Obc

[pacheco18]

I am fortunate to have a large OBC for my upcoming PG cruise. Since the cruise is all-inclusive and there are no sea days, I am wondering how I will use it. I have booked private shore excursions.

 

Massage available?

Laundry?

On board shopping?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well if I were you I would reconsider the private excursions. Unless they are very exclusive, mostly they will be dead similar to the ones that the ship provides (not that many operators around.)

 

But...the best way to spend that money? Black pearls from the gift shop! It's a very reputable company from Moorea, and the pearls on the ship are sensational. Problem solved.

[pacheco18]

No brainer

 

I actually own a fabulous strand of Tahitian pearls - but there are earrings, bracelets -yum!

[pacheco18]

Well if I were you I would reconsider the private excursions. Unless they are very exclusive, mostly they will be dead similar to the ones that the ship provides (not that many operators around.)

 

I booked this trip in March 2009 - and I have studied the excursions to death. LOL I chose some things not offered by the ship that everyone raves about - Bruno and Patrick - but I have booked Dr. Poole through the ship. There are a few others I booked that the ship did not offer. I really dislike ship excursions - way too many people for me, even on the PG. I like really small groups.

[AnglerGirl]

Well if I were you I would reconsider the private excursions. Unless they are very exclusive, mostly they will be dead similar to the ones that the ship provides (not that many operators around.)

 

But...the best way to spend that money? Black pearls from the gift shop! It's a very reputable company from Moorea, and the pearls on the ship are sensational. Problem solved.

 

Great response Wendy. With exception to the much hailed tours with Patrick and one with Bruno, I agree that the ship excursions are the best way to go in FP.

I too am blessed with an abundance of OBC for the second year in a row. The spa, the shop (Tahia Collins had her pearls on board) and the laundry took care of the rest of my OBC last year.

[TomCruises]

I am fortunate to have a large OBC for my upcoming PG cruise. Since the cruise is all-inclusive and there are no sea days, I am wondering how I will use it. I have booked private shore excursions.

 

Massage available?

Laundry?

On board shopping?

 

 

Why is it that you have such a large OBC?

[patseacruiser]

Can you use the obc in the casino like you can on most of the other lines?

[pacheco18]

Why is it that you have such a large OBC?

 

From my TA!

[TomCruises]

No1Unfortunately,onboard credits cannot be used in the casino!So if you have already purchased excursions,there is really nothing to spend the OBC on other than shopping and spa.

[pacheco18]

No1Unfortunately,onboard credits cannot be used in the casino!So if you have already purchased excursions,there is really nothing to spend the OBC on other than shopping and spa.

 

Works for me - I don't gamble - but I shop and spa LOL

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I really dislike ship excursions - way too many people for me, even on the PG. I like really small groups.

 

So you have booked "private" excursions, not groups? 'Cause the group excursions will be about the same size, no matter how you book them. Like Bruno and Patrick, I would imagine, although I don't know.

 

Sometimes the PG has "concierge" excursions that cost more than usual and are very small. We've done a few of them. The catamaran with snorkelling on Moorea, only about 10 people, the 4x4 trips of course are done with max 6 people per vehicle, the Bora Bora coral restoration trip (if offered) was about 10, and a wonderful sailing adventure that David had in Raiatea, sailing on a nice big ketch (or something like that), with about 8 others--it was designed for sailors so they could help crew and sail the ship. Not sure about the coral garden trip on Raiatea, I did something similar which was a boat ride to a motu on the southern end of the island with amazing drift snorkelling. Again the group was about 10.

 

The only excursions we've had in FP that were large are bus and le truck trips, about 15 perhaps, small buses. And the stingray ballet which was hmm, about 12 I guess, another time it was perhaps 15. Not big numbers much.

[pacheco18]

So you have booked "private" excursions, not groups? 'Cause the group excursions will be about the same size, no matter how you book them. Like Bruno and Patrick, I would imagine, although I don't know.

 

Sometimes the PG has "concierge" excursions that cost more than usual and are very small. We've done a few of them. The catamaran with snorkelling on Moorea, only about 10 people, the 4x4 trips of course are done with max 6 people per vehicle, the Bora Bora coral restoration trip (if offered) was about 10, and a wonderful sailing adventure that David had in Raiatea, sailing on a nice big ketch (or something like that), with about 8 others--it was designed for sailors so they could help crew and sail the ship. Not sure about the coral garden trip on Raiatea, I did something similar which was a boat ride to a motu on the southern end of the island with amazing drift snorkelling. Again the group was about 10.

 

The only excursions we've had in FP that were large are bus and le truck trips, about 15 perhaps, small buses. And the stingray ballet which was hmm, about 12 I guess, another time it was perhaps 15. Not big numbers much.

 

All good advice. I was picturing 40 or so on a bus to somewhere all with name tags. LOL I have booked 2 4X4 trips with companies that get rave reviews. We will snorkel but we are not huge water people (but I will enjoy the PG no matter). I looked at the excursions offered by the ship and most involved snorkeling or scuba. My husband likes to be on land as much as possible so I compromised. We have two excursions involving snorkeling - the rest we will either be on land or watch! I could not miss Bruno or Patrick under any circumstances after reading the reviews and seeing the photos.

