Tahitianbigkahuna

A big YES! Will be visiting the islands at the right time 🙂

PG and Ponant policies don't always align ... Why eMED when you can get a antigen test for as little as $9 USD at a local pharmacy. There are times when eMed would be better such as your leaving the PG at 5 A.M. to head to the airport (Faaa).

Most people use a cruise of FP to get a look at many islands .... and only unpacking once. Then you listen to which island talks to you in your dreams. Then plan a pre/post stay for your next cruise to paradise. The 7 is nice but the 10/11 nights is superb.

There are places to eat outside for every meal .... and it if rains it's covered 😉 July August are the driest months though there usually is brief showers now and then. The trade off is the flora isn't a pretty and the waterfalls not as spectacular.

No way to actually know for sure until your there but 9:00 a.m. is what is the posted time. Meaning the first tender is not likely until 9:30 a.m. and of course the ship excursions have priority if the first tender appears to be full.

I really don't want to try and guess what PGC means thus I quote directly from their web page. You should do the same but as your trip is months away you might want to wait a few months to see if there are updates to take into consideration.

Any time in FP can be a roll of the dice but generally the weather is better in November than in the middle of December. Middle of December - early March can be a bit more rain and humidly but it's never been a major issue for us and we have traveled to FP during that time at least a dozen times. But no way to know for sure. Most people love the beautiful flora, textured skies with some rainbows and flowing waterfalls ... they all require water 😉

You can go to the pharmacy ,,,, the main lab in PPT processes all the PCR test which of course you don't need now ... There are 4 places on Moorea for the antigen test

I never said PG would accept eMed proctored test ... they do however accept an antigen test within 24 hours of boarding. As far as the return to USA I've never used the eMed proctored test ... I always use a local pharmacy in PPT ... $10 CDC policy: he CDC Covid-19 test required is a viral test of any of the following: The test must be a viral test. The following types of viral COVID-19 tests can be used: Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) In addition to NAAT, phrases indicating a NAAT† could include, but are not limited to: • Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) • Quantitative PCR (qPCR) • Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) • Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) • Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test • Isothermal amplification • Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) • Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) Self-testing kits ordered from emed (https://www.emed.com/airline-travel) are now approved for use by the CDC. These will be accepted by Air Tahiti Nui, within the CDC guidelines found on the emed website. The test type is the Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag test detecting active COVID-19 infections and FDA authorized home test for SARS-CoV-2. These test kits must be ordered in the United States prior to departure.

Almost all of the FP islands have decent places for snorkeling. That said the best will be on Rangiroa, then Tahaa, then Bora Bora ... then Moorea and finally Fakarava. Fakarava has a few places but the absolutely drop dead beauty is incredible. Aitutaki has a few great placers for snorkeling but only accessible by lagoon excursion. Rarotonga only has one good place for snorkeling and again it is best by excursion. Rangiroa and Fakarava are incredible for divers, world class. As far as Resorts with best snorkeling it would be Le Tahaa Resort a Pearl property. Incredible snorkeling right next to it. No major differences in FP between April and May. The Cooks can be a bit cooler in May than in April. Tahaa drift area next to Le Tahaa Resort Tahaa drift area next to Le Tahaa Resort - Bora Bora is in the background 14 miles away. Tahaa drift area next to Le Tahaa Resort - drone shot, Bora Bora in the distance. Look closely after you enlarge and you will see the snorkelers The Aquarium on Rangiroa The Blue/Green lagoon on Fakarava - drone shot The lagoon of Aitutaki

French Polynesia doesn't require but this is a PG thread/page and it still requires a covid test .... though it does allow for a antigen test now which is a real plus and saves a bunch of money and easier to obtain

You can but your going to so many and you really don't know if they are qualified with current knowledge of FP. Would love to give you some names but that isn't possible on the forum. Need to bite my tongue. Whoever you end up considering you should ask 1. Do you know the islands/ship 2. How many times have you been to the islands/ship 3. When was the last time Things change quickly in FP so it is important that you get advice from someone who frequents the islands/ship. FYI ... 26 trips to paradise for me ... but I'm not a TA

Many people do a pre cruise stay to acclimate and the Moorea Hilton is a favorite as it's accessible so easily and the return on the ferry places you right next to the PG. As far as sale dates there are no absolutes ... you just need to keep an eye on things. A good TA often has better pricing but then again we are not to refer TA's ...

You can't compare an experience on a Princess ship in FP and the PG. I've been on 2 Princess ships in FP waters before I took a PG cruise .... never looked back, the experience on PG was far superior. I've also done many land only stays in FP. Combining the two is ideal. A pre/post stay and a PG cruise. Don't know where your looking for prices and we are not to discuss travel agents or agencies but do know there are some good offers usually twice a year when PG does their 2 week sales. I suggest you go cruising if you've never been to FP as you will visit many islands without ever repacking to move to the next island. You get the taste of so many different Polynesian experiences. I would do the 10 night (Society/Tuamotus) or the 11 night (Society/Cooks). Remember the Cooks are still closed to cruise hips but hopefully will open by the end of this year.

Don't count on the change for PG unless you see it on their web page. Hopefully they do ...