French Polynesia Cruise for my birthday 2015

Daryl Glean on 03 January 2015
My wife and I have always wanted to go to this destination French Polynesia, as one of our dream destinations. We both decided we should book a cruise for my birthday, We flew from London Heathrow via Los Angeles to Papette in economy class. Flying time 18 hours. We had a long stopover in Los Angeles so decided to go to Santa Monica by bus, which was really good. It took around 45 minutes with one change of bus, and cost around $1.00 per person per journey bus route number 3 with Bus Company Big Blue bus and Airport shuttle bus which is free to bus transit terminal. I was very impressed with Santa Monica, as it was over 10 years since I last went. Santa Monica has plenty of restaurants, shops and bars. I think it’s a great place to spend time, if you have a long stop over. We finally arrived at destination Papette in the early hours of the morning, where we met by the cruise line rep, who took us to hospitality area until ship was boarding was ready. I heard lots about Oceania, so I was really excited to be boarding this cruise, especially for its food. The service whilst boarding and on board was excellent. The staff is very friendly and polite. We were on Marina which takes 1250 guest and has 11 decks, mid size ship with a swimming pool and spa. We booked a Veranda stateroom.The bonus with booking Oceania your flights, gratuities, free and unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, cappuccino, espresso, teas and juices, speciality restaurants are included. It's full board basis with afternoon tea included daily. My tip would be to book a suite if you have the money, as you get a chance to visit speciality restaurants 2 times per visit whilst other cabin grades it is only 1 per visit, but you can try again to visit, Just note that you will be on a waiting list for the restaurants. I have to say the food was amazing and out of this world on this cruise. This is definitely the best I have ever eaten on any cruise. I have been on several cruise lines, and no cruise line at this stage can beat Oceania for me. I totally agree with their statement they spend the most on food. I love all the restaurants, but my favourites were Jacques. Red Ginger and Polo. The great thing with Oceania cruises, you don’t need to dress up, and its smart casual is the dress code on their ships. I would recommend pre booking your restaurants once dinner reservation are available to book in advance online or first day onboard. They also offer complimentary room service 24 hours a day.

The Grand Dining Room Handsomely decorated in rich woods, designer tapestry fabrics and oversized armchairs, the expansive dining area exudes classic splendour. The Grand Dining Room’s formally attired and classically trained wait staff graciously serve course after course of European-inspired cuisine or delectable alternatives such as healthy Canyon Ranch® signature dishes. Menus change daily with a brilliant choice of at least ten appetisers, soups and salads and twelve entrées at dinner.

Polo Grill Polo Grill embodies all the elements of a classic steakhouse, expressing them with timeless reverence. Each course stands as the very definition of time-honoured favourites, most notably the beef dishes, all of which are USDA Prime and dry-aged for 28 days to enhance tenderness and flavour.

Toscana Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, masterfully prepared dishes exemplify the essence of Tuscany and celebrate Italy’s culinary passion. Classic dishes from various regions of Northern Italy are featured, many from recipes that originated with the mothers and grandmothers of our own Italian culinary staff. Open for dinner only. Reservations required.

Jacques Exquisitely decorated with heirloom antiques, pickled wood furnishings and art from Jacques Pépin’s personal collection, Jacques was modelled after a Parisian bistro. Each country French dish served is a classic, ingeniously reinterpreted by Master Chef Pépin--Jacques is absolutely magnifique! Open for dinner only. Reservations required.

Red Ginger Red Ginger’s chefs have created contemporary interpretations of Asian classics. The interior simply glows with ebony woods, a soothing waterfall wall and striking, modern Asian artworks, all with a nod to feng shui. In Red Ginger, the gustatory pleasures are as striking as the visual ones.Open for dinner only. Reservations required.

Terrace Café Informal and carefree, the Terrace Café is wonderfully inviting any time of day--feel free to dine inside or alfresco at one of the shaded teak tables on the terrace. First thing in the morning, enjoy sumptuous breakfast selections. Come lunch, the expansive menu of international-inspired dishes changes entirely. Evenings, the impeccably clad wait staff shines, and the cuisine takes on a more sophisticated flair. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Waves Grill Open for lunch and afternoon dining only. No reservations required.

Afternoon Tea A celebratory daily event that irresistibly draws guests to Horizons at four o’clock sharp. As a classical string quartet plays softly in the background, our staff glides through the room presenting bountiful four-tiered pastry carts filled with freshly made finger sandwiches, colourful petits fours, richly textured scones with clotted cream, and wonderfully sinful desserts. Daily at 4pm. No reservations required.

Privée Host a private party for up to 10 privileged guests in our most exclusive onboard dining venue. Reservations required. A room reservation surcharge applies.

La Reserve Oceania Cruises brings you the brilliant union of La Reserve and Wine Spectator, the foremost magazine for wine connoisseurs, with the resulting La Reserve by Wine Spectator offering not only wine seminars and vintage tasting but also gourmet dinners pairing fine wines with delectable courses that allow devout epicureans to enhance their appreciation of fine dining.Open for dinner only. Wine Experience surcharge applies

We also had a chance of doing a culinary class on board the cruise which was really good. No photography onboard. Plus minimum on board announcements. Evening entertainment is varied shows. They have a very good library, where you can also plays games like scrabble.etc.

My itinerary 04 Jan Papette Tahiti French Polynesia, 05 Jan Papette Tahiti 05 Jan Moorea French Polynesia, 06 Jan Raiatea French Polynesia, 07 Jan Bora Bora French Polynesia, 08 Jan Bora Bora, 09 Jan Day at sea, 10 Jan Nuku Hiva Marquesas Islands, 11 Jan Nuku Hiva, 12 Jan Day at sea, 13 Jan Rangiroa French Polynesia, 14 Jan Papette Tahiti French Polynesia

On this cruise I saw some amazing places including Vanilla plantation churches and beaches. My favourite place was Moorea. I found the French Polynesia islands to be very green with the people very friendly. On my last day of our trip we did hire a driver to take us around the island of Tahiti, which was nice. I manage to see more of Tahiti including some waterfalls. French is official language spoken. Currency CFP franc although Euros also is accepted.No visa is required for UK Citizens staying less than 90 days. This cruise was truly amazing, and my best ever cruise. I can’t wait to go on Oceania again. This cruise would suit customers who like country house style hotels.Not suitable for young children.