Flyer, Dec. 7 - Tahiti.

[joycek]

Any suggestions for hotels pre cruise in Papeete? We are trying to decide and have looked at Raddison and Intercontinental.

Thank-you.

[budaman]

Just got back from our trip Wed. & had a great time. We stayed 1 day pre at the Sofetil and 2 days post at the Radisson. Of the two, I would recommend the Radisson. We also visited the Intercontinental & the Sheraton when we toured the island. Unless you want an OWB, I would pick the Radisson over either of those for quiet & relaxation. They are all about the same distance from the cruise docks, but the Radisson is the opposite way from Papeete & the airport. The transfers provided if you book with Star Clippers directly are very efficient and included in the pkg. prices as is breakfast & late checkout.

 

If we were to do it again, we would probably skip the pre stay & add one more to the post stay.....and if we could afford it, stay post in Moorea. As I stated, the Radisson was very nice, but as a whole we weren't impressed with the island of Tahiti as a whole. We rented a car this trip because we didn't get to see any of Tahiti outside of Papeete last trip....pretty much a waste of time. There are very few stunning places left on the island along the coastline. We would do one of the 4X4 excursions to the interior in the future.

 

Mike

[joycek]

That is good advice. We stayed at Sofetil many years ago & it was run down then, but could have been renovated. We were aiming for the Radisson, don't need an OWB. We do have airfare with them so doing the whole pkg. Mostly interested in a good beach, clean, and actually very nice! We will not rent a car to see the Is., good tip. We will spend 1 night in LA on the way, as we are coming from Calgary.

Thanks for writing! Joyce.

[budaman]

The beach at the Radisson is probably the best beach on Tahiti. It is black sand and is probably 1/2 mile long. It is a public beach, but everyone we saw the 2 days was just enjoying themselves and not being obnoxious. The pool is also very nice.The breakfast was quite good, but prepare yourselves for the meals you have to pay for. The least expensive thing is the burger & they are about $18 and a foo-foo drink is about the same.

 

Most of the other couples that stayed there after the cruise were upgraded to the 2 story suites as we were....quite nice.

 

The Sofetil was renovated a couple of years ago, but they put carpet in the halls & rooms which were quite stained and kind of smelled and they rooms were very small. The Radisson had Bamboo flooring and the whole place was very clean.

 

Also, walk down the beach a little ways & you'll come across a quaint little local bar called Le Beach House. Nice atmosphere to watch the sunset over Moorea.

 

Mike

[Carmelita]

Mike

 

I seem to remember you were going to be diving on this cruise. We are going on Star Flyer in mid-Nov and my husband would like to do some diving.

 

Did you have many diving opportunities? Where?

 

How much extra was it to rent gear vs bringing your own?

 

What was the per dive cost?

 

Thanks for any help.

[budaman]

Hi Carmelita.....the diving was great. I'll post the details in another thread so we don't take this one astray:D

 

Mike

[joycek]

Hello!

The Radisson it is. We are prepared for the expense on Papeete, it was like that in the early 90's so would be worse now. We were on the Windstar then.

We will head for Le Beach House also.

Any other good tips?

Thanks again, Joyce.

[Mexfolkart]

Hi, Joyce..we are also on the Dec 7 sailing! We will be staying in town in Papeete prior to sailing and take day trips out from there for a few days, maybe even the ferry to Moorea. Don't remember our hotel but can get that for you later.

Would be fun to all get together for dinner the night before sailing! We did that in Barcelona with 12 other CC members and had a great time, also fun then to board and see new friends!

Sherry & Kimber

[joycek]

Hello,

That is an idea, thanks very much. We don't want to make a plan this soon ahead. One thing is we have some friends that may be on another Is. at the same time, & we would go over there for the day.

Failing meeting up pre, we will look forward to seeing you on board! It should be a super cruise.

Cheers for now, J.

[AirbusPat]

Howdy fellow cruisers

 

 

We are also on the Dec. 7 cruise. This will be our second Star Clipper trip and our second time in Tahiti. We can't wait!:D

 

 

See you there

 

Pat + Mindy

Pedro Point, CA

[Comet23]

Budaman, Looking at a December cruise and am a little concerned about having a problem with motion sickness. Can you tell me about the movement of the Star Flyer?

[clipperskipper]

Hi together, motion sickness will not be a problem, if you prepare a bit. As Star Flyer is a tall ship with a well balanced hull and sail plan, the movements will be acceptable even in bad condition. She moves a bit more than a big "steel box"-liner but after two days you will have your sealegs. The onboard nurse offers some pharmaceuticals if you have a problem with sea-sickness. When the wind conditions permitting and the Captain like sailing, the ship will be very stable. Under sail, she is moving just in one direction of course with a little heeling ;-) Very nice. In Polynesia you will mostly have long and smooth waves from 0 to 2 metres, depending on the sailing date, as it is the swell of the open pacific waters. Sometimes there could be little local thunderstorms (in winter season) which bring wind up to 30kn in gusts 40kn with rocky sea but once again the ship is very comfortable in the seas and the crew is well trained. We have been on Star Flyer in February for three weeks and enjoyed a lot of beautiful tropical sailing with a well eyperienced tall-ship Captain. Have a nice time in the middle of nowhere. Greetings from Germany.

 

PS: Don't miss: Bloody Mary's Bar, Bora Bora, ATV-Tour Moorea!!!, Jungle-Hike to waterfalls (Raiatea), Helmlet-Diving in Bora Bora, and ask the Cruise Director for a private Jet Ski Tour in Moorea - the Jet Ski guys take you out in the open waters with 130hp Jet Skis, expensive but extraordinary. If you play Golf, have fun on the new Jack Nicklaus course in Moorea - friendly staff, good equipment for rent, interesting course.

[Comet23]

Thank you for the great information, it makes me feel much more confident. Also, thank you for the information regarding the excursions.