeling I would pick the Sheraton, deeper water from your Bungalow - at Pearl Beach in BB the water was much more shallow and not as much fish. I really don't think you can go wrong with any resort on BB or Moorea. It depends how much you want to spend - they are all expensive. The top end resorts on Bora Bora are the new Sheraton Nui and Hotel Bora Bora - but you will pay close to $600-$700 per night for deep water OWB. Bora Bora is more expensive than Moorea because it is more remote. BB's Lagoon is a dream come true, but I think Moorea is a prettier island. I have heard great things about Huahini at TT - I've also heard the Pearl Resort on Tahaa is absolutely incredible - but I have not been to either. I hope this helps, but if you would like more detailed further information, please visit Tahiti-Explorer.com. You can also purchase a resort guide from that website at a nominal fee.

Dixiechick,

Wow - so much information. Thank you very much!!

I did discover the Tahiti-Explorer.com site a few days ago and have found a ton of info on it. I didn't know about the resort guide you can purchase. That will be a big help, I'm sure.

Since I started this post, I have looked more into TT (Te Tiare Beach Resort) at Huahine. It is starting to look good to us. The Sheraton Moorea got rave reviews everywhere I've looked, especially for the snorkling off the OWB's. But as of the 2004 Radisson brochure, it is not one of their offered plans. As Ngaire said, I'll need to wait for the 2005 brochure anyway. So maybe the Sheraton Moorea will be added then. But the prices for all will most likely be higher. Of course we want to keep the price down as much as possible, but we may be tempted to splurge for our dream trip. But while I'm waiting for the new brochure (and prices), I'm having a ball researching. And spending way too much time! Oh well, if I can't be on a trip, I might as well be planning one.

Lucky you to have gone on 2 cruises to FP and both with a pre-cruise. Were both cruises on the PG? What a great way to spend your honeymoon!

Thanks again for your very detailed info. It's going in my research file and will be a big help when I finally make a decision.

Cyndi

Actually Radisson used to offer the Sheraton Moorea and they had so many complaints and problems they dropped the hotel. It may not be back in the RSSC offerings.

Cyndi,
Actually, I had my TA book the hotels and I did not go through Radisson since we wanted to go to more than one island. I didn't find this to be a problem at all and I think the prices are about the same. For our honeymoon we went on the Windsong (now sunk off the island of Tahiti due to a fire on board - Windstar determined it wasn't worth it to repair her). Windsong was incredible sailing French Polynesia. Sailing on the PG was also incredible. The OWB at the Sheraton on Moorea are gorgeous - claw foot bath tubs, beautiful decks, large rooms. We didn't experience any of the problems I had heard about, but it has been 2 years since we have been there. Service at many of the Tahiti resorts is on "island time" and much slower than what we are use too. No matter where you stay, order breakfast via canoe delivered to your bungalow deck. One breakfast is plenty for two - very romantic! On Bora Bora I don't think you can go wrong with the Pearl Beach, Le Meridian, Sofitel Motu or Bora Bora Lagoon Resort (just renovated). They are all on motus off the main island and they all have water shuttle services. We did the waverunner excursion from our hotel on BB and it was a blast. If I were to go back, I'd also like to go to Huahine - sounds gorgeous. Just talking about this makes me get the "Tahitian Flu" <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" />

Dixiechick,

More good info! I especially like the idea of the breakfast via canoe delivered to the bungalow deck. I've seen some pictures of that and it does look romantic. It is now on my list of must do's.

When the time comes, I'll let you all know what we decided on. Thanks again to all for your help!!

Cyndi

When we do our post-cruise stay on Manihi this September a "Canoe Breakfast" is included one day. I'll be sure to write about our entire trip after we're back home. We leave 8 weeks from tomorrow! :)

Kathy Z,

I've read a little about Manihi and it sounds like another good option. Have a wonderful trip - I bet you are counting the days!!!! I'll look forward to hearing all about it, including the "Canoe Breakfast" when you get back.

Cyndi

When we did the PG last January, we did a post-cruise (privately arranged) at the Sheraton Moorea for three days. Despite having read some of the negative comments referenced above, we had an absolutley wonderful time...it was a great was to be "let down gently" after the fantastic cruise experience. Before the cruise, but after we had made our OWB reservation, I sent an e-mail to Sheraton management expressing concern about all the problems I had read about. I received back a very sincere relpy and a courtesy upgrade to a Horizon OWB. I would definitely stay there again.

Ajax,

Thanks for your response. We were torn between the pre-cruise and the post-cruise and finally decided on the pre. But your comment about being "let down gently" afterwards does make it tempting. I know a lot of people say that after being spoiled by the PG, the service of any hotel/resort would not compare. But then again, "some service" is better than the "no service at all" at home! That is something to consider.

