Our Tahiti cruise started on an ominous note with our San Francisco to LA flight being cancelled due to mechanical problems. Three hours behind schedule, we got to the Air Tahiti Nui counter at 12:50 pm, only 10 minutes before flight time. The agent radioed the last shuttle bus to wait for us, checked us in and escorted us to the short security line the flight crew uses. Our checked bags arrived the next day… we’ve learned to have a couple days’ clothes in our carry-ons.

This cruise was a wonderful experience, and the first for my brother John and sister-in-law Judie who joined us from St. Louis. They are terrific traveling companions. The Tahitian Princess is the smallest ship we’ve been on… nice because after a short while you’re recognizing lots of faces. I felt a little more motion than on larger ships. It wasn’t a problem for Linda and me, but Judie was glad she brought “the patch” from home for motion sickness. I don’t think the doctor on board ship will prescribe them.

Being more morning people, we had the early dinner seating and saw the earlier shows. In the Caribbean we enjoyed the “anytime dining” where you sit with new people every evening but that wasn’t offered on the TP. Our table companions on this 10 day cruise were interesting and fun to be with.

The real beauty of French Polynesia is found in the water. Two of our favorite excursions were Marc’s motu picnic on Huahine and the Princess booked introductory scuba dive on Bora Bora. Judie almost scrubbed the dive while on the boat, but finally got up the nerve to take the plunge. Afterwards she said she’d do it again in a minute, it was that fantastic!

We’ve enjoyed all six cruises we’ve been on, but this was one of the most memorable.

For a more detailed description, and 155 captioned photographs of the cruise, see our website: