Good Morning from the PACIFIC PRINCESS

[vette]

Toto and Where2next,

 

Thank you so much for the Havaiki Nui information and videos. I just loved watching the videos and I am sad that I will not be there for the races. Next time I will just have to plan better. But it sure was nice to be able to see those beautiful blue waters that I will be snorkling in just a few weeks. Ahhhhhhh!

 

Vette

[Pia1913]

Hi Toto..........good to hear you're having a ball. Hope the casino keeps you happy too. ;)

 

Now that my LIVE is done, I will continue travelling on yours.

[mississauga]

OK OK lets keep this on topic.

 

 

Just trying to give Toto a little support here.

[ellbon]

we were able to use the spa showers when we left the ship. we had a nice pool day and then showered before the airport. it would be a little strange showering and washing your hair by the pool.

[paul929207]

we were able to use the spa showers when we left the ship. we had a nice pool day and then showered before the airport. it would be a little strange showering and washing your hair by the pool.

Even stranger if you got dressed by the pool.

[donna5]

We were able to use the spa showers in 2003 and also in 2005.

[dorothyh]

 

 

Our old friends from the last cruise are on their way home now. All the luggage has been claimed from the tents, and their flight left about 10 minutes ago (or at least was supposed to). I would guess their flight left about 15 minutes late as we could see if take off overhead just after 10:00 PM. They left showered, and I hope refreshed, as our room steward left extra towels and toiletries for them. Since they were in the suite on the opposite side of the ship from us, they kept laughing how everything was the same, only backwords.

 

It was great sailing with this group, and I hope they have a safe flight back to the U.S. and Canada.

 

From Toto's old/new friend - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the use of the showers that last night - MUCH appreciated!!!

 

The lines at the airport were unbelievable! The lounge to wait in after yo got through the lines was actually very nice - no A/C, but as it was 9-10 PM, the big fans and the open air area made it very comfortable, and there were comfortable couches everywhere, and plenty of them. The lines though in Tahiti...we got to the airport at around 7:00 PM and were in the waiting area a little after 9, so it took us a little over 2 hours to go through all the lines.

 

And the Air Tahiti flight - less legroom than any of our Continental or American flights. We were squished!

 

Immigration at LAX was not anywhere near as bad as expected. It took us less 1/2 hour to get through and get our luggage back on track.

 

However, our first flight out of LAX was delayed, which messed us our St. Louis connection. We were able to switch our flights through, and flew through Chicago and then to Newark and got in only 1/2 hour after our original flight.

 

It was SO nice through all that travel to have showered in the last 24 hours! Thank you so so much; that made such a nice difference and was such a nice thing for you to do.

 

Our luggage, however, did NOT make the connection and is still not here - the airport said it should arrive at our home in the next three hours.

 

This was the trip of a lifetime and we had such a great time - the staff is as friendly as Toto described, the small ship was great (no lines anywhere!), the views were breathtaking, and the excursions were a lot of fun.

 

Although this was the trip of a lifetime, I know we'll be back to Hawaii and French Polynesia. I don't know when - but we'll be back.

 

Enjoy the rest of your stay, Toto! We will be with you in spirit! And I hope you find someone as nice as you are to allow you to use their shower the last day!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

From the bridge cam today Toto.

Looks like you have a glorious day in Huahine.

[Toto2Kansas]

Trying again:

Hi Toto,

Like you we have been visiting Tahiti for over 20 years,

and remember what it used to be like.

I am very proud of what they have done

with the redevelopment of the waterfront and pier area.

Streets ahead of what it was in the early days.

The thing that still amazes us even today,

is where does all that downtown traffic come from.

Its almost as if they they have decided that to be a modern town

they need traffic problems

It is so out of character with a tropical paradise,

but I guess thats life.

All the best for the rest of your cruise.

Trust changeover day is not too harrowing....

