Should a French Polynesia Cruise Be On Your Travel Bucket List ? 4 Pros and 4 Cons Revealed !
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- Do you have a cruise or travel bucket list? If so, should a French Polynesia cruise be on that list? In this I discuss the Tahiti and French Polynesia region and review what I think are the 4 pros and the 4 cons of cruising that I believe you should consider as you consider this as a cruising vacation option. I travelled to the region, which is pretty remote to explore. It takes well over 8 hours to fly from Los Angeles and the trip from Europe is 21 hours. It is very unique, different and beautiful. But, is it worth going all the way there? Find out what to expect and if I think you should add this to your travel and cruise bucket list - especially when there are so many other things you could have on your travel and cruise bucket list.
Note: Some of the costs of my trip to French Polynesia were covered by Paul Gauguin Cruises and Air Tahiti Nui before making this video.
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Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.
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#BucketList #CruiseBucketList #FrenchPolynesiaCruise
I was on a Paul Gauguin cruise in 2017. It took four years to save for and it was a life changing experience. Best trip of my life. If you are here watching this video, the answer is yes you should take this trip as soon as you can.
I would love to go on that ship one day.......but the ship is a bit old..........did you find the boat's cabin and decor dated??
As someone who just got back from a 14 day French Polynesia cruise on the Paul Gauguin, I would HIGHLY recommend for ANYONE! As a matter of fact, we're already planning our return adventure! The islands there are unlike any other place on earth! We actually picked the Paul Gauguin after watching some of your videos! Cheers from the middle of nowhere Alaska! Keep up the fun videos, my friend!
Important to add, although someone probably did already: in the northern winter months, the islands are in the grip of the wet season. It's only a few degrees hotter than June to August, but it's far more humid. Wring-water-out-of-the-air-with-your-hands humidity. Skies are grey and cloudy as often as not, and so the oceans are all shades of grey -- not the beautiful blues and greens of tourist brochures. I still had a fantastic time, but the humidity was a penance and no mistake. Ten night cruise on Princess hit the islands of Huahine, Rangiroa (a coral atoll), Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Moorea, beginning and ending in Tahiti. Before and after nights at the Intercontinental in Tahiti which is a gorgeous resort.
Paul Gaugin Cruise Line is a great cruise line. The crew is amazing. The second time I went was probably 3 years after the first time and some of the staff recognized me. They didn't remember my name but they recognized my face. French Polynesia is paradise. I also suggest booking a pre-cruise hotel through the cruise line. All the transfers are done for you...so you won't miss the cruise.
Wow Thank you!
We did French Polynesia with Oceania last Spring. We're going back again next year, our first repeat cruise! Hardly any kids underfoot on that line cruise line, and while their food usually wins all the awards, Jacques Pépin's cuisine was better than ever when combined with the fresh fruit and seafood from the islands. I learned to snorkel (might be spoiled now), and we borrowed an outrigger canoe to have a little adventure that we both made it back from (having grown up paddling Canadian style canoes).
Having done this cruise itinerary, I agree with you 100%. Our ship (major cruise line) was only 600 pax so we fit thru some of the narrow reef inlets (Fakarava was incredible) We did a lot of snorkling and found, with comparison to others, that sometimes the fish population varied with the months visited. We went in May and the sites we visited were teaming with fish. Also note, that some Islands have excursions that visit sites where small reef sharks frequent. These were docile fish, but size would vary from auarim sized to 4 ft., but few in numbers So one should inquire if one is concerned. We found them fascinating. Having snorkled the Great Barrier Reef, and the Caribbean we found FP the best and would love to return to some day. It was the second best trip ever for us behind Antarctica.
GjS ThreeFourSevinOneOne I’m heading from Brisbane in September! Did you have any recommendations for shore tours
This cruise has always been in my bucket list! I’m looking forward to your videos on this so I can live vicariously through them...
Thanks! Great to hear you enjoyed. This is an incredible place!
Windstar is very good also, and less expensive than Paul Gauguin. They have a marina deck and great food and service.
I will start again! Another option which may be cheaper is to take a cruise from Sydney Australia to New Caledonia and surrounding islands. Fiji and other islands are also very enjoyable to visit. A cruise around New Zealand for say two weeks with many very different ports is an excellent choice also. Just my two cents worth!
