June 15 2013 Society and Cook Islands review

[Emdee]

While bar staff tips are included those for spa are not so you do need to tip them.

 

There are two opinions on tipping guides for excursions. I do some dont. I have found that tips have been graciously accepted.

[Escriteur]

That's right; I forgot about the spa tips - I tipped the standard 15% to 20% for my massage. I'm sure that's probably part of why PG has singled out who tips are included for ("room stewards and dining staff"), though I wish they'd update their materials to include "bar staff" (if that is indeed the case) to clear up any confusion.

[dexddd]

All gratuities for all staff are included on board the PG.

They do have a crew welfare fund in case you feel the need to contribute.

 

Thanks Emdee.

[dexddd]

I've been wondering the same thing, but I didn't bother to ask since it'll probably be some years until our next PG cruise, and I hoped someone would address this question before then. ;-) When we went on our cruise last summer, the PG promo materials indicated that "all" onboard gratuities were included. Sometime this year, they changed their website and brochures to say "All onboard gratuities included for room stewards and dining staff"...which leaves the bar staff question up in the air. Do they consider bar staff as part of their dining staff? (I wouldn't think so, except for perhaps the wine stewards in the dining room.) But then how would you tip the bartenders when all drinks are included, and you're not handing over a key card where they could track your drinks or add a tip? Would you have to carry cash for bar tips? I'm really curious why they changed this wording in their marketing materials this way.

 

If bar tips are indeed still included, then the only tips you'll need are for any pre-/post-cruise hotel stays and any excursions. (I think a lot of people must have been in no-tipping mode since the PG is all-inclusive; we always gave a small cash tip to our tour guides and drivers, but we noticed that many other people didn't bother.) As Emdee noted, you can always contribute to the crew welfare fund. A convenient way to do this is to purchase raffle tickets for the ship's chart drawing at the end of the cruise; all raffle proceeds go toward the crew welfare fund.

 

dexddd - You might also consider posting this question as a new thread, so a PG rep might be more likely to notice and respond to it.

 

Thanks for the info and the great pictures you had posted about your trip.

 

I had considered opening a new thread but I saw on page 1 Allen was with two bartenders Elmo and Effren so I figured he would have the scoop.

[dexddd]

Ahh, you both looked so sun kissed and relaxed in your headdresses and I like your DW s pareo! Very pretty colors! Looks like another day in paradise!

 

Speaking of which, I am already expecting my DW and DD will be wanting 50 of those scarves and pareo thingys. Can anyone give any insight to where is a good spot to get those and how to pay for them? Price ranges?

 

Sorry Allen to break in again, I just figured you had been there recently and have first hand buying experience.

[Emdee]

You can get the Pareos all over the place. Moorea has some nice stores and selections.

Prices are all over the place depending on whether they are local or from the far east and also depending on whether they are hand painted or printed. I had paid 40 for 50 for mine but that was a few years ago.

[ALB0711]

DW paid $15 for a nice one on Bora Bora where we saw them making them. Price varies depending on the fabric etc. If you look back in the post there is a photo of two ladies holding up a freshly made Pareo. This was the same type/size/quality we got for $15.

 

We didn't price shop or try and bargain, and weren't really looking to buy one. But for $15 DW decided it made a great souviner.

 

Happy to answer any questions at all!

 

Final posts coming soon........

[ALB0711]

Woke up to another beautiful day, but aren't they all in paradise?

While I was showering, DW watched a very large pod of dolphins swim by the Paul Gauguin off into the lagoon. We were later told by passengers who had been on the Dolphin and Whale watching tour that this was a “super pod” made up of several smaller pods that for some reason decided to swim together. We didn't go on the Dolphin and Whale watching tour, but heard a lot of great things about it. It is on our to-do list for the next cruise.

We had so much fun jet skiing in Bora Bora we decided to do it again in Moorea. I checked with the tour desk the afternoon of our first day and they still had availability for the morning jet ski tour on day two so we bought the excursion on-board.

