Honeymoon in Moorea, Can I Afford it?

Old May 22nd, 2001, 09:17 PM
  #1  
steve diamanti
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Honeymoon in Moorea, Can I Afford it?

Hello,

I am considering Moorea as one of my destinations for my honeymoon. It looks extermely nice, but I am worried that my budget may be a little tight. I can afford hotel and air, but this leaves me little money for food and other activities, and all the all-inclusive packages seem much more expensive. Any advice? Any alternatives?

Thanks so much,

steve
 
Old May 24th, 2001, 09:20 AM
  #2  
Dan
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I don't know how much you are willing to pay, but we are going to Moorea from Baltimore. We are staying at the Sofitel in a garden bungalow. Total cost, just over $3000.00.
 
Old May 25th, 2001, 09:07 AM
  #3  
Brian
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We've booked our July honeymoon in Fiji. It looks wonderful and may be more afforadable than Moorea. Look at www.bulafiji.com for some info.
 
Old May 25th, 2001, 01:22 PM
  #4  
John
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My wife and I went to Moorea and Bora Bora for out 5th anniversary last year, because we wanted to go for our honeymoon but thought it was too expensive. You can go to Moorea cheaper than you think. The Frommers web site often lists some good deals. You won't be staying at the Sofitel, but what makes Moorea beautiful isn't the hotels but the water and mountains. You will want to rent a car one day. Bicycles work most of the time for local transportation. You don't need to go on snorkeling excursions because just about everywhere there is good snorkeling right off the beach. If you get a room with a mini-fridge, you can buy bread, cheese, juice, fruit, etc. at the local markets and eat breakfast and/or lunch on your patio or on the beach. Do not buy all-inclusive, the price break vs. ala-carte is not great and limits your ability to expand your dining opportunities. Eat at the "Snack" restaurants, food is often as good, but much cheaper. Ambience is often similar, since no restaurants can afford A.C. so they all are open to the air and flowers anyway.
 
Old May 25th, 2001, 04:54 PM
  #5  
Diane
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Steve,
I agree with Brian...take a look at Fiji. It seems far more affordable that Tahiti. I was in Fiji Sept '81 and then again Nov. 2000, and I dream daily of going back. A young woman I know just came back from her honeymoon where they did Castaway Island and the Blue Lagoon Cruise and she said it was fabulous. The people of Fiji are like no other I have ever met......so friendly and kind. Worth looking into. For a good idea look at Tokoriki Island's website and maybe the Blue Lagoon or Captain Cook Cruise lines. It will at least give you some idea of prices, although, what is posted on the web is not always the true price......good deals to be had. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and I hope wherever you choose it leaves you with great memories.
Diane
 
Old May 26th, 2001, 04:33 PM
  #6  
steve diamanti
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Hello all,

thank you so much for your advice, i hadn't considered fiji, but after looking into it, it looks even more interesting than moorea,

thanks again
 
Old May 26th, 2001, 08:22 PM
  #7  
Geoff
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Fiji has a wide range of alternatives for various budgets and ranges of activities. It also tends to be a different atmosphere from Tahiti. If you want more of the Tahiti atmosphere without the price, also look into the Cooks. For a hybrid between the Cooks/Tahiti and Fiji, Tonga is still off the beaten track yet a very nice place to go.

 
Old May 27th, 2001, 10:02 AM
  #8  
julie
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Moorea is VERY expensive--grocery stores are as high or higher than here, because everything is imported from New Zealand. Can eat a little cheeper than hotels, but, on the whole, our recent trip was disapointing, and we spend a great deal of money, with questionable value. One exception was our 7 day cruise on the Paul Gauguin...it was spectacular in every way, and they didn't nickel and dime you to death, as on other cruises.

 
Old Jun 1st, 2001, 03:54 PM
  #9  
Louis
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Based on your coments the answer is, no you can't afford it. Draw a 500 mile circle around where you live, is not there a nice place to spend some time. On a honeymoon, where you are is not that important. You can appreciate it a more a few years later. Save some money and get something that will last the rest of your lives. We bought a bed which came in handy on what we saved on our honeymoom.
 
Old Jun 27th, 2001, 01:40 PM
  #10  
Patrick
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I to am going to be taking a Honeymoon. I was intrested in Fiji, more so the Tahiti. My travel agent advised me against it due to some US governmental warning, urging US residents not to travel to Fiji. There's some uprising going on over there. Has anyone had any experience with this?
 
Old Jun 27th, 2001, 08:28 PM
  #11  
Will
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The coup in Fiji is old news. It is over and never amounted to anything in terms of tourist safety anyway.

I suggest you add Matangi Island (www.matangiisland.com/) to your list of honeymoon destinations to consider.
 
Old Jul 2nd, 2001, 07:22 PM
  #12  
YS
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Also look into Cook Islands - I think they are the most affordable destination in South Pacific. Costo travel has packages there for $1300 per pareson, 8 days, including air from LAX.
My girlfriend and I spend incredible 7 days in Tahiti this March: 3 days on Bora Bora (Pearl Beach resort, garden bungalow), 3 days on Moorea (Shareton, overwater) and 1 night at Tahiti (Sheraton). We flew Corsair from Oakland, CA. This is a regularly scheduled charter, which flyies to Tahiti from Oakland and LAX (the flights orginate in Paris). The ticket is only about $580 per person r/t. We would up spending about $4,500 for both of us, not including food, but we've stayed at the nice hotels. The food is also expencive if you eat at the restaurants: $100 dinner for 2, $50 lunch for two (we only ate twice a day). Tahiti is beautiful. Check out these forums for more information about Tahiti:
http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/
http://www.polynesianislands.com/wwwboard/fp/

A web site about Cook Islands:
http://www.ck/
 
Old Jul 3rd, 2001, 06:54 AM
  #13  
Ally
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Steve,
Listen to Will. It's true, the troubles in Fiji ARE old news and was NEVER a problem for tourist anyway. I can't believe your travel agent advised against it. He/She needs to catch up with the times. GO TO FIJI. It's fabulous.
 
Old Jul 6th, 2001, 04:10 AM
  #14  
Michelle Krueger
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My husband and I went to French Polynesia in 1999, and we really enjoyed it. We spent a lot of money, but in hind-sight, we could have done things a lot cheaper (see excellent suggestions above). In favor of French Polynesia - the nice thing about Moorea was that you can take an inexpensive ferry to Tahiti, and explore that island, and for a little more money, you could hop a small plane and visit other islands in the archipelago. My advice if you want to save money is to stay on Tahiti - it's cheaper, and you can take the above-mentioned ferry across to Moorea. Another hint - do not stay in Papeete - you will be disappointed. Papeete is nice to visit, but you wouldn't want to stay there.
Have fun!
Michelle
 

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