#17110 - 12/30/06 11:55 AM
Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
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dreamer
Member
Registered: 12/30/06
Posts: 102
Loc: OHIO
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Hello,
I'm disabled and my parents have cared for me all of my life. I'm doing research to send them on a memorable trip. I finally have enough miles to purchase airline tickets to fly my parents to either Hawaii or Tahiti. Cost is a consideration but it's not the deciding factor.
My parents are at an age where they prefer to be guided on a vacation rather than setting off on their own. Both are young at heart and down-to-earth. There's nothing fancy/pretentious about them...just middle class Americans who graduated from high school, had a family and worked hard all of their lives.
Except for some minor health issues that are controlled with medication, my parents are in good health. My dad is 77 years old and still takes his 19 ft fishing boat out on Lake Erie by himself and rides his bicycle all around town. My mom is 76 years old and loves to take walks and plays golf. Neither parent is overweight.
Here are my considerations:
A) Aranui 3
I am looking seriously at the Aranui 3 because it would give my dad a great boating experience and where my mom's friends have gone to Hawaii many times, Tahiti would hopefully surround her with more of an adventure in paradise than Hawaii.
My concerns about the Aranui are:
1) Safety getting on/off the whaleboats. Has anyone witnessed how elderly or even less physically strong/agile people do during this part of the voyage? What is your impression of the safety measures or the degree of risk that may be involved?
2) Beds in the standard cabins. I read that they're hard as a rock. Any truth to this? Would it be wise to pack air mattresses?
I've also researched 7-10 day cruises and would appreciate any input that you can give on these:
B) Archipels
http://www.archipels.com/
1) Will the cabins be claustrophobic? I've never been on a catamaran.
2) Who takes these cruises? Will the six fellow travellers most likely be personable? I'd hate to trap my parents on a small boat without some good company. They're not prudes but they're not big time partiers.
3) Which cruise might you recommend:
Leeward Island 6-night cruise :
* from Huahine to Bora Bora (even weeks) : from Saturday to Friday.
* from Bora Bora to Huahine (odd weeks) : from Saturday to Friday.
Rangiroa 2-night cruise : from Saturday to Monday
Rangiroa 3-night cruise : from Tuesday to Friday.
Tuamotu 6-night cruise : (check sailing dates)
C) Bora Bora Cruises - Nomade Yachting
http://www.boraboracruises.com/home.php
This cruise probably offers a better chance for good socialization since it accomodates 50 passengers.
D) Tahitian Princess
http://www.princess.com/ships/ta/index.html
This strikes me as too commercial...but maybe I'm wrong.
E) Plan a trip to Hawaii instead of Tahiti.
Sorry to go on and on. I will truly appreciate your input and guidance.
Cheryl
P.S. Is April or May a good month to take the Aranui or is September better?
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TahitiTravel offers excellent deals for cruising the magnificent lagoons of French Polynesia.
We highly recommend the Bora Bora Cruises for luxurious intimacy (actually a v.good value compared to the cost of a stay at a 5 star resort) or the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Paul Gaugin for a deluxe but more traditional cruise experience.
Check our Cruises page for more information
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#17111 - 01/02/07 05:41 PM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
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Wendy the Wanderer
Member
Registered: 02/26/03
Posts: 181
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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It may be out of your price-range, but have you thought about the Paul Gauguin? It's smaller than the Tahitian Princess and more intimate. I've met many couples in their 70s on this ship who have had a whale of a time on this cruise.
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#17112 - 01/03/07 08:08 AM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
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Jim B
Member
Registered: 08/15/02
Posts: 275
Loc: Montana
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I agree with Wendy.
From your comments it sounds as if the Paul Gauguin might be a better fit.
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#17113 - 01/04/07 03:51 PM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
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Kathy Z
Member
Registered: 03/02/04
Posts: 234
Loc: Southeast MI
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What a wonderful vacation you are planning for your parents! I would agree with Wendy and Jim that if the Paul Gauguin is in your budget you should consider it. We've been in early June and late August - early September and had wonderful weather on both trips. The Paul Gauguin is operated by Regent. There are reduced fares if you book by 2/28.
