Gogirlvet

We have booked a whale watching tour that leaves at 11:00 and is 3.5 hours - putting us back at the ship around 2:30.  Does that leave enough time for us to visit the Mendenhall Glacier if we use the bus transit system?  Taxi?  If taxi, what is roughly the cost of a taxi from the ship terminal?  

11 hours ago, vicd1969 said:

A June sailing may not allow you to get that close to Harvard glacier, which is the biggest glacier located at the end of the College Fjord. That would be due to presence of ice and I think seal breeding. You probably would get to the closest view point possible before 730 PM so I say go for it with your reservation. Also, there is a 100% chance you will be dry inside the Pinnacle Grill but a much lower chance than that for outside viewing conditions. In August, the ship can get closer to the glacier to the point of photos not doing justice to how huge Harvard Glacier is to the naked eye. While not as large as Hubbard glacier, it just looks bigger because you are able to get closer to it.

 

Harvard Glacier Photo from August 2023

 

Wow!  Incredible pictures.  Thanks for the clarity on timing of glacier viewing.  It’s a huge help.

1 hour ago, sciencewonk said:

The Morimoto pop-up wasn't available on our most recent Noordam cruise so I can't comment on that.

I had not heard of pop-up restaurant venues.  But then we have not cruised since before COVID.  It’s kind of like a maiden voyage.  Haha. I mainly didn’t know if the viewing of Fjords should be from our balcony or on deck vs. in a restaurant.  The PG reservations is for another night.  Thanks for your replies.

We will be cruising Alaska on Noordam in June.  I just checked to see if I could change a booking for dinner in the Pinnacle and discovered the addition of the Morimoto by Sea venue for dinner.  I absolutely do not recall in various visits to book seeing thing venue and don’t know how I could have missed it.  Anyway the only day it was available for reservations was on the day we are cruising College Fjords and there was a 7:30 time available.  We have not cruised Alaska before but noticed the time frame for College Fjords is 5Pm-8PM.  Would we miss viewing opportunity or something else if we reserved a dinner for 7:30 and any comments on the Morimoto restaurant?  

Thanks, Wendy!

Are fins included in the snorkel gear PG provides? If not, should we pack some? One of our excursions suggests to bring some. Oops! That was two questions. Haha!

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SOME TIPS THAT WERE VERY HELPFUL TO ME IN MY PLANNING AND A FEW I HAVE ADDED FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE:

 

 

• get your snorkel equipment in the ship’s marina right after the 5 pm drill; a long line up forms very quickly
  

• The Olympus TG5 underwater camera is incredible! I had read reviews, several trip reports both on this forum and on Trip Advisor and of course seen the potential photos it takes….best purchase ever! Very easy to use as well.
  

• Watch for the PG’s Valentine’s Day special, even after you have booked. Thanks to this tip from Dana, I called PG and added the complimentary promotion of $200 OBC, a box of Godiva chocolates and a bottle of bubbly to our account.
  

• We enjoyed so many of our meals…loved the first menu at L’Etoile. Also loved having our breakfast and lunches there as well…such a great view both inside and outside during the day. Also really liked the “themed lunches”…the Greek lunch was amazing (this coming from someone of Greek descent ;) )
  

• Best excursions: Marc’s Lagoon Tour (good introduction to Huahine and tried delicious Poisson Cru for the first time), Ato Lissant’s tour in Fakarava (incredible time spent snorkelling and at the Blue Lagoon), Pure Snorkelling in Bora Bora (great snorkelling), and Raanui Tours in Bora Bora (amazing up close encounters with sharks, rays and wonderful snorkel stops)…loved the smaller group sizes...booked many privately.
  

• Enjoyed seeing the pearl farm in Huahine on Marc’s Lagoon tour…bring $$, some great pearls to buy…I ended up buying pearls on Motu Mahana, the dock at Moorea, and at Robert Wan in Bora Bora.
  

• Loved Motu Mahana....what a blissful and idyllic experience…and there are good merchants there to buy vanilla (bean/paste/extract) and pearls...and bring your snorkelling gear.
  

• Try to get to the market in Papeete before/after the cruise…best pricing on souvenirs/gifts. I ended up buying a few pareos, Manoi oil, and some Tiare French milled soap. There are also of course pearls for sale, but did not initially find anything that spoke to me there.
  

I hope that my reflections help. For those who are planning a trip on the Paul Gauguin…..enjoy, it is an incredible experience!

 

For others (like us) who have just come back:

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” ―Pat Conroy

 

….we are definitely playing this incredible voyage in “the quietest chambers…of our minds” and loving reliving the memories!

 

Cheers,

Lisa

Well - you brought tears to my eyes. We leave a week from today for our first visit to FP. Thank you for sharing the quotes, the tips, and recommendations. We are using Marc in Huahine and trying to decide whether to come back early for the activities on the ship. There’s just so much to do and so little time. I echo your comments on all the good advice that has been contributed (TBK & deladane in particular) and am grateful for it as well. Thanks for adding fuel to the excitement and anticipation.