Remember when the ships pulled up parallel to the dock and you looked out and all you could see was the traffic circle and cars everywhere? Oh My, was that a shocker after leaving Moorea each time. At least now the beautiful Pavilion area has taken the place of that traffic circle. But the traffic is just as bad as ever. Since we are backed into the new pier, all we hear (especially in the early morning) is traffic, and all you can smell is exhaust fumes. :( I hung lei's around the stateroom in hopes to freshen up the air, as when we open the balcony door..............OMG the odor is overpowering.

I agree though, the pier has come a very long way since those days and now is much more appealing to the eye.

In fact, we walked over this evening and watched a great show of Tahitian dancers with live music (the ones that were on the pier for the ceremony the other evening to greet Princess ships back for another season in Tahiti). One little girl dancer was spectacular, and I managed to take a few pics of this one that I think turned out pretty well. Although we were all the way in the back, somehow one young male dancer tapped on my shoulder from behind and tried to get me up with the others that were chosen to dance. Now, I am a good sport, but I just could not bare the thought of totally embarrassing myself in front of a new ship full of passengers today. So I tried to be gracious, but declined. lol

Our old friends from the last cruise are on their way home now. All the luggage has been claimed from the tents, and their flight left about 10 minutes ago (or at least was supposed to). I would guess their flight left about 15 minutes late as we could see if take off overhead just after 10:00 PM. They left showered, and I hope refreshed, as our room steward left extra towels and toiletries for them. Since they were in the suite on the opposite side of the ship from us, they kept laughing how everything was the same, only backwords.

It was great sailing with this group, and I hope they have a safe flight back to the U.S. and Canada.

Time for me to try to catch a few ZZZZZ's now. And if the purser's desk tries calling me at 7:00 AM tomorrow morning, there definitely will be someone's head rolling this time. LOL (I could not get this to post last night, so saved it for this morning).

I hit the bed hard last night just before 10:30 and slept like a rock (to make up for yesterday). It’s another great day with the sun shining brightly on our balcony. Since it’s Saturday (I think), the traffic isn’t as busy as it was yesterday, and the exhaust fumes are tolerable. The pier is deserted this early, except for a few passengers out for an early morning run.

Not sure what we are doing today, but we will be heading up to Sabatinis in a few moments for breakfast (we sure did miss not having this option yesterday). But our waiters assured us that our ‘specialty coffees’ would be waiting for us as soon as we arrived, when we chatted with them upstairs last evening.

I noticed when I was talking with the future cruise rep yesterday that her flower (behind her ear) had lost a petal, and she said she was sad as she broke it. I saw some over in Le Marche yesterday and might just have to run back over and pick her up one as a surprise. She has been very very kind to us and I would like to show a bit of appreciataion.

I will try to check back in later on and report if we find anything fun to do today.

Just to add, the ship isn't only carrying French passengers, but we have a large group from Spain onboard also. All of the major info in the Princess patter is not printed in both English, French and Spanish.

Now to see if this will post.

[Toto2Kansas]

Ok, not I am caught up I will report from today.

We just returned from a glorious day on Huahine with Marc's tour. The weather was absolutely PERFECT this time, unlike our last visit 5 years ago when it rained buckets all day long.

 

We had many cruise critics on this excursion, and it made it all the better knowing a few through the roll call.

I took lots of pictures and maybe tomorrow (another sea day), I will have time to post some for those who are interested. I also took some digital movies that I will post on YouTube after I get home.

 

At 11:30 tomorrow, we have a small (?) group meeting up at our house (lol) for a relaxed get together. And a five year old that is in our group that is bringing along his snorkel gear and plans on practicing in the tub while they are here. I told him he could IF he wore his swimsuit and allowed me to take a few pictures of him practicing.

 

I am pooped today, after all those days of not doing much in Papeete, and we are about to set sail. So, I will end this for this time and hopefully find some time either later on or tomorrow to post more about Marc's tour.

Opps, definitely need to run, we are leaving a few minutes early and I wan't to watch from the balcony.

 

Dorothy, glad to hear you made it home safe and sound, hope you luggage finds you soon.

We miss seeing you and Rich each morning up at Sabatinis, it just isn't the same without you. ;) So nice to get to meet you both, and hopefully we will see you again someday onboard another ship.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Just read your posting, went over to the bridge cam

and caught you sailing out.