Another great video of an outstanding location and cruise line. Thanks so much for taking us with you!
Added to my list. Another excellent informative video Gary. Thanks
Eight of us flew out there in September last year, hired a yacht and crew for two weeks and sailed around Bora Bora, Raiatea, Taha’a and Huahine. Lots of sailing, diving, snorkelling, great food, friendly locals, beautiful scenery. One of the best holidays we have ever had. Huahine was probably the best islands for us because of the sea life and beauty, but they were all wonderful 💙
Another brilliantly informative video. Thank you
EXCELLENT info. It answered so many of my questions.
Thanks for posting. This one has been on my bucket list since I started cruising. The information you provided may move it up to the top of the list!
Hello Gerry. I so enjoy your videos. Please keep up the great work. Love from Canada!
I love you video of the TOP TEN bucket list cruises...I took notes on all of them and leave it in the front of my vacation folder! It inspired my next Cruise to The Baltic Sea!
Thank you very much this was really informative. This part of the world is my dream trip and the tips you gave were great. I'm definitely there in 2021!
Just added this cruise to my bucket list. Great video and beautiful scenic shots.
Awesome! It is a gorgeous place :-)
Thank you once again for posting such an amazing video! Your feedback and reviews are Priceless. Cheers!
Thanks 😊
Great, informative video, like all your others. You’re definitely one of my top 2 cruise info subscriptions. Thanks for all you do for us.
Thanks! Really you watching. Great to hear you enjoy 👍🏻
Who’s the other?
Big Daddy - Cruising Isn't Just For Old People
Thanks for your videos Gary. You have the best videos with the most informative content.
Thanks! Really appreciate you watching
Gary: thanks for this very informative tour of French Polynesian cruises! Now added to my wish list!👏🍾😊
Awesome. Great to hear
Just watched this again. Incredibly helpful! Particularly when to go. The cruise I was looking at was going in April which is possibly an ok time to go but not the best.
Really enjoy your videos. You include so many true facts and info in such a short time. Great pics, also. We are worn out on the Caribbean for now and are planning a Hawaii/Poly trip for next year. Can't wait!!!
Angela Ivy remember the posters point though, cruise lines combine Hawaii and Tahiti but you won’t get as many French Polynesia stops. My cruise next year is all 10 night FP but flight price is killer
Yes! Absolutely amazing views and beaches and all!
Was there twice few yrs ago.
Omg i’d go back again anytime! U can walk for a mile from ur bungalow to the turquoise waters and and it’s only right up to ur waistline.
Aaahhhhmazing!
Gary, another great video. Thanks
Nice video, Gary! We've been looking hard at a 28 day cruise from California to Hawaii and then down to Tahiti and then back to California. The Emerald Princess is sailing that itinerary Feb 1st 2020 for a little over $3K for ocean view. I sure would value your and my fellow commentators opinion!
Thanks Gary, great video. We are booked on Princess 28 day round trip out of Los Angeles In February. It will hit 4 islands. Not sure about the weather in February, but we are going. We are going to have a lot of sea days but we embark and debark only an hour from and no airplanes. I think it’s going to be a great trip.
Really useful video. A cruise to this region is definitely on our bucket list!
Thanks for watching :-)
Thank you very much ! So interesting and a No 1 on my bucket list !
Such enticing images! And really, not so far from where I leave. Easier to get to than the Med!
Thank you for the video!
I have taken over 20 cruises and my first cruise was to French Polynesia. The ship was small and not very exciting but the ports were stunning! It was actually the best trip I have ever taken. We cruised in July and we added on 5 days in Papeete and were able to visit Moorea for a second time as it is so close to Tahiti. We had a package deal that included air fare and it was very reasonably priced. Unfortunately, the cruise line is no longer in business. It should definitely be on your bucket list.
Got off one two months ago. BoraBora is paradise on earth.. and the locals don't call it French Polynesia. They call it Tahiti Nui. A great review by the way the weather was rubbish when we were at Moorea, so nice to see it with good weather. Only a 5.5 hour flight to Papeetee from NZ where I live, I'll be back.
Excellent information. Thank you
I was thinking of doing this as part of a world cruise but now I must reconsider since as you say its probably much better to visit a whole series of islands than just the one or two you might see on a world cruise. But I am not sure I can tolerate 8 hours on an airplane... Luckily, I love doing research and planning my future cruises. So I am content doing the comparisons and finding the best path forward. Thanks, Gary!