I've thought about it .... many times over the last decade. The problem is things do change in fP. Excursions, vendors, prices, places ... it changes. I thought about a on-line book that I update continually as I find new information. We shall see .... I'm not the best writer, I good at in-person communication.

 

Again thanks for the kind words, places a smile on my face :)

I had more of a coffee table picture book in my mind. I don’t think much text would be necessary. Your photography speaks a million words! :D

Bloody Mary’s was a disappointment. After 4 visits to Bora Bora we finally went there on our 5th visit. Other than checking the box it is nothing special. The Motu has very few services. A few chairs, not enough for everyone and some drinks. The water is very pretty as is the view. The snorkeling is not great but simply OK. IMHO missing both would not be a deal breaker.

 

If you really wanted to you could go to Bloody Mary’s on the first day late afternoon or evening. The tender rinds until at least 10 pm.

Great to know. Thanks!

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Thank you for the kind words :)

 

 

 

Always willing to give advice

TBK - I have just been rereading your post for I don’t know how many times. I glean something new each time. Thank you so much. But here’s my question - have you considered publishing a book on the French Polynesia. Your pictures are some of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen. Just breathtaking. You really should make a book. I’d be first in line to buy. Love books of where we visit as souvenirs. Thanks again for sharing.

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Our first day in Bora Bora is a day tour with Lagoon Services. Second day we have signed on for the Aqua- safari walk but we want to make it to the Motu and somehow in the two days try and make it to Bloody Marys. Question is if the Aqua-safari is worth the time. We’re not divers but love snorkeling. I’m just a float on top of the water snorkeler and it’s appealing to actually be fully immersed and walk on the ocean bed. But weighing out the options. Wondering, also, if I’m putting too much importance on a Bloody Mary visit. Ahh! Soo much to do and so little time :)

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Thanks again everyone! I think we can swing 4 nights pre-cruise after all so we are going with the general consensus and will be doing 1 night in LA and then 3 in Moorea.

 

 

 

Admittedly, one of the reasons why I wanted to do a night in Los Angeles is that on our last Crystal cruise we acquired tickets to LA's Magic Castle. It's supposedly difficult to get reservations. One needs to be invited by a Magician's Academy member. Crystal features magicians from the esteemed academy on every sailing. If you attend one of their incredible, slight-of-hand shows, you get a free ticket to the Magic Castle. It looks like an interesting place - a mansion with several rooms featuring different acts, a dining room, various bars, etc. Something unique, at least, and a neat way to tie in our last cruise vacation to our next!

 

 

 

As for Moorea, I booked the Fenua Mata'i'oa last night and will be sure to share our experience here when we return. There's just something about it that intrigues me. I didn't want the room with direct lagoon access to get snapped up so I just went for it. Upon doing some research I discovered that Goldie Hawn has been there. I figure if it's good enough for Goldie Hawn, it's good enough for me! :D

Not sure how old this post is. But we have booked the same accommodations at Hotel Fenua Mata”I” (Lokelani Suite I believe it’s called) for two nights pre-cruise. We will be there in 3 weeks. I will try and post a review. I felt like you did - it just seems quite unique and intriging. It wasn’t really cheap but less expensive than my first choice - the overwater bungalows - which was a little out of reach for us.

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I get it! Yes shooting with my Canon 5DIII and Canon L glass is automatic to me. I can go outside and snap away knowing my capture rate is extremely high. However, the new Sony's are incredible and Canon has fallen way behind. My new a7 III is back ordered but I should have it shortly and I'll be proficient on it before my next trip to FP later this year.

 

 

 

Birds are always good practice ;)

 

 

 

Canon 5DIII with a Canon 70-200L f/4 IS @200mm, 1/2000, f/4, ISO-1250

 

 

 

WOW! Incredible picture!

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A little advice in regards to the Olympus TG-5.

 

The 4X zoom lens is a similar equivalent to most standard zoom lenses from the major camera/lens manufactures. The manufactures are not nuts and give a zoom that is in the 'sweet' spot for 95% of your picture needs/requirements.

 

Unless you know how to use a wide angle lens I would suggest not buying to go on this camera. Many times you end up with a picture that is distorted primarily 'stretched' plus the foreground can appear very close and the background very small compared to what it actually looks like in real life.

 

Yes there is a place for a wide angle lens but I wouldn't use on a trip of a lifetime unless you understand how to properly use, you might end up with pictures that could of been far superior if taken with the standard lens provided on the camera form the manufacture.

 

Again this is my own opinion, some my believe differently and that is OK :)

Thanks. Value your opinion and we are not expert enough to attempt experimenting with other lenses. Hubby is fairly knowledgeable about all that and we have those lenses for our old canon. But we’ll probably keep it simple. I will try using the filter we purchased for land shots and I’m sure we’ll be getting plenty of those. :o

Thanks. I just ordered the lens

adapter and filter. Somehow I missed the last part of your reply and probably could have gotten by without it as the plan is mainly to use

it as an underwater camera. We have a very old Canon Rebel XTi and have been debating wether to take it. It still takes decent pictures - just kind of bulky when traveling.

