MARINA/French Polynesia Mar 4-19,2018 REVIEW w/lots of photos

Hoopster95.. thanks so much for sharing your wonderful tour of FP!! Although we are upcoming on our 4th trip there, you have provided new vistas and insights to that wonderful part of the world. We'll be boarding Insignia 2 weeks from today in Sydney, and looking forward to seeing those great sights once again as we cruise the Pacific to LA:)

I have stay both on Moorea and on Tahiti. I am very glad I paid for the over the water view. On Moorea insisted at the IC. I ate one meal there..so bad. The others I could either walk to or was picked up. I believe. Your nHilton room was nicer than my IC room.

I have been to the trucks for dinner. I think for four people 85 dollars was fair. The taxi was too.

Enjoyed your review very much. Looking forward to another trip tonTahiti.

Hoopster, thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this awesome review! I don't know when I will be able to make it happen, but a trip to French Polynesia is definitely at the top of my bucket list! I have enjoyed every minute of this virtual journey, and I appreciate the time you have taken to share it with us.

I thought this was the most astonishingly well produced review I have ever read. The quality of the pictures and the writing made it a real 'ride along' review that was consistent, very readable, relevant and without gaps or any missteps along the way. The quantity and quality of the pictures was extraordinary when you think that this was a guy on his holidays - not a professional with the time to spend framing every shot to perfection. The level of patience the GF had defies description!

I had a go at doing my own blog of a Crystal cruise last November - it's hard and very time consuming.

Hoopster - I have not read any of your other trip accounts but I truly take my hat off to you.

What's more, you guys are just like the folks that the cruise lines feature in the their advertising photos - not elderly un-photogenic folk like the rest of us! I think Oceania need to make sure you cruise more with them - they could never have done a better job at promoting their product and FP. Frank, have someone contact these guys!

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This was my first trip to FP. I searched high and low, but couldn’t find anything like this review before leaving for our trip.

Above and beyond the amazing job that Hoopster did with this review, I would offer a few other lessons that I learned after this vacation...

• If you are on the fence between business or economy for your flight, I would highly recommend opting for business. Of course, there are the obvious benefits….more room, priority check-in, slightly (to dramatically) better food options. However, in Papeete, you will find two additional advantages with a business class ticket. The suggested time of arrival at the airport is different for business and economy classes. You should be at the airport 2-2.5 hours early for economy and only 1.5 hours early for business. It is only 30-60 minute difference, but you might appreciate that extra time if you have the morning flight. Our friends sitting next to us in business who also stayed at the IC Tahiti and had the breakfast package were able to utilize the full breakfast spread and get to the airport with plenty of time. Also, and this is a BIG one, you get access to the airport lounge for your time before the flight….the AIR-CONDITIONED lounge. You get a comfy environment with charging ports, tables, food, and coffee. We had at least two hours to relax before boarding, so the A/C was a big bonus.
  

• If you have an additional night before or after the cruise, go to Moorea. Some folks will say that you should only go if you have two or more nights. I would suggest that it is possible to thoroughly enjoy Moorea with only one night. The ferry system is efficient and a well-oiled machine.Especially the Terevau ferry….they take your bags like a flight and it is a seamless, comfortable process. Rent a car, explore Moorea, and take advantage of the beautiful resorts! If you rent a car, you will have access to many restaurants that will beoff-limits to the folks without a car.We went to Moorea for one night after the cruise. So, we were off the Marina at 7am on disembarkation day, had people fighting to help us find our bags on the pier,fighting to help us find a taxi, fighting to help us find the ferry port, and pretty much escorted us half the way to the ferry itself! The walk is only 5-10 minutes from the Marina to the ferry. We bought our tickets for the 7:45am ferry, dropped off our bags, and then relaxed until boarding. We were in Moorea by 8:15am. We picked up our bags, walked across the street to the Avis building, got our car, and were on the road by 8:30am. We had the morning at the Hilton to take advantage for the beautiful facilities. We snorkeled, swam in the pool, and laid out on the loungers.We used the rental car after we checked out at 11am the next morning to explore the entire island. We were at the Belvedere lookout by ourselves for at least 30 minutes. The trip back to Papeete was just as easy.I believe the ferry was at 2:45pm. We were back in Papeete at 3:10pm.
  