Pretty close to that reef:eek:

Enjoy your sea day .....

and the snorkelling practice.:D

 

 

[California Native]

We just returned from a glorious day on Huahine with Marc's tour. The weather was absolutely PERFECT this time, unlike our last visit 5 years ago when it rained buckets all day long.

 

We had many cruise critics on this excursion, and it made it all the better knowing a few through the roll call.

I took lots of pictures and maybe tomorrow (another sea day), I will have time to post some for those who are interested. I also took some digital movies that I will post on YouTube after I get home.

 

At 11:30 tomorrow, we have a small (?) group meeting up at our house (lol) for a relaxed get together. And a five year old that is in our group that is bringing along his snorkel gear and plans on practicing in the tub while they are here. I told him he could IF he wore his swimsuit and allowed me to take a few pictures of him practicing.

 

.

 

Yippeeee! A perfect day in paradise for you!!! You certainly deserve it!

I bet snorkel practice will be very entertaining!

Have a wonderful soiree at sea!

K

[kruisey]

Thanks again for these wonderful posts of yours.You really make me feel as if I am on that cruise with you........Kruisey:)

[Toto2Kansas]

Totally pooped out here this evening. We had dinner at the buffet (the dining room menu didn't interest us and we just weren't up to the Steakhouse this evening). I paid a quick visit to the casino (total failure :() in that area tonight.

Ran into Ivono and asked if he was busy tomorrow around noon, and would love it if he would stop by our CC get together. He told me he would call around 11:30 and see if they had arrived and he would love to stop up. He is definitely a charmer and I am sure the others would love to meet him. So, I just might have a little surprise for them when they arrive for the official/unoffical cruise critic roll call gathering (plus extra friends).

I sat through part of the Dick Gold show tonight with DH when the casino wasn't being kind, figured it would be less expensive then continuing on a loosing streak. When you get this tired from all the water activities today..........it is just kind of silly to do anything but sit.

Let me see if I can attach a couple of pictures direct from my computer for you to see what we saw today, and I will try to get the energy tomorrow to download more to the webshots albums.

[Toto2Kansas]

How about ONE GREAT pic of Moorea that was absolutely fantastic?

[paul929207]

Beautiful picture. Thanks for posting it.

[vette]

Oh, Toto, that picture is amazing. Can't wait until it is my turn to join Marc on Huahine.

 

Dorothy, I felt just like you did last time I left Tahiti. I swore I would be back; I didn't know when, I didn't know how; I just knew I would return. And I will be there just 41/2 week from now. You will also make it back someday!

 

Vette

[California Native]

Toto...

Your pictures are so beautiful!

I just exhaled!

Who's your Future Cruise Consultant?

Did Rebecca decide to stay longer? I think her mom was doing the last 2 sailings with you...at least she was cleared to when we were onboard in June.

and to Dorothy H...

in 2007 my mom and I went to Tahiti for a b2b...we thought this is it, we need to enjoy it, because we will probably never be back...

and we have been trying to make a return work ever since we left French Polynesian waters...

you will return...the water and the pace of life is now in your soul!

[Pia1913]

We too thought that it would be a one shot deal when we went to Tahiti in 2004. Nope. Going to be there again next year; twice. Coming and going to/from Sydney.

 

Enjoying your blog, Toto. A lot easier when you're the reader instead of the author. :D

[ggprincess2004]

How about ONE GREAT pic of Moorea that was absolutely fantastic?

 

Spectacular - have been enjoying your blog so much, as the Hawaii/Tahiti segment will be a great part of our Sapphire sailing (with Pia) next fall. Looking forward to it even more after that photo of Moorea and all your great info and stories. Wish you were coming along too!

 

Enjoy some more!!!!

 

g

[donna5]

Toto,

 

Is Ivano the same one that was on the ship in Ocober 2005? If so he is the one that had my birthday cake ordered for me. I had contacted them before hand since my birthday was the day after boarding. It was a delicious dark choc with a dark chocolatey like fudge frosting:). It is my Birthday today and I have no chocolate cake:(

 

But I am sitting here having a great memory. If it is him, tell him Donna Bitting from Colorado says Hi.