Taking pictures in the South Pacific can be a bit tricky. Most cameras are not made for the incredible dynamic range, meaning dark shadows and bright light in the same composition. I will share a few pointers that most will get something out of. No this isn’t a class for the avid amateur photographer or one that makes their living shooting professionally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bit about me. I do take pictures professionally and with my 20th trip to the South Pacific in the near future I’ve gleaned much on how to best take pictures in this part of the world. I just ordered a new setup just for this next trip and can’t wait to try it out. But I’m going to keep this simple, just the basics.

 

 

Most of you shoot in either full automatic or what some manufactures call ‘Program Mode’. In either case it is important keep your subject and the background in similar lighting. Every take a picture of someone and they are basically a silhouette with no detail. What happened is your camera is automatically adjusting for the overall brightness of your composition. If there is significant bright light behind your subject(s) they will become a silhouette. To eliminate this problem keep the light on your subject similar to the light behind them. Sure you can place the subject(s) in the same light but if it’s in the bright sun the subject(s) will either squint or have raccoon eyes if the sun is primarily overhead. You could make sure they have sunglasses on but then you lose one of the most expressive parts of our body, our eyes.

 

 

I would suggest that you place the subject(s) in the shade with landscape behind them so there isn’t the bright background ….. Or you learn how to shoot in aperture mode, which is a semi-automatic mode that allows you to use ‘exposure compensation’. This works best when you have a camera that has a live view electronic viewfinder so you can actually see the exposure before you push the button. This allows you to take pictures against back-light and compensate so the subject(s) are properly exposed. This is one way to do it but remember you’re in paradise and you want your subject(s) to be seen in ‘paradise’. If you do it this way the background will be ‘blown out’, another words the details of the background setting will be lost.

 

 

 

The best way is to use aperture mode and expose for the background, the harsh light. Your subject(s) back is against that harsh light, this keeps their eyes not pointed at the bright light. You then learn how to use you camera’s flash in the manual mode. If you take your camera out for an afternoon and practice you will have it figured out before you head to paradise. You’ve set the exposure for the bright light behind the subject(s) and now you use the flash to illuminate your subject(s). What you must be careful of is the light can be so bright in the South Pacific that your flash can’t overcome the bright background. Most point and shoot cameras (what most people bring on the cruise) don’t have a very good flash. To overcome this you need to keep your subject(s) close to the camera. Try 10 feet away and if they are still silhouettes bring them a bit closer. You will become an expert at knowing how close the subject(s) need to be in order to deal with the bright background. A bit of practice before you go and you will take much better pictures on your trip to paradise.

 

 

 

If you’re purchasing a camera to take on your trip pick one out that can do the job. For $500 - $800 you can purchase a camera that will do just fine. Better yet call a reputable camera store and ask for a bit of help. Let the person know exactly what you want to accomplish. A camera with aperture priority, one with a powerful built-in flash that you can set manually. A few extras might be a camera that has built-in ND filters which are useful in bright light environments. A camera that has threads on the end of the lens so you can add a circular polarized filter which is very helpful when you really want to get that blue blue sky.

 

 

One last tip …. Place your subject(s) not in the middle of the picture but on a third. Look through your viewfinder. Imagine a tic-tac-toe in the screen. Where the lines intersect that is a third placement. Subject(s) always look best on a third when you taking them in a landscape setting. Place the horizon on one of the third horizontal lines. Decent cameras, even in the price range I mentioned have the third grid as an option you can place on your viewfinder, another question to ask that guy at the camera store.

 

 

 

Enough for now …. If enough people respond to this shortlittle ‘tips’ thread I’ll go a bit further and give a bit more detail on composition and how to use a polarized filter and/or ND filter.

 

 

A few ‘real’ camera stores to visit or call when you’re wanting to purchase that camera for your trip to paradise. B and H, Samy’s or Adorama. The help at these three places are top notch and will give you good advice….

Thanks TBK. This is very helpful. Advice is always appreciated to really amateur photographers. Just purchased the Olympus TG-5. So I don’t know yet if it has the capabilities you are talking about. I know they say it isn’t fully manual. But I like your advice to experiment with it before our trip - in 4 weeks [emoji847]. Advice on underwater, if you have any, would be great,too.

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What an awesome review! We’re five weeks away from our first FP and PG cruise and you have really created more anticipation and excitement than I can say. All of the wonderful reviews have been so helpful. Thank you for taking the time to post. Much appreciated.

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Thanks for all the excellent recommendations.

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I know I have read somewhere on this Forum where the best place to purchase Black Pearls in the FP is. TBK I think you commented when I read your wonderful review but now I can’t locate it. We are taking our first FP cruise and our first “small ship” cruise Sept.1 - for 7 days. Everyone’s comments have been invaluable and I’ve been able to make most all our plans. But still would like to make a 30th anniversary Black Pearl purchase and would appreciate advice on best place for that. TIA.

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Google Huahine Nautique.

Thanks for the very informational and helpful review.

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