Karen and Mark Stanek
 

After a 13 hour flight, not including layovers, we arrived in Papeete at 1:00am. We arrived at the Maeva Sofitel by 2:00am. After talking to several passengers, who had arrived early for a pre-cruise package, It appears that ANZ was the airline of choice. Many pre-cruise people complained of rude service and cramped older planes on AOM and France Air, which are used for arrivals other than Saturdays. After a much needed nights sleep, we skipped the excursion and just laid around the pool and rested.
 
Transfers to the ship began at 3:00. The ship its self still had a new twinkling lights around the doorway. Nothing but Paul Gauguin paintings and pencil sketches on the walls, tropical flowers and plants everywhere. The standard suites were of ample space, with lots of dark wood. The marble bathrooms were huge in cruise ship terms with plenty of storage space and a full size tub and shower. There is a comp bar setup that included a bottle of scotch, vodka and gin. The little fridge was stocked each day with mixers and sodas. All soft drinks and juices were also gratis aboard ship.
 
The weather the entire week was the same, HOT, I would say above 90 with a daily brief downpour, This usually occurred when on a shore excursion.
 
The passenger make-up comprised of 50 % american, 25% french and about 25% other various nationalities. The age mix was younger than other RSSC ships. There were quite a few newlyweds and several singles. Dress was really casual. The women wore sleeveless dresses and pants suits, while the men wore short sleeved shirts and dress pants. Ties were an uncommon sight. Although it was suggested that men needn't wear a jacket, my husband brought one and really could of used two. One for the Captains greeting and one for the Seven Seas Society dinner, which was held for past RSSC passengers. Even at these two dressier evenings, few people wore a tie. Dress code for the daytime was bathing suits and cover-ups. Bathing suits were every where during the day except for lunch at Le Etoile.
 
Public Areas: The casino was on the small side with two black jack tables and one roulette table. There were numerous slots, these were not in operation as of yet, due to some French law. They hope to have this regulation changed in the near future.
 
There were two dining rooms. Le Etoile was the main one with La Veranda alternating, by reservation only, one french menu and one italian menu every other night. I was surprised that the menus stayed the same for the entire week. We opted for the french night and we found it interesting. In this restaurant, you don't choose from the menu, it is just served course by course. For most of our breakfasts and lunches we choose to eat outdoors at the Grill, witch is enclosed on several sides by glass panels to shield from wind. Only once did we eat in, during a very windy downpour. Room service was prompt with a varied menu.
 
Service in the dining room was good. I must say service on other parts of the ship was more relaxed than other RSSC ships.  We had no problem with the reception desk or the excursion desk, but we had heard several comments that some passengers had been treated rudely by the french staff. The cruise director was British and the social hostess was
American, and the both did a really good job. Entertainment on board consisted of a comic/ magician and shows by Les Gauguins who were native "hostesses" who sang traditional Tahitian songs every where on board.
 
Ports of call included Huahine, which we declined shore excursions in favor of vegging by the pool to fully recover from the flight. The next was Raietea which we chose a jeep excursion, only slightly entertaining. Then came Bora Bora which was my favorite island. We did a jeep excursion here that is not to be missed. A really exciting tour through the jungle that was really hair raising at times. The scenery and mountain top views were spectacular. This excursion is not for the fragile, you really had to hold on and brace yourself during much of the ride. Since there are no seat belts, I lifted off my seat on more than one occasion. The second day in Bora Bora we chose a snorkeling excursion that included a swim with Manta Rays that was really a hoot. These giants creatures would wrap their bodies around you while the guide is warning you to stay away from their tails. In the afternoon, we went to the private motu which is just an small island surrounded by a coral reef. . There was a outdoor bar  setup, with a champagne table in the water. Ample lounge chairs, and water sport equipment provided. This was a very relaxing afternoon. My husband's favorite island was next, Moorea, which was the prettiest of all of the islands. Although we signed up for our shore excursions the moment we went aboard, (which I highly suggest) the excursion we choose on day one, the dolphin expedition, was already booked. So we rented a scooter and toured the island. The final day on Moorea we jet skied. We stopped at on Motu that was just littered with the most beautiful shells. Everyone, including the tour guides spent the next hour
bent over picking shells. Although we did not scuba dive, the diving it's self was understood to be terrific, it was the pre qualifications that we heard had been a bit unusual.. If you answered "yes" to any question....Have you ever had surgery, do you get seasick, are you on any medication, etc., you had to have your doctor in the states fax a medical release. Your other option was to visit a Dr. on the island. Many people complained that this condition was not revealed earlier. Leaving Moorea, we had a 12 mile voyage back to Tahiti which for some reason took about 5 hrs. Some people claimed that the Captain drove around aimlessly after nearing an island to make it appear that we were traveling further distances. One port, Rangiroa, was eliminated from the itinerary and replaced with Huahine. This was due to really rough seas around Rangiroa.
 
For the most part, our cruise was smooth sailing. After arriving in Tahiti about 9:00pm, during dinner, the drapes were opened to reveal the lights of Papeete. It really was beautiful.
 
Disembarkation was a bit rough. Those not participating in a post-cruise package disembarked at 4:20am!!! I really recommend a post cruise package in Bora Bora or Moorea.
 
This was a really relaxing cruise that made stops at some of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. One thing we would of done different would be to include a weeks stay in New Zealand since we were only 6 hours away. I think in hind sight we would absolutely tried to find time for a post-cruise package. I would recommend this cruise and ship to any one who
is interested in this itinerary.