Calling all PG Lovers

[Cruisedreamer1]

Emdee, I tried to email you but my message kicked back 3 times.

 

Here is my email: carbet at rocketmail dot com

 

Please email me and I will respond. We really want to be included with this wonderful cruise!

 

Thanks for your efforts!

[Paul Gauguin Cruises]

If you are interested in joining us on the Repeater's Cruise, please have your travel agent contact Paul Gauguin Cruises reservation department at 800-848-6172 to get advance notification of the voyage as soon as we have finalized our 2014 schedule. This would probably be January. The voyage is planned currently as a 10- or 11-night cruise starting on 9/10/14.

[Friscorays]

Had not seen this thread until now but we are very interested!

[twin123185]

Just finished a 16 night transatlantic Rome to Galveston on the RCCL Mariner of the Seas. Made me really appreciate the PG. The nickel and diming has gotten ridiculous on the mass market lines. Good time though and the price was insanely cheap.

[Emdee]

twin 123195,

The mass market require a different mind set. I went on Allure in the spring and had a good time. But ate at the speciality restaurants most nights.

 

One thing the mass market has is great casinos. I am on the Brilliance TA next year.

[Familygoboston]

Just finished a 16 night transatlantic Rome to Galveston on the RCCL Mariner of the Seas. Made me really appreciate the PG. The nickel and diming has gotten ridiculous on the mass market lines. Good time though and the price was insanely cheap.

Welcome home!! Yes. I sail RCL a lot and it's a value proposition for us. We use it for quick, cheap getaways to somewhere warm. If I really have any interest in a place to really explore it or connect with the culture I don't take a mass market cruise! It's just too many people to get any kind of exposure to the culture!

But the casino is def a place where you will lose your nickles and dimes!!

 

twin 123195,

The mass market require a different mind set. I went on Allure in the spring and had a good time. But ate at the speciality restaurants most nights.

 

One thing the mass market has is great casinos. I am on the Brilliance TA next year.

 

And then there's the food...:( Luckily, while DH and I enjoy a great meal, we don't have to have one to enjoy our vacation, but to be honest my 2 issues are not being able to get much that's fresh or healthy and I find the mass market lines "try too hard" to be gourmet. It would be better to make something simple and not try to do so much with so little to start with!

I don't spend the extra money for the specialty restaurants, I'd be interested to hear how you think they compare to PG.

Anyway- I guess we are OT and I don't want to bash, because those lines are able to offer a decent value and allow a lot of folks the ability to cruise!

[Emdee]

Family,

RCCL was our cruiseline of choice as my DD was growing up so we are Diamond Plus. Perks are good and on Allure the Concierge lounge is very nice and makes some made to order breakfast and meals. We havent been sailing them for a few years after we moved to Regent and Azamara but went on Allure for a birthday event and enjoyed it. The TA has a nice itinerary and I would never go on a TA in a small ship. Even afraid to go on a TA in Regent of Azamara. TA is great for pure relaxation - read a lot of books and I unfortunately hit up some Casino bills. Also a lot of camaraderie on a TA as you meet some great people in the Diamond lounge/event.

 

All of the specialty restaurants are not equal. My take on food as follows:

 

1) Regent ( on a good day) based on food quality and end product

2) Azamara overall product

3) PG

4) Oceania - most people put them up there but I find their food bland

5) RCCL - some dishes are very nice and some not up to the mark.

 

But nothing can replace the luurv we feel on the PG. Food is just food but love is special!

 

I actually go to Specialty restaurants on large ships for one important reason - more intimate surroundings.

[smg4412]

Speaking of specialty restaurants...we're sailing on the PG over New Years... First time. I'm wondering if any night is better than any other to have dinner at the Veranda? I'd be interested in Emdee's or anyone else's take. Also, if anyone has sailed on the PG over New Years, ....do you recall any special activities, etc. or do they treat it as a regular night with a little extra champagne? Thanks for your response in advance... Steve

[Cruisedreamer1]

Some people choose to dine in the outdoor restaurant when the ship is not moving due to wind. On every cruise there is a Polynesian dinner that is the same in every dining room of the ship. Although we have been on 6 PG cruises we have never cruise during a holiday.

 

I am sure that you can have as much champagne as you wish since it is all inclusive.

[Emdee]

I was on the PG at new years but it was some time ago when it was under Regent.

 

They had an opera singer !!! some young ones didnt appreciate it and began diving into the pool in their tuxes. Other young men stripped down to underwear and dove it as well! That comprised the real entertainment. On that cruise we did see a polynesian show with fire wands which was very exciting. Apparently they were not available at new year so they had the other.

 

Anyway that was pre current management so dont know how they address this now.

 

Every day on the PG is wonderful so dont worry you will have a wonderful time as I will - I will be on Tere Moana for new year this year.

