How difficult or easy to get a cab from Papeete airport to cruise ship dock at about 8:30 PM and how much should it cost?Also, from cruise ship dock to airport or to Intercontinental Beachcomber Hotel to take advantage of transition room. About how much? Where to store luggage? Comments , anyone????

Can't help you too much I'm afraid. The cruise line took care of the air arrangements for me therefore, tranfers to and from airport were included. The travel time from airport to pier was very quick so it must not be far.

After leaving the ship, we spent a few hours at a nice hotel with a buffet, time to swim and nap and watch a big screen TV in a banquet room. Our luggage had been taken right from the ship to the airport so no need to store it.

My cruise was wonderful. I was on a now bankrupt Renaissance ship. The water is beautiful;the people were nice. Hope you have a wonderful time. What ship are you sailing?

Their airport (unless improved in the past few years) was quite crude--some parts didn't even have ceilings or walls. Barely enough seats, too.

Hi Cruiser,

Thanks for your reply. Who arranged for your short stay at the hotel after cruise ? Was that part of the transfer fee you paid and did you have to pay for buffet or did you arrange this on your own ? I assume you got off the ship in AM and had to wait for your flight which was leaving at 10 PM or so that evening. Thanks again for your reply. We will be on the Tahitian Princess. In addition, may I ask which Motu picnic you went on (I'll assume you did it) and at which port and which company or was it through Princess and your thoughts regarding that adventure. Did you snorkel? Even though we wont be going till December we are anticipating already.

My ship was purchased by Princess so you are on the exact same ship as I was on!!

Renaissance did my air so the post-hotel stay was included--free buffet, free swimming, several rooms (Male and F)for changing and showering (I also took a nap).

We left the ship at a reasonable hour (not early), spent the afternoon and evening at the Sheraton (I think it was). Some people were very "antsy" and wanted to get to the sirport as quickly as possible--don't be in a hurry. Like I said, not much to do at the airport anyway. Now even good AC there.

I don't remember a motu picnic. I took excursions arranged through the ship. In Bora Bora though, I just got off to see what was around to do and decided to take a van tour of the island that I booked right there on the pier. Very nice job.

On one of the islands I took a 4X4 jeep tour...enjoyable. And of course I snorkeled a couple places. Sorry I can't remember the details. I just finished up my 45 cruise last Nov. so some of the details and specific cruises get blurry!!

Some of the islands are very close (30 minute sail) so we went very slowly, over night. Our day at sea was just making lazy figure 8's over and over again!! Fine with me...lovely weather!!

I took the 7 day cruise, but decided to stay onboard for the next 7day cruise (same exact route). I figured after that long flight I might as well enjoy it the extra week. It is the only cruise that I have ever had a balcony. Since I traveled as a single, I really didn't use the balcony that much. I wanted to be out and about meeting others!

I sure hope you have a wonderful cruise to this beautiful part of the world!!

Thanks so much for your immediate response. I too am arranging flight through Princess and I wonder if the hotel thing will also apply since we get off the ship in AM and flight isn't until 10 or so at night. Wouldn't seem right if Princess just leaves you hanging for all those hours.

What Princess typically does is lets you stay on the ship, enjoying the public rooms, until a reasonable time to go to the airport. Most people who do not want this option, get a hotel (at their own expense) until time to go to the airport. We went on Radisson (now Regency) who does provide a free day room. You should contact your travel agent to verify the arrangements though.

You're on an island...how far can anyplace be from the airport?

You're flying to Papeete, then cruising Tahiti and you are worried about cab costs? Sounds like you are spending thousands and you are worried about a few bucks.

You are so RIGHT!!!!! I just don't like getting ripped off or being taken advantage of and I like to know what is in store for me. Don't like surprises either.Your thoughts well taken, however.

I see the OP's point. I don't like surprises either, esp. the bad ones. It doesn't hurt to look into things for the best options. BTW we will be cruisig on the Tahitian Princess later this summer.
Also just because you are on an island you can't simply assume everything is a short, inexpensive ride away. We found short cab rides in St. Thomas to be outrageous and that was 3 yrs. ago when gas prices were much less. Cheers. Larry

Its easy to get a cab, just walk outside and ask for a taxi.