Definitely arrange transfer from Airport to Cruise, especially if landing close to departure time - as we had a booked transfer they held the ship for us, due to our flight being late.
Excellent info, and definitely some food for thought. We were planning on doing a transpacific from Sydney or Auckland, but this might be the better option for our time and money. BTW, I though you should have been included in Porthole's top 10 cruise influences of 2019. Your channel is growing fast.
I totally agree!
Was verk surprised. Maybe it’s not flashy enough for them but to me this is the mest useful cruise tips.
I moved from UK to New Zealand nearly 2 years ago, last May i went on a cruise from Auckland to New Caledonia & Vanuatu, I spend 10 nights of my life in awe (well, 6 nights on the islands). The scenery is spectacular, the sea is the clearest i've ever seen and the sand the whitest and softest i've ever experienced. This would definitely have been a bucket list holiday for me back in UK, now i'm a quick flight away from French Polynesia. I'll be booking my next cruise to Fiji soon for next year. This year i'm cruising to Brisbane (in 2 1/2 weeks in fact!
This was very well full of interesting information. Going to relook at booking
Great too hear!!!
Thanks Gary, another very clear and helpful video. We are headed there in 2025, and this confirmed we made a good decision. Keep up the good work.
Nice presentation Gary!
Definitely on our bucket list. Cruising from Vancouver to Hawaii next April so that blows the budget for a while though. Then Alaska next but definitely want to see Bora Bora in my lifetime. This was a great video though.
This is going on my bucket list now. Thanks for the great tips Garry. And i think this is actually a shorter flight from Australia compared to most places.
Good point!!! Great to hear
This has risen to the very top of our bucket list Gary. The islands look absolutely stunning! Hopefully you'll be doing more videos from this trip? 🙂
Fab! yes, two more to come focused on the cruise line and ship
Brilliant! Can’t wait to see them! 😀
Fabulous video 💖💙💖
If Gary's videos are titled like "Should you do this this this cruise?" The answers to these rhetorical questions are always YES. Have no doubts. It invloves cruising = Yes.
Jokes apart, as an avid cruiser, I enjoy the channels informative videos and watch every single one of them.
:-) One day I may say no....!? Thanks for watching so many! Please keep watching....
Definitely on my bucket list! Is leaving from Brisbane Australia in July / August to the pacific islands a good way to go? Another one I’d love to do a pacific crossing one day, when getting that amount of time is possible.
Top of my bucket list!
Love the beautiful white sand 😳😳😳
I know a couple that are living on their catamaran and have visas for a 2 year stay in French Polynesia. They put youtube videos up every Sunday. Beautiful place. Now on my Bucket list. Thank you for this review. We can't afford the catamaran( and probably too old to learn to sail), but a cruise on Paul Gauguin maybe the way to experience this area.
Carolyn, I realize it has been three years but can you provide us info about these videos? A 2 year vista for French Polynesia? What a dream!
I'm going on a Paul Gauguin cruise and I determine this when I saw a program on cable. Lol, I'm writing this at the beginning of your video. I'll see if I think your cons are negatives in my life because we're all different. Thank you for the videos.
Lol, this was a totally positive video. The cons we're as I thought not a deterrent for cruising to the South Pacific. Thank you again.
Gary will you have a presentation of the Paul Gauguin itself?
Yes 😀😀
Hi Gary 👋;
It's absolutely BREATHTAKING 😲😉! This is DEFINITELY on my bucket list 👍! I understand that holidays in the French Polynesia are extremely EXPENSIVE. However, HOW is it POSSIBLE to afford to stay at the over-the-water villas🤔. I am certain it's possible 🙏. PLEASE let me know 🙏. 😊
Video should be called 'Paul Gauguin and Air Tahiti Nui infomercial'. Went to French Polynesia (Moorea, Huanhine, Bora Bora) in early September 2018 staying in resorts. Near perfect weather and amazing scenery. If you want to slow down and be on your time and not the ship's time and truly enjoy the scenery and people stay in resorts. I have been on a Caribbean cruise and a Adriatic European cruise and in both cruises I felt more tired after the cruise than when i started. Nothing wrong with a Paul Gauguin cruise as I hear they are the best but for myself I want to relax for a few days in each island but the cruise ship gives you 7 to 8 hours in each port which is not enough time to truly enjoy this unique part of the world. Just my take on it.
