HAL and Tahiti

[westielvr]

I would like to chat with someone who has taken a HAL Tahiti cruise. We have taken 2 previous cruises on HAL. We are dreaming about HAL or Princess for Tahiti.

[margord]

I have two words for you: Tahitian Princess. It was by far the absolute best cruise we have ever taken and we have been on over 20 cruises. I can't say enough nice things about the whole experience. If you are planning on Tahiti at least look into that ship.

Marilee

[Aussie Gal]

I wholeheartedly agree Marilee. Our cruise on the Tahitian Princess last March was the best cruise we have been on. I would love to return and do the other itinerary which is the Marquesa Islands, but unfortunately we haven't any time this year or next.

The ship is a great size, only holding 750 passengers and quite new. It was built in 1999. The itinerary is fantastic if you love water, and the islands and people are just beautiful. There are no hard sells at all, no pushy salespeople and they do not expect to be tipped. It is the last Paradise on this earth.

Jennie

[MI-DI]

Absolutly agree...with one very small correction..I thing passenger capacity is only 688 very lucky people.

[1cruiselvr]

DH and I have been to Tahiti 2x, once on Renaissance's R4 in 2000, now one of the Princess ships (can't remember if it's Tahiti Princess or Pacific Princess) and again in 2003 on Pacific Princess. Best cruises of our life, so far! I'm not aware of HAL going to Tahiti on shorter trips like Princess offers. Doesn't it have to be part of a Hawaii or world trip? Happy Sailing!

[shipcafe]

The Statendam is currently still on her 30-Day South Pacific sailing so we should hopefully be hearing back from those travelers shortly ! . . . .

[HeatherInFlorida]

We cruised the Tahitian Islands on Windstar which is part of HAL. There are only 75 cabins (150 passengers) and it was the most amazing experience of our lifetime. We did a 7 day cruise and then spent a week between Moorea and Bora Bora.

What is "best" is purely subjective, of course, but these islands are so much more special when seen from a small ship with few people "hitting" each island. Of course when we did this cruise Windstar was the only line doing it.

Sadly, I just checked and they're not sailing in that area anymore, but if it were me I'd find the smallest ship that cruises there and jump on it.

But no matter what you choose, you cannot go wrong. After that experience, we were never quite the same.

[xpcdoojk]

We cruised the Tahitian Islands on Windstar which is part of HAL. There are only 75 cabins (150 passengers) and it was the most amazing experience of our lifetime. We did a 7 day cruise and then spent a week between Moorea and Bora Bora.

What is "best" is purely subjective, of course, but these islands are so much more special when seen from a small ship with few people "hitting" each island. Of course when we did this cruise Windstar was the only line doing it.

Sadly, I just checked and they're not sailing in that area anymore, but if it were me I'd find the smallest ship that cruises there and jump on it.

But no matter what you choose, you cannot go wrong. After that experience, we were never quite the same.

Heather, didn't they have a fire on that ship that took it out of service a couple of years ago.

jc

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm not sure. Maybe that happened on the Wind Song (the ship we were on that is no longer shown on their website), but they have other ships that are identical. And then I believe they have a couple of larger ones.

But I do know they continued to cruise in Tahiti until very recently. Now they cruise the Greek Isles, Mexico, the Caribbean and so forth.

[johnnycruise]

I recently returned from a Windstar cruise to the Caribbean (on the WindSurf). In their onboard publications it said the WindSong was "retired" to the Sea of the Moon (channel between Tahiti and Moorea). I asked if that meant 'burned and sank' and they told me no. It did have a huge fire and everyone was evacuated but only the engine room and the bridge were severely damaged. The passenger rooms and cabins were not burned. However, the insurance company "totaled" the ship since the two parts burned are the costliest parts of a ship so they sunk it. Not sure if that was a completely true story, but the watersports staff was sticking to it! It's too bad Windstar decided to leave Tahiti but I think they prefer to cruise more out of the way itineraries. Several years ago Tahiti was ... now there are several ships down there. The ship used in Tahiti will now cruise the winter months off Costa Rica and Panama.

[westielvr]

Would love to hear about your Windstar cruise.

westielvr@sharphaus.com

[samissailing]

Tahiti originally kicked Windstar out (about 10+ years ago) so the French owned Club Med boat could have the business. Now (with Wndstar having bought the original Club Med boat and renamed it the WindSurf), Tahiti seems to realize the market will sustain more than one boat. Windstar has been in and out.

It's a great line! I especially like the transatlantics...

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sammissailing, yes I remember that happening. I was so upset because we so wanted to do the cruise again and few years later and they'd gone. We did it in 1990 ... can't believe it's almost 15 years. Such a magnificent experience.

Johnnycruise, I almost cried when I read you post. DH and I have wondered for the longest time whatever happened to the Wind Song. Well, I cannot think of a more wonderful place for her to be "buried" than in that channel.

