Tahiti Travel Information

Cruise

Transportation

Hotels

Activities

Miscellaneous

Cruise Information:

Our cruise was offered by Renaissance Cruises (now Oceania). Their 10-day cruises to Tahiti started around $2500/ person including air from LAX, but excluding port taxes ($250/ person) and tips ($120/ person). We bought the cruise through an online auction and saved several hundred dollars.

Although Oceania doesn't cruise Tahiti anymore, the Radisson Seven Seas MS Paul Gauguin does. 7-day cruises (without Huahine) start around $2800 (cruise only). Some longer voyages are offered. Aranui is offering a 16-day cruise of the remote Marquesas. Other local operators are offering exclusive three to 16-day full-service cruises on smaller, yacht-like vessels, often with scuba instruction.

We were very satisfied with the beautiful vessel and perfect on-board service. The ship carried only 684 passengers and had a no-children policy, making it quieter and more cozy and private than large 2000+ passenger liners. The new R3 was spacious and tastefully appointed. The ship featured a gorgeouos entrance stairway; four open-seating, upscale restaurants; several bars; swimming pool, jaccuzzis, shops, gym, spa, library, and theater lounge with evening entertainment. The staff was friendly and attentive. The restaurants were wonderful; some formal, with five course meals served to piano music, others self-serve and casual. The food and desserts - prepared by European chefs - were exceptional.

Our cabin was reasonably spacious for a cruise ship (165 squ. ft.; suites are 320 squ.ft.) and elegantly appointed, with a well equipped bathroom (shower only; suites have tubs) and plenty of storage space.

Getting there:
Several airlines, including Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, and Hawaiian Airlines offer flights from the US. to Papeete FAA'A (Tahiti) several times a week. The airport code is PPT (useful when searching Travelocity, Expedia, or - for students - STA Travel).

Getting around:
Most of the Society islands have small airports served by scheduled flights from Papeete. A cheaper option is to take ferries, which operate between all the islands. Tickets are sold directly at the ports. Only the Tahiti-Moorea and Raiatea-Taha'a ferry services operate several times a day. Other ferries run once a day or every other day.

Places to stay:
The hotels on the islands are spectacular, located on perfect beaches or private motus. Many feature overwater bungalows. Rooms/bungalows are costly, ranging from around $300/night (Moorea) to $500 - $1000+/night (Bora Bora). Rooms at small family hotels are available at rates of around $150/night. There are even hostels.

Affordable air/hotel-packages from the US. can be booked through Pleasant Holidays. Arrangements typically start at $1000 for air + five nights in Papeete ($1400 Moorea) and range up to $3500+ for 3-island trips. Air Tahiti Nui also offers reasonably priced flights and vacation packages to Tahiti.

Things to see:
Hotels and cruise ships have tour desks which will arrange excursions. We had a wonderful time on our excursions, though you will get the same excursion for about half the price (about $45 instead of $80) if you inquire with locals waiting at small stalls at the ports.

A trip to a motu (tiny islet with white sand and coconut palms) is a must, as is snorkeling, especially in areas with stingrays. I took a private Motu tour by a family in Raiatea, and it was amazing (Lys Hinerani, Tel & Fax (689) 66-25-75). Jeep tours to Raiatea's jungle can be booked locally at tel. (689) 66-25-50. Bora Bora is so beautiful that a simple bus or bicycle ride to the beach is just perfect.

Things to buy:
Black pearls, fresh vanilla, Monoi Tiare (exotic soap, suntan, and perfume products), pareos and print shirts, wooden tiki gods.

Miscellaneous:
Currency: Polynesian Franc.
Exchange rate: 1 USD = 100 XPF
Language: French
Vaccinations required: none.

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