True of cruises in general. The time in port is too short.
Planning this one as we speak...
For my 50th birthday, I'm considering a Holland America relocation cruise from Sydney to Seattle via Cook Islands, Tahiti, Samoa Hawaii etc.
Seems to me a transpacific cruise from Australia or NZ to Hawaii or vice versa. The difference in price for 17-24 day cruise seems to offset the price of air tickets. You did explain concerns about using large cruise ships though.
Hurry up October 2020 and I’ll be there!!
This is definitely on my list, but probably not for another decade though. I did price out a trip there a few months ago, and its actually not that expensive.
would love to go on this
Great video. Did you cruise go to Easter Island? I tried to find a cruise that went there but since I could not find any I got there by plane.
I’m sold!!
June through August! Got I.
We went with Oceania and it Was great. Beautiful part of the world.
I swear I wanna take 3-4 cruisers with you and your experience and tips etc
:-) Thanks!!
Hope one day you make a video about Vanuatu/Fiji/New Caledonia etc, only one I haven't visited yet is papua New Guinea because covid cancelled it
I went to French Polynesia 2001 through Los Angeles and 2016 through Tokyo. On the island Raiatea I climb the hill 360 m high and from there I could see three more islands Tahaa , Bora Bora and Huahine . We rented a car on all these islands including Moorea and Tahiti and we explored the island all around. One thing is for sure what you pay is nothing compared with immortal spiritual enlightenment.
I have wanted to take my wife to the area for a big trip but she gets a little seasick, so I have a concern about the cruise part. Is there much motion? We have done a river cruise in France and loved it but nothing on this scale. Love your videos and all the great information. You really are enjoying what you do. Thanks and look forward to more videos.
Thanks! Yes, there is quite a bit of motion between the islands as can get pretty windy. However, the islands are close and so sailing is often only a few hours
There is an ear patch that you can get from your doctor.
I can not wait ❤️🍀🙏🏻😊
Have you read James A Mitchner's 'Tales of the South Pacific'?
Not going quite as far as Tahiti, Bora Bora or Moorea, but it is absolutely atrocious weather in Melbourne tonight. Next month Bonjour Nouvell Caledonie! :-)
you are better off going to the Cook Islands. Just as good and just as beautiful at half the price especially Aitutaki!! I went in May and it was absolutely beautiful. Will be going back for sure.
Justine Hietkamp was there a cruise ship to go there?
@@konniemborja9557 there are.... but they were too long. We stayed at a place called Sea Change Villas in Rarotonga. We did a day trip to Aitutaki.
Absolutely! Done it twice…
We were scheduled Oct 3 through Oct 31 2020 with Princess from LA round trip goes by Hawaii and onto Tahiti, Bora Bora and some other Islands. Will we be risking hurricanes or other bad weather do you think? Sounded like maybe we might. As always, I appreciate your videos.
Don't know about hurricanes, but you will be risking the coronavirus.
Went there for 14 days in 2018. We are currently booked for a Mediterranean cruise in 2023. If we have to cancel because of unrest in Europe, I believe we will return to the French Polynesia.
Thanks.
You're welcome
Spend new years 2017 eave on the back of the ship in front Bora Bora with my grand daughter and German cousin the best new year in my then 75 years of life
Our next cruise is Alaska in September, but after watching your video I've go that tropical itch again!!! And there is no salve for that particular itch, but a cruise to French Polynesia!
Tell us about the Aranui ship, please.
Part mail/ delivery ship...part cruise ship.. You'll see smaller islands.
I think I'm going to watch another TFT video on French Polynesia..........RIGHT NOW.
Was supposed to do 10 night FP cruise in 2020 but covid and the sale of the ship put a end to that with princess. I later used some flight credit to holiday in Hawaii instead but Bora Bora was my dream destination. Now looking at FP-Hawaii cruise and stuck between including Bora Bora or not for extra £500/$650 for extra night. Is BB worth it
Hi
I'm cruising around French Polynesia in Nov. All organised. The week before the cruise I'm staying in Papeete in Tahiti and finding g it very hard to organise excursions - snorkeling, whale watching, island tour etc. When I use the normal apps to check things to do most experiences come up as from Mo'orea. Can you provide any info o how to book experiences for my pre cruise holiday.
