Say bye bye to the Tahitian Princess if FP/Cooks
Aug 27th, 2007, 04:44 AM
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Say bye bye to the Tahitian Princess if FP/Cooks
I consider our cruise last yr. on the Tahitian Princess in FP and the Cooks to be one of the best crusie experiences we have ever had. If anyone wants to do this itinerary you have until April, 2008. After that the TP is pulling out of that region, why I don't know. There will some Hawaii-FP routes but no more 10 days cruises exclusive of FP and the Cooks. If you want that route the only ship in town will be the PG. Thats really too bad I think. The TP is a gem.
Aug 28th, 2007, 11:17 AM
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New info!
This morning I checked the Princess site and saw AGAIN that the last TP cruise in FP was 4/2008. I called Princess to confirm this and they too said there was nothing scheduled after 4/2008. NOW on their site it has changed. The TP is scheduled May/08, and Oct. thru Dec./09. I suppose it depends on WHEN you look. Anyway I am glad they are still there but I must say the weather is better in our summer or their winter and I don't see the TP there at that time. Cheers, Larry
This morning I checked the Princess site and saw AGAIN that the last TP cruise in FP was 4/2008. I called Princess to confirm this and they too said there was nothing scheduled after 4/2008. NOW on their site it has changed. The TP is scheduled May/08, and Oct. thru Dec./09. I suppose it depends on WHEN you look. Anyway I am glad they are still there but I must say the weather is better in our summer or their winter and I don't see the TP there at that time. Cheers, Larry
Sep 9th, 2007, 07:56 AM
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FYI I just read that Princess has no plans to renew its FP contract after it expires so it seems the only ships in that area in the near future will be the Paul Gaugain and some large sailing ship like a Windjammer. Too bad really. The TP was perfect for that region.
Sep 10th, 2007, 02:44 AM
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I am actually glad the ship will be free to go elsewhere. This puts another small ship doing some itineraries that large ships can not do.
I have not read that Princess made a definite answer but it doesn't surprise me as Princess has had to run Flash specials constantly to fill up the ship for Tahiti. I bet the ship will still be there for part of the year, just not all the time.
I have not read that Princess made a definite answer but it doesn't surprise me as Princess has had to run Flash specials constantly to fill up the ship for Tahiti. I bet the ship will still be there for part of the year, just not all the time.
Sep 13th, 2007, 06:47 PM
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Aloha,
I was just looking at your post. I have never been on a cruise and was wanting to take my Husband for our 20th anniversary to FP. I see that Celebrity Cruise lines has a 15 days cruise that leaves from Honolulu (Where I am) in October 2008 and the last stop is New Zealand. You (Jacketwatch) seem to have alot of info on this area. Have you ever sailed with Celebrity Cruise lines? What line do you recommend, as I like the idea of getting aboard ship here at home (in Hawaii).
Any lead you can give me would be great.
Mahalo,
Jeanne
I was just looking at your post. I have never been on a cruise and was wanting to take my Husband for our 20th anniversary to FP. I see that Celebrity Cruise lines has a 15 days cruise that leaves from Honolulu (Where I am) in October 2008 and the last stop is New Zealand. You (Jacketwatch) seem to have alot of info on this area. Have you ever sailed with Celebrity Cruise lines? What line do you recommend, as I like the idea of getting aboard ship here at home (in Hawaii).
Any lead you can give me would be great.
Mahalo,
Jeanne
Sep 15th, 2007, 03:25 AM
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Good morning! The Celebrity Millineum is indeed a very nice ship and has a high rating at www.cruisecritic.com. Celebrity as a cruise line generally gets high marks and is regarded as the perhaps the best cruise line in the mass market. For cruises leaving Honolulu in that month she is the only game in town so to speak. The ininerary looks great and the price seems very reasonable for what you are getting. The other option to consider is flying to Papeete for a 10 day cruise of the Society islands or French Polynesia on the Tahitian Princess. Why? After this cruise the TP will no longer be doing that route for the forseeable future and you may want to take advantage of that ship. We took her last yr. and she is a beauty, well rated on cruisecritic and for good reasons as the overall experience was quite satisfactory to say the least. The other options for cruising FP are the Paul Gaugain, a luxury, higher end line. However the price is 3 times that of the TP. Then there is the Star Clipper, a masted ship ala windjammer but you will feel the motion of the sea with that one to be sure.
