South Pacific Recommendations?

UDscoobychick

Looking for a recommendation on travel agents for the South Pacific, please.  Preferably one who knows about the lesser-visited islands.  I was told there's someone on this board named Jells2Dot0, or something along those lines, who has been to the area frequently.

We're debating between a few different cruise options or a land-based trip and trying to figure out our best options!  So, any opinions on that would be welcome, too, please.

Thanks! 

Jells2dot0

I'm Jells I have been to Tahiti several times, Fiji once, and am heading to the Cook Islands next week! What lesser islands are you referring to? Something like the Tuamotus in Tahiti, the Cooks (almost noone on here has been), or places like Tonga or Vanuatu? What is your budget and when are you looking to go? That may help me narrow down some recommendations. I would only recommend  cruise for certain areas, like Archipels in Tahiti, which takes you to some of the uninhabited Tuamotus, or possibly the Aranui to the islands along the way to the Marquesas.

As for travel agents, I have tons of recommendtions and once I have a better idea of what you are looking for, I'm happy to share them I will provide recommendations based on speciality area, so that is why I hesitate to share now

UDscoobychick

Hi Jells!  Nice to "meet" you! 

Our budget is $10k, not including flights--we've got lots of miles!  We're leaning toward French Polynesia.  In terms of lesser known islands, we're thinking of ones like Fakarava--FI found the website for this "pension" yesterday and thought it (or something like it!) sounded fantastic!

http://www.raimiti.com/

We were hoping to get a week to 10 days on lesser-known islands to save money and get a feel for the local flavor, and then finish out with 3 days or so on Bora Bora (definitely want Bora Bora, not Moorea or Tahiti) in the Four Seasons or something equivalent to really splurge for a couple days.  Ideally, anywhere we stay would include at least half board, so that we don't have to worry too much about budgeting once we get there.

The cruises we were thinking about are :

• 7-day Paul Gauguin cruise in a room with a porthole, no extra $$ for excursions, with stops in Bora Bora (2 days) , Moorea (2 days), Papeete, Raiatea, and Tah'a, no sea days
• 14-day Oceania cruise in a room with a window, no extra $$ for excursions, with stops in Papeete, Moorea, Rarotonga (2 days), Bora Bora (2 days), Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Rangiroa, and Huahine, and 4 days at sea
• 10-day Princess cruise in a mini suite, staying over a few days before or after the cruise, enough $$ for booze and excusions, with stops in Papeete (2), Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora (2), and Moorea

 

All are in/out of Papeete.  I have cruised on MSC, Carnival, and Princess before, and FI has never cruised.  Cruises seem like they might be a better bang for your buck, in terms of cost vs. length of trip.  We like exploring new places, getting to know locals, finding the spots the locals like, etc.  I love lying on the beach, but he's a bit more active.  He loves to scuba, and I'm not scuba certified, but I like snorkeling.  Hopefully that gives you enough info!  I appreciate any recommendations that you have!

Jells2dot0

Fakarava is amazing and Ramiti is a total hidden gem, but it's definitely NOT a luxury hotel. On islands like that, though, luxury is not needed because you are just in awe of the surroundings. I also really like the Tikehau Pearl and Kia Ora Rangiroa. Le MaiTai also has a new property in Rangiroa that is more budget friendly. The Kia Ora also has Kia Ora Sauvage, which is a remote part of the atoll that only has room for 10 guests and runs solely on oil lamps at night! It's a true getaway from the world. Rangiroa is known for diving, but I will got to do some amazing snorkeling while there. Rangiroa also has some cool excursions like visiting the gorgeous Blue Lagoon. The Tikehau Pearl is another awesome place to dive from and you can rent bikes from there and head over to the main part of the atoll and explore the village. I also recommend Huahine for something closer to Moorea/Bora Bora. Huahine is very quiet and there are archaelogical sites to explore. The Te Tiare Resort is the higher end resort there, but Le MaiTai also has a budget property. Out of all the times I have been, I have never spent less than 3 nights on any one island and honestly, I felt that was too short for some places. So, if you are okay with the way the cruises stop for only 1-2 days, then I think the Oceania would be nice because you will see the Societies, Tuamotus (passing through), the Marquesas, and the Cooks. It's a lot for 14 days, but you get to see how very different each island group is. I personally do not care for cruising (just a personal thing), especially since I have spent so much time on land based vacations there. I think it takes a few days to really get a feel for the local culture, so you won't get as much of a chance to do that on a cruise. So, I think it will come down to whether you want to see as much as you can or if you really want to experience the destination. Depending on when you go, your budget may get you a week or almost two. Keep in mind that because Ramiti is not a resort, you may not be able to have an agent book it for you. Smaller hotels like that sometimes do not work with wholesalers, which is what agents use to pull together packages. Also, airfare to Tahiti from LAX has been running anywhere from $1200/person to $1600/person, so that is about how muuch you would save by using miles and it's a great amount to have set aside for activities and food. You will need interisland airfare if you do a land based vacation and that will run you around $500-$700pp depending on what islands you choose. The Tuamotu Airpass is more than the one that just stays within the Societies.

As for agents, I have worked with quite a few for my many trips! My first recommendation is to work with a Tiare Agent. They have to have some many Tahiti bookings a year to stay certified and have been to the islands, so it's good to work with someone who knows their stuff. Tahiti-tourisme.com has an agent search function that allows you to find someone local to you. I have actually never worked with anyone local to me- always over e-mail. If you don't find anyone on Tahiti Tourisme's website, you can google "Tahiti Tiare Agent" and see everyone who pops up across the country or PM me and I'll give you a list of agents/agencies by name.

UDscoobychick

I googled Tahiti Tiare Agent, and "Tahiti by Carl" came up...he at least has some of the smaller island listed on his website, although no mention of if he books anything out there.  Have you heard of him?  Or, I'd love to get a list of agents/agencies who you have worked with...location doesn't really matter to me--I'd rather have someone with a good recommendation!

ETA: Tahiti Legends and Pacific Holidays also had Fakarava included in some of their packages, so if you know anything about them, that would be awesome, too.

Jells2dot0

I had not heard of him, but it looks like he is in Canada. I'm not sure if Canadian Agents can work with US clients. It might not hurt to try, but you may also get quotes in Candian Dollars and then face exchange rate stuff. I will PM you with recommendations because we aren't allowed to post TA names on here

UDscoobychick

Thanks for the PM!

Jells2dot0

NP- I replied to your PM with a tip