Visiting the islands of the South Pacific is a dream we’re trying to make come true, so we’re doing our research to make sure we don’t miss out.
We’ve been dreaming of visiting French Polynesia for a long time, but now that we might finally be able to go, we’re torn between a cruise or a traditional stay.
Our plan is to visit Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine... and we’re also considering the Tuamotu Islands.
For us, the priority is to explore the islands properly, not so much to enjoy life on a boat—we do cruises closer to home for that. But sailing through those lagoons must be an extraordinary experience too.
I’m reaching out to get your help in weighing the pros and cons of each option.
I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve done this trip.
How many nights would you recommend staying on each island?
For French Polynesia, I don’t think there’s enough to explore by land.
So we’ve been there twice on a cruise, and we’re going back in September on another cruise.
The lagoon excursions during the day and island walks are easy to do with or without the cruise ship’s services.
There are many places in the world that are better explored thoroughly. But French Polynesia is best experienced by sea...
It’s always a matter of personal preference. Restaurants and hotels on the islands are so expensive that a cruise ship almost becomes the economical option...
Happy planning!
FrancineHa
Au plaisir
Francine
1114 jours en croisière sur différents styles de bateaux et taille, en passant du 12 passagers, par le cargo mixte, jusqu'au 220 000 tonnes=Visité plus de 144 pays-territoires sur Travelers' Century Club's
we’ve been to Polynesia four times, and every time it was on a cruise.
I highly recommend Princess Cruises, which offers 10-night cruises in Polynesia with the islands you want on the Pacific Princess.
Impeccable service—our favorite company along with Celebrity Cruise.
If you’d like, you can add 1, 2, or 3 nights in a hotel at the start and/or end of the cruise.
The biggest advantage: you visit a different island every day without having to pack and unpack your suitcases to change hotels or take a flight, so much less fatigue and no wasted time.
Secondly, I find the price cheaper than a hotel, especially since the cruise includes full board.
The cruise means one day per island, but I think for a first visit, that’s enough because the island tour goes by very quickly.
You’ll love the kindness of the Polynesians, and after coming back with your head full of images, you’ll only dream of one thing: going back.
We’ve been dreaming of visiting French Polynesia for a long time, but now that we might finally be able to go, we’re torn between a cruise or a traditional stay.
I’ve been to French Polynesia twice on a traditional stay. Of course, I fell in love with these places, just like so many others.
I think you’ll enjoy it whether you go on a cruise or not.
It’s definitely cheaper on a cruise compared to the services you’d find on the ships, which you’d only get in very expensive luxury hotels.
I’ve tried all kinds of accommodations, from homestays to 5-star overwater bungalows... it’s always magical.
For the islands, I spent:
4 nights in Moorea
4 nights in Bora Bora
3 nights in Huahine
3 nights in Raiatea
2 nights in Papeete
For my second trip, I thought I’d missed out on Papeete, so I spent 4 nights there. I think this island is gorgeous, even if a lot of people say you shouldn’t stay long. Don’t hesitate to visit—it’s stunning!
I haven’t been to the Tuamotus, but I spent a day in Tetiaroa—another marvel!
It all depends on how much time you have in French Polynesia, but I think if you go, you should stay at least 15 days.
If I go back to French Polynesia, it’ll be at a hotel again because I love waking up with my feet in the water...
Happy planning for a wonderful trip, and don’t hesitate if you have any questions!
We initially thought about a cruise, but after reading stories from others on forums, blogs, etc., we started wondering if French Polynesia deserved that we spend 2 to 3 days per island on-site—not just to visit, but also to soak in and enjoy its stunning landscapes.
We’ve taken several cruises in the Mediterranean and really like the format, even though this year’s was a bit disappointing (too crowded). But for this trip, it’s not the boat we want to enjoy—it’s the destination.
I did find a cruise option for French Polynesia, the Tia Moana or Tu Moana by Bora Bora Cruises, but unfortunately, it’s way over budget. 🤪
It’s true that not having to pack and unpack is super convenient, but the days spent sailing seem like "wasted time" for this particular trip. Flights between islands are much quicker.
Anyway, thanks for your help—I’m researching more and more, and the doubts keep growing, but I’m keeping at it! 😉
Our initial trip idea is quite similar to yours. Since there’s a good chance we won’t be going back, we’d try to spend at least 3 weeks there.
I’m taking advantage of your experience to ask for your opinion on accommodations.
I’ve read that people are very happy with family-run guesthouses, but I’m just wondering if they might be too isolated or too "quiet."