Mush obliged
How's it going? I have been enjoying your videos. I recently took my first cruise, with family, it was Holland America to Alaska, we had a great time. I've also been watching Don's Family Travel. You obviously have different styles, but have enjoyed each in your own right. You identify main elite and obscure cruise lines, and I appreciate your in-depth research. You do a fantasic job, and maybe sometime down the line I'll work up to the South Pacific, but still have several other more standard itineraries to check off first. 46 yr. old Gen X , Peace
Don is not honest. He just pushes cruises regardless of the truth.
I got screwed. I won a cruise in 2001 with Delta. Used my miles and bid and won. First class air fare, 7 day Cruse in December 2021. We were excited and preparing for our vacation of a lifetime. Well I think everyone knows what happened and everything stopped. Delta repraited my miles. Never did get to the Tahiti . When we were in China took a trip to Fiji It was easy. Getting to Tahiti from China not so easy...would have to fly to LA then to Tahiti. Made no sense.
Well we are looking at a cruise in 2024 when I retire. Tahiti to LA.
Though maybe we do a Moorings Bareboat. I have done many in the BVI... Tough choice.
Need to investigate more.
DF
Windstar also offer this cruise. I wonder which one is the best.
Hey Gary and Linda. I found this video well organized and tastefully presented. Their are however several points on which our experiences with NCL differ. The first is the misuse of the word “gratuity.” A gratuity is a reward that the recipient of superior or excellent servIce CHOOSES to award someone. The recipient of said service chooses the amount he or she feels is appropriate. What the cruise lines refer to as a “gratuity” is, in fact, a wage subsidy. It used to be that tips were given directly to the person that provided the service. For example the cabin steward or the wait staff. Unlike a restaurant where one typically tips the waiter or waitress but not the host, cook, bus boy or dishwasher, cruise lines expect passengers to tip everyone onboard whether service was received from that person or not and without regard to the quality of service received! Until recently, this problem could be dealt with by going to Guest services and adjusting or opting out of the charges altogether. Recently cruise lines have become more aggressive in dipping into the passenger’s pocket. Some will not allow this assessment to be changed or removed. NCL has recently gone to a policy of only allowing changes to be made on the last day of the cruise. Can’t you just envision 3,000 or so irate passengers at Guest Services during debarkation? Let’s be honest and call it what what it is, part of the room charge. At least that way we can compare apples to apples and tip the deserving. Rich Todd
Er, what does this comment have to do with reasons to cruise in French Polynesia? Or was this supposed to be for another video?
I vote YES👍
From Seattle would you go Papeete to Hawaii or Hawaii to Papeete? 🙂
The pineapples are the BEST in the world !,!!!
where does it depart and how many days , how much cost ?
Booked French Polynesia for 2020 but flight price is killer.
A stopover enroute to Australia is cheaper than flying to Tahiti.
Hi Gary, is Paul Gauguin the only option for French Polynesian?
There are others, with Windstar operating for a big part of the year but PG are the only ones based there all year. Some of the other lines will pass through or do short seasons (Oceania, HAL) but best to go on small ships as some islands, like Bora Bora, have banned bigger ship from entering into the bay
@@tipsfortravellers thank you. Windstar is a great suggestion. Sailed on them before 👍
I only speak English. Would there be a problem getting off the cruise ship there and finding the airport?
No.
Most obvious reason for cruise to Tahiti is price of food. Pack of crisps $9. So obviously the cruise ship provides it
Can anyone recommend accommodation at Papeete
We have stayed at the Intercontinental close to the airport which is really good and great views and pools
We took a 7 day Tahiti cruise on Norwegian early November and it was an absolute nightmare. Long...long air layovers, and SIX DAYS OF RAIN out of seven!! They were taking people on excursions even in the rain. There is very little to see after the sand and surf. Any "activities" are easily done in the Caribbean without the 18 hour flight time. The islands are desolate. Better be careful which month you choose to go. Forget Norwegian.
I went to Tahiti in 1986. I did not like it. The food was bad and the hotels were nothing special. Now they have beautiful ut super expensive hotels. I was often wondering what it must be like to go on a cruiise instead. There were none in 1986.
I f
I can just fly to Hawaii and not have to deal with crowded ports.