• Splurge for a good underwater camera! This is a trip of a lifetime and it is definitely focused around water sports. I would recommend getting a quality underwater camera.I had purchased a water-proof case for my existing point and shoot Canon. It worked well and the photos are nice, but I would get the Olympus T series camera if I could do it again.
  

• You probably don’t need a fancy DSLR. I have a Sony a6000. It’s a great camera.I think I took it out of the case 2 times during the entire trip. I used my Google Pixel 2 the entire time. A place like FP makes a photographer out of most folks! Almost every photo turns into postcard.
  

• Use private tour operators in most, if not all,islands – and book early. FP has a unique, isolated environment. There will not be an abundance of private tour operators at the ports, so I would recommend doing some research and secure private tours when you first book the cruise. Most private tour operators have half and full day options. I also recommend taking advantage of FP’s most amazing feature – the lagoons! If you like water, book as much time as possible in the water.
  

• Find a cruise that stops at Fakarava! No place like it on Earth. Don’t go all the way to FP and not spend at least a day on this shockingly beautiful atoll. Bora Bora and Fakarava made this vacation for me! Every cruise stops at Bora Bora. Fakarava, not so much!
  

• Take some time to learn the basics in Royal Tahitian and French. Locals will appreciate it. It will also help you immensely when you are in the more remote locales, like Nuku Hiva.
  

• There are limited shopping opportunities for those of us who don’t like pearls! So,if you see something that you like, buy it! You might not see it again! Also,I would take advantage of some of the places that have some shopping options at the tender port or pier, like Bora Bora and Raiatea. I thought that there would be more options later in the itinerary. I am kicking myself that I didn’t buy a few souvenirs for loved ones at home.
  

Hi Sea42... no issues for me. Note the video's I posted in Fakarava where I'm above the water, insert the camera in the water, and back out again.... crystal clear. I think it's a great camera.

Thanks so much for your input. Your photography was just fantastic!

This was my first trip to FP. I searched high and low, but couldn’t find anything like this review before leaving for our trip.

 

Above and beyond the amazing job that Hoopster did with this review, I would offer a few other lessons that I learned after this vacation...

Thx Denise for the kind words! Yes, me too... I wish I had a review like this to at least give me a taste of what was to come. There's many great reviewers on the RCL board, not so much here on the Oceania forum. I hope future people looking for info kind find this review in the next few years still relevant (I think they will).

• If you are on the fence between business or economy for your flight, I would highly recommend opting for business. Of course, there are the obvious benefits….more room, priority check-in, slightly (to dramatically) better food options. However, in Papeete, you will find two additional advantages with a business class ticket. The suggested time of arrival at the airport is different for business and economy classes. You should be at the airport 2-2.5 hours early for economy and only 1.5 hours early for business. It is only 30-60 minute difference, but you might appreciate that extra time if you have the morning flight. Our friends sitting next to us in business who also stayed at the IC Tahiti and had the breakfast package were able to utilize the full breakfast spread and get to the airport with plenty of time. Also, and this is a BIG one, you get access to the airport lounge for your time before the flight….the AIR-CONDITIONED lounge. You get a comfy environment with charging ports, tables, food, and coffee. We had at least two hours to relax before boarding, so the A/C was a big bonus.
  