Thanks too for your input on the Sheraton Moorea. They really came through for you with the courtesy upgrade to Horizon OWB. That was great. Glad you had such a wonderful time on your trip.

Cyndi

For the 12/4/04 cruise we are doing Le Taha'a pre and HBB post. I'll try to get back with a review of both of them.

Cyndi!

Welcome to PIP! We are still fence sitting on which hotel we will reserve for three days pre-cruise in Papeete. Le Meridian has some places to walk to for alternative dining as well as includes AMEX Platnium upgrades and breakfast daily and one lunch. The Beachcomber is less expensive for the OWB. Decisions are not easy!

Editing to add that after I posted this, I booked an OWB at Le Meridian.

I posted on another thread about our final decision but forgot to add to this one. We finally decided on a Radisson Bora Bora pre cruise at the Hotel Bora Bora. All the research and everyone's input here really helped us decide. We booked an OWB. We put in a request with Hotel Bora Bora directly for a deep OWB and hope we can get it. With all the wonderful places to chose from, we narrowed it down by our desire to spend extra time in the beautiful Bora Bora lagoon snorkling and Hotel Bora Bora had rave reviews about their snorkling. Besides the great service they are supposed to provide.

Capt. - I will be very anxious to hear all about your 12/4/04 cruise and Le Taha's pre and especially HBB post. Have a wonderful time!!!! And take lots of notes to report back :D :D Also, if you need a contact for anything regarding Hotel Bora Bora, I came across this person - Marci Boguz who is the HBB marketing director in Los Angeles at (818) 587-9650. She was very nice and helpful and took care of my request for the deep OWB. She is also sending us brochures of the hotel. I did a lot of research on this hotel so if you have any questions, please ask.

Kathy - Thanks for the welcome to PIP! Will look forward to meeting you. It is hard to make these decisions for pre/post cruises. So many exciting places to chose from. But the OWB at Le Meridian sounds like it will be wonderful!!!!
We can compare notes while on PG and start deciding on where to go for our next Tahiti visit :) :)

Cyndi

Cyndi:

Thanks for the contact. I'm pretty sure our travel agent made sure that we have a deep OWB at HBB. He also requested an end OWB at Le Taha'a.

Going to be strange returning to Ohio after 2 weeks of non-stop views of the water!

We just read a HORRIBLE review of Le Meridian Papeete on CC. We switched our reservations to IC Beachcomber.

Capt. - You will be spoiled with those views on both islands and the PG. :) :)

Kathy - I just read Uma's review on CC. I assume that is the one you read. Definitely a HORRIBLE review. I don't blame you for changing. So glad you saw it in time. Too bad for Uma. What a way to end a PG cruise.

I have a question - Per the PG info of B&K the stateroom categories OS through C are booked at the Beachcomber Intercontinental Resort and those with D through F are put at Le Meridian. According to Uma's review, they had a balcony which would put them in at least a C or above. So that doesn't agree with the info I read. Now I'm worried about getting Le Meridian. Anyone know about this? :(

Cyndi

Cyndi:

We are Category C and we were put into the Beachcomber, but other than that, I don't know how it works.

Steve

Well, that is certainly encouraging, Steve. Thanks for the info.

Cyndi

What surprises me is that Le Meridian is one of the preferred properties in the Leading Hotels of the World in the AMEX Platnium program. Usually those hotels are quite spectacular, which I have never had any problem with, which is why I booked there originally. I've heard enough negative to make sure I cancelled the reservation. Who want's to spend over $1500 for a few nights hotel under the circumstances of having things stolen, mildewed rooms that are unusable and poor customer service? Not even mentioning some health issues with the buffet at lunch?

I am confused, too. When I went (I think 2001 or 2002)we were sent to both. The ones with balcony cabins were sent to Meridian. While I was not crazy about the hotel or the food (we also had a ground floor room) my experience was not quite as bad as Uma's. My son and girlfriend had a cabin without balcony, and were sent to the Beachcomber. They really liked it, but it was under major refurbishment at the time. Pictures looked good, though! Once you are off the ship, it is just a matter of passing the time to get on the plane. When we were there, they sent some people out on Friday night after the early show if they got the gratis hotel in LA before coming in for the cruise. If I were to do it again, this would not bother me at all. Not sure they still do this.

Hotel for the day room.

The information I list as to which categories normally go to which hotel is just a guide of the normal procedure. Radisson can and may use either hotel. Sometimes a large group needs to be together and that can throw off who goes where. Of course as much as things change perhaps that is not even the rule of thumb anymore. I will find out.

