Tahitian Princess Disembarkation

[lighthouse206]

To all you TP Veterans:

 

Wondering how disembark works on this ship? We're on the Feb 8th sailing.

 

Specifically... our Princess Air (Air Tahiti Nui) flight doesn't depart PPT until 11:30PM on the day of debarkation.

 

What do we do all day? Do they let us stay on the ship? Provide us with someplace to stay throughout the day besides the airport? Any tips on this?

 

Thanks.

[Toto2Kansas]

You vacate your cabin around 10:00 AM (if memory serves me correctly), and they hold your larger luggage for you since you still place it outside your cabin the final evening. You can keep your carry on or check it at the steakhouse upstairs until right before you leave if you like.

They will leave the buffet open all day for embarking and disembarking passengers that final day. A few hours before your flight, if you booked Princess transfers, you will be taken by bus to the airport where the zoo begins..............so be prepared for long lines and lots of security checks before you get to your gate.

 

You will be free to come and go all day long from the ship as the new passengers board. It gets a little crowded at times, but better than sitting at the airport for the entire day. So, you can enjoy the ship or take a tour and still come back for meals or to just sit around the pool if that is your desire.

[HRHMadonna]

Also...The showers in the spa area are available for disembarking passengers. We checked our carry-ons in the steakhouse & went sightseeing all day. When we got back to the ship late afternoon we took hot showers & ate a leisurely dinner in the buffet before heading out to the airport. PS There was a short line for the showers but the wait wasn't too long...Amazingly many people were not aware that Princess made the showers available....Most of the folks in line were from our CC Roll Call.

 

Also...we took cabs to & from the airport approx $20-25 total each way for 4 people in the cab....I think Princess transfers were about $60.00. We had no trouble gettiing a cab. By the way, most areas of the airport are not AC, so that is not a good place to kill time that last day. The ship will be a much better choice.

[Toto2Kansas]

We were not allowed to use the showers in the spa, although we were told they would be available, they would not allow us to and all but told us to get lost, that was not what they were for. Hopefully they are letting passengers use them now as when we sailed, we were quite a stinky bunch boarding the flights for home. :(

[caribill]

Just returned from the TP.

 

We were told that the Spa showers were for those who had Princess shore excursions that day, not everyone.

 

Also, the dining room is open for lunch in addition to the buffet. From 2:30 to 6 PM, the buffet is closed, but the hamberger grill is open as is the pizza window in the buffet area.

 

We did not use Princess transfers to the airport. Our note said to be out of the cabin by 9 AM and off the ship by 6 PM. Obviously those with Princess transfers stay later than 6 PM if needed until the bus goes.

 

In addition to the option of Princess shore excursions, there are movies in the show lounge during the day and you can participate in offered activities such as trivia.

[Ontario Cruiser]

We actually don't fly out until the following night. No room on flight until then. I checked with Princess twice and they said that we can actually stay in the lounge overnight as the ship doesn't leave until the following day but had to be off by 9am that day. So that is what we are doing.

Merry Christmas

Ontario Cruiser:)

[paul929207]

When we took the TP from Papeete to Honolulu, they were calling groups for transfers to the airport while we were eating second seating dinner.

[Toto2Kansas]

We were told that the Spa showers were for those who had Princess shore excursions that day, not everyone.

 

This could be where the confusion lies. I know we had one gentleman (?) on our sailing that when refused at the spa, told them if they didn't allow him to use the showers he would strip down naked at the pool and take his soap/shampoo and shower there. LOL They allowed him and his friend to use the showers, but none of the rest of us.

With the temps in Tahiti at times, it would be nice if they had some facility for everyone to shower before heading home, it would be a very nice gesture on their part after a long hot day.

We have decided that IF we venture to that area again, we will do a post cruise stay, instead of pre-cruise. We weren't fond of trying to hang out at the ship that last day as we felt very displaced.

[BigGuy25]

Some folks also book a room for a day at a local hotel so that they can use the pool and other services before showering and heading for the airport.

 

The de-embarkation in Hawaii (which we did in July) is run much more like any other ship. Because Honolulu is a major international airport, there are many flights at "reasonable" times, so everyone gets off the ship the morning of arrival.

[laurieb]

since your flight doesn't leave until the following night, why don't you rent a hotel room for a night? You will be much more comfortable. There are hotels close to the ship and also several resorts that are beautiful.

[hillslife]

This summer we were out of our cabin by 10am. Wallked around Papeete for awhile, then laid out by the pool, read, had lunch, etc. We left the ship about 530pm (we wanted to miss the Princess bus and the crowd) took a cab to the airport, no problem.

 

Just be aware, the airport in Papeete is VERY SMALL and is not open 24/7 like our large cities. The airport did not even open til 7pm - so you might want to plan your arrival there accordingly. We got there early and had to sit outside on the curb til someone arrived.

 

Also, there are not many flights in and out (usually ATN and AF) and ATN has a pretty bad 'on time' rate. We were supposed to leave at 1030p but didn't leave til 1am with no excuses given....that makes the airport wait much longer.

 

Next time I think we will do a hotel post cruise and fly out the next morning...Good luck. You will love the cruise - enjoy.

[cruzegirl]

Good info. all...... My friends and I are cruising October 2008.... So I'm looking for all the info. I can get........:D