• If you have an additional night before or after the cruise, go to Moorea. Some folks will say that you should only go if you have two or more nights. I would suggest that it is possible to thoroughly enjoy Moorea with only one night. The ferry system is efficient and a well-oiled machine.Especially the Terevau ferry….they take your bags like a flight and it is a seamless, comfortable process. Rent a car, explore Moorea, and take advantage of the beautiful resorts! If you rent a car, you will have access to many restaurants that will beoff-limits to the folks without a car.We went to Moorea for one night after the cruise. So, we were off the Marina at 7am on disembarkation day, had people fighting to help us find our bags on the pier,fighting to help us find a taxi, fighting to help us find the ferry port, and pretty much escorted us half the way to the ferry itself! The walk is only 5-10 minutes from the Marina to the ferry. We bought our tickets for the 7:45am ferry, dropped off our bags, and then relaxed until boarding. We were in Moorea by 8:15am. We picked up our bags, walked across the street to the Avis building, got our car, and were on the road by 8:30am. We had the morning at the Hilton to take advantage for the beautiful facilities. We snorkeled, swam in the pool, and laid out on the loungers.We used the rental car after we checked out at 11am the next morning to explore the entire island. We were at the Belvedere lookout by ourselves for at least 30 minutes. The trip back to Papeete was just as easy.I believe the ferry was at 2:45pm. We were back in Papeete at 3:10pm.
  

• Splurge for a good underwater camera! This is a trip of a lifetime and it is definitely focused around water sports. I would recommend getting a quality underwater camera.I had purchased a water-proof case for my existing point and shoot Canon. It worked well and the photos are nice, but I would get the Olympus T series camera if I could do it again.
  

• You probably don’t need a fancy DSLR. I have a Sony a6000. It’s a great camera.I think I took it out of the case 2 times during the entire trip.I used my Google Pixel 2 the entire time. A place like FP makes a photographer out of most folks! Almost every photo turns into postcard.
  

• Use private tour operators in most, if not all,islands – and book early. FP has a unique, isolated environment. There will not be an abundance of private tour operators at the ports, so I would recommend doing some research and secure private tours when you first book the cruise. Most private tour operators have half and full day options. I also recommend taking advantage of FP’s most amazing feature – the lagoons! If you like water, book as much time as possible in the water.
  

• Find a cruise that stops at Fakarava! No place like it on Earth. Don’t go all the way to FP and not spend at least a day on this shockingly beautiful atoll. Bora Bora and Fakarava made this vacation for me! Every cruise stops at Bora Bora. Fakarava, not so much!
  

• Take some time to learn the basics in Royal Tahitian and French. Locals will appreciate it. It will also help you immensely when you are in the more remote locales, like Nuku Hiva.
  

• There are limited shopping opportunities for those of us who don’t like pearls! So,if you see something that you like, buy it! You might not see it again! Also,I would take advantage of some of the places that have some shopping options at the tender port or pier, like Bora Bora and Raiatea. I thought that there would be more options later in the itinerary. I am kicking myself that I didn’t buy a few souvenirs for loved ones at home.
  

Fellow cruisers, read the above 10 or 20 times before you plan anything :D

I thought this was the most astonishingly well produced review I have ever read. The quality of the pictures and the writing made it a real 'ride along' review that was consistent, very readable, relevant and without gaps or any missteps along the way. The quantity and quality of the pictures was extraordinary when you think that this was a guy on his holidays - not a professional with the time to spend framing every shot to perfection. The level of patience the GF had defies description!

Just wow, you are so very nice., Thank you very much. I'm really glad you (everyone) enjoyed this so much.

Very interesting.... I just noticed that this thread has over 25,000 views so I clicked at the top of the Oceania forum under "views"... this thread is the 30th most visited thread in the history of the Oceania forum! I didn't know how receptive a review like this would be here, so I'm really thankful it wasn't a waste of time and it will likely help a whole lot of people looking at this itinerary the next few years.

I had a go at doing my own blog of a Crystal cruise last November - it's hard and very time consuming.

Personally don't think it''s hard... I loved doing this after a hard couple of days of constant business... it's the perfect escape and takes me back.

The time consuming part... well... most people really don't understand until they try it.

Hoopster - I have not read any of your other trip accounts but I truly take my hat off to you.

What's more, you guys are just like the folks that the cruise lines feature in the their advertising photos - not elderly un-photogenic folk like the rest of us! I think Oceania need to make sure you cruise more with them - they could never have done a better job at promoting their product and FP. Frank, have someone contact these guys!