 

As cruisedreamer says you can have as much champagne - though its no longer the real thing but some ersatz stuff. The good stuff is for purchase.

[twin123185]

Yeah - the casinos are great on the big ships! Food on my RCCL cruise was good and bad. Skipped the alternatives. Buffet good the first 10 days, TERRIBLE the last 6. In the dining room was more hit than miss. Service was indeed really great though! I find the best alternative restaurants to be on - believe it or not - Carnival! Although Sabatini's on princess is also really good.

[Escriteur]

Speaking of specialty restaurants...we're sailing on the PG over New Years... First time. I'm wondering if any night is better than any other to have dinner at the Veranda? I'd be interested in Emdee's or anyone else's take.

 

Steve - La Veranda serves the same menu every night on 7-night sailings (apart from Polynesian Night, when all three restaurants have the same menu); so it doesn't really matter which night you go. Though as Cruisedreamer1 pointed out, if you'd prefer to dine outdoors, you're best off doing it on an evening when you're in port. La Veranda seems to book up fairly quickly, so try to make reservations as soon as you can to make sure you have an opportunity to try it.

 

We didn't sail on a holiday, so I can't comment on whether the PG does anything special to ring in the New Year - hopefully someone else who has done a New Year cruise recently can respond to that.

[rkoh]

I have to say that I'm somewhat gratified that there are so many M/V PAUL GAUGUIN lovers out there. I'll take a bit of credit myself in that I was the lead US Coast Guard inspector for the vessel when it was being built in Saint Nazaire, France back in the late 1990s. You could tell it was shaping up to be a special ship.

 

Next time anyone is onboard ask a staff officer about what they had to do with the bridge wings before the left the shipyard - and why they had to do it.

[Emdee]

Not too many old timers there so don't know if they will know. Why don't you tell us.

 

The true beauty about this trip lies in the service and the amazing scenery of FP.

[Familygoboston]

I have to say that I'm somewhat gratified that there are so many M/V PAUL GAUGUIN lovers out there. I'll take a bit of credit myself in that I was the lead US Coast Guard inspector for the vessel when it was being built in Saint Nazaire, France back in the late 1990s. You could tell it was shaping up to be a special ship.

 

Next time anyone is onboard ask a staff officer about what they had to do with the bridge wings before the left the shipyard - and why they had to do it.

 

Yes, do tell! We'd love a little history lesson! When was she built? She seems brand new now with the recent refurbishment. I think she is the perfect "expedition" vessel even though one doesn't think of FP as an expedition, it really is in the sense of the water sports. It's very comfortable, but also so practical for the very active sports persons who cruise her!

[rkoh]

Because of some engineering miscalculations the bridge wings had to undergo sever modifications after they were built and equipped.

 

Not a good day for the Naval Architect as it probably cost big money to fix... but it didn't affect safety in any way. As a matter of fact this vessel was just about the best I had seen in a 15 year inspection career.

 

She was very well built and had redundant safety features above and beyond what was required by international law. It was evident from the actions and knowledge of the Staff and crew that the shipping line knew their business.

[Cruisedreamer1]

The schedule should be out soon in January. I can't wait for it.

[pittsburgh.joe]

If you are interested in joining us on the Repeater's Cruise, please have your travel agent contact Paul Gauguin Cruises reservation department at 800-848-6172 to get advance notification of the voyage as soon as we have finalized our 2014 schedule. This would probably be January. The voyage is planned currently as a 10- or 11-night cruise starting on 9/10/14.

 

Sounds like a wonderful way to once again board the Paul Gauguin. Considering my 70th is on Sept 12th, 2014 this is sounding like a winner. Thanks to all for your input. We look forward to joining you!

[oceanbabe]

Hi: Thought Miriam had said the 2014 repeaters cruise would be on Sept 14th? Is it now changed to the 10th? thanks

[ottawa24]

Found you:) I remember you saying you bought a wonderful ruby necklace in I thought you said Saigon. Am I right? and if so where did you buy it? Thanks, hope I get one too!

lesley

[Emdee]

Hi Ottawa

Necklace was from Siemens Reap...

 

Will you be on the repeaters sept 10th 2014?

 

Hi joe,

 

See you on the PG 2014.

[Emdee]

Great newsCaptain Z says that we will have two days in motu mañana first and last day....

[twin123185]

That's awesome but.......really depends on the rest of the destinations!

[ottawa24]

Hi Ottawa

Necklace was from Siemens Reap...

 

Will you be on the repeaters sept 10th 2014?

 

I don't think we are going back to Siem. We have never been to Bali so we are thinking about that instead.

What is the repeaters?

[Emdee]

It is the Paul Gauguin repeaters cruise but you don't have to be a repeater.