South Pacific
 

I might want to consider a cruise in the South Pacific next year for my 10th wedding anniversary.

Any suggestions?

Is it a good way to visit all the beautiful islands?

Thanks

A cruise is a really good way to get a feel for the South Pacific. Not sure exactly what you have in mind. I have sailed from Bali to the Barrier Reef (2 weeks) and have also done a one-week cruise in French Polynesia. You will never see "all of the beautiful islands" but it will be a memorable way to celebrate your 10th anniversary. Feel free to e-mail me if you have further questions. Also, pick up a copy of Paul Theroux' "Happy Islands of Oceania". This book will give you an interesting perspective on the South Pacific and will help you make a more-informed decision as to where you might want to go .

the pacific has vast distances, which can result in a lot of sea days. new zealand-australia routes have nice ports w/ not many sea days..for a 1 week sail, the tahiti-bora bora has had good reviews. multiple ships are now doing it.. ithink that raddison 7 seas has a ship that stays there w/ year round cruises [about 500 pax iirc], makes scheduling easy. other routes may sail a couple of times a year...have a great time.

RSSC has a ship, the Paul Gauguin which gets great reviews. One week cruise leaving on Saturday night. I am going in 2 weeks and I will write a review when I return.

Please do, I'll love to hear how your trip went.

Thanks, and have a nice trip

My parents also consider trying the Paul Gauguin. The ship has a nice platform with swimming and diving equipment.

I once was nine nights on the Song of Flower (RSSC, all inclusive) and the food and drinks were first class!

Please post the trip report here on FT.

My husband and I went on our honeymoon to French Polynesia. We took a 10 day cruise on the now defunct Renaissance Cruises, but it was wonderful. Friends of ours took their honeymoon a month later to French Polynesia as well, but stayed on the islands in the bungalows and such. We loved our cruise and still dream about going back. It was our best vacation ever.

work2travel - a former Renaissance vessel was introduced to Princess' fleet on August 9, 2002 as Pacific Princess. Her sleek, modern design will provides a 'boutique version' of the "Personal Choice Cruising" program, with over two thirds of the ship's cabins having balconies and with a variety of dining and entertainment options to deliver on the trademark "big ship choice" in a smaller, more intimate cruise environment.

Pacific Princess will sail throughout French Polynesia and the wider Pacific region.

Paul Gauguin
 

We took the Paul Gauguin on 2/28/04. I would provide a more cautious review of that ship. That is, just before we went, it somehow got rated as "Best Cruise Ship" or something similar. In our experience that statement is: 1) untrue; and 2) probably unfair to the ship. That is, it is a very nice ship and Radisson does an excellent job of including items which are an extra cost on other cruise lines. (For example, they include, in the price of the cruise, wine and beer at meals, many cocktail parties, bottles of water, room service, tips). Those extra amenities were appreciated but, in the broad perspective, they are part of the price which you pay for a better quality cruise. However, there were some negatives compared to the Golden Princess, on which we traveled just a few months before. For example: 1) there was only one swimming pool, it wasn't pretty (no tile, no fountains, no design) and there was *no* shade to be had; 2) the restaurant choices are much more limited (because it is a small ship - but it still made a poor comparison, to us); 3) the food was not spectacular (the specialty restaurant was outstanding, but the buffets were not as high-end as the Golden Princess); 4) the shore destinations in Tahiti are beautiful, but that is all - there is nothing else to do, so when you get a rain storm for 2 days (like we did in Bora Bora), you are stuck on a small ship, for 2 days, with far fewer options than other ships; 5) the entertainment was lesser (again, it is a small ship - but when you say "*Best* Cruise Ship" you set expecations).

So, when all is said and done, what is my conclusion?
If you want to see Tahiti, you should go.
If you like cruising, and you come with the proper expectations, you can have a nice time.
If you think you are going on a "dream" ship, which will exceed other cruising experiences, you might be disappointed.