I am amazed at how helpful everyone has been in describing the cruise from pre-tour activities and airline experience to the actual wait staff in the dining rooms. I will try to offer some new perspectives as a tribute to the support already received.

May I suggest that you book Princess' pre-tour package, the one that offers one night at the Papeete Intercontinental and three nights in an over-water bungalow at the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon. This package also contains all transfers to and from the airport (yes, even at the end of the cruise, transfers to and from the ferries to Moorea, and the meet and greet arrangements at the airport. At $1099 per person, this represents terrific value if you consider the actual rack rate of $2500 per person if the package were booked independently. (I believe the package will be $1149 for the final months this year.) Once settled into the Intercontinental, you will probably wish you had booked an extra night. This can actually be done, and once again with Princess. To amortize the $46 continental breakfast rate, order just one to share. I guarantee you that one is more than enough for two hungry individuals. Try to be as creative at the Sheraton as well--there is no need to spend a fortune in the formal dining room as the lesser restaurants offer very good food at reasonable rates ($20 for fresh mahi mahi on a Cesar Salad). Your price includes tax and service.

Because we booked directly with our travel agent, a tropical bouquet was already waiting for us in our mini-suite. Actually this is more of a large stateroom, as it does not have the larger dimensions of mini-suites in other Princess ships. Nice blue tones and very clean. In fact, cleanliness is the hallmark of the ships these days, especially with the scares of norovirus. Our friends had a mini-suite on the starboard side so we could exchange views from both sides. One of the individuals did in fact come down with a bug (I think you know what I mean) and was in fact quarantined for two full days. Princess was absolutely professional in handling the situation as well as assuring the individual that all would be taken care of, from doctor's visit to in-room meal service. There was NO additional charge. Princess stated that it was grateful that the report was made. Yes, the beds are firm. Ask for the egg-crate covering ahead of time and make a copy of the confirmation. Read more