Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - South Pacific for honeymoon?

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- - South Pacific for honeymoon? (https://www.fodors.com/community/australia-and-the-pacific/south-pacific-for-honeymoon-277754/)

PS - We are also in our early 40's, but we were celebrating our 20th Anniversary. There were a number of couples our age or a bit younger there on their honeymoons. We didn't see any kids (except of course the sweet french polynesian children). A number of couples we met were married on the island. We watched one ceremony from a distance one evening - it was held at the Sofitel Marara and was very beautiful.

I just returned from my honeymoon in New Zealand and the FP Islands. If you go to Bora Bora, my advice is to stay anywhere but le Meridian. In addition to the horrible service, we had roaches in our over-the-water bungalow, they had roaches in their restaurant (two fell on me while I was eating), and they had no A/C in the room. On a brighter note, I hear that The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort is very nice. As far as Moorea is concerned, we stayed at the Pearl Beach Resort. The hotel rooms and service was great, but the beach/ocean was terrible. It was virtually inaccessible, as the ocean floor was covered with sharp coral. Also, it smelled bad. I did, however, hear AMAZING things about the new Sheraton. If had to do it again, I would skip Bora Bora and spend my entire vacation in Moorea's Sheraton.

Ken..you sound like an expert! How do you feel about cruises to this region which visit Bora Bora, Papeete, Moorea, and a couple of other places?

Ztajewell - Thanks, but I don't consider myself any more of an expert than anyone else who has been there. I do however, take rather detailed notes when I travel in the expectation that I will be posting trip reports when I return - and am more than happy to share what I know. In regards to your question. I've never been on ANY cruise, so I can't speak with much authority - I do however, do a lot of monitoring of travel boards and keep in touch with lots of other folks who do a lot of traveling (many of which HAVE taken cruises). The general consensus is that cruises are pretty terrific (no matter where they are) and that as a way to get a taste of French Polynesia, they are a pretty reasonably priced way to go. In addition, because the various islands are fairly close together, you don't "waste" a lot of time at sea (if your cruise is just of French Polynesia, anyway), and you are pretty much are able to spend everyday (or nearly so anyway) on an island and still see a lot of different places. Though we prefer spend a little more time in a given place than a cruise allows, I can see there are some distinct advantages. However, keep in mind that the cruises to this region tend NOT to be "party boats". Like the area in general, they are a bit more subdued and laid-back. We met a newly-wed couple on Bora Bora who had booked a cruise on the Paul Gaugin and were bored to tears (I think they expected a "Carnival" type cruise). Part-way through the trip they decided to bag the cruise and stay instead at a resort (the Bora Bora Pearl Beach), hoping to find some nightlife. Boy were they disappointed! They went home very unhappy - and out a WHOLE lot of money. The South Pacific is great, but understand - this is NOT the caribbean neither on land nor (it seems to me) on the sea. If that doesn't bother you, I would think a cruise could be a great way to get a "taste" of the islands - though I suspect it will make you want to return (and stay on the islands next time) For what it's worth, Ken

My husband and I for our honeymoon visited French Polynesia and loved it so much we are leaving for an 8 day trip to Moorea over Christmas. For our first trip we stayed four days on the island of Manihi and 5 days on Bora Bora. The latter was the most beautiful place on earth and I have travelled to many tropical locations. Manihi was amazing as well being that there is only one resort on the entire island--the sense of seclusion and beauty is overwhelming. We stayed at the Pearl Resorts on both islands and were not disappointed. If you can, stay in an overwater bungalow. Well worth the money. As far as children--dont think I saw one except in town in Bora Bora. The people are beautiful and happy--always laughing. Let me know if you need any more info such as what to bring, activities, flights, etc.

Ken, Thank you very much for the information. I've never been on a cruise myself and have heard mixed reviews. Relaxation and romance is just want I'm looking for, so it's sounds like the place to be. Thanks again!

My fiance & I are going to honeymoon in FP. Our first stop is in Moorea then on to Bora Bora. We're staying at the Intercontinental resorts on both of these islands. Does anyone have feedback on these hotels? I'm also interested in any info on Black Pearl shops and MUST SEE/DO activities. Thanks!

There is a lot of posts on all the resorts in the http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/ forums. They also have good packages. We used one of them in Oct. and it was perfect.

the correct link is http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/

Kate, I promised to get back on the topic of Fiji versus French Polynesia once I got back from Fiji. On Fiji, we stayed at the Sheraton Denaurau, which was OK - but certainly no Le Meridien..... I liked Fiji, but I didn't think it was as beautiful as FP, and I thought that the water was much better in FP. Having been 2 both places now (in whatever limited capacity I was) - I would definitely pick FP over Fiji. Fiji is nice - don't get me wrong, the people are wonderful, but I thought FP was much more beautiful..........

But did you ever get to any of the outer islands? That is like going to just Tahiti & not Bora Bora or Moorea, you would have a much different opnion of FP too.