All in all the Millie seems to be a very good choice for you. If you decide to take her to FP I would recommend doing at least some tours there that go inland, like a 4x4 into the interior. The pristine beauty of these islands is amazing, perhaps even so for someone living in paradise. Cheers, Larry
All in all the Millie seems to be a very good choice for you. If you decide to take her to FP I would recommend doing at least some tours there that go inland, like a 4x4 into the interior. The pristine beauty of these islands is amazing, perhaps even so for someone living in paradise. Cheers, Larry
Sep 17th, 2007, 01:24 PM
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Aloha Larry,
I looked around the internet over the weekend and did a little more checking on the Millenium too. I think you are right it looks like I will get the best bang for my buck on this one.
Having to only fly one way back is not bad either the cost is approx $1500 for two.
There are alot of sea days but the ship seems to offer alot in the way of on borad activities (Casino, Spa etc.)
We will book some nice activities in advance for land excersions, maybe kayak, I like the 4X4 idea to really get a look at the islands from a diffrent perspective. As you know I live in Hawaii and dont want to get caught up in the tourist spots as I get enough of that here.
Thank you so much for your infor for a first time cruise newbe!
Mahalo,
Jeanne
I looked around the internet over the weekend and did a little more checking on the Millenium too. I think you are right it looks like I will get the best bang for my buck on this one.
Having to only fly one way back is not bad either the cost is approx $1500 for two.
There are alot of sea days but the ship seems to offer alot in the way of on borad activities (Casino, Spa etc.)
We will book some nice activities in advance for land excersions, maybe kayak, I like the 4X4 idea to really get a look at the islands from a diffrent perspective. As you know I live in Hawaii and dont want to get caught up in the tourist spots as I get enough of that here.
Thank you so much for your infor for a first time cruise newbe!
Mahalo,
Jeanne
Sep 17th, 2007, 03:07 PM
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My pleasure Jeanne. Actually cruise lines accomodate sea days with alot of activities so you can be busy if you wish, or just relax, read, etc. Except for Papeete FP is really not that developed. Our tour guide in Huahine told us that the ring road paving just got finished a few yrs. ago. In Moorea I asked the Princess rep at dockside where the town was. She pointed to the 15-20 tents set up and said "this is it." 
Try: www.cruisecritic.com for tons of info about the ship and the port stops. There is a Celebrity board there for specific info about the ship too. As you are cruising prices there won't effect you much but FP is ghastly expensive. Breakfasts at the hotels run $35.00 pp, a 4 oz. bottle of suntan lotion in Papeete at the Sheraton was $40.00! However the natural beauty is amazing though perhaps less to you because of where you live. I would be interested to see how you think its natural beauty compares to Hawaii so if you think of it perhaps you can post a trip report when you return. Aloha, Larry
Actually cruise lines accomodate sea days with alot of activities so you can be busy if you wish, or just relax, read, etc. Except for Papeete FP is really not that developed. Our tour guide in Huahine told us that the ring road paving just got finished a few yrs. ago. In Moorea I asked the Princess rep at dockside where the town was. She pointed to the 15-20 tents set up and said "this is it." Try: www.cruisecritic.com for tons of info about the ship and the port stops. There is a Celebrity board there for specific info about the ship too. As you are cruising prices there won't effect you much but FP is ghastly expensive. Breakfasts at the hotels run $35.00 pp, a 4 oz. bottle of suntan lotion in Papeete at the Sheraton was $40.00! However the natural beauty is amazing though perhaps less to you because of where you live. I would be interested to see how you think its natural beauty compares to Hawaii so if you think of it perhaps you can post a trip report when you return. Aloha, Larry
Sep 17th, 2007, 03:12 PM
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I just want to say that 4 years ago my husband and I did this cruise for our honeymoon. And was kind of bummed that we did (since I had my heart set on europe). BUT, now that we have gone to europe and I have had some time to reflect, I would also have to say that this was BY FAR the BEST cruise I have EVER been on. And now that I hear it is going bye bye I am extremely glad we did this cruise. We have some fond memories of that ship and FP. There is nothing like it.
PLEASE GO IF YOU GET THE CHANCE!!!!!!
PLEASE GO IF YOU GET THE CHANCE!!!!!!
Sep 17th, 2007, 03:22 PM
#13
Gee this sounds like a place I have to get to while the Tahiti Princess is still doing the cruise hmmmm!!
Percy
Percy
Sep 17th, 2007, 05:20 PM
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Aloha Larry,
I was raised in Hawaii, so my knowledge is limited only to our Islands.
I will be taking my first trip in October (next month) to Germany (Solo) My husband did not want to go as he is so much an island boy he said "thats to far".
So I will be able to compare our Island beauty with that of Bavaria and then FP. By the way when I mentioned this trip (FP on a cruise) to my Husband he was delighted!!!
I will be most happy to post on both of my trips when I return from each so that I can put in my 2 cents on how I feel the FP Islands compair to the Hawaiian Islands.
