Honeymoon Planning

Just recently engaged, I am planning my October 2008 wedding. We have decided on going to Tahiti and/or any of the islands.

Since it is such a long flight from New York, I was thinking about flying to LA then transfering there to ease the time spent on the plane. Since I am new at planning such a trip, I would like to make it as nice and memorable as possible. I am looking for advice for planning- how soon to plan, prices, airline (looking for first class flight), places to stay, best islands to see etc. I would like to split time between the islands, I plan on doing a 10 day trip so the best way to do that would also be helpful.

Any info, advice or personal opinions would be great!

Thanks

Include Bora Bora, if you are flying first class you can afford it. For ten ays, the usual three-island package is Tahiti/Bora Bora/Moorea. You'll need a day at each end of Tahiti.

PS---Many airlines won't let you book until about 11 months in advance of your departure.

Check the FAQ's under the main Pacific Islands branch for more leads on Tahiti etc.

Are you staying over in LA? For how long?

Only two airlines will get you there from the continental U.S. - Air Tahiti Nui and Air France (Hawaiian flies from Honolulu once a week).

I would look into a package since you want to go first class.

Head on over to Tahiti Explorer and read and read (especially the trip reports). Be aware that the site is run by a travel agent and competing travel services are not allowed to be mentioned. Also head over to Tripadvisor and read up in their Tahiti forums. Two of the local experts are travel agents also but you can mention others there. The main Tahiti Explorer site, links above the forums, gives you an overview of the islands and the hotels plus there is a lot of good info available.

You've chosen a wonderful location. Moorea and Bora Bora are musts. Unless you are taking a red eye you will have one night on Tahiti island upon arrival. The ATN flights depart Tahiti late in the evening, I think the less used Air France leaves in the morning.

i would just do the whole thing in one go. if you do fly in business it shouldn't be too bad.

1. the intercon on tahiti in the place to stay. lagoon view room if you are onlt staying for one night.
2. once again, the intercon on moorea is the place to stay. i haven't been there tho. i've only seen the moorea pearl which is 4 star and 'ok' - go for the garden villa with pool. 3ngts on moorea is enough.
3. if you are looking for very top end on bora bora stay at the st. regis (there's one on 5th av also). my fvs are the hotel bora bora (pool fare is the room to go for) or the bor bora lagon resort (overwater villa)

I will not be staying in LA, just transfering over there. If I can convince my other half to do the flight all at once, then I would prefer that.

We fly from the UK each year!! London-LAX then LAX-Tahiti, my other half said no way until she did it now she can't leave alone!
Air Tahiti Nui offer three classes of service out of LAX including first. Air New Zealand also fly out of LAX stopping at Tahiti on route to Rarotonga then Auckland however they only offer Econ and Business but through experience its quite empty in Business class as its a later flight than ATN. Flight prices are always high but when you look at the cost of Polynesia anyway the flight doesn't seem so bad!
As mentioned before you will need your arriving night in Tahiti as the flight arrives around 2am local time and the Intercontinental is great for that. Food and views across to Moorea are good from here. If you had more time I would recommend a night or two here just to sample the food! however with only 10 days move on to Moorea and the Intercontinental hotel OW Bungalows are private and the dolphins are here also and plenty of trips available if you want them.
Bora Bora is a must and depending on what you want there are some lovely hotels here including le meridien, the Regis and the pearl, if you like spar treatments then the new Thalasso could also be a pos?
If you are going on Honeymoon then wherever you choose to go finish at la tahaa resort just off tahaa island in a sunset view overwater bungalow its as good as it gets in Polynesia and the hotel and staff are great views are amazing and food fantastic THIS IS THE PLACE TO FINISH!. You can transfer direct by helicopter from most resorts on Bora Bora for about $300US and that way you don't loose a day travelling - just ten minutes and the view is fab.
There are also many other Islands further out to consider but flight schedules can tie you in if you are only there for a few days.
Hope its not to much waffle!