PG May 2018, newbie with questions, help!

We are considering a PG cruise of Tahiti for our 35th anniversary sometime around our anniversary date of May 21, 2018. We are looking at Tahiti & Society Islands, Cook Islands, Tuamotus Islands etc. on a 7-11 day cruise. We would be flying from San Francisco, probably connecting in LA. Here are my questions:

How to get the best fare? We are newbies. Can our travel agent get a better price?

Do the listed fares include airfare? We want to use miles, will we get a credit? Or what?

Do you recommend Paul Gauguin over Winstar? We are very active in our late 60s. We hope to scuba dive, snorkel, and be very active with water activities. Which is best cruise line for us?

We would probably buy cheapest category. How is movement, etc. forward or aft?

We may want to add a few days before and after either in Tahiti or on another island. Ideas?

Any other advice or suggestions is very much appreciated. If we decide to do this we will book very soon IF that is the best way to get a good price. Thank you!

Yes you will get an air credit. The fares listed usually, if not always, include air from LAX.

Find a TA who knows the ship. We can't recommend, but they are out there if you do your research for luxury travel specialists. Often they give you a cash rebate or an onboard credit for booking. Other than that, prices don't vary much except when the cruise line runs a special, usually in the off season.

Our anniversary is May 21st too! We did the PG for our 20th and 25th! Would have to wait for 2020 for our 35th, but we're going next year, although not in May. We've had good luck with May on the PG.

I can't compare the two ships because I've only done the one, but I'm sure Windstar is nice too. We've done the PG 5 times, 6 cruises, so up for our 6th visit and 7th cruise this fall.

We always book an E cabin, on deck 6 with a window, mid-ship. This is second-cheapest and mid-ship. Many swear by the F porthole cabins on deck 5.

I would definitely suggest going early, at least one or two days pre-cruise. If you have three full nights or more, go to Moorea. It's easily-accessible by ferry and the vibe is very different from Papeete. Also much cheaper than Bora Bora.

Never been on Windstar but remember you are in French Polynesia and the PG is the only ship that has been sailing here for a few decades.

Some will say the Windstar is a bit flashier, some prefer the food on the Windstar though I love the food on the PG.

You go on the PG because of the service from a crew that knows how to deliver with many of the them re-contracting every year for a long time. This crew knows the islands and always willing to help you out with questions and if they don't know you go ask one of the Gaugines who are local Polynesians on-board to help you feel loved Polynesian style let alone they are great entertainers with a local flavor.

You can't go wrong with either but for us to have been on the PG many times it's like going back and visiting family.

I would like to make one correction to the above post. Deck 3 has the porthole windows and Deck 4 has the big window. Deck 4 is our favorite. Getting ready for our 4th trip at the end of April. Fiji to Bali. You can't go wrong with the PG.

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Take the longest cruise you have time and money for since the flight is long and you will not want to leave the ship! PG really offers one a total Polynesian experience with their lectures and wonderful Gaugines! The crew is wonderful and offers great service. We haven't been on Windstar. PG offers an inclusive package with tips and all drinks included. We usually book deck 4 but have tried all the decks but 3. You will have a great stay no matter which deck you choose! We will embark on our 9th PG cruise in June. You might say we like the crew and ship!

We were on the PG in early June last year and the Windstar ship was a day ahead of us in port calls. Weather got very rough and we had to spend an extra night in Bora Bora (rough I know) and lost a night in Moorea (but we spent three nights there as suggested). Talked with the folks on the Windstar and they missed several ports and rode out the storm at sea with no one allowed topside. For the reason, we would recommend the PG. Either way, FP is a wonderful place to visit.

Another who hasn't been on Windstar ...just not my scene from what I have read.

Want to suggest a vow renewal for your 35 th. Very beautifully done and a great memory. Had it for our 30 th .

Thank you all for your replies so far. We would love a special dinner or possibly a vow renewal for our 35th anniversary. PG sounds great, especially the fact that they know FP so well and have experts on board. My one concern is that we are very active even though we are in our 60s, and since Windstar has stairs and no elevators I think it would appeal to a more active clientele.