Our tour started at the tender dock with a boat carrying the jet ski tour passengers along with the “swim with the dolphins” tour that took us to the Intercontinental Moorea where our tour started.

We had four couples and a guide. The guide gave us some basic rules, the primary being stay behind him and didn’t talk much at all after we started. DW was my designated driver once again, but this jet ski was much harder to hold onto as a passenger then the rentals in Bora Bora as it didn't have a strap on the seat for the rear passenger. We were taken about half way around the island in choppy water and the back again to a small Motu very close to the Intercontinental where we had a fruit snack. This Motu is very near the place where the feed the stingray tours were operated and as we got back on our jet skis for the short trip back to the Intercontinental a pair of rays approached us and rubbed against our legs hoping for a handout. DW gave me the chance to drive the jet ski for the final 5 minutes back to the hotel where I discovered it is a lot more fun driving one of these then it is being a passenger on one.

Before boarding the boat from the Intercontinental back to the tender dock, we walked around the Intercontinental to check out their beaches, bars and pools. We’ve got to get back here someday, it is a beautiful resort. One of the jet ski couples stayed at the hotel for lunch (not included with the tour) and caught a cab after lunch back to the tender dock. We did a little shopping at the dock, but there really wasn’t much here to buy that we hadn’t seen somewhere else already. We caught the next tender back to the ship where we enjoyed our lunch and took our last kayak ride.

Next time we are in Moorea we’ll rent a car or do some kind of circle island tour. We felt like there was a lot to see but we didn’t get far from the ship’s mooring. I would also say that without question jet skiing on Bora Bora is much better then Moorea, if you have to choose one or the other - Bora Bora would be my choice. And.... make sure both you and DW get to drive!

Warning, the sad part starts here….

Upon returning to the cabin, we started packing up our suitcases as they had to be in the hall that night. We went up on deck to watch the Moorea sail away and enjoy the cruise farewell party on deck.

There was music, delicious drinks and another wonderful sunset to conclude our last afternoon on the ship.

We hadn’t dined in Le Grill during the entire cruise, so a few days earlier we decided to experience it as we docked back in Tahiti. We had a table right on the deck next to the rails and were able to watch the ship tie up as we dined. Some friends had their flight home that night at 11PM and we watched as they and a few others disembarked around 7:30.

After dinner we took a quick walk down to the Roulettes because we planned to eat there the next night before we returned to the airport and I wanted to check out the parking situation and food options.

After our walk, we returned to the ship for a closing Tahitian show by a very good dance group from the island of Tahiti. We returned to our cabin, put our suitcases in the hallway and enjoyed our last night of sleep on the Paul Gauguin.

[ALB0711]

DW paid $15 for a nice one on Bora Bora where we saw them making them. Price varies depending on the fabric etc. If you look back in the post there is a photo of two ladies holding up a freshly made Pareo. This was the same type/size/quality we got for $15.

 

We didn't price shop or try and bargain, and weren't really looking to buy one. But for $15 DW decided it made a great souviner.

 

Happy to answer any questions at all!

 

Final posts coming soon........

 

Ooops DW says she paid $10 not $15.

[dexddd]

Was the LAX terminal where ATN flies out of still under construction (I thought I had read awhile back it was under construction)?

[Escriteur]

Thanks for the info and the great pictures you had posted about your trip.

 

I had considered opening a new thread but I saw on page 1 Allen was with two bartenders Elmo and Effren so I figured he would have the scoop.

 

You're very welcome - glad you enjoyed the photos! :)

 

Good point about a more recent cruiser having insights into the bar staff tip situation. The PG really does have some amazing bartenders. We tended to hang out at La Palette, where Elmo and Jonathan took excellent care of us. It's amazing how quickly the PG staff begin to feel like family...

[Escriteur]

Speaking of which, I am already expecting my DW and DD will be wanting 50 of those scarves and pareo thingys. Can anyone give any insight to where is a good spot to get those and how to pay for them? Price ranges?

