Tahitianbigkahuna
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Posts posted by Tahitianbigkahuna
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Historically PG has two major sales per year but this year they have have had a few more. When they do have a sale it is typically based on cruises that they need to fill, thus it isn't on every cruise, so if your looking for a particular date it may or may not have a sale. Every time PG does have a sale it usually last a minimum of a week, usually a bit longer. If your dates are flexible I would simply visit the PG website every week and view what may be available.
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The PG has a very loyal base and most book on deck 3 or 4. June is the start of the summer season when prices can be a tad more. As mentioned, depending on the age of your daughter you will want to make sure the ships envoirnment program is going on, sometimes it's is a freebie.
If you want a deck 3 or 4 cabin with a 3rd berth, in June, I'd book ahead. During the summer and holiday sailings there will be kids.
ATN also has a free kids fare with an adult ticket. Don't know if it is offered through PG or if you need to book air separate to get the rate. I'd ask PG as it is a good idea to have your air booked by PG so the responsibility to get you there is on the cruise line, if you book sir yourself your out to lunch if the plane is late or if a flight is postponed.
Oh I see you said 10 years of age, yup book early as the environment program is popular in the summer and do check the airfare for kids, at 10 she should qualify.
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Officially the rule is country club casually better after 6pm in the restaurants and lounges ;)
Personally I figure that to mean all restaurants, piano bar, Grand Saloon, casino and La Palette
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Why not a kilt for dinner and the evening, air conditioning :)
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similar ........... Some of the locations my be in the same general area, both circle the island via the inner lagoon
Discovery is a little bit more about snorkeling locations for intermediate snorkelers whereas Patricks is a bit more 'vanilla' (touristy) though still very good. You are correct, do activities in the water while you're on Bora Bora. I would recommend Patrick's longer tour if you've never done a barbecue Polynesian style, while sitting in the water with a umbrella plus a fruity drink. (1602)
i've done both Tours, both are good.
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Agreed, no problem so long as they are nice
Enjoy your trip
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Air France flight - as is the case with any long flight the personal hygiene of the person sitting next to you can be an issue no matter which carrier, but there's no way to know that before you get on board. In regards to Air France I'm taking them this year to French Polynesia, my wife will be sitting next to me and I'm sure she'll take a shower before we get on the flight ;)
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Pearl question - The bigger question is what quality of pearl do you wish to purchase? For inexpensive souvenir pearls any of the vendors when you come off the ship can provide that, there are vendors on Moto Mahana that also have good prices. If you wanting a medium price pearl or pearls there are several stores on Moorea that seem to have good prices especially for design jewelry with pearls. If you're wanting a high-quality pearl or pearls I would purchase from the ship or a high-end store in French Polynesia. Don't know about Fuji and Tonga in regards to pearls. On Aitutaki there are pearls for souvenirs and medium price pearls for selection. When I say medium price I'm talking about pearls that you would be proud to wear and most people won't know the price you payed for them, unless if a jeweler gets a good close look. The pearls on the the ship are high-quality, if you want the very best you can't go wrong from buying on board.
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TeKing has you pay in cash just before you get on-board his boats. A very good tour indeed though if the word is out on your trip it can become a bit over-booked as it was last time we took TeKing, about 4 boat loads, a few of the boats had no shade and it can get very hot sitting on that lagoon for hours. The BBQ location has changed over the years. One Foot Islnad is now the norm, very sad as it isn't the best location for snorkeling after you eat. But I'll give the good, the tour on the lagoon is great, good stop for snorkeling just off a drop off of the coral, sometimes he will go to a second location and even a 3rd if there isn't a large crowd. As I said, if there are no more than 2 boats it much for fun so keep abreast of how big your group will be or ask TeKing how many boats are booked, if it's more than 2 you might want to thing about a different tour. Here is the difference. On Bora Bora on Patrick's he has many boats but while your on the lagoon each boat has it's on skipper and goes their own way and then comes together with the others when it's BBQ time. This works great but TeKing micro manages so when their a 4 boats he keeps all together with him running the show. Still a good tour but better if there is only one boat, maybe 2. I may add I've taken TeKing numerous times but in the old days he had just one boat, then 2 and the last trip there were 4, a big difference between the different times we went.
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Personally on this cruise I would book through the cruise line. This destination is off the beaten trek, not like when the PG is in FP. Even the Cooks which are a frequent stop on the PG can be a bit tricky if there is a schedule change or if the ship cannot moor which does happen in the cooks, primarily November - Feburary as the weather is more unpredictable. I've been on princess and the PG when the cooks could not happen other than a wave as you circled the island. The trade off is another day or 2 on an island in the Society chain where there are sheltered lagoons, not a bad thing :)
Sort of like deciding to book air through the cruise line or on your own. Usually nothing unpredictable happens but when it does it can be a big issue, for your sanity sake Imwould book the excursions though the cruise line for this itinerary ;)
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I may add this is what makes the Paul Gauguin so special, it's crew! Not many ships can claim to have such a loyal crew. So many have been there so long and for that reason we get to know them well. This is a small intimate ship, the service is always delivered with a smile but in a casual way , which is why so many return year after year.
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more love, but no more power. For us that have been on there many times the crew is like extended family, and for that reason we get extra love but other than saving a few bucks everyone gets in the end of the line when it comes to excursions.
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no extra love for returnees as far as getting tours first, it's first come, first served. Everybody is special on the Paul Gauguin! I've already set my iPhone calendar 60 days prior to my cruise. I've been on numerous times and I still set my calendar to remind me when to book.
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Some do, some don't. A change of schedule does happen, always for a good cause. Usually weather or another ship is visiting the same small island so the PG captain will alter the schedule to facilitate cruisers on the PG to enjoy the island to the fullest extent.
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No way around it, set your calendar to alert you 60 days out and book.
Seasoned PG cruisers head straight for the tour desk upon embarkation
If your going to use PG flippers or mask get to the marina deck as soon as you can
Book now or wait?
in Paul Gauguin Cruises
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Yes you can purchase transfers and rooms separately but make sure you add up doing it both ways. The packaged deal from PG is well priced and sometimes you just can't beat it when you piece it together. My thought was to ask PG if they can charge you more for the airfare but include the freebie for your kid, plus the tax and port charges. pG might have an arrangement for a group of tickets on ATN that can't be changed to exclude the freebie kid fare. pG is very accommodating so just ask again and be precise on what your wanting, if it is possible I'm sure they will do it.
Remember the advantage of booking airfare with PG is it places the responsibility on them if there is a problem getting you there, if you book separately your gambling.