Renaissance(R4)Tahiti
 

Just returned (yesterday) from 10 day cruise through French Polynesia on Renaissance's new ship - R4. Would be glad to answer any questions readers might have. Fell free to e-mail us.

Info on Renaissance is hard to come by so please post details on your cabin, ports, food, entertainment, prices, etc.

Greetings Lisa, <BR>As mentioned, we sailed on the R-4. We were the second set of "guests" to sail on her. Everything throughout the ship looked and smelled new. We purchased this trip at auction from Onsale.com. and it included R/T air fare from LAX. Our "B' class cabin was located on Deck 8 and included a very comfortable balcony furnished with chairs and a small table. The size of the cabin was more than adequate and included a couple of chairs, a table and a couch (hide-a-bed). There was plenty of storage space which easily accommodated three large suitecases of belongings. We brought much too much "stuff"! The bathroom is small, but very efficient. It had a tub w/shower. <BR> I checked Ren's web site to see if we got a good deal from Onsale. The cost of the trip, for the cabin we had, was slightly less than 1/3 of the full cost as advertised by Ren. <BR> For ports of call, I suggest you try the Renaissance web page; www.renissancecruises.com. <BR> We thought the food was good, and plentiful. You have 4 dining venues; the Panorama Buffet, the Club Restaurant, the Grill and the Italian Restaurant. The last two require reservations made the morning before you want to eat at either place. We ate in all 4 and found the service and food quality consistent. <BR> The ship's staff/crew were excellent. Everyone we dealt with knew their jobs and were very helpful. Not a sour apple in the group. <BR> Be careful of the excursions offered onboard. They are very expensive. We had visited these islands before, consequently we knew what to expect. At most docks/landings you can arrange excursions with local companies for a lot less money. Ren discourages this practice for obvious reasons. <BR> The entertainment was only fair - nothing like the big Casino shows - but we did enjoy some of the offerings. There was a TV in cabin that showed 4-5 recently released movies throughout the day. The movies were different each day. There were about 5 or 6 other channels as well. If you like to read, there is a really great library on Deck 10. Its stocked with books on all manner of topics. There are also two PCs and a printer located in the library. Couldn't get to the net, but they said they were trying to work something out with providers. The sports bar has many, many TVs. We were watching football on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network. They probably pulled it from a satellite. <BR> Guess that's about it. <BR> <BR>Rgds. Greg <BR>

STRONGLY CONSIDERING BOOKING SIMILAR CRUISE FROM LA. DO YOU THINK OWNER SUITE WOULD BE WORTH THE MONEY? HOW WAS THE FLIGHT OVER? DO YOU RECOMMEND URGRADING TO BUSINESS FIRST CLASS FOR $600? WHAT ACTIVITIES WERE AVAILABLE WHEN YOU WERE DOCKED AT TAHITI? THE ITINERARY SHOWS 4 DAYS IN TAHITI DIDN'T YOU BECOME BORED OR WERE THEIR ENOUGH ACTIVITES? WERE THE NATIVES FRIENDLY OR DID THEY TRY TO RIP YOU? HOW WAS THE SWIMMING POOL? <BR>THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLY?

Of the 9 full cruise days, 2 are spent on Tahiti. If that is too much for you, it's very easy, quick and cheap to get to Moorea via ferry.

I know I am late in this discussion but I hope you can recommend some shore excursions either from Ren. or from the dock. We are booked on the R3 4/26/00 & would appreciate any input. The Ships prices seem high. Thanks.

Sounds like they have a fantastic product. Unfortunately, after having been burned by their rather shoddy business practices (like cancelling cruises without notifying those booked!!) and losing money on exchange due to cancellation, I feel that I cannot justify booking Ren. I'll take Celebrity anytime and trust that I will be treated properly. Yet, again, I know that I am probably missing a good cruise experience and just wish they'd clean up their other acts!