YES!!! Please Mr. Del Rio.... call me... call me now!!! Let's make a deal. I'll blog anything you want on any of your ships lol! ;)

As far as other adventures, if you expand my signature below I have a bunch of links with various trips around the world.

My fave review by far is my Med/Adriatic on the Serenade. You liked this photography in this FP review? Look through that Med/Adriatic r... Malta, Amalfi, Kotor, Venice, Dubrovnik... totally awesome.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2108833

Thx again Noggins :D

Honestly after doing two cruises to FP I like to see even half if this make the port of call boards with the list of tours at the top. I am going back in 2020 and would like the tour operators. Just booked the cruise so I did not keep a list.

I agree stay in Moorea. Bora Bora lovely but the room make Moorea look free. If you can afford it go for the over the water room. If at least half in water and half out.

This was my first trip to FP. I searched high and low, but couldn’t find anything like this review before leaving for our trip.

 

Above and beyond the amazing job that Hoopster did with this review, I would offer a few other lessons that I learned after this vacation...

• If you are on the fence between business or economy for your flight, I would highly recommend opting for business. Of course, there are the obvious benefits….more room, priority check-in, slightly (to dramatically) better food options. However, in Papeete, you will find two additional advantages with a business class ticket. The suggested time of arrival at the airport is different for business and economy classes. You should be at the airport 2-2.5 hours early for economy and only 1.5 hours early for business. It is only 30-60 minute difference, but you might appreciate that extra time if you have the morning flight. Our friends sitting next to us in business who also stayed at the IC Tahiti and had the breakfast package were able to utilize the full breakfast spread and get to the airport with plenty of time. Also, and this is a BIG one, you get access to the airport lounge for your time before the flight….the AIR-CONDITIONED lounge. You get a comfy environment with charging ports, tables, food, and coffee. We had at least two hours to relax before boarding, so the A/C was a big bonus.
  

• If you have an additional night before or after the cruise, go to Moorea. Some folks will say that you should only go if you have two or more nights. I would suggest that it is possible to thoroughly enjoy Moorea with only one night. The ferry system is efficient and a well-oiled machine.Especially the Terevau ferry….they take your bags like a flight and it is a seamless, comfortable process. Rent a car, explore Moorea, and take advantage of the beautiful resorts! If you rent a car, you will have access to many restaurants that will beoff-limits to the folks without a car.We went to Moorea for one night after the cruise. So, we were off the Marina at 7am on disembarkation day, had people fighting to help us find our bags on the pier,fighting to help us find a taxi, fighting to help us find the ferry port, and pretty much escorted us half the way to the ferry itself! The walk is only 5-10 minutes from the Marina to the ferry. We bought our tickets for the 7:45am ferry, dropped off our bags, and then relaxed until boarding. We were in Moorea by 8:15am. We picked up our bags, walked across the street to the Avis building, got our car, and were on the road by 8:30am. We had the morning at the Hilton to take advantage for the beautiful facilities. We snorkeled, swam in the pool, and laid out on the loungers.We used the rental car after we checked out at 11am the next morning to explore the entire island. We were at the Belvedere lookout by ourselves for at least 30 minutes. The trip back to Papeete was just as easy.I believe the ferry was at 2:45pm. We were back in Papeete at 3:10pm.
  

• Splurge for a good underwater camera! This is a trip of a lifetime and it is definitely focused around water sports. I would recommend getting a quality underwater camera.I had purchased a water-proof case for my existing point and shoot Canon. It worked well and the photos are nice, but I would get the Olympus T series camera if I could do it again.
  

• You probably don’t need a fancy DSLR. I have a Sony a6000. It’s a great camera.I think I took it out of the case 2 times during the entire trip. I used my Google Pixel 2 the entire time. A place like FP makes a photographer out of most folks! Almost every photo turns into postcard.
  

• Use private tour operators in most, if not all,islands – and book early. FP has a unique, isolated environment. There will not be an abundance of private tour operators at the ports, so I would recommend doing some research and secure private tours when you first book the cruise. Most private tour operators have half and full day options. I also recommend taking advantage of FP’s most amazing feature – the lagoons! If you like water, book as much time as possible in the water.
  