I am so glad to hear that it has not been so overdeveloped (like our Islands) and become so very commercial. I live on The Windward side of the Island (Kailua-Lanikai) so it is much less populated than Honolulu or Waikiki. I try to stay away from that side of the Island if I can.
Mahalo,
Jeanne
I was raised in Hawaii, so my knowledge is limited only to our Islands.
I will be taking my first trip in October (next month) to Germany (Solo) My husband did not want to go as he is so much an island boy he said "thats to far".
So I will be able to compare our Island beauty with that of Bavaria and then FP. By the way when I mentioned this trip (FP on a cruise) to my Husband he was delighted!!!
I will be most happy to post on both of my trips when I return from each so that I can put in my 2 cents on how I feel the FP Islands compair to the Hawaiian Islands.
I am so glad to hear that it has not been so overdeveloped (like our Islands) and become so very commercial. I live on The Windward side of the Island (Kailua-Lanikai) so it is much less populated than Honolulu or Waikiki. I try to stay away from that side of the Island if I can.
Mahalo,
Jeanne
Sep 17th, 2007, 05:52 PM
#15
escrowmanger
How lucky you are to live in Hawaii
Percy
How lucky you are to live in Hawaii
Percy
Sep 19th, 2007, 06:58 AM
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Actually Percy the TP cruise of FP is a dream. You may really want to consider that B4 its too late. It was a very special cruise to be sure.
Jeanne: I'll look forward to your TR's, esp. the one comparing FP to Hawaii. Both are beautiful places born from volvanic origins I believe. There is something IMHO about islands born from volcanoes. There is a certain richness and lushness that others don't seem to have. I have heard the the French govt. wants to keep things the way they are, i.e. as pristine as possible. We actually saw fish traps hundreds of yrs. old still in use. we toured one black pearl farm too. Does Hawaii have black pearl farms? Cheers, Larry
Jeanne: I'll look forward to your TR's, esp. the one comparing FP to Hawaii. Both are beautiful places born from volvanic origins I believe. There is something IMHO about islands born from volcanoes. There is a certain richness and lushness that others don't seem to have. I have heard the the French govt. wants to keep things the way they are, i.e. as pristine as possible. We actually saw fish traps hundreds of yrs. old still in use. we toured one black pearl farm too. Does Hawaii have black pearl farms? Cheers, Larry
Sep 19th, 2007, 11:41 AM
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Aloha Percy & Larry,
Yes I feel blessed every day of my life to have been able to grow up here and also to raise my children here.
We do have commercial Pearl Farms (mostly Maui.
It is amazing to live in a place where the land is still growing everyday with volcanic ativity. Yes there is destruction caused by lava flow through towns etc. but from it springs life and lush tropical growth that I do believe has alot to do with the volcanic soils.
I look forward to my travels, now that my children are grown and I will see the beauty that is our "World". I think I will find beauty in many diffrent forms, from snow capped peaks to tourist filled streets, it is all new to my eyes.
Mahalo,
Jeanne
Yes I feel blessed every day of my life to have been able to grow up here and also to raise my children here.
We do have commercial Pearl Farms (mostly Maui.
It is amazing to live in a place where the land is still growing everyday with volcanic ativity. Yes there is destruction caused by lava flow through towns etc. but from it springs life and lush tropical growth that I do believe has alot to do with the volcanic soils.
I look forward to my travels, now that my children are grown and I will see the beauty that is our "World". I think I will find beauty in many diffrent forms, from snow capped peaks to tourist filled streets, it is all new to my eyes.
Mahalo,
Jeanne
Sep 19th, 2007, 12:58 PM
#18
escrowmanger:
With the attitude you have for this "world"and for life , you will enjoy any place you visit.
and...
Any place in the World will be brightened by your presence.!!
Have a nice trip to the French Polynesia area.
Percy
With the attitude you have for this "world"and for life , you will enjoy any place you visit.
and...
Any place in the World will be brightened by your presence.!!
Have a nice trip to the French Polynesia area.
Percy
Sep 20th, 2007, 08:56 PM
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Escrowmanager, that is good advice someone gave you to check out cruise critic.com!! However, I should warn you that the site is addictive!! Celebrity is a great cruise line and I think, has the best food of all the mass market lines. They introduced their down under sailings this year with Mercury which is a smaller ship than the Millenium. We are on the first sailing from Honolulu to Auckland leaving Nov 23 this year. We are also doing the next sailing on to Sydney. I'm sure you will really enjoy the Millenium. Happy Anniversary. Also, happy trip to Germany. Germany is beautiful but very different to Hawaii, of course.