 

Glad you had a great time in Huahine.

[Toto2Kansas]

Good Morning from another perfect day sailing Tahitian waters. The sun is on the other side of the ship this morning so we are enjoying a great shady balcony without our sunglasses before and after breakfast. Seas are very calm today, and we can barely feel the ship move (although I prefer a little more wave action, I am sure other passengers are finding this enjoyable as we have a lot of younger first timers onboard this sailing).

 

We have just returned from breakfast at Sabainis (which I have to admit has always been the highlight of the start of each day). BUT, this morning was a bit different. As we entered, there was a man outside with a rather large group of friends that were trying to enter. He is staying in a mini suite and was demanding entrance to Sabatinis for himself and his group for breakfast. Poor Roni (ass't MD) was explaining to him it is for full suite guests only. The man was yelling and screaming at poor Roni and demanding to speak to his superior. The sign outside Sabatinis says "Breakfast for SUITE passengers" and he was insisting he was in a mini suite and no where did the sign say for BIG (his words) suites only.

This went on and on for about 10 minutes as the man would not back down. Finally, it grew quiet and he and his group left in a huff. I can understand the confusion in a way, but OMG, this guy made an idiot (for lack of the real word to describe) of himself. Such a shame.

 

We have noticed that this younger group in Sabatinis is a lot different than on the last cruise. Some seem to BARK orders at the staff, you don't hear any words like "Please and Thank You", just very very demanding. And I hate to admit it, but so far the suite passengers upstairs have all been Americans. :( To us, it is almost embarassing to see this type of behavior. Maybe it's just us that feel that way, but we have so enjoyed the wonderful staff onboard that go out of their way to assist and make our cruise as perfect as possible. And this coming from someone who had a lot of problems on the first segment of these B2B's.

 

To answer the question about the future cruise consultant. Her name is Jennifer and she is as sweet as can be. Always a smile on her face, and always remembers us by name. (one reason we brought her that little gift, as she has been very pleasent from day one of the first cruise).

 

I will have to ask Ivono is he was onboard back then. If he has time to stop today, we will have more of a chance to chat.

 

OK, off I go, time to get ready for our little CC get together. I will have my camera ready and post some attached pictures later on. Time to chill the wine (remember, it's 5:00 somewhere lol) and set up the bar for the group.

 

Signing off again from a perfect day in paradise.

[ggprincess2004]

We have noticed that this younger group in Sabatinis is a lot different than on the last cruise. Some seem to BARK orders at the staff, you don't hear any words like "Please and Thank You", just very very demanding. And I hate to admit it, but so far the suite passengers upstairs have all been Americans. :( To us, it is almost embarassing to see this type of behavior. Maybe it's just us that feel that way, but we have so enjoyed the wonderful staff onboard that go out of their way to assist and make our cruise as perfect as possible. And this coming from someone who had a lot of problems on the first segment of these B2B's.

 

You are not at all alone, and I find it terribly embarrassing as well when people fail to treat others with courtesy and respect. It doesn't matter whether it is passenger to staff, or the other way around, or anywhere or anyone for that matter, courtesy is courtesy and exists to make everyone's experience more pleasant.

 

And, Toto, maintaining your sense of humor in the face of forced showers - a sign of quality!!!:) You are exactly the type of passenger the staff wants to have a perfect cruise and keep you coming back, but you know that.

 

Isn't it wonderful when people do greet you by name and make you feel welcome and special. Kudos to your CC rep Jennifer!

 

Ginger

[paul929207]

I don't know why some people insist on treating others like they are sub human.

[ellbon]

Toto

 

thanks for all your updates. loved the pictures. as far as the Ugly Americans-- this is why so many Europeans think we are rude.

 

i heard a story about the spoec dining on the Solstice. one woman ruin dinner for he entire room. the bigwigs here called in for more bigwigs as nothing would make her happy.

 

I have had many mini suites but if i wanted the extras of a suite I would pay for them. not become a witch.