One last question I should have asked...weather? We plan late May. I know weather is not great Nov - Feb but how is it late May? I know it's unpredictable but generally speaking. Thanks!

Thank you all for your replies so far. We would love a special dinner or possibly a vow renewal for our 35th anniversary. PG sounds great, especially the fact that they know FP so well and have experts on board. My one concern is that we are very active even though we are in our 60s, and since Windstar has stairs and no elevators I think it would appeal to a more active clientele.

One last question I should have asked...weather? We plan late May. I know weather is not great Nov - Feb but how is it late May? I know it's unpredictable but generally speaking. Thanks!

There are stairs on the PG if you wish to use them ;)

I find the average cruiser on PG to be active, not many who sit and veg.

May is fine though there could be a little wind. Probably the best overall month is September though May - August and April/October are not far behind.

There is also a gym on the PG, kayaks etc,

We enjoyed one trip to FP on the Windsong (rip), one on PG and a more recent on the Windspirit. We have a trip planed on PG from Fiji to Bali in two months with friends. The Windspirit has stabilizers which helps somewhat with roll in high seas. PG has been serving FP the longest. I would go with the best overall financial package. Our preference is Windstar overall but PG will be fine.

Paul Gauguin does have stabilizers but a shallow draft for entering lagoons with limited access.

Wind Spirit has an hydraulic ballast which can be raised or lowered as the ship enters a tight lagoon. When lowered it helps with the ride.

Keep in mind the PG is larger ship than Wind Spirit, 8 decks verse 4, 3 times the weight but still has a shorter draft by a foot. PG can carry 320 passengers verses 148 for the Wind Spirit. To me the PG is just right. Small enough to be very personal but large enough to offer some things the Wind Spirit can not. At 320 passengers the PG is much smaller than the mega ships who can't enter the smaller lagoons, but still large enough to deliver so much.

PG also includes bar and gratuities ;)

We are considering a PG cruise of Tahiti for our 35th anniversary sometime around our anniversary date of May 21, 2018. We are looking at Tahiti & Society Islands, Cook Islands, Tuamotus Islands etc. on a 7-11 day cruise.

Hello

We've reserved the 11-night Cook Islands and Society Islands cruise on the Paul Gauguin, May 26-June 6 2018. They haven't released the pre-cruise information yet, but we expect to fly LAX-PPT on May 22 (arriving May 23) and stay three nights pre-cruise at the Intercontinental Thalasso in Bora Bora. The included air uses the low-rated Air Tahiti Nui but we'll probably keep it rather than take the credit to book air on our own, mainly because PG takes care of the transfers, offers a good rate at the Intercontinental, and provides a bargain price day room for the time between when you leave the ship in the morning at the end of the cruise and when you head to the airport late in the evening for the flight home.

I'm a newbie cruiser, but I've been reading this board and the TripAdvisor French Polynesia board closely for the last few months. You'll find that most of the experienced folk here have found that the extra cost of a balcony (or better) cabin isn't worthwhile, so they mostly book Category E window staterooms on deck 4 or thereabouts. We haven't learned that lesson yet, so we paid the upcharge for one of the stern-facing Category C balcony staterooms on deck 7.

We don't dive, but we love to snorkel and have high hopes for this itinerary. Maybe we'll see you there!

Thank you all for the information. Still researching and reading through these boards. Would love to use miles but I know that may not work out. Great info here!

Hello

 

We've reserved the 11-night Cook Islands and Society Islands cruise on the Paul Gauguin, May 26-June 6 2018. They haven't released the pre-cruise information yet, but we expect to fly LAX-PPT on May 22 (arriving May 23) and stay three nights pre-cruise at the Intercontinental Thalasso in Bora Bora. The included air uses the low-rated Air Tahiti Nui but we'll probably keep it rather than take the credit to book air on our own, mainly because PG takes care of the transfers, offers a good rate at the Intercontinental, and provides a bargain price day room for the time between when you leave the ship in the morning at the end of the cruise and when you head to the airport late in the evening for the flight home.

