We were in the Tahiti area this past July. We spent 5 nights in an over water bungalow on Moorea at the Hilton and then we did an 11 night cruise which included Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cooks as well as stops in Bora Bora, Huhaine, Taha'a and Moorea.
The Tahiti area is very pricely especially for food. On Moorea the hotel prices were really, really high. Breakfast buffet was about $30 a head for a continental breakfast, lunch by the pool was about $45 for salad or burgers and a soft drink, frozen cocktails were in the $15 range. On Moorea most restaurants provide free transporation for dinner and our average bill was about $85 - $100 for the two of us without drinks.
The cruise was great as it was all inclusive on a small ship (330 passengers max). A typical 7 night cruise is about $3400 and includes free air from LAX. The cruise includes all drinks and their dive team (extra $) is great. I am not a die hard diver, if I was this would probably not be the best cruise. I did two dives in Bora Bora and another two in Moorea. I snorkeled everywhere else.
It seemed to me that Aitutaki was more about the lagoon and was pristine. Rarotonga did not appear to me to be that special.
I am told that Fiji has better diving due to the abundance of soft coral. I have reservations for this June for 8 nights at an island resort near Fiji and then a 6 night cruise on the 50 passenger Blue Lagoon ship.
I have posted a lengthy review of my Tahiti trip on
www.cruisecritics.com, under member reviews, under Paul Gauguin. Look for my July review.