If we eventually opt for a "land-based" stay, we’ll probably book a few nights (maybe on just one island) at a 5-star hotel with an overwater bungalow. But on the islands where we plan to do more sightseeing, we won’t get much use out of it, so we’d rather save some money.
Your thoughts on Tahiti were really helpful. It’s true that I’ve often read it’s not that interesting, which did surprise me a bit. 😉
It's true that some guesthouses are isolated. On the other hand, what's great about French Polynesia is the well-developed car rental service.
I rented a car or scooter on every island, and I found it awesome for sightseeing. Your hosts or the hotel staff can reserve one for you, and it’ll be waiting at your door on the big day.
For my part, I always chose guesthouses or hotels by the sea. There are plenty of great little 1* or 2* hotels.
I picked a 5* hotel with an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora on a motu (islet) because on that island, you mostly enjoy the lagoon, and I didn’t regret it at all.
But otherwise, I think no matter what you choose there, you’ll love it.
In Papeete, don’t forget to visit the market, of course, and the food trucks by the port for dinner in the evening—it’s so typical and absolutely amazing!!!!!
The interior of the island will give you so many memories that you shouldn’t overlook it. Get yourself a guidebook to French Polynesia—it’ll explain everything there is to do. The first time I went, I followed the guide...
Hi everyone, I was 15 when I first discovered Tahiti, New Caledonia, and the former New Hebrides (1957-1958). Back then, I was sailing with Messageries Maritimes and fell under the spell of these islands. My wife and I returned in 1997 for a paradise-like cruise on the Club Med 2 in Tahiti. We stayed for 3 days at the Hyatt hotel, which is built into the hillside—you descend to your rooms, each with a typical balcony overlooking the sea. Absolute paradise!
Don’t hesitate to spend 2 or 3 days in Papeete before your cruise. Then, we sailed to Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea/Taha’a, and Bora Bora. Unfortunately, our stop in Rangiroa was canceled due to the weather, but the cruise with Club Med was unforgettable—they provided an amazing experience at the time.
Afterward, we stayed 3 days in Moorea at the "Tipaniers" bungalows by the lagoon. The hotels like Beachcomber, Sheraton, Radisson, and Sofitel were too expensive, but you’ll see—you’ll have incredible memories!
To stay in overwater bungalows (which is an amazing experience), you don’t need to splurge on a 5-star hotel at all. You can find great overwater bungalows in 3-star hotels too. But even in that category, it’s not cheap.
In Bora Bora, for example, there’s Maitai (a 3-star hotel, but *really* nice). The overwater bungalows are great, with a glass table to watch and feed the fish (even rays, etc.), plus a solarium, terrace, king-size bed, fridge, etc. Ask for the end of the pier—it’s not a "bungalow factory," so it’s pretty intimate. The only downside is that the hotel is on the main island (not a motu), so you don’t get those stunning views of Bora Bora, and it gets a bit less sun (since Bora is mountainous). However, it’s just a few steps from Matira Point, the most beautiful spot on the main island. Right now, they have a promo: 3 nights paid + 2 free, with half-board included (which is free for stays of 3+ paid nights, I think—so it’s separate but can be combined with the 3+2 deal). The food is *really* good—maybe even a bit too generous for us! The hotel also hosts a Europcar agency (I think it’s them), so you can rent bikes, scooters, or even cars.
Otherwise, there’s Hawaiki Nui by Pearl Resorts in Raiatea (3 stars). These are the cheapest overwater bungalows in French Polynesia. From what I’ve heard, the hotel is a bit dated (it was the *first* overwater bungalow in the world!!), but it has the best restaurant in Raiatea (I haven’t tried it myself). Just 30 meters from the pier, you’ve got the Nordby wreck (a 19th-century Danish schooner), so it’s a diver’s paradise. If I remember correctly, there’s a promo for a "Pearl Resorts combo" (for stays on two or more islands), and maybe something like X paid nights + Y free. The price-to-bungalow ratio is excellent.
Both also have deals for VDM (Voyage de noces—honeymooners).
Otherwise, you can also combine the Maitai in Bora Bora with the Maitai Dream in Fakarava (4-star, I think—the max is 6 stars). They give you a significant discount for this combo.
We’ve been to French Polynesia four times, always on a cruise.
I highly recommend Princess Cruises, which offers 10-night cruises in French Polynesia with the islands you want on the Pacific Princess.
Impeccable service—our favorite company along with Celebrity Cruises.
If you’d like, you can add 1, 2, or 3 nights in a hotel at the start and/or end of the cruise.
The biggest advantage: you’re on a different island every day without having to pack and unpack your suitcases to change hotels or take flights, so you save a lot of energy and time.