• Find a cruise that stops at Fakarava! No place like it on Earth. Don’t go all the way to FP and not spend at least a day on this shockingly beautiful atoll. Bora Bora and Fakarava made this vacation for me! Every cruise stops at Bora Bora. Fakarava, not so much!
  

• Take some time to learn the basics in Royal Tahitian and French. Locals will appreciate it. It will also help you immensely when you are in the more remote locales, like Nuku Hiva.
  

• There are limited shopping opportunities for those of us who don’t like pearls! So,if you see something that you like, buy it! You might not see it again! Also,I would take advantage of some of the places that have some shopping options at the tender port or pier, like Bora Bora and Raiatea. I thought that there would be more options later in the itinerary. I am kicking myself that I didn’t buy a few souvenirs for loved ones at home.
  

Deelee, thank you very much for this post, and for all of your input and pictures throughout this review! I have bookmarked this review so I will be able to find it when I'm finally able to book a cruise to FP. In the meantime, I plan to keep coming back to look at the pictures so I stay motivated!

Thanks for the response on the questions. Again great detail and really is reason I pulled the trigger on this cruise. We are in PH3 and debiting upgrading room, but does not seem like you are in room much with this ITN. Did you do a drink package and did you find it worth it considering the amount of time off ship. Again, thanks for taking the time to do this, as many have said.

This was my first trip to FP. I searched high and low, but couldn’t find anything like this review before leaving for our trip.

 

• Find a cruise that stops at Fakarava! No place like it on Earth. Don’t go all the way to FP and not spend at least a day on this shockingly beautiful atoll. Bora Bora and Fakarava made this vacation for me! Every cruise stops at Bora Bora. Fakarava, not so much!
  

What do you suggest to do in Fakarava??

This was my first trip to FP. I searched high and low, but couldn’t find anything like this review before leaving for our trip.

 

• Find a cruise that stops at Fakarava! No place like it on Earth. Don’t go all the way to FP and not spend at least a day on this shockingly beautiful atoll. Bora Bora and Fakarava made this vacation for me! Every cruise stops at Bora Bora. Fakarava, not so much!
  

What do you suggest to do in Fakarava??

I did the tour that Hoopster highlighted in this review. It is a once in a lifetime experience.

 

Here is the link to the Trip Advisor page:

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g311416-d2140350-Reviews-Fakarava_Diving_Center-Fakarava_Tuamotu_Archipelago.html

 

The tour operator's name is Ato Lissant. He runs two tours. One is to the Blue Lagoon. It has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. We did the other one where you visit the pass on the opposite side of Fakarava from where the Marina anchors. You also visit the pink sand beaches.

 

It was the highlight of the vacation for me.

 

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I am going to really miss this thread. The photos were great and all the comments made me want to be there again. Going to have to re read this a few more times. Thanks a lot for all the hard work that went into doing this. A really great job. :):):)

Thanks for the response on the questions. Again great detail and really is reason I pulled the trigger on this cruise. We are in PH3 and debiting upgrading room, but does not seem like you are in room much with this ITN. Did you do a drink package and did you find it worth it considering the amount of time off ship. Again, thanks for taking the time to do this, as many have said.

Hi pmcue. If you do not drink wine with dinner (ie. 2 glasses), or you do not drink cocktails in the evenings (at least 2) I think it's not worth having the drink package. Daily specials were available as well along with happy hour daily for discounts.

For me on this 12 -day itinerary, and since we are wine drinkers with dinner, it was worth bare minimum doing the OLife Select package valued at $39 per day (12 days = $468 per person or $936 for both of us... much more than the $600 we could choose in it's place)

Also we enjoy cocktails, minimum one before dinner and many times one after. A double Hendricks & gin is $20 + 18% gratuity. A beautiful (VSOP or XO cognac + Grand Marnier) is $35 + 18%. For a 12 day itinerary, and an extra $20 per person per day, this was an absolute no brainer to upgrade to the Prestige Package. Better yet?.... the 18% gratuity is included within the package pricing.