I hope so many ships cruising those magnificent islands haven't spoiled it. The people there are so special ... nothing like the Caribbean. They were warm, loving and welcoming. All the entertainment on the ship was brought onboard from each island. A very special treat. We overnighted in Bora Bora so were treated to Tahitian dancing under the stars. Nothing can compare.

And no crowds. We were able to bicycle around the entire island of Bora Bora without running into one person (other than a few natives). Where else could you do that?

[xpcdoojk]

I recently returned from a Windstar cruise to the Caribbean (on the WindSurf). In their onboard publications it said the WindSong was "retired" to the Sea of the Moon (channel between Tahiti and Moorea). I asked if that meant 'burned and sank' and they told me no. It did have a huge fire and everyone was evacuated but only the engine room and the bridge were severely damaged. The passenger rooms and cabins were not burned. However, the insurance company "totaled" the ship since the two parts burned are the costliest parts of a ship so they sunk it. Not sure if that was a completely true story, but the watersports staff was sticking to it! It's too bad Windstar decided to leave Tahiti but I think they prefer to cruise more out of the way itineraries. Several years ago Tahiti was ... now there are several ships down there. The ship used in Tahiti will now cruise the winter months off Costa Rica and Panama.

I think this is similar to the story I heard.

jc

[Pudgesmom]

Radisson Seven Seas has a small ship called the Paul Gaugain (sp?) that does mostly 7 day cruises in the South Pacific. There is much information on the RSSC area on this website.


Beth

[xpcdoojk]

Sammissailing, yes I remember that happening. I was so upset because we so wanted to do the cruise again and few years later and they'd gone. We did it in 1990 ... can't believe it's almost 15 years. Such a magnificent experience.

Johnnycruise, I almost cried when I read you post. DH and I have wondered for the longest time whatever happened to the Wind Song. Well, I cannot think of a more wonderful place for her to be "buried" than in that channel.

I hope so many ships cruising those magnificent islands haven't spoiled it. The people there are so special ... nothing like the Caribbean. They were warm, loving and welcoming. All the entertainment on the ship was brought onboard from each island. A very special treat. We overnighted in Bora Bora so were treated to Tahitian dancing under the stars. Nothing can compare.

And no crowds. We were able to bicycle around the entire island of Bora Bora without running into one person (other than a few natives). Where else could you do that?


We were there in 2003 on the Legend of the Seas of RCI, and our ship caused all of the rental cars to be sold out. We had one reserved from before we left, but it was not held for us. We ended up renting little cars that were like golf carts, top speed was 40kph about 25 mph. It still only took about 45 minutes to circle the island. It is truly paradise. Outside of a crowd at Bloody Mary's and the rental car offices there was no crowd anywhere on Bora Bora. Still beautiful, still exotic. Moorea was a little bit busier, but a much larger island and the cruise ship in port really didn't affect the feeling of paradise. Papeete was by far the busiest island and the cruiseship was just a tiny bump. Still once you got out on the island there were no crowds. Very nice place to visit, everyone should.

jc

[HeatherInFlorida]

jc, thanks for that update. I'm so glad our favorite island hasn't been taken over by us tourists:D . I remember Bloody Mary's so well. How'd you like the bathrooms there?;) We stayed on the island for 5 days after our cruise so really got the feel of it. You can't know how good it is to hear it's just as wonderful from someone who's been there more recently. Thanks so much.

[xpcdoojk]

jc, thanks for that update. I'm so glad our favorite island hasn't been taken over by us tourists:D . I remember Bloody Mary's so well. How'd you like the bathrooms there?;) We stayed on the island for 5 days after our cruise so really got the feel of it. You can't know how good it is to hear it's just as wonderful from someone who's been there more recently. Thanks so much.

We travel with another couple and the ladies went to the potty first, and they came out telling us we just had to see the bathroom. We all then went and checked out both! :D The only bad thing was we parked our little golf cart car next to these bushes in the tiny parking lot. When my wife got back into our two seater, the local ants had decided to invade. she was pretty much covered with ants (well if 50 or so ants could cover her that is:D ). Amazingly, there were none on my side. We spent about 10 minutes killing ants before heading down the road. We stopped at a resort just past there for lunch afterwards, I would have enjoyed spending a lot of time there. Neat trip, will return someday.

jc

[1cruiselvr]

Radisson is pulling the Paul Gaugnin out of Tahiti. I think this is the last year for this itinerary, it might be pulling out even sooner.....

[xpcdoojk]

Radisson is pulling the Paul Gaugnin out of Tahiti. I think this is the last year for this itinerary, it might be pulling out even sooner.....

That is sad, I figured that would be the way I would go back to Tahiti...

jc

[Pudgesmom]

I think that the ship will continue sailing in Tahiti through 2006

beth

[saltydog28]

I think that the ship will continue sailing in Tahiti through 2006

beth
The airfare has become outrageous.
Pat.