Tahitianbigkahuna

Leave him behind 😁

Best to take the drift snorkel from Raiatea if possible ... a bit closer than from the motu. Usually 3 passes are allowed. 1st pass is easiest ... then each one a bit tougher. I've done it st least 15 times ... only scraped once and it wasn't my fault as some one stopped in from of me to take s picture ... hard to stop. If you go you want to go towards the front as there is less chance to get 'stopped'. First pass is easy ... and then he can just hang out at the end and play with the colorful fish. This is what it is like on the first pass 😉 I'm taking the video when things are moving ... my Better Half is taking video when it is stationary at the end. https://vimeo.com/311007932

Another weekend ... another wedding

Last minute booking .... Star Breeze in French Polynesia - soon

Watch my video 😉 Maneuvering around LAX

Where your sitting on the plane dictates how long it takes to get through immigration/customs at PPT. If your in business class or premium economy it goes quickly, usually out within 30 minutes. If your in the back of the plane it could take an 45 - 60 minutes. On the return if you have Global Entry we get through quickly, usually get to baggage before the our bags do. If you don't have Global figure 30 - 45 minutes before you get your bags. There is a bag drop off after you've cleared customs ... there is now passage through to the other terminals without going through security again. Maybe I should do a video on this ...

https://www.loungebuddy.com/PPT/air-tahiti-nui-lounge-international-terminal-NOrsx7UxK7

There is only one lounge ... Air Tahiti Nui. However, under certain types of booking categories and/or airlines you can access the lounge ...

Already pick out a 2026 date on-board the PG ...

Ah .... I mis-understood. I thought you meant that the Caribbean was superior ... my bad. Many people do a pre/post cruise stay for 3 - 7 days. Some some of the best is the south pass on Fakarava it would be best to do a pre/post stay as the boat trip to the south pass is long ... 90 minutes each way so it it hard to do it when a ship is only there for a day usually 8-5.

I'll simply say I've been to the Caribbean by ship 4 times. One time was abort a 90 passenger ship owned by PG, the Terra Moana. IMO the Caribbean does not compare to French Polynesia. The Polynesian people are nicer ... when you go into a Caribbean is can be filled with 2-4 mega ships all competing for the same space. I've read everything you said in previous post. One one thing that sticks out to me is your comparison of snorkeling ... but you did not go to the best places for such in FP. I've been to FP 32 times ... there are places that will blow your mind. The #1 location in the world for the best underwater world experience is French Polynesia. The Tuamotus of Fakarava and Rangiroa sit at the very top according to Travel and Leisure. I know other publications have difference opinions but my point is you did not go to the best places French Polynesia has to offer. Visit again ... on a smaller ship as you mentioned ... take an itinerary that includes the Tuamotus 😉

If you got the IC Tahiti for $50 you got a steal .... This is their current price list ... as of a few days ago 😉

Pappy ... you will have a wonderful time ...

As my video stated the PG is still a great choice ... so much so we've booked our 17th cruise on her. September, 2025 🙂

I'll say it again ... stay flexible. I would say 1/2 of my cruises in FP over the last 4 years have had some changes. Some due to the pandemic, some weather and some where the captain made a changeup in the itinerary because a larger ship would be visiting at the same time ... thus rotating the order of islands. This is to make sure safety is the foremost responsibility of the crew. But be flexible ... Go with an adventurous spirt. Only one have I had a vendor be a no show and even then there was a reasonable explanation why. All the vendors I use have been very good to me over the years ... they go the extra mile. Almost all know when there is a change of plans by the ships and plan accordingly. If your date changes the vendors know ... though I would still check with them to verify.