 

I'm a newbie cruiser, but I've been reading this board and the TripAdvisor French Polynesia board closely for the last few months. You'll find that most of the experienced folk here have found that the extra cost of a balcony (or better) cabin isn't worthwhile, so they mostly book Category E window staterooms on deck 4 or thereabouts. We haven't learned that lesson yet, so we paid the upcharge for one of the stern-facing Category C balcony staterooms on deck 7.

 

We don't dive, but we love to snorkel and have high hopes for this itinerary. Maybe we'll see you there!

It's lovely to have a balcony as it is on any ship.....our contention is that the whole ship is your balcony! Of course if you like early morning breakfast in your robe the balcony is perfect. It is also great to dry out your water shoes or snorkelling equipment. IMO the only balconies worth paying for are the Deck B suites. The rooms and the balconies are bigger and being adjacent to the pool bar it's easy for me to order and pick up my fave drink.....fresh lime and salt with ice cold water! 5 months to go....cannot wait!

We have stayed on decks 4,6,7 and 8 and enjoyed all of them! Buy what you can afford and enjoy your cruise!:)

I have been on both Windstar and PG. Windstar has much better food and even though the cabins on PG are slightly larger, we prefer the layout on Windstar, although the latter certainly wouldn't make me choose to book one line over the other. Windstar doesn't have balconies, although we had one on the PG and never used it the entire week. Many PG faithful will tell you to save your money, and this is good advice should you choose PG.

The biggest difference will be in service. On Windstar it was always "sure, we can make that happen" or "We can't do that, but we can offer this instead." On PG is was just "no"--usually with a bad attitude. There were two crew members on PG who seemed to do their best to ruin our trip. One has been complained about over and over--including by many PG faithful--and she is still with them, something I just can't understand.

As far as people who haven't been on both saying they don't like the "scene" or the atmosphere on Windstar, I have no idea how they can make that type of statement. The dress code and passenger demographic are about the same on both lines. The ships have a similar decor and layout. The only real differences are the food, attitudes of staff, and overall vibe, and if one hasn't been on both lines, I don't see how they can even begin to make a comparison between the two. I can't wait to sail with Windstar again (2019!) but I won't sail on the PG in the future.

The biggest difference will be in service. On Windstar it was always "sure, we can make that happen" or "We can't do that, but we can offer this instead." On PG is was just "no"--usually with a bad attitude. There were two crew members on PG who seemed to do their best to ruin our trip. One has been complained about over and over--including by many PG faithful--and she is still with them, something I just can't understand.

I hesitate to jump in here, but feel that I must. This report about service on the PG is totally at variance with my own experience, with a total of about 50 days on her. A number of years ago there was one 7 day segment which turned into a bit of a gong show, but this was long ago and was due to Regent/Radisson (who then ran the ship) booking half of her for a corporate function. It is long enough ago that I think I can reveal that when I complained to corporate, we got a generous credit for our next cruise.

With that one exception, my experience with service on the PG has been universally spectacular. Just so you understand my perspective, I have about 100 days on Regent, 14 days on Oceania, and 7 on Azamara (with another Azamara cruise booked). So I'm far from the most experienced person on these boards, but not exactly a newbie.

My experiences are one reason why I'm already booked for another PG cruise. This one is the 14-day Cook island one.

Please understand: I am not saying ducklite is wrong, but just that my own experience has been almost totally different.

Over 140 days in French Polynesia with 43 of them on the Paul Gauguin. With rare exception most returners on the PG will tell you the #1 thing that brings them back is the incredible personal service. Heck I can remember requesting creme brulee for desert one night. Was told there wasn't any available that night but the server promised me some the follow night ........ he brought us creme brulee every night there after and even had a over-sized ramekin of creme brulee delivered to our stateroom.

Never been on Windstar though I hear good things about it, so I will not make a comparison attempt. I will simply say we will be on our 6th PG cruise this year and I wouldn't want to go any other way as some of the crew has become like extended family.

