Marquesas Islands -- Here We Come!

[freckles1]

Well, we made the choice although it was difficult, and decided to take the 12/06/08 Society Islands and Marquesas cruise instead of the 11/22 Society Islands and Cook Islands cruise.

Part of the reason we chose the Marquesas is because of what we read here on the boards about these islands being less "touristy" than the Cooks, and we figured we'd probably get enough snorkeling on the other places we visit that we wouldn't miss a few additional snorkeling opportunities.

Plus, going on 12/06 doesn't take us away from home for Thanksgiving which our grown children were objecting to.

Anyway, thanks for your help so far and I'm sure I'll have more questions before we leave. We've sailed on Voyager, Mariner and Navigator before but never on the PG. We've been to the Society Islands twice, both times with Renaissance, in 2000 and 2001. It'll be interesting to see how much the islands have changed in a decade. Tahiti was just OK to us back then so hopefully we will it enjoy it more and not less this time.

Has anyone done a helmet tour in this area of the world? Is it scarey? I snorkel well for an "old gal", but don't know about a potential claustrophobic feeling being under so much water.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

That's the one that we're on!! Let me know what information you find out, if any, about private tours in the Marquesas and Rangiroa. These islands are all new to me.

I've not done the helmet dive, but had a friend who did, and loved it.

Maybe it's time for a roll-call! Less than 5 months now...we're travelling with a friend--he's coming up to our cottage in August and we're going to sort out ship's excursions then, so we can prebook some.

[parislady40]

We did the helmet tour in Bora Bora. It was amazing. Quite literally one of our best excursions. We had people of all ages, and there were about 6 of us at one time on the ocean floor(2 groups). The amount of fish was unbelievable. Guess they know when its going to be feeding time. We were even visited by manta rays and barracuda, the latter staying his distance, and just looking at us. It was the best. There was one lady who was claustophobic. The staff on the boat were so good with her. She was ready to give up, and they gently talked her through it. She had the most fabulous time on the bottom. It truly is another world different from swimming or snorkeling. As my daughter would say, its awesome!!!! We return again in November, and we will do it again without a doubt. I was a non-swimmer at the time, but am happily swimming now! So much I have missed out on. It was not scary when we were on the ocean bottom. I think its trying to figure out what to expect. I, the non-swimmwer in the group, did not want to go back up!!! Bring along a good pair of reef shoes. Have fun.

[freckles1]

To Wendy:

What a coincidence that you would see and answer my post about our new booking and find that we are on the same cruise! Now that we've made the decision, we're getting so excited about the trip. And if you'll look to find my Posting #1 on this board, you were the first person to be kind enough to answer my question about passenger ages! You're a wealth of knowledge and we look forward to meeting you.

To Parislady40:

It looks like you are doing the PG again in November???? If so, we hope you will find the time to write a trip report when you get home, even a small one, before we leave for LA on 12/05 and let us know how things went. Are you going to the Marquesas or Cook Islands on your next cruise?

My husband and I will definitely try the helmet tour. He had seen information about a helmet tour available with one of Oceania's Caribbean cruises and said he was willing to take the cruise just so he could try the tour! Now he can do it in Bora Bora instead. Did you book the tour through the ship or on your own? And thanks for the tip about the reef shoes...we do have some that we religiously pack, along with a blow up life vest that we wear while snorkeling a lot of the time if the seas are rough or if there is a strong tide. I don't use fins so they are not a concern.

[parislady40]

I can email you a photo show of our previous trip( I took 1000 plus), and you will understand why we are going back. We have done quite a bit of cruising and land trips, and French Polynesia is so awesome. Would you believe that we were originally on your cruise. To be honest , we wavered between the Cook Islands and the Marquesas. We are doing the Marquesas on this one. The reason we changed is because of the return so close to Christmas. It takes 3 days to get back to Bermuda!! Last December we arrived home Christmas Eve!

You will enjoy the helmet dive! We are also doing a new excursion, the aquabike, in Bora Bora. It's a similar concept to the helmet dive in that you do not get your head wet. I do not know if I will get into trouble for posting the website, as it is only for your info, and not solicitation, as I get nothing for this, and have booked through the ship. I just think that you may enjoy this one too. http://aquabikadventure.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=34 It looks to really be fun. I hope that this is not removed, as I just want you to see another option that looks like fun. Will send a report of what we think when we return, mind you we do not return back home until the day you start your adventure. We are still as excited as if it is our first time.

I will be honest about Tahiti, or Papeete. The very first time we were there, we did not like it at all. I guess it was so far removed from the South Pacific I had in my mind. But this time here, we talked to the locals, stopped and observed, had a great time in the city. I feel that the people are the beauty of these islands. They are so kind and gracious.

I have found such a wealth of info from everyone here on these boards. It's what the South Pacific does to us all. It's the polynesian flu, and hopefully one that has no cure!! This will not be our last trip.

[freckles1]

I hope I am allowed to post my email address which is caclays@yahoo.com so that you can email me your photos from your trip.