[Dolebludger]

On the islands other than Tahiti itself, I doubt that there are any busses that will hold as many as 40 people. And (unless there has been a change) I have never seen any guests wearing name tags on the PG's excursions. I note that you are more accustomed to large ship cruising, from your posts on the Regent forum here on CC. I have cruised large ships too, and know exactly what kind of excursions we both want to avoid! I doubt that you will find any like those offered on the PG (or on Regent). I am not saying whether some private tours might well be better than the ships excursions, as I have never taken a private excursion on a PG cruise. I'm just saying that the PG's excursions aren't the "cattle herd" types that are often offered by large ships.

[pacheco18]

Wendy and others

 

I'd love your feedback on my plans. I posted this on the roll call for my cruise. Here is what I set up. What changes would you recommend? Keep in mind "land rather than sea" LOL

 

In Tahiti – pre cruise 2 nights at the IC – Marama Grand Circle Tour 8/13

 

Huahine – I have reserved Huahine Nautique’s famous shark feeding tour – but it needs 4 minimum for it to go forward - hope it does

 

Raiteia 8/16 – booked Bruno’s L’Excursion Bleu –

 

Rangiroa – 8/17 – wanted to take the Blue Lagoon Tour but we arrive at noon – they only go am. Booked ship's glass bottom boat tour. Not too enthusiastic about it but could not find anything else.

 

Bora Bora 8/19 – Booked Tipuna Safari 4x4

 

Bora Bora 8/20 – Patrick’s tour (3/4 day)

 

Tah’aa 8/21 – we will go to the Motu for the day

 

Moorea 8/22 – booked Albert’s 4x4 safari

 

Moorea 8/23 – we booked Dr. Poole’s excursion through the ship –

 

Moorea 8/25 – off ship – we rented a car for the day. We have 3 days in an OWB at the IC

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Not a lot of comments, but if you have an afternoon free in BB go to the motu as well. It's lovely, beautiful beach. Take your camera, great shots of the island.

 

I've heard great things about the Bruno gig, don't know much about Patrick's tour and have never heard of Tipuna, but it's probably just the standard safari trip like they provide from the ship--interested to hear if it's cheaper!

 

IC is not my favourite but most folks love it, so you're bound to be happy.

 

Albert's again is probably just like the standard 4x4 trip. Albert's gets around, he also rents cars--renting a car for 4 hours in Moorea is also a good idea. Whatever you do there, make sure to go up to the Belvedere (trust me, it will be on the 4x4 trip.)

 

And don't forget those pearls!

[pacheco18]

All true

 

I booked this cruise March 2009 - when the itineraries first came out and PG was trying to convince the world that it would be still great although not under the Regent flag. Deep discount - almost 50% off and what started as 2 for 1 airfare turned into free airfare for two. My TA offers large OBCs. I could not pass it up and it's almost here. I have been researching endlessly almost since the day I booked.

 

I confirmed Belvedere was on the 4x4 trip - I know it's not to be missed.

I rented the car from Albert's on Moorea - thinking of a leisurely tour around the island with lots of stops for shopping. More pearls and those gorgeous pareos. LOL I am fortunate that my husband's daughter owns the largest jewelry store here in Tucson and I have access to jewelry at their cost. I got a fabulous strand of Tahitian pearls a year ago. I want more. LOL

 

I looked at the tours offered on the PG - not a lot of 4x4 tours which is why I chose the outside companies - lots of snorkeling (not for us - we will snorkel a little) and more water-related tours.

 

As for the IC, i just booked with PG for this one. It was one of 2 hotels offered pre and post cruise. I think we will like the Moorea IC - so much going on. And the spa there is amazing. I think I will end my 2 weeks in paradise with some special South Pacific treatments.

 

Thanks for your feedback. You seem to be the expert on all things PG.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I'm no expert, I just love it there. I missed your post-cruise on Moorea. Sounds great, I'm sure that will be great--of the Societies it's my favourite island. Good that you are going on land, many cruisers concentrate solely on water and they don't get to see the islands or the people.

[Hibiscus13]

This is our first trip to FP - at the risk of sounding like a fool, can you please explain what Patrick and Bruno are?

[AnglerGirl]

Can you use the obc in the casino like you can on most of the other lines?

 

No. But no worries. Two tables and about 6 machines make up the PG casino and it's closed most of the time anyway. Before and after dinner is when I noticed most play. If nobody is there, you ring a bell and a dealer will appear.

[AnglerGirl]

This is our first trip to FP - at the risk of sounding like a fool, can you please explain what Patrick and Bruno are?

 

They are locals who run who can hired for tours not associated with the PG itself in Raiteia (Bruno) and BB (Patrick).

[AnglerGirl]

They are locals who can be hired for tours not associated with the PG itself in Raiteia (Bruno) and BB (Patrick).