I have been on both Windstar and PG. Windstar has much better food and even though the cabins on PG are slightly larger, we prefer the layout on Windstar, although the latter certainly wouldn't make me choose to book one line over the other. Windstar doesn't have balconies, although we had one on the PG and never used it the entire week. Many PG faithful will tell you to save your money, and this is good advice should you choose PG.

 

The biggest difference will be in service. On Windstar it was always "sure, we can make that happen" or "We can't do that, but we can offer this instead." On PG is was just "no"--usually with a bad attitude. There were two crew members on PG who seemed to do their best to ruin our trip. One has been complained about over and over--including by many PG faithful--and she is still with them, something I just can't understand.

 

As far as people who haven't been on both saying they don't like the "scene" or the atmosphere on Windstar, I have no idea how they can make that type of statement. The dress code and passenger demographic are about the same on both lines. The ships have a similar decor and layout. The only real differences are the food, attitudes of staff, and overall vibe, and if one hasn't been on both lines, I don't see how they can even begin to make a comparison between the two. I can't wait to sail with Windstar again (2019!) but I won't sail on the PG in the future.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and all of us have our favourite cruise lines. For different reasons I sail PG, Crystal, Regent and RCCL sailing at least 3 cruises a year and even as many as 5. I hate Celebrity and Oceania and have seldom sailed with other lines.

I have never been on Windstar and anything I have read about it does not attract me. When were you last on Windstar and were you on Windstar in FP?

i don't think you have sailed the PG recently so you have not enjoyed the menus of the new chef. Personally, I would place it below Crystal but certainly close to other luxury/ premium lines. Much better than it was a couple of years ago with better quality meats and Canadian lobster as well as more interesting menus. I particularly loved the amuse bouche given to those awaiting a table in Etoile as they relaxed in the piano bar.

I genuinely believed the weak point of the PG was the excursion desk but I had a long chat with Sorrin in January and I can see he is making every effort to upgrade that area. There have been new and interesting excursions added. Sandy is and has always been a real gem.

I don't know whether this applies to you or not but I sometimes find that there are some passengers who don't know how to treat staff with respect and courtesy. Instead of getting the best of people they end up getting the worst. I received the best compliment from Ricardo Felix in January when he said we were not VIPs but family. When you treat staff like friends or family they take you to their heart and I have found this true of all the lines we have sailed. So yes, I was equally touched to receive a hug from the Captain but also from the bosun who runs the tender!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and all of us have our favourite cruise lines. For different reasons I sail PG, Crystal, Regent and RCCL sailing at least 3 cruises a year and even as many as 5. I hate Celebrity and Oceania and have seldom sailed with other lines.

 

I have never been on Windstar and anything I have read about it does not attract me. When were you last on Windstar and were you on Windstar in FP?

 

i don't think you have sailed the PG recently so you have not enjoyed the menus of the new chef. Personally, I would place it below Crystal but certainly close to other luxury/ premium lines. Much better than it was a couple of years ago with better quality meats and Canadian lobster as well as more interesting menus. I particularly loved the amuse bouche given to those awaiting a table in Etoile as they relaxed in the piano bar.

 

I genuinely believed the weak point of the PG was the excursion desk but I had a long chat with Sorrin in January and I can see he is making every effort to upgrade that area. There have been new and interesting excursions added. Sandy is and has always been a real gem.

 

I don't know whether this applies to you or not but I sometimes find that there are some passengers who don't know how to treat staff with respect and courtesy. Instead of getting the best of people they end up getting the worst. I received the best compliment from Ricardo Felix in January when he said we were not VIPs but family. When you treat staff like friends or family they take you to their heart and I have found this true of all the lines we have sailed. So yes, I was equally touched to receive a hug from the Captain but also from the bosun who runs the tender!

I'm glad to hear they are working on the food situation. My husband is easy to please and he was very disappointed with the food on the PG. That is very telling. Despite being assured in advance that it would be no problem and filing all the appropriate paperwork in advance, I found them very disorganized as far as handling special dietary needs. I became ill one afternoon after eating something that had a hidden allergen in it after being assured it was safe. The Maitre D' was quite condescending about it. That is not the way to gain loyalty. Had I known how "put out" the kitchen would have act (despite assurances to the contrary) I would not have booked the PG.