 

I don't recall exact prices, but you should be able to find them in the $10-$20 range depending on where you shop. I know they had pareos at some of the little vendor tents set up along Motu Mahana. The one I bought has rich colors and a sea turtle design; however, I think it was made in the Philippines rather than locally. The circle-island Bora Bora by Le Truck tour stopped at Mama Ruta's for a pareo-dying and pareo-tying demo; many people bought locally made pareos there. If you still need to pick up some souvenirs at the end of your trip, you can always head over to the market on Papeete after breakfast (you can leave your carry-on bags in the Grand Salon until your official disembarkation/transfer time); it's just a few blocks' walk from the port. You can find pareos, woven hats/bags, soaps, vanilla, jewelry, etc.

 

As for how to pay for them, many of the local vendors that set up roadside/port-side tables (on Motu Mahana, at the Bora Bora craft market, at the Moorea port, etc.) will accept both dollars and French Polynesian francs - however, they may not be able to make change for dollars. So it's helpful to have some smaller bills on hand; or, if you only have $20s or larger bills, be prepared to add on another small item or two to round up the total. The vendors with actual storefronts (including more upscale jewelry shops) will usually take credit cards, and may or may not accept dollars. Hope this helps!

[Escriteur]

Excellent review, Allen! I really enjoyed reading your posts and looking at the photos; it allowed me to relive last summer's cruise all over again. :)

 

It was interesting to read about your jet-ski excursions. We had considered doing that, even though my husband isn't much of a swimmer and tends to steer clear of any activities in deeper water. However, he knows how to drive a motorcycle...and it kind of seems like a jet-ski/wave-runner is basically like a motorcycle on water. ;-) Did you find them easy to ride and drive? Was there any danger of anyone falling off in deeper water? Was the water shallower where you get on and off the jet-skis? I'm hoping to talk hubby into trying this on a future cruise...

[ALB0711]

Was the LAX terminal where ATN flies out of still under construction (I thought I had read awhile back it was under construction)?

 

I didn't see any construction on the inside, I think they had some construction on the outside where the terminal connects to the road, but the only impact I noticed was half the escalators from the lower level to upper level were closed.

[ALB0711]

Excellent review, Allen! I really enjoyed reading your posts and looking at the photos; it allowed me to relive last summer's cruise all over again. :)

 

It was interesting to read about your jet-ski excursions. We had considered doing that, even though my husband isn't much of a swimmer and tends to steer clear of any activities in deeper water. However, he knows how to drive a motorcycle...and it kind of seems like a jet-ski/wave-runner is basically like a motorcycle on water. ;-) Did you find them easy to ride and drive? Was there any danger of anyone falling off in deeper water? Was the water shallower where you get on and off the jet-skis? I'm hoping to talk hubby into trying this on a future cruise...

 

The water is waste deep where you get on and off the jet skies, but if for some reason you did fall off you might be in deep water. We had to wear life vests at all times. I thought it was much eaiser to drive then to ride, probably because when I was driving I knew what which direction I would be going in, as a rider you just hold on.

 

They were a lot of fun, and you can make them eaiser to ride/drive by avoiding the wake of the jet skies in front of you. My DW likes air though, so she would aim for the wake!

[Familygoboston]

Super review! Thanks for brining us back:D...and I'm sure those who haven't been yet will appreciate your adding info others hadn't reported about recently, like the casino and wine cellar! Looked like a super trip! Thanks for sharing!

[lovetotravel68]

Thank you for the tip about the jet ski's! Glad we chose Bora Bora :)

[dexddd]

I don't recall exact prices, but you should be able to find them in the $10-$20 range depending on where you shop. I know they had pareos at some of the little vendor tents set up along Motu Mahana. The one I bought has rich colors and a sea turtle design; however, I think it was made in the Philippines rather than locally. The circle-island Bora Bora by Le Truck tour stopped at Mama Ruta's for a pareo-dying and pareo-tying demo; many people bought locally made pareos there. If you still need to pick up some souvenirs at the end of your trip, you can always head over to the market on Papeete after breakfast (you can leave your carry-on bags in the Grand Salon until your official disembarkation/transfer time); it's just a few blocks' walk from the port. You can find pareos, woven hats/bags, soaps, vanilla, jewelry, etc.