I captured the address for the aquabike tour right away and bookmarked it just in case it gets removed.

Im a little confused, as you say you are doing Marquesas on this one, but that is the cruise we are on that arrives home right before Christmas. Did you mean to say that you are doing the Cook Island cruise that leaves on 11/22?

We agree that Papeete was not the most wondrous place, in fact we were quite bored with it. Perhaps this time will be different. On our last cruise, once we laid eyes on Bora Bora, we were hooked!

[parislady40]

Sorry to confuse you. We were stuck between the Cook Island on the 22nd Nov, or the Marquesas on Dec 6th. These were both 14 day, if I remember correctly, but we opted for the back to back 21 day that still goes out to the Marquesas. We looked at it so much, I may still have it in reverse, plus, its past midnight here, and I am still laptop captive.:) Our last cruise was when we arrived home Christmas Eve!!!! A little to close for comfort. I will email pictures tomorrow. Have your online excursions opened up for booking yet on the RSSC website? I love when I can get excursions I want with the ship in early.

[parislady40]

I have just sent you a web album of just a sprinkling of photos of French Polynesia. I hope you get it, and the link opens. Check your junk mail/spam box just it case it goes there.

[Cruisedreamer1]

Did you cruise with the "Pearl" group organized by a travel agency out of Dallas? If so, we, too, will be on the December 6th cruise with you. Wendy is going with us again.

[parislady40]

Cruisedreamer, yes, we were on Pearl, and had a truly fantastic time!!! Were you part of the group as well? We looked at the rate increase for 2009, and I guess that was my original reason to book in 2008;). We were originally looking at the Nov 22nd-Dec 6th, as well as the following cruise , but opted to take a longer back to back starting Nov 1st-21st. Just a leisurely time in FP. We still will visit the Marquesas, so that is great. It will all be here before we know. Are you spending any time on the islands pre-cruise? We will be in Moorea.

[parislady40]

Cruisedreamer!!!! Carol,Rodolfo, and Wendy!!!! Now I know exactly who you are. We are Ruth anf Fred from Bermuda. Wasn't that trip the best! How are Rodolfo and Wendy? I have those pictures of the trip on my screensaver. I thought of you the other day when we were booking our excursions. I was considering what quite a few called the death hike, and decided against it!! I will be sorry to miss you. Tell Wendy I said hello, and to have a great time again. I think I found another photo with her in it. Who knows we may yet cruise together again!!!:)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

So there's another Wendy! I've bumped another older thread asking for information about private tours in the Marquesas and other tips. I've been collecting information, but there is still some scattered around.

I'm not much into hiking (getting too old for that, especially in the heat.) But would love to get back into some of the valleys and see some archaeological sites.

[Cruisedreamer1]

Yes, Ruth, we are one and the same. We are all fine and looking forward to our cruise time. Wendy is learning to scuba dive so she can scuba with the Marina crew. We are flying in early to enjoy some time prior to the cruise and will be on Moorea too.(she surprised us with this extra).

You were wise not to book the death march!!! It truly was exceptionally challenging for me(too wet, too steep and too narrow).

Please write a quick report for us if you have time once you return from your glorious long trip.

Would you mind sending me your photo file so I can have a Tahiti fix at my computer? carbet@rocketmail.com

Say hello to Fred.

[ORV]

Which excursion is considered "The Death March"?

[Cruisedreamer1]

First of all, I must say that my husband and 35 year old daughter loved the hike and do not feel the same way as I do. However, a good portion of our group felt as I did! It was a PG excursion on Raiatea up to 3 waterfalls. We all came back mud coated from head to toe and in great need of a shower and a drink! I felt that the excursion was not for the casual hiker. I am able to go long distances with some inclines but was not prepared for very narrow pathways or climbing up and down with a rope. Three of the group dropped out about 1/4 of the way up.

I also must say that the guides took good care of us (one guide insisted that he stay with me all the way down to insure my safety). Those that did not continue were given a talk about the native plants so they also got something out of it.

I wish I had take a photo of us at the end of the hike. I think no one would have thought we were Regent cruisers!!! The ship's crew did allow us back on board!!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Don't worry, we're not going to Raiatea this time!

[parislady40]

Carol, I will compose a photo file of those memories we shared just for you tomorrow. I am so sorry that we will miss you. We had such fun. I do like your description of the hike. True and on point. I took tons of photos, and I am so glad we did. I live in the South Pacific all the time because of them. Believe it or not, we will be gone from 26th of Oct to the 4th Dec, so I may just miss you. I will try to post while on board. If I get any really great shots, I will be bringing the teeny tiny printer that fits in the hand luggage and will leave pictures for you again , like the ones I left for Wendy last time. I will miss seeing you guys. The South Pacific was the best cruise ever, and we have traveled to Australia and places in between. I will email you on your address above. So glad to have made contact. Fred says "Hi", and says hello to Rodolfo as well.

[parislady40]

Hi Carol. I just forwarded the photos to you. Let me know if you get them.:)