It used to be the other way around. The F - D went to the Beachcomber and C and up went to Le Meridien. Then when the Beachcomber refurbished they changed it around. Maybe I should take that off it may just confuse people if they get the other property.

Please all remember a review is ONLY one persons perspective. I have read scathing reviews on almost all hotel properties in Tahiti and at the same time read glowing reviews.

Sheri loves the Beachcomber, Todd liked the LeMerdien. I have stayed in both and it is 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of another to me.

Hi, all,
I see that people have read - and been talking about - my very negative review of our experience at Le Meridien for our day room. As Ngaire says, the review is only from our perspective; others have had a very decent time there. We stayed for one night pre-cruise at the Tahiti Intercontinental Beachcomber and had a very good experience there. Likewise, we booked three nights pre-cruise (on our own) in a Horizon OWB at the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort based on information I gathered from pretty exhaustive internet and guidebook research, and found the service to be generally fine, despite some very negative comments I had read on the internet. I would highly recommend the Sheraton. Obviously, Radisson must have gotten negative feedback about them at some point since they don't use their properties for pre- or post-cruise stays. I am always interested in both the positive and the negative comments about places; I feel, that way,
that I can make more informed choices. And I felt both Radisson and Le Meridien needed to know what had happened to us. I'll lay the matter to rest, but will let you know what kind of response we get from both.

I had not read your post UMA but that does sound like a completely unacceptable situation. Appears like you had the worst room in the hotel. The staff in Tahitian hotels are also so unaffected by complaints it is so different - a little too laid back for me most times. That is why I feel that the PG is the way to go not land in Tahiti.

My first trip to Tahiti about 5 years ago we stayed at the Sofitel and actually things you describe were just like that there. Ants everywhere, stained ceilings, dirty mildew all round the sink and shower area. I think once the ants get in and any problems start with water they get bad pretty rapidly in a tropical area like Tahiti.

I have stayed at Le Meridien about four times and I always liked the rooms. The wood floors, big bath area I thought they were great. Every time the air conditioning was excellent which I know some have reported problems with recently. Maybe the property is becoming run down since I was last there.

Susan, from my office is staying two nights in the Radisson property, she has also stayed at Le Meridien and also the Beachcomber so we will see what she says about the Radisson.

I checked with Radisson today and was told that unless there are big groups that change the proportions, they try to put Category F-D at Le Meridien and C and above at the Beachcomber. I stayed at the Beachcomber last fall and was pleased. This time I am trying the Radisson and will be happy to share my comparisons when I return.

I tried to book with Radisson the resort on Huahine and was told it is not offered for 2005.

Ngaire, Since we will be a group on PIP, will you be able to request one of the hotels for all of us?

I have already put in the request to be at the Beachcomber. However, if Susan likes the new Radisson we may move over there instead.

I would love to hear from anyone else staying at Le Meridien in the near future and will contact my passengers to get more feed back. It sounds like UMA had the worst room in the place, so her experience was obviously terrible. Someone else could have had an upgraded room on that same date and be very happy with Le Meridien.

I have always felt that Le Meridien had better rooms than the older rooms at the Beachcomber. Obviously not in UMA's case.

It is when you get constant positive or negative reports that you can really know what is going on. Often situations are isolated incidents whether they are negative or positive.

Ngaire, you are talking about the post-cruise day-room, right?

Yes, it would be good to get feedback on the Radisson, since I'm going there pre-cruise.

Is it possible that the rooms that people get for dayrooms are inferior to actually stays at the resort?

Our dayroom at the Beachcomber was beautiful to look at, but the a/c was really inadequate, and the service so-so. And I don't like the resort, as probably everybody here already knows.

On the other hand, I agree with you Ngaire, that ground arrangements in FP can be spotty, and that's why the Paul Gauguin is so great. After our first trip, I just decided that, to experience the FP, you had to "deal" with the rest. So I can cope with whatever.

BTW, in what circumstances do people get booked to fly home on Friday night? Always wondered about that.

I usually fly home Friday night as I have no desire to stay over on Saturday. I think for first time PG Cruisers though it is a good idea to really enjoy that last night on board and do the day room option.

In order to fly home on Friday night you must pay the deviation fee of $100 and leave the ship around 8.00 pm to 8.30pm to get there in time for the flight. I usually eat up on deck that night so it is fast and easy and I can have my one last meal on board.

Ngaire:

Why don't you try the Saturday am departure this time? No hot airport terminal, no dayroom, no redeye home.

Oh I see, so it's considered a feature! Well, I'll think about that! :rolleyes:

I was actually thinking about perhaps renting a car for a few hours on Saturday. I'd like to see Tahiti Iti.