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#17114 - 01/05/07 07:50 AM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
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dreamer
Member
Registered: 12/30/06
Posts: 102
Loc: OHIO
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Everyone ~
Thank you very much for your informative replies!
I compiled a spreadsheet comparing the Aranui, Gauguin and Tu Moana and printed info for my parents to review.
Surprisingly, the chose the Aranui. I thought they would choose the Gauguin...parents, go figure!!!
Kind regards,
Cheryl
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#61738 - 03/30/07 04:06 PM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
[Re: dreamer]
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NukuHiva
Member
Registered: 05/27/02
Posts: 77
Loc: USA
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This is an old post, but anyway. The Arnaui is to be highly recommended. The sailors take great care when helping passengers in and out of the whaleboats. If necessary, they carry you. Your parents are obviously very fit for their age and should enjoy this unique trip.
I love reading about the Marquesas before or during the trip, for example Melville's short novel Typee.
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#61776 - 03/31/07 10:47 AM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
[Re: NukuHiva]
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dreamer
Member
Registered: 12/30/06
Posts: 102
Loc: OHIO
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thanks nukuhiva. my parents are booked for the aranui's october cruise!
cheryl
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#64538 - 06/28/07 10:57 AM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
[Re: dreamer]
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Pago
Member
Registered: 12/10/05
Posts: 189
Loc: Ohio
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Just got back from Aranui 3..Voyage 7...June 23rd.
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#64541 - 06/28/07 11:51 AM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
[Re: Pago]
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dreamer
Member
Registered: 12/30/06
Posts: 102
Loc: OHIO
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hey pago...you're in ohio too! i'm near sandusky.
how was the voyage?!?!?!
cheryl
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#64548 - 06/28/07 05:07 PM
Re: Looking for guidance RE: Tahiti and my elderly parents
[Re: dreamer]
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Pago
Member
Registered: 12/10/05
Posts: 189
Loc: Ohio
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Aranui 3
1.If you're staying in a downtown hotel you may find it's very difficult to get a taxe over to the Aranui...not far enough to make any money.
After 35 mins, our Hotel Tiare clerk told us that no taxi would come. She asked her sister/cousin/helper to drivs us over in her 4-door pick up truck for about half what a taxi would charge.
2. Once you arrive at the dock, the crew will take your bags and mark your cabin number on the bags. They are placed on a conveyor belt.
3. You will walk up the gangway and sign in, a very fast process. Your bags will be by your cabin.
3. Your cabin will be supplied with two water bottles. When they are empty you can re-fill them at several safe drinking fountains located on the ship.
4. At 10am the bar opens with free rum-punch (and non-rum) and popcorn, nuts and olives.
5. At 11am the Aranui sails.
6. The food is good and the desserts are very good.
7. Every four people at a table will be served two bottles of wine, either red or white or both. Same for dinner.
8. Three times during the voyage, your cabin lady will wash your shirts, shorts etc. They will not do underwear/socks since the dryers are heavy duty. No charge.
9. Most everybody wore wide brim hats.
10. Do not wear black/dark shorts/hats/shirts...The sun is hot.
11. Most everybody wore Teva type shoes and walking shoes.
12. The ones who wore white walking shoes needed to clean them after a days walk.
13. The walks/hikes/marches can be long/hot/ and difficult.
Walking in muddy areas, on rocks, slippery areas etc.
14. Getting on and off the whale boats/barges can be a
challenge. Listen to the crew and do what they say.
15. You'll have about 5 lunches on shore in villages, most include some type of music etc.
16. Every day at 6pm, you'll have a briefing for the next days activities. Some days are very full and not much time to relax on the ship.
17. The pool is small but rather deep, it felt good after all day on shore.
18. There is a tour of the "bridge". You can visit it anytime, just ask first.
19. You can BYOB in your bags, just be discreet.
20. You can buy Tahitian type anti-bug spray onboard. We didn't have any problems with bugs etc.
21. Some people wore light weight long sleeve shirts for protection from bugs and sun.
....and now for the problems we had on Aranui3....
...............................
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