Buy own air or package- ATN or Air France?

What is the best way to fly to the PG in Tahiti for a cruise? Is it cheaper to buy the "air included" package, or buy own airfare. If buy own airfare, would Air France be a better flying experience, or is sometimes a "code-share" flight?

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I recently worked all these options out

ie fly ATN buying my ticket

flying AF buying my ticket

going with PG air but with a deviation.

It cost me only $100 extra for PG air and they allowed me to deviate both ways. I chose an earlier flight for my return and will be leaving 4 days earlier as well.

You should work out all options and pick the best for your voyage as pricing is very much a moving target.

AF is supposed to be a better flight and thet are code shared with Delta so you can get points etc. I havent been on AF for years so cannot speak for them. I know that their Business class is not flatbed if you are looking at that.

The return flight is in the AM so ou need to get off the ship at 6:00 am and head for the airport.

What is the best way to fly to the PG in Tahiti for a cruise? Is it cheaper to buy the "air included" package, or buy own airfare. If buy own airfare, would Air France be a better flying experience, or is sometimes a "code-share" flight?

Kathy

The last time I crunched the numbers it was far less expensive if you booked the "air included" through PG. However, as Emdee says airline prices are always a moving target.

I have never priced it out but keep in mind that the PG rate includes the use of a day room with breakfast pre cruise (if you arrive in the morning), use of day room post cruise as well as transfers to and from the ship.

The return flight is in the AM so ou need to get off the ship at 6:00 am and head for the airport.

With a 7pm arrival at LAX, connections to flights to the smaller cities in the US and Canada are limited.

Unless you are using miles to get your tickets take their package but on,y from LAX. If you have to fly into LA you can get that air, usually, for far less than PG charges.

If you don't take their air you will be given a $1300 reduction in the cost of the cruise. As pointed out their package also includes ground transportation and the day room. I don't see how you can save any $ by buying the air yourself.

The air program also includes an island tour on Tahiti. I never had been able to get a better deal doing it on our own and we have gone 6x on the PG.

You can't beat the deal from PG cruises. Don't over think the issue, take the air deal and enjoy.

When we flew AF to Europe about two years ago it was a poor experience. We paid extra to be in its version of Economy Plus and the seats were as hard as rocks (although there was more leg room). I had to buy her a pillow in Croatia for her to use on the return flight.

Almost all of the AF staff with whom we had contact at the airports and on the plane were aloof at best -- occasionaly outright rude. The food on the plane was the same as the coach food (which we knew it would be) and was pretty bad.

On the return flight my girlfriend's movie system was broken and there were no seats to which she could move. She was supposed to get some frequent flyer miles on her Delta account as an apology but never did.

We flew ATN to Tahiti for our cruise last month. The help at LAX were very friendly and actually helpful. On board, the staff was pleasant and the food was better than AF's although still nothing special.

We were in economy so we had less leg room than on AF's premium economy but the seats were softer than AF's.

ATN's movie system on our plane was unusual. There was a wide range of movies that all started at the same time a little while after takeoff. None of the movies repeated until the longest one was over and then all of the movies began again at the same time. There was no announcement when the moview were going to start.

I believe I read that American Airlines will now (or will soon) credit miles flown on ATN.

I have heard that if you purchase a deviation on ATN from PG, you don't get the day room before/after the cruise or the transfers. Last time I looked the ATN flights were about $1400+ RT LAX to PPT

Working on my flights for next year as I type this. I have struck out with Delta for both ATN and Air France for business class using miles the dates I need and the economy ticket at 100,000 is simply too much for an 8 1/2 hour flight. As of now Air France is over $200 cheaper than ATN for my dates. I still would prefer ATN as the schedule for me is better.

We shall see.....

I am still trying to figure out my air. Does someone know - if I use PG air and purchase a deviation for $100 pp and add 2 days each to my arrival and departure dates, I don't get any of the other benefits of the PG air such as the transfers and day room on day of departure, etc. I don't want to be stuck flying out on the day the cruise ends.

I am still trying to figure out my air. Does someone know - if I use PG air and purchase a deviation for $100 pp and add 2 days each to my arrival and departure dates, I don't get any of the other benefits of the PG air such as the transfers and day room on day of departure, etc. I don't want to be stuck flying out on the day the cruise ends.

You do (get the transfers and day room) if you book the pre/post nights from PG (well technically, if you book a post-cruise, you don't need a 'day room'). And yes, they are probably more $, but the convenience factor is nothing to sneeze at.

Next summer we are doing two nights pre-cruise at the IC. The price was $390pp, it still includes transfers and I don't have to pay $100pp deviation. Granted, two nights in Papeete is not the same as two nights on Moorea, but it is easy and cheap. If you can manage more than two nights...do your pre-cruise in Moorea.

We very much prefer not having logistical issues to deal with while we are on vacation. I would rather let PG manage all the details so that I can relax and enjoy myself.

hey! Motu

we are also going in 2 days early and staying at the ic

i am letting our ta and pg handel everything else.

and like you, we are on vacation so let someone else take

care of all the other problems.

as many times as we have been to fp we have never had

a problem.

so to all of you people who are going on for the first

time........relax:d

Hey don't discount staying at the IC Tahiti vs Moorea - the hotel is better as has the service been the few times I have stayed at both. Of course you can't compare the surroundings and views and water....... I am doing 2 days pre and one day post there my next trip.

Twin arent you going June 26 with Motu and Tattoo Boy?

If you have an extra day you should consider the day trip to Tetiaroa.

I can't speak to the difference between AF and ATN, but did find it was considerably cheaper to book a business class ticket directly with ATN then what PG wanted for a business class ticket. You do have to plan ahead though, ATN has a few "lower" cost business seats on each flight. Once those are sold the price goes up to the point where the PG add-on for the business ticket becomes a better deal.

We won't get the transfers or day room, and you have to pay ATN as soon as you book your flight instead of being able to wait and pay PG when final cruise payment is due.

If I do the air through PG for my May 16, 2013 cruise, can I reserve 2 nights precruise at the Intercontinental panorama room through PG at a better price than reserving separately and it includes transfers? I am thinking of 2 nights post cruise at the Moorea Hilton - should I reserve that through PG?

Thanks,

Kathy

Kathy,

I think that you have to get the quotes and see what you want to do. Your agen can surely get those prices. I know IC moorea prices with PG are good but if you want to stay at the Hilton Moorea then would suggest you look at Tahiti Specialists to give you a quote. There are a few operators that do this and they are usually aware of the best deals. I booked the Sofitel Moorea ( my favourite beach) and got three for the price of two but I wouldnt have known this. Also I never knew before that they had a half board package as well.

Prices on hotels/ air etc are capacity controlled and are a moving target.

hey! Motu

we are also going in 2 days early and staying at the ic

i am letting our ta and pg handel everything else.

and like you, we are on vacation so let someone else take

care of all the other problems.

as many times as we have been to fp we have never had

a problem.

so to all of you people who are going on for the first

time........relax:d

Actually, our TA copied me on the email she sent you about the rates. Not that we are stalking you or anything...:eek:

Tell me, do you feel any less excited about your seventh trip than your first? I sure don't!

Hi!

I am already packed.:cool: