[vinricci]

We are cruising to Tahiti in February and ending up in Sydney. We probably won't be visiting there again and don't want to miss out on a must see. The excursions with Oceania are very expensive so we may only do a few. If anyone has made that trip, please tell us what is worth experiencing. Itinerary is Papeete, Bora Bora, Fiji, Apia, Briabane and Sydney. Thanks so much.

[Bavarian]

Papeete is not much, dirty town, rest beautiful. Are you staying longer in Sydney? See Ayers Rock, Barrier Reef, but don't expect it to be colorful, pictures you see were shot with light. We saw mainly green, second time, first time was a five day overland on Grand World Voyage in 2008, second was regular stop on Grand Asia-Australia Cruise 2010.


Tahiti had an off road tour my wife and I took on spur of moment, was beautiful.
Bora Bora we went to Bloody Mary's
Also snorkeled at these islands.


The shore excursions are going up, we sail HAL, let me know how Oceana is.

I will say, you only think you are going there once. Book and take the excursions. Ask the excursions desk for hints. Worth spending a bit more to get to see that part of country.

We are going to Rio for Carneval and Amazon, 49 Days only with HAL. Seats at Carneval parade cost close to $500 each, but we are going there once for Carneval. Went before in 2001 but that was cruise from Rio around horn to Valpariso. Now we see North East and we don't have to fly, renting a car to drive to Port Angeles. Only problem not a Grand Voyage, they have better food and better staff.

[Halibut]

How long will you be in each port? I'd say you could do the small islands on your own, or just get a taxi and have the driver do a quick spin. It's mostly beaches, restaurants, and casual shopping. Apia has the Robert Louis Stevenson museum but don't get your hopes up for big-city doings.

If you'll be in Suva, it's a pretty big city as Pacific islands go, so you'd need to travel a bit to get out to the more scenic areas.

Conversely, I'd recommend the excursions in Brisbane and Sidney since there's so much to see.