Lizard930

Elmo, head wine steward, has retired - sad news for us but happy for him.

L'Occitane products are no longer bathroom amenities.....but if you ask, they have a few in storage.

Mihimana is no longer at the marina but is one of Les Gauguines.

Country club casual did not seem to be enforced in L'Etoile - very disappointed to see gals in pool cover ups and 'daisy duke' cut off shorts and flip flops seated without question! We loved L'Etoile menu but decided to eat more at Veranda and Le Grill where people did dress appropriately.

Day you board check out the menus at each venue, bearing in mind that La Veranda usually changes afte 6 days or so. Then you can decide how to set up reservations for Veranda or Grill -they do book up early.

yes...booked 5 excursions a month ago...figured it was easier to cancel than try to get on booked tour....

We have read that wine is complimentary with lunch and dinner. I have just read the reviews from cruise critic, and they say beer & wine with meals. My husband is wanting to know. Also, has anyone done any excursions on their own (outside of going with the ships high prices?) Thanks for your input. Roxanne

As others have indicated beer included lunch/dinner as well as being stocked in your room fridge......don't light the beer stocked, just mention your preference to your housekeeper and presto out goes the Bud Light and in comes the Hinano!

wow...you do plan early (I don't even buy green bananas). Agree with above post Oct is great month, better early or mid month. 3 nights or more precruise go to Moorea- IC but if just 1/2 nights stay at IC Tahiti....

How thick is the Lewis and Clark at the back of the neck? I usually have problems caused by the pillows being too thick there.

 

Is there a specific buckwheat pillow that you recommend?

It can be as thick as you want because after you blow it up....say 4"- then you can bleed air out of it to what thickness is right for you.

i have a bad neck and generally have difficulty sleeping on planes. I have tried several different pillows but not yet found one I love. I would love to hear about pillows that work and those that don't work so I can avoid buying another one to sit in my travel drawer.

Also have neck issues so bought a Lewis N. Clark On Air inflatable travel pillow from Amazon last fall. Am happy with it - it folds to compact size, is easy to inflate and air can be adjusted to what comfortable for you.

Jill Bailey

Thanks for imput.....will be in Fiji late June so hope to miss most of the rain....

Planning to take snorkeling excursions to Bequa Lagoon from Suva & Lighthouse Reef in Savusavu Bay. Are one or both worth it and how strong are currents on average? I can snorkel but don't like to cope with strong currents.

Thanks y'all,

Jill

Sounds like a plan........we'll be on the lookout for a couple who look waaaay too young to be celebrating their 50th!

Hey all: after amazing 7 day Tahiti cruise last Oct, went ahead and booked June 24 Fiji to Tahiti- early as cabins y booking up(probably because Cousteau is to be aboard for his last cruise with PG). PG should be in amazing condition as just out of dry dock. Staying 1 night pre cruise at Sofitel so not a complete basket case when boarding ship on Sat. Never been to Fiji, Tonga, or Cook islands so need to research the shore excursions. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Based on our positive experience with laundry service on 7 day cruise, we will again be getting laundry package....it's so worth it not to have to pack so many clothes!

Jill, Tucson AZ

Thanks for input.

We're actually now considering the Fiji to Papeete trip.....if Cook is 11 days why not do Fiji 12 day, eh ?

Took 1st ever cruise on PG in Oct. Now want to plan longer cruise in 2017. Need advise on whether to do 10 night Tuomotus or 11 night Cook and what time of year. Welcome your input. Thanks

Jill

Much well covered by others but my observations: Laundry package-get it & pack lighter(out by 9a & back by 6p); Shore excursions- do book some in advance, Aquablue Moorea fabulous, Taha'a Cultural tour great, take a day off from shore excursions (Bora Bora or Moorea) to have leisurely breakfast & do your own thing; Spa- great treatments, sign up for 'private' steam & shower; Room service- great for breakfast (use as wake up call) & dinner when you're too pooped to dress for dining room; Dining room- if you forgot your glasses they have selection of 'cheaters' to borrow, don't care for wine offered then ask for something else & voila it's yours, ask for sorbet to clear your palate between courses as it will help you help with digestion & wine appreciation; Papeete airport departure- no a/c with 3 flights departing almost simultaneously & passport checked 6 times before boarding (felt like I was trying to grab one of last helicopters out of Hanoi), currency exchange lines very long so best if you do before arriving airport....

1st time cruiser here! Booking spa apt at IC Thelasso on Bora Bora. What's best way to transfer from ship to hotel. Have read you take tender to Vaitape dock then taxi to IC Le Moana then water shuttle to IC Thelasso - are taxis readily available at dock and what would be the cost? How often do water shuttle run? Is there any water boat transfer from dock direct to IC Thelasso?