 

As for how to pay for them, many of the local vendors that set up roadside/port-side tables (on Motu Mahana, at the Bora Bora craft market, at the Moorea port, etc.) will accept both dollars and French Polynesian francs - however, they may not be able to make change for dollars. So it's helpful to have some smaller bills on hand; or, if you only have $20s or larger bills, be prepared to add on another small item or two to round up the total. The vendors with actual storefronts (including more upscale jewelry shops) will usually take credit cards, and may or may not accept dollars. Hope this helps!

 

That does help, thanks.

[ALB0711]

Super review! Thanks for brining us back:D...and I'm sure those who haven't been yet will appreciate your adding info others hadn't reported about recently, like the casino and wine cellar! Looked like a super trip! Thanks for sharing!

 

Goboston - But wait...... you are making the same mistake I made the last night on the ship. We still have 24 hours in Tahiti. The trip isn't over until we get back to the airport... more to come!

[Escriteur]

The water is waste deep where you get on and off the jet skies, but if for some reason you did fall off you might be in deep water. We had to wear life vests at all times. I thought it was much eaiser to drive then to ride, probably because when I was driving I knew what which direction I would be going in, as a rider you just hold on.

 

They were a lot of fun, and you can make them eaiser to ride/drive by avoiding the wake of the jet skies in front of you. My DW likes air though, so she would aim for the wake!

 

Thanks for the insights! Good to know all riders/drivers wear life vests; he'll probably feel more comfortable knowing that. We'll definitely have to try it sometime!

[dexddd]

Thanks for the insights! Good to know all riders/drivers wear life vests; he'll probably feel more comfortable knowing that. We'll definitely have to try it sometime!

 

It takes a bit getting used to, especially if you are in the back since you either have to hold on to the driver or usually there is a bar behind you as the passenger. If you are driving it is easy as you have the handlebars. Getting on and at slow speeds it seems a bit tippy.

 

We have a newer version of the blue model similar to the one shown in Allen's pictures. It is easiest to get on from the back - there may or may not be a little fold down step/ladder on the back to help getting on. Not sure how fast they let you go but ours will go in the lower 70's for a top speed.

[dexddd]

Allen,

 

For those that left the night before, do you have any details on how much it cost, how they were transported, etc? We are flying out the night before as well and PG just said to contact the Concierge on board which is fine, but just trying to get some idea in advance.

[Escriteur]

It takes a bit getting used to, especially if you are in the back since you either have to hold on to the driver or usually there is a bar behind you as the passenger. If you are driving it is easy as you have the handlebars. Getting on and at slow speeds it seems a bit tippy.

 

We have a newer version of the blue model similar to the one shown in Allen's pictures. It is easiest to get on from the back - there may or may not be a little fold down step/ladder on the back to help getting on. Not sure how fast they let you go but ours will go in the lower 70's for a top speed.

 

Thanks for the info/insights, dexddd! :)

[Emdee]

Great review.

 

Sometimes us repeaters are out of touch as we see things differently. A fresh perspective is wonderful.

 

Also glad to know you had a great time.

 

Miriam

[ALB0711]

Allen,

 

For those that left the night before, do you have any details on how much it cost, how they were transported, etc? We are flying out the night before as well and PG just said to contact the Concierge on board which is fine, but just trying to get some idea in advance.

 

I know they had to pay PG a deviation fee - which seems a little unfair because they didn't get a few meals and a day at the hotel before flying home. I saw them get into a cab as soon as the ship was cleared and presume they paid for the cab. I believe the Concierge arranged for the cab for them, but they arranged the air deviation long before they boarded.

 

At one point before we drove around Tahiti after we disembarked we were thinking that getting off the last night like they did would be a good way to "ease the pain" of leaving, but we had a really great day touring the island of Tahiti before our plane left the next day. We decided we'd always take advantage of the last day, you are still in paradise - why cut it short?