Before Your Trip

What’s included and what’s not

Just about everything is included in your fare: your cabin, meals, coffee, hot and iced tea, milk, juice and bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, wine during meals, room service, gratuities to your cabin stewardess, waiter, bus person and maitre d’, exciting Olivia entertainment, and certain water sports activities (off the ship’s water platform).

The following items are not included: airfare, transportation to/from the airport, insurance, onboard incidentals, tips for tour bus drivers and tour guides, telephone, fax, internet access, shore excursions, spa, salon and beauty services, ship’s photos, bingo, casino activities, boutique purchases and medical attention and designated water sports activities.

NDA charges are not included in the price of the trip but have already been added to your reservation as reflected on your invoice.

Travel documentation and identification

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries on your itinerary to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Heath Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” and then “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase additional travel insurance. We recommend Travelex (www.travelex-insurance.com). In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your Travelex insurance within 21 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about their coverage or pre-existing condition waivers, please contact Travelex directly at 800.228.9792 and refer location to number 05-0095.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group, Sapphire Seas of Tahiti.

About Our Destination

Climate

In March, you can expect to find temperatures from the low 70s to upper 80s.

Currency

The local currency is CFP or Currency of French Polynesia, also known as the Polynesian Franc.

Languages

French and English

Time Zone

Tahiti is 3 hours behind the West Coast (PST) and 6 hours behind the East Coast (EST).

Travel and arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into PPT - Faa'a International Airport.

Suggested arrival/departure times

We have a 10PM departure. You must ensure you arrive well in advance of this. Please refer to your trip information packet for more details. We encourage all passengers to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.

Air Tahiti Nui

Air Tahiti Nui is the international flag-carrier of Tahiti and her Islands and links four continents to the South Pacific, offering daily non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti. Air Tahiti Nui prides itself on service based upon extending the warmth and ambience of its Polynesian home the moment you step on board. Welcomed by the fragrance the Tiare Tahiti gardenia, the sounds of island music, and the beauty and comfort of its aircraft, you’ll quickly see why flying with Air Tahiti Nui is an experience unique among any airline in the world.

Check schedules and book directly at www.flyatn.com or call 1-877-824-4846

Discount airfare offer

American Airlines offers Olivia travelers a discounted rate. When you book your trip, you will receive a discount code that can be used by calling 800.433.1790 or visiting www.aa.com. Your discount code applies to travel in and out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Dates of travel are March 2, 2009 – April 3, 2009. In addition, American Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui are partners, so you’ll be able to earn frequent flier miles on American Airlines for your entire itinerary.

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and meeting up with Olivia

Getting to your ship

The ship is about 15 minutes from the airport and taxis are readily available for between $30 and $40 per cab.

Transfers after your trip

see below

Check in

Ship

Embarkation begins at 3PM. You can save time on the day of embarkation by using Regent Seven Seas Cruises online check-in. Once this is available for your trip (approximately 30 days before departure), you will find check-in instructions on your Trip Itinerary page.

During your trip

Amenities

In-cabin amenities include: outside view, private bathrooms with showers, TV, hairdryer, safe and individual climate control.

On board amenities include: Sun Deck with 360-degree views, restaurant, lounge and bar with panoramic windows, library, on board shop, attentive English-speaking staff, laundry and massage services. (Some amenities entail an additional fee.)

Dining

Seating policy

Seating in the main dining room is open. There are also two restaurants that have open seating for breakfast and lunch, and reservation-only seating for dinner.

Times

Meal times are typically: Breakfast from 6:30am - 9am, lunch from 12noon-2pm and dinner from 6:30pm - 9pm. Room service is available 24 hours.

Restaurants

There are 3 restaurants. The main restaurant, L'Etoille, offers open seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. La Veranda is a reservation-only restaurant for dinner and offers open seating for breakfast and lunch. Le Grill is also reservation-only for dinner and offers open seating for breakfast and lunch.

Electricity

The cabins have 220 volt electricity. You will need a plug adapter (German) and currency converter.

Excursions

Some shore excursions are included; you will find more information on included tours in your trip package.

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise, with the exception tips for tour bus drivers and tour guides. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maitre'd and other-behind-the-scenes crew members.

Internet/e-mail/fax

There is an Internet Center on board; minute plans are available. Pricing will be posted on board.

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry is available for a fee. Dry cleaning is not available. There is no self-serve laundry. For safety reasons, irons are not allowed in the cabins.

Medical services

Medical services are available in port.

Money: Paying for things on board

Upon embarkation, you will register a credit card to your shipboard account for use on board. You will not be able to get cash advances through your credit card; however, you will be able to cash traveler's checks. The on board casino does not offer cash advances.

Phone

Each cabin has a phone. There is an additional fee to use this phone; please check your final informational packet for details.

Smoking policy

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor spaces including cabins and balconies. Smoking areas are outside, on the starboard side of the open deck (Pool Bar, Le Grill and La Pallette).

Spa services

Standard spa treatments such as massage, sauna, aromatherapy, thallassotherapy and other services are available. A price list is available on board.

Solo travelers

A solo's coordinator is available to organize activities and dining for those traveling alone, and there will be a solos dining area at dinner.

After your Trip

Disembarkation time

Guests can choose to disembark on March 20 after 8 p.m. or on March 21 after breakfast (typically around 10AM). Most flights do not depart until the late evening, so you will need to arrange storage for your luggage during the day. We strongly encourage you to purchase a day room package so you have a place to relax before departing on the late-night flight. If you do not want to do this, we suggest you depart on the March 20th night flight. You will not miss any programming by doing this.

Transfers to the airport

You will have the opportunity to purchase transfers from the ship to the airport on board the ship.

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out our Olivia travel FAQ.