Looking for South Pacific Sailing Recommendations

[J&DfromTheVillages]

We are thinking of cruising the South Pacific Jan, 2012 and considered leaving from Hawaii, but would like to hear about your experiences. Any recommendations? Please email judithtimothy@yahoo.com.

Judy and Dan from St. Louis

[paul929207]

We took a 12 night cruise on the Ocean Princess from Papeete to Honolulu. It was great.

 

We are booked on a circumnavigation of Australia next fall.

[Travelcat2]

IMO, the best cruise in the South Pacific is on the Paul Gauguin. . . a small, all-inclusive luxury ship. Here is a link to their website http://www.pgcruises.com/

 

There are a lot of discussions about this ship on CruiseCritic. . . so, here is a link to that http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=627

 

You mentioned wanting to sail from Hawaii. Rather than sailing on open seas which can be rather rough, cruising the islands of French Polynesia is magical. You may want to consider it:)

[Tika]

IMO, the best cruise in the South Pacific is on the Paul Gauguin. . . a small, all-inclusive luxury ship. Here is a link to their website http://www.pgcruises.com/

 

There are a lot of discussions about this ship on CruiseCritic. . . so, here is a link to that http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=627

 

You mentioned wanting to sail from Hawaii. Rather than sailing on open seas which can be rather rough, cruising the islands of French Polynesia is magical. You may want to consider it:)

 

I absolutely second the Paul Gauguin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We cruised twice ........first time the 7 day and the second time included the Marquesas...........The PG is a wonderful, small ship and the Gauguins are so very special and enhance your cruise experience. There are now many direct flights to Tahiti. Check out Paul Gauiguin Cruises.........read the reviews.....

we cruised the PG when it was Radisson and then Regent.......now it is owned by Paul Gauguin Cruises and I am so happy the PG is still cruising the beautiful waters of French Polynesia.

[J&DfromTheVillages]

We are beginning our research tonight for the South Pacific. Thanks so much for the feedback. We'll begin by looking into the Paul Gauguin.

Thanks again,

Judy and Dan from St. Louis

[dancinman66]

Hi J & D

 

First are you looking at the states side of Hawaii or Australian side, I would suggest catching the Rhapsody of the Seas in Sept as it makes it's way from LA to Sydney for the Australian Summer Cruises.

 

The ships are very nice with good open and friendly feelings - although I don't think their service is up to par with others like Princess and Cunard.

 

The trip is very good value and stops in alot of ports along the way getting the best of the pacific as it can be.

 

It heads back to the States in April and the return trip is as good, and both can be broken to start or finish in Hawaii

 

They are each about 16 day legs and by far the most relaxed way of travelling that part of the world

 

Cheers

Greg

[flamomo]

Don't overlook the possibility of cruising with Princess. We did a 10 day cruise around French Polynesia on the Tahitian Princess (now the Ocean Princess) in 2008, and had a wonderful experience. We embarked from Papeete, and visited Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, and finished up back on Papeete.

Princess also offers itineraries that sail between Hawaii and French Polynesia, and include ports in both places.

If you are interested in a really great itinerary, and have the time, Princess offers a 28 day r/t LA - Hawaii (4 islands) - Samoa (2 ports) - French Polynesia (3 ports) - LA on the Sapphire Princess in 2011. Of course, you have to love sea days, because it covers a lot of distance. We have been booked for this one-time (at least for now) cruise since it became available. We do love sea days, and are delighted that Princess is offering this cruise, because it does away with the need to fly to FP, or even HI.

[J&DfromTheVillages]

Thanks so much for all the information. We want to spend at least a week going around Tahiti, and then perhaps some time in the other islands nearby - probably a total of 14 or more days. We love to escape the cold weather here in January, so that's when we wanted to go to the South Seas, but when I checked their weather, that is their rainy season. So now we are in a quandry as to exactly WHEN to go? Perhaps October or November?? One other thing, why are the PG cruises so much more expensive than the Princess Cruises? Thanks again for the information.

Judy and Dan from St. Louis

[Talisker92]

We have cruised twice on the Paul Gauguin and heartily recommend it. Our trip stories are on our website http://www.stevekathytravels.com

[flamomo]

Our Princess FP cruise was in mid-late November, and there was only one time in our 10 day cruise when we had any rain, and that was a passing brief downpour in one of the ports, followed shortly by sunshine the rest of the day. All the other days were gorgeous.

Unpredictable is the word that best describes tropical weather.