So I guess it's up to you and the itinerary, length of itinerary, and what you enjoy to drink. :)

I am going to really miss this thread. The photos were great and all the comments made me want to be there again. Going to have to re read this a few more times. Thanks a lot for all the hard work that went into doing this. A really great job. :):):)

Hey RJB, I remember you posted very early on in this review.... thx for following along. Very kind words :)

It was the highlight of the vacation for me.

 

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Hey Denise! Thank you for sharing this review with me! Really glad you enjoyed adding your pics and thoughts.:D

Thanks for the response on the questions. Again great detail and really is reason I pulled the trigger on this cruise. We are in PH3 and debiting upgrading room, but does not seem like you are in room much with this ITN. Did you do a drink package and did you find it worth it considering the amount of time off ship. Again, thanks for taking the time to do this, as many have said.

What are you considering moving up to from the PH3? If an Oceania suite depending on the cost I would definitely do it. If it's just to a PH2 or Ph1 then I don't really see any benefit, unless they want to move you to one of those at no cost.

An amazing review...thank you for all the time you put into writing it!

Wow! I'm so glad I stumbled upon this review! Thank you for taking the time to post such a wonderful journal of your vacation. It brought back wonderful memories for when we did nearly the same itinerary (minus Marquesas) on the Paul Gauguin last year. We also toured with Ato in Fakarava and ranked that as our favorite day of the cruise. He took us to the Blue Lagoon, so I think it was a different tour than what you did, but either way, Ato and his crew really did a fabulous job of showing us the beauty of Fakarava! I also wrote a detailed review of my trip so I know how much work is involved in what you posted, so thanks again for sharing! :)

Hi Hoopster95,

I am on a cruise this October with stops in Papeete, Bora Bora and Moreau. Should I get XPF before I leave from Australia? I really want to purchase some of those sarongs you showcased for family back at home.

Unfortunately I may not meet Patrick as the day we are in Bora Bora there is also the Paul Gauguin ship in port which happened to you too. Never mind, you’ve warned us. I will go with the flow. I am doing the full day with 4x4 combo with Maohi Nui.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers,

Cheryl

P.S. Thank you sooooo much for a wonderful insight into French Polynesia. My bucket list place.

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Hi Hoopster95,

 

I am on a cruise this October with stops in Papeete, Bora Bora and Moreau. Should I get XPF before I leave from Australia? I really want to purchase some of those sarongs you showcased for family back at home.

 

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Hello Newby,

I apologize for this late reply as I just disembarked from a UK cruise on RCL and had not been looking at CC much while away. Just sitting at airport now going through a ton of posts and saw that you had asked this question...

Very easy to get XPF in Tahiti or elsewhere, no need to bring any from Oz. Many ATMs available in Papeete, and especially just outside the Bora Bora port very close to the shops I discussed. Remember that the stores (unlike the flee market-like kiosks) will take credit cards.

Have a great cruise![emoji106]

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Hoopster95 - Thank you so much for your fabulous, well written and thorough review of your vacation onboard the Marina. I just stumbled upon it today looking at Oceania cruise reports. I especially enjoyed your comparison with RCL. We are also fans of RCL and they are our cruise line of choice especially while we still have 1 of our 3 daughters still at home and LOVE RCL for their ships/activities etc - there is truly something for everyone. While you were on the Marina in Tahiti, we were on the Oasis in the Caribbean and what is more coincidental... we were getting off the Brilliance as you were getting on in Amsterdam 6/21. We did the 12 night Baltic 6/9-6/21 and absolutely loved it!!! Thanks again for the comparison of Oceania to RCL! As my husband and I approach our empty nest years, we are looking forward to trying some other cruise lines.

I hope you had a great time on the Brilliance!!

Thanks for taking the time to post your review of this cruise. Great pictures of the ship, the islands & the different excursions. We are doing this cruise in Mar 2019. Your pictures give us something to look forward to. We passed your post on to our roll call group and so far those that are reading it have nothing but good to say about it.

Allan