Tahitianbigkahuna

6 times on Rarotonga .... most people go to Muri Beach area. Nice hiking trail over the peaks.

Nope ... the rental car must be returned same day if your on a ship. I miss the parking lot ...

Out shooting the Milky Way last night at a 170 year old country cemetery.

Much of the crew that you will come in contact with a the same. Some new French officers ... Chef Paul Ellis is on-board right now, he has been with PG for a long time. My December trip and March trip had fine food, no complaints.

If your not taking a cruise and staying land based plus you don't want to break the bank go to Moorea. Best snorkeling will be on Rangiroa, Bora Bora and Tahaa at the drift snorkel location, next to Le Tahaa Resort 😉 But frankly the best way to enjoy FP especially if this is your first trip is by cruise ship. You see so much more 😉

Closes one to the ferry/docks will be Pharmacie du port .... across from the food trucks location. Look at the list FlightMedic sent you ... it's on there

A little visitor this morning ...

Taken this afternoon out my window ... 100 feet away sitting on a fence. Sony RX10IV - 600mm, 1/400, F/4, ISO400, considerable crop in post.

Did Pure Snorkeling know you are on the PG?

Currently no covid test is required for entering French Polynesia if you've been fully vaccinated. Individual ships have their own policy. Some require a covid test and it must be a PCR taken within 72 hours of embarkation or an antigen test taken within 24 hours. This is the current policy of Paul Gauguin but remember other cruise lines may require different protocols. And as mentioned thing can change quickly so you must stay on top of the latest information 😉

So common now days ... seems like we get different answers depending on who we talk to. Good to get things in writing now days.

Hummmm .... our insurance company said 4 each per month, that's 8 for the both of us.

Insurance paid for our 2021 PCR and Antigen tests taken at the same time. We recently submitted the PCR test for our March 2022 cruise ... they said give it 45 days for an answer. Their out is when the government said they needed to pay for up to 8 at-home test each month ... so ... we'll see what happens this time.

I was there in March and most of the vendors including some of Patrick's boats were there but no way to know if it was an outrigger filled with people from the ship or some other tour. There are several places for the mantas ... I've been to 3 of them and seen mantas every single time ... but I take a different vendor. So .... if one area is closed the vendors can simply go to another. Keep in mind Patrick's (lunch) our is a bit shorter than years ago so it is possible they've bypassed the mantas to save time ... who knows for sure unless someone chimes in that has been on the ship's (Patrick's) tour lately.

Closes will be the Pharmacie Lafatette in the Moana Nui shopping center ... about 1/2 mile from the IC Tahiti. Ask one of the concierge's at the IC to point you in the right direction. The shopping center is a great place for souvenirs to take home, great prices. (see map 'market'). FYI .... the IC will have the test done for you in your room ... $30 😉 But the Better half loves to shop so that is where we go.

Yes .... I always see Patrick's boats when I'm at the manta rays ... many of the lagoon vendors do as well.

Good to know info ... thanks for posting. Actually reimbursement is mandated by the federal government. We actually have had our expensive RT-PCR test reimbursed twice in the last year. As PCR is no longer required we just do the cheap antigen test at a local Polynesian pharmacy.

As they say .... to each their own. We prefer to go save money and have it for more goodies to take home. The Lafayette Pharmacy will do it for $9 .... so for 2 people it's $70 for eMed or $18 locally at the pharmacy ... results in 15 minutes. We prefer another $52 for goodies 😉

I bounce between ATN and United ... always take the same seats and I've been fortunate to get decent airfare. I do like the Polynesian vibe that you get when boarding a ATN plane. United flies similar plan but it doesn't have the vibe.

A big YES! Will be visiting the islands at the right time 🙂

PG and Ponant policies don't always align ... Why eMED when you can get a antigen test for as little as $9 USD at a local pharmacy. There are times when eMed would be better such as your leaving the PG at 5 A.M. to head to the airport (Faaa).

Most people use a cruise of FP to get a look at many islands .... and only unpacking once. Then you listen to which island talks to you in your dreams. Then plan a pre/post stay for your next cruise to paradise. The 7 is nice but the 10/11 nights is superb.

There are places to eat outside for every meal .... and it if rains it's covered 😉 July August are the driest months though there usually is brief showers now and then. The trade off is the flora isn't a pretty and the waterfalls not as spectacular.

No way to actually know for sure until your there but 9:00 a.m. is what is the posted time. Meaning the first tender is not likely until 9:30 a.m. and of course the ship excursions have priority if the first tender appears to be full.

I really don't want to try and guess what PGC means thus I quote directly from their web page. You should do the same but as your trip is months away you might want to wait a few months to see if there are updates to take into consideration.