We were nothing but pleasant until the last day when a concern still hadn't been addressed (since Tuesday) as we were ready to leave the ship, and the person we had to work with the try to get a resolution was rude and called me a liar despite irrefutable photographic evidence of my claim. What a sour taste that left in our mouths when we had to become insistent that she come speak with us and give us a written report which she did everything possible not to do.

I never should have had to argue to get a resolution to the issue, and certainly should have been accused of lying by an officer or had my room torn apart by the head housekeeper during the middle of dinner service as if I were lying about my missing belongings and I was hiding them under the mattress. In all honesty, the terrible treatment we received soured us on the line, and I wouldn't spend my money or time to give them a second chance.

I will say that they did an excellent job with our vow renewal, and we will always have fond memories of that.

We treat people with respect and courtesy and aren't passive aggressive--like your last paragraph was to me.

I'm glad to hear they are working on the food situation. My husband is easy to please and he was very disappointed with the food on the PG. That is very telling. Despite being assured in advance that it would be no problem and filing all the appropriate paperwork in advance, I found them very disorganized as far as handling special dietary needs. I became ill one afternoon after eating something that had a hidden allergen in it after being assured it was safe. The Maitre D' was quite condescending about it. That is not the way to gain loyalty. Had I known how "put out" the kitchen would have act (despite assurances to the contrary) I would not have booked the PG.

 

We were nothing but pleasant until the last day when a concern still hadn't been addressed (since Tuesday) as we were ready to leave the ship, and the person we had to work with the try to get a resolution was rude and called me a liar despite irrefutable photographic evidence of my claim. What a sour taste that left in our mouths when we had to become insistent that she come speak with us and give us a written report which she did everything possible not to do.

 

I never should have had to argue to get a resolution to the issue, and certainly should have been accused of lying by an officer or had my room torn apart by the head housekeeper during the middle of dinner service as if I were lying about my missing belongings and I was hiding them under the mattress. In all honesty, the terrible treatment we received soured us on the line, and I wouldn't spend my money or time to give them a second chance.

 

I will say that they did an excellent job with our vow renewal, and we will always have fond memories of that.

 

We treat people with respect and courtesy and aren't passive aggressive--like your last paragraph was to me.

Maybe your experience led them to designate someone in charge of special diets. In January, I was approached day 1 to discuss my needs as I am allergic to a few things. I always carry my epipen in my purse with two more in the cabin. I know exactly what you mean about hidden allergens because one day I had the same problem on the PG. I had projectile vomiting and was up half the night. I had always been told that I am allergic to fresh Tuna so stayed off it. Ato in Fakarava hold me that I should also avoid Mahi Mahi, wahoo and Marlin which severely limits my choices in FP. I had the same problem eating a ceviche in a Fairmont hotel. It sucks being allergic so I sympathize there.

My only sense of you as a person comes from your sometimes close to vituperative postings on this board. Nobody who knows me will say I am less than fair minded.

Enjoy your many cruises on Windstar or any line you like. We all have only one life to live!

This discussion is an excellent example of why anecdotal reports should be treated with some caution.

If my first experience on the PG had been the 7-day segment I referred to earlier when half the ship was booked for a corporate function, it would have definitely been my last. And I would be telling people as widely as possible to never ever go on that ship.

Evidently ducklite had a less-then-perfect experience on the PG. And he/she is justified in saying so.

So, instead of anecdotes, one should try to get a broader view from a larger number of people before deciding. Don't pay much attention to me, or ducklite, or even the big kahuna. Do pay attention to the fact that a large number of people on any given PG cruise are repeaters. Some, like me, are "multiple offenders".

I too had one horrible cruise when the ship was owned by Grand Circle and overrun with rude and obnoxious Vantage passengers.

But, all our experiences your X, Motu's 11, my 12 cruises on PG are really made up of a conglomeration of anecdotes so anecdotal information must always be used to support our theses.

Happy Spring and how are those Jays doing?

Miriam

Well said David ...