Secondly, I find it cheaper than staying in hotels, especially since the cruise includes full board.
The cruise gives you a day on each island, but I think that’s enough for a first visit since the island tour goes by quickly.
You’ll love the kindness of the Polynesians, and after coming back with your head full of images, you’ll only dream of one thing: going back!
Good evening,
My husband and I have decided to go to French Polynesia. I’m really tempted by a cruise—we’ve already done two with Costa Cruises and one trip around the United States. The idea of not always packing and unpacking our suitcases is very appealing ;). I have a small question: do any of the crew members speak French?
Hi Laetitia,
we did it with Princess Cruise and it’s really pure luck if you find someone who speaks French on board.
Even the menus are in English.
We get by in English, and since the menu is displayed in advance, we’d look it up in our little dictionary if there was a word we didn’t understand.
On land, obviously all Polynesians speak French, and during excursions, sit at the front of the bus so the guide gives you explanations in French.
French Polynesia is amazing and the Polynesians are lovely—a great memory.
I highly recommend this cruise with Princess.
It might be a bit pricey (I have no idea about cruise rates on a "Princess"), but it’s local and could be a different way to experience a cruise (vibe, food, etc.).
This ship goes all the way to the Marquesas.
Hi everyone,
Like many of you here, I spent a long time hesitating between a "land-based" stay to take the time to explore each island and a more itinerant cruise. In the end, I found a truly unique alternative: a mixed vessel, both cargo ship and passenger liner, that sails through the most iconic but also the most remote islands of Polynesia, like the Marquesas.
This isn’t a classic "floating resort" type of cruise, but a much more authentic experience, with real immersion in Polynesian culture. The crew is local, the stopovers are long and well-organized, and the atmosphere on board is friendly, far from the crowds. You really get to share a slice of daily life with the islanders.
It’s a great option for those who want to experience Polynesia differently, discovering less touristy islands while avoiding multiple inter-island flights and repacking your suitcase every couple of days.
For those interested, the company’s website is: aranui
Happy planning, everyone, and enjoy this trip—which for me remains one of the most memorable I’ve ever taken!
Je dois refaire une croisière en Polynésie en début d’année prochaine sur Océania Marina et je suis à la recherche d’une agence locale sérieuse pour me faire…
Nous partons en novembre sur le Paul Gauguin et j 'aimerai savoir pour ceux qui l'on fait si vous connaissez des guides pour nous faire visiter nous faisons…
bonjour,
je pars de hambourg pour islande fin juillet. le bateau arrive a Reykjavik le mardi 4 aout 8H e voudrai reserve une excursion en journée type golden circle, secret lagoon...les sites getyour guide et autre annononcent des dparts à 8h du matin ....Si vous avez deja utilisé ces sites avec bateau MSC precioza, pouvez vous me dire comment m y prendre !
merci 😉
allyMB007
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along.
THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
I’m looking to get in touch with someone who’s been on an Arctic Cruise aboard the ship POLARFRONT, operated by the French company "LATITUDE BLANCHE", for some info.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops:
1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre
2. We stopped in Saint-Martin
3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre
Saint-Martin
Five days at sea
The Azores
Four days at sea
Hamburg
One day at sea
Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling…
The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast.
We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person.
My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster.
We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride.
When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start…
After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed.
At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd.
With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect.
We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride…
We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation.
The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated.
They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲.
That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in.
Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc…
TO BE CONTINUED
Hi,
We received a promotion from our CFC agency offering cruises at up to 40-100% off, and among other details: CFC organizes parking for departures from Dunkirk.
"Unattended parking located about 12 minutes away, fenced off with barriers, at a rate of 10 € per day. Drop off passengers and luggage at the Model Pavilion, and a CFC shuttle will take you from the parking lot to the Model Pavilion every 15-20 minutes. Same for disembarkation. You can book through your agency or on their website. No refunds if the booking is canceled; payment is due at reservation."
Have a great day,
Guylène
PS: Personally, we’d rather keep our vehicle in a free, supervised parking lot and take a taxi to the Model Pavilion.
Hi there,
In June we’re taking a cruise called "Pearls of the Baltic" on board Renaissance CFC Cruises—with stops in Kiel (Germany), Gdańsk (Poland), Rønne (Bornholm), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Gothenburg (Sweden).
This layover in Gothenburg doesn’t really inspire me—could you tell me what’s worth seeing? Are there locals offering excursions around the area by van right when you leave the port, like you often see on Caribbean cruises?
I saw there’s a hop-on hop-off bus, but I’m not sure if there’s a stop near the terminal.
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!