South Pacific: Bora Bora, Bali Hai, & beyond on Princess Cruises' new "love boats"

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2004 by Laurel Doherty, Charles Doherty

Bora Bora lives up to the legend, At only 18 miles around, with stunning Mt. Otemanu soaring from the center, this isle is the picture-postcard epitome of South Seas splendor. We couldn't seem to get enough of the perfect lagoon, heading ashore only to head hack out to sail, swim, snorkel. We were told this is the island favored by Hollywood types like Brando and Nicholson. Maybe you'll see a celeb at famous Bloody Mary's. We didn't, but the charbroiled jack fish fillets (we'd spotted the fresh catch in town that day) was the tastiest seafood we've found--and the vanilla rum ain't bad either. Beautiful Bora Bora, the "Romantic Isle." how could it not be our new fave?

On to the "Magical Island" of Moorea, where we finally headed inland. Our open-air four-wheel-drive truck carried us up for dramatic views, down lush valleys. The tour of a demonstration farm brought modern island life into focus; the visit to a venerable stone temple conjured images of ancient island life. Pausing in the midst of the caldera, we marveled at the famous peaks of "Bali Hai"--Moorea inspired author James Michener's mythical island and served as the locale for South Pacific and many other movies. As we slowly turned around, surveying the mountain ridge that once was the volcano's rim, soundless but for the birdsongs on the breeze, we felt the magic of Moorea, our favorite island.

The dream cruise came to an end the next morning hack in the "Gathering Place" of Tahiti. With many flights late that evening, debarkation is as laidback as the islands. Princess allows guests to stay in their cabins till 11 a.m., and on the ship all day, with bars and buffets open. While many relaxed onboard, waiting for their flights, others toured the island, and some even hopped the catamaran ferries to grab a little more Moorea, just a half-hour away (a lucky few transferred to resorts, extending their island stay).

We needed to explore more of Papeete, especially Le Marche, the municipal market and a must-see slice of Tahitian life. Here we filled our last-minute gift needs--coconut and vanilla products, shell and wood handicrafts, colorful pareus and camp shirts are all inexpensive and unique island souvenirs. We wandered the streets and parks, visited the museum and the cathedral, rode Le Truck and are poisson cru. All too soon it was sunset and time to bid adieu--or would it just be au revoir? Tahiti is morn than an island--it is a state of mind, and our favorite place to be.

Next time we'll add the Marquesas Islands to our collection--the Tahitian Princess heads there in lieu of the Cook Islands on an alternative 10-day itinerary. For the even more adventurous, the Pacific Princess sails wide-ranging voyages that have called all over the South Pacific--Samoa and Fiji. Christmas Island and Easter Island, even tiny Pitcairn Island, the remote atoll where the Bounty mutineers hid. Plan your South Seas sojourn with your travel agent, by logging on to www.princess.com, or by writing Princess Cruises (Cruise Travel Magazine), 24305 Town Center Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91355.