iPad Use

Hi everyone,

I will be leaving for a dream trip to Polynesia this autumn - a week's cruise around Polynesia. Since cruise ship internet is notoriously expensive, I'm thinking of buying a micro SIM card for my iPad once I arrive in Papeete.

Does anyone have advice for me what kind of micro SIM cards exist, what to look out for and where to get one? And am I right in assuming that a card bought on Tahiti would work on the other French Polynesians islands like Bora Bora as well?

Thanks!

Hi colognegirl,
First of all, your profile doesn't say where you're from..from the name it could be Germany or you could like perfumes...it's helpful to know where someone is from to better tailor the responses...

but about phones: Here's a link to a forum with just your questions and hopefully the answers you need
http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/92852/page/1?PHPSESSID=4595ee628684ee7c606f218ab6c3013e

If you're flying ATN, it's a great company, I've used the to Paris; it quickly became my favorite airline, great personal service every time.
Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Thank you, that looks helpful indeed.

And yes, I am in Germany - I recently bought the new iPad Air for my travels and made sure it was the cellular variety to not be so dependant on hotel wifi etc. anymore. We'll fly from Germany to LAX and then onwards to Papeete on Air Tahiti Nui. From the documents it looks like we'll be whisked onto the ship straightaway (the Paul Gauguin), so I hope I will have time to buy the SIM Card on the airport. Otherwise whenever we get into port.

Very much looking forward to this, it's the trip of a lifetime, dream come true, etc. for me :)

ATN is Air Tahiti Nui...if you look on their website you'll get a lot of info on the layout and such. LAX to CDG and back I was able to select my seat on both flights (very nice!).
I don't know how long your flight will be but while people sleep there are still cabin personnel awake, walking thru the cabins every so often with a carafe of water and cups should someone be thirsty (but not want to disturb their neighbor). I'm told they also have snack sandwishes in the galley should someone be hungry...one flight someone said that flight it was wholegran bread with tomato...fresh and refreshing...
Here's the info for Vini:
http://www.vini.pf/index.php?id=point_vente_particulier
http://www.vini.pf/index.php?id=boutiquevini

WOW. I can see why you'd say 'a trip of a lifetime'....that ship is something...small enough but large enough...
I looked at the flight schedule and it's under 8 hours which on top of the flight from Germany is a lot but by itself...not bad at all.
I don't know how much long distance flying you've done but the little neck pillows that have the tiny foam beads are an excellent investment in comfort...the one I got has a velcro attachment so I can fasten it around the strap of my purse, etc. I used to take my own pillow since I don't like French pillows but this little thing made me change my mind for flying.
You'll probably be given (seat pocket on board) a drawstring plastic bag with a pair of socks, an eye shade and foam in ear noise plugs. They don't work well--most ear plugs don't.
I tried and liked ear plugs that come connected with a cord (so you don't lose one or have to keep taking them out and putting them back wherever you keep them)...they look like a pine tree in profile...the top of the tree goes in the ear and the 'branches' collapse against the ear canal to provide more noise protection without leaving the ears feeling 'stuffed'....
I got mine on ebay and liked them so much a bought a dozen and gave them to friends who travel...they're not expensive at all and because they're not solid (like the foam) they don't transfer the planes vibration noise..doesn't stop it but reduces the intensity.
I have a friend who married a man who was half-Samoan. After a trip she gave me what the Samoans call a lave lava...the Tahitians call a pareo...many ways to wrap it... I used to use it as a sleeping 'garment' when travelling and didn't have room for a lot of clothing...and while there are lots and lots of beautiful gifts to bring back with you, I think you might have friends who would enjoy an authentic pareo...

May I ask a favor? After the trip, let us know how it went, and especially
about the cruise...not just for me, for others who might later ask about such cruises...thanks so much

Thanks for the extensive information :) The cruise won't happen until October (I'm an early planner, I know!) but I'll be happy to report back then.

We've planned stop-overs in/around Los Angeles both ways, so the flying won't be all that I bad I hope. Ten hours from Frankfurt to LAX, a day's break, then another eight hours. Much shorter than "the other way round" via New Zealand :)