Tahitianbigkahuna

In the garden ... a beautiful finch ... Sony RX10IV - jpeg No filters

Not many options for the major car companies ... they will want to transport you to the ferry docks or Albert's in the main village ... both are a drive. There used to be parking at the tender dock but no longer ... car companies will require you to return the same day if your on-board and return the following day if you want to rent a second day ...

Not many as to get to the coral gardens you are circumnavigating the lagoon ... most people will want multi stops for this reason.

In our garden ... why we pay so much to live in California ... the weather. iPhone SE3

In the garden this afternoon ... Sony RX10IV

Totally agree with Medic ... Only good thing in January is usually the better fare rate. I've been 32 times to the South Pacific ... December - through early March is always a crap shoot. Just returned from FP ... was there for some of the cyclone ... we had 4 days of rough weather to deal with.

Last night's sunset from our garden .... Sony A7III with Zeiss 25mm lens

The wild side of Nuku Hiva ... Marquesas. Sony RX10IV ... no filters.

The wild side of Nuku Hiva .... Taken 9 days ago.

Taken on January 30th .... the Blue Lagoon on Fakarava. Drone ... no filters ... it really looks like this 😉

And people wonder why we love returning to FP .... 32 times now. Pictured is the Blue/Green Lagoon on Fakarava ... taken 10 days ago.

competition is always good for the consumer. Frankly, I’m looking for different itineraries than the Paul Gauguin. Currently, there are three small ships home-based in French Polynesia. Starbreeze cabins start at 277 ft.² … I don’t think I’ll miss the 8 ft.² :-). There are two other smaller ships looking to come in French Polynesia, which are on the planning stages for 2026.

i’m on a cruise in French Polynesia right now, and we’ve actually had very good weather, but looks like the next couple of days could be rather rainy. As I tell people a bad day in French, Polynesia is often better than most days back home 🙂 I prefer the shoulder seasons of March and April and October. I usually always take my groups during the shoulder seasons but the price was fantastic for this week. The driest time is during June, July and August but it’s also the most expensive time. People sometimes want to go when it’s not as hot and not as much humidity but they want to see the waterfalls in and lush vegetation. But you can’t have it both ways. What produces those waterfalls and lush vegetation of course is rain. Pictured is our group enjoying the drift snorkel of the North Pass on Rangiroa yesterday

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In my 31 trips to French Polynesia I've never had an issue with stores, taxis, restaurants or most excursion vendors accepting the USD. On some of the smaller islands they prefer XPF and for this reason I always get some before our trip from our bank. The smaller islands don't have easy access to a bank on their little island. Most of the Cook islands vendors want NZD. Cruise lines have their own protocols in regards to local currencies. One cruise line my provide exchanges ... others may not. You need to ask the cruise in your on.

From my last trip a few months ago ... latest info

following

We do as well ... I have several private excursions planned. Have room for a few more on Rangiroa and Fakarava. You can email if your interested: tahitianbigkahuna at gmail dot com

Are you on at the the ship at the same time as us?

There is a 2:45PM ferry on Saturday's https://www.terevau.pf/en/home/ And ... a 2:10 PM https://www.aremiti.pf/horaires

Yes .... thanks for catching that

FYI ... Windstar's Star Breeze is staying in FP year round starting in February. Windstar has been sailing in FP waters for 35 years 😉 Windstar just won the coveted 'Best Enrichment' cruise line. I know Windstar is hiring many Polynesians to join the crew of the Star Breeze ... pictured is the Star Breeze in FP. Not trying to "dissuade people" ... notice that the thread was started by someone who has frequented the PG as much as myself .... just added my take as well as being in agreement with the OP.

October/November 2023 As I said ... most new cruisers on the PG will have a good time as they have no idea what was in the past ... only us who have frequented the PG over many years notice the differences. Enjoy your cruise on the PG ... still many positives. As mentioned before ... I'm hanging out in the South Pacific forum. If you need my opinion on something please go there 😉

As reference I've sailed on the PG 16 times ... only the last 3 years have I noticed changes and especially this last year. For those going for their first time on the PG they will have a great time. It's us you've been on the PG for years/decades ... we notice the differences. If you have not been on the ship in the last 3 years you've might not have noticed. Love the PG ... just not to excited about where it is heading. As a TC I'm always looking for a great experience for my groups and hopefully with a good price. Not saying I'll never take a group on the PG again but I'm in a wait and see mode ... I've said my peace ... for now I'll hang out in the South Pacific forum if you have questions.

iPhone SE ... taken from my garden