Tahiti & Paul Gauguin Travel Tips

[Hillskis]

Pack light, pack light, pack light. You will spend a lot of time in your swimsuit and cover-up or shorts and t-shirt.

 

Taxi fares: Taxi are regulated in Tahiti but you need to set the price before you depart. From the airport to Intercontinental Tahiti Resort: 2 people XPF 1200-1500; 4-6 people XPF 2000. From Intercontinental to downtown or cruise port: 2 people XPF 1500-1700; 4-6 people XPF 3000.

 

On the day the ship leaves you can drop your luggage at the Paul Gauguin before the 3PM check-in time. Just make sure you have your luggage tagged with you room number. Once you drop off your luggage you are free to visit the town, go to the Saturday market, and have some lunch. For lunch try Les Trois Brasseurs across from the cruise terminals or Morrison's Cafe in the Vaima Center.

 

If you are there on Friday night, make sure you go down to the cruise dock area and eat at the les Roulottes (food trucks). Each one cooks up fresh and delicious food like mahi mahi, tuna, steak, crepes, pizza, Chinese and veal. It’s a matter of browsing along them all, trying to make out what the blackboard menus say in French, looking at the photos displayed and sitting yourself down at a table with plastic stools. Average meal is XPF 1500-2000. No alcoholic beverages are sold at this event. We had veal cut off a rotisserie of calf cooked over a wood fire. Les Roulottes start at 6PM and you can eat down there and be back in time to sit at the bar in the Intercontinental and watch their Tahitian dancers program (XPF 500 cover charge).

 

While we were at the Intercontinental they had a Resort Package for XPF 1100 per day that includes unlimited internet, 1 liter of water, one pay-per-view movie, and 50% off one drink at the bar. Great deal. Also, there are washers & dryers at the hotel and they are free. On Saturday morning before going to the ship you can do laundry.

 

For internet access throughout French Polynesia you can buy 5 hours for $25 from ManaSpot at http://www.Manaspot.pf . There are hot spots all over the islands, mostly at the post offices. You can buy the card at their main office on boulevard Pomare between the Vaima Centre and the main post office in Papeete. Another provider is HotSpot-WDG at http://www.hotspot-wdg.com . You can buy the time online when you connect to their wifi network.

 

For lunch you can eat at the resort (pricey) or go to Punaauia just south of the resort (take taxi). Good restaurants there are Pink Coconut (on the beach) and Pacific Burger. A good choice for dinner in this area is Le Coco or Le Cigalon.

 

Papeete Airport

 

When you arrive in Papeete just go straight out to the taxi line for a taxi to the hotel. If you can go with more than 2 people, the cost per couple is more economical.

 

Now let's talk about our airport experience. Papeete’s airport and Air Tahiti Nui are not customer focused. In fact, they do not seem to be focused on anything other than making your last memory of Tahiti an unpleasant one. First, you really need to get to the airport at least 3 hours before the flight in order to make the flight. On Saturday night there are 2 flights from Tahiti to LAX, one at 11:15 and one at midnight. Each flight has 294 passengers and there is no online check-in for Air Tahiti Nui. You cannot check-in until 3 hours before your flight. There are only 4-5 check-in agents for the 11:15 flight but that is reduced to 3 when the midnight flight check-in starts at 9PM. Once you have your boarding pass you need to clear passport control. They don’t open until 9PM and there are only 2 agents. Once you clear passport control you must clear security. There are only 2 security stations and besides x-raying your carry-on, they frisk you and open and inspect all of your carry-on bags. We got to the airport at 7:45 and cleared security at 9:45. Some people barely made the flight but it did take off 5 minutes early.

 

On the Paul Gauguin

 

• Long pants in the dining rooms is strictly enforced.

• Dining options are: L'Etoile (main dining room, dinner only & continental cuisine) no reservation needed; La Veranda (all meals) reservations needed for dinner (French cuisine); Le Grill (all meals on top deck) reservations needed for dinner.

• Their are 2 great places for music on the Paul Gauguin: the Piano Bar is great for drinks before or after dinner; La Palette for late night drinks and dancing with a wonderful outside sitting area.

• On the marina you cannot swim directly off of the marina. You can only use the kayaks and paddle boards.

• Make sure you signup for the excursion before you get on the ship. They will fill up early.

• If you have butler service, you can designate what liquor & beverages you want in your room before you arrive. Go to the Paul Gauguin web site and print the request form and fax it to them.

• On the last night we arrive in Papeete about 7PM. If you did not get to Le Roulettes for dinner the week before, it's only a 5 minute walk from the ship. You can also disembark and go to the airport for the midnight flight home and avoid the Saturday night rush.

• Deck 9, at the very top of the ship, is seldom used. It's a best place for sunset viewing and there is a bar up there.

• You don't need to bring your own fins, just your mask & snorkel. The ship has fins as do most of the resorts. The snorkeling around the IC Tahiti Resort is not that great.

• The casino is very small, one blackjack table and a roulette table. Only 15 or so slot machines.

• Mosquitoes were never a problem on the ship but if you go ashore make sure you take repellent.

• Bottled water and sodas are always available and there is an ice dispenser in Le Grill on deck 8.

• Beach towels are refreshed each day in your cabin and are available around the pool. In the cabin's bathroom is a clothes line to hang up you wet items.

• The Paul Gauguin is a shallow draft vessel and therefore not as stable as the Wind Surf. You will have a little side to side rocking even in gentle seas. Be prepared as you may need to take seasick precautions.

• If you put items on your balcony to dry, make sure you bring them in before the ship gets underway or they may blow away.

• Most of the excursions leave before 9AM in the morning except on the 1st day.

• If you plan to dive while on the Paul Gauguin and have not done a dive in the last 12 months, they require you to take a refresher course that is 2 hours. The refresher course is offered on the first day so make sure you do not book an excursion that conflicts with the refresher course.

 

Paul Gauguin excursion ratings:

 

Huahine - Not much to do on your own unless you rent a vehicle.

 

Sacred Sights & Legendary Places 4 1/2 out of 5 : great intro into Polynesian history and culture from an archeologist specializing in South Pacific cultures.

 

Lagoon Cruise & Snorkeling 4 out of 5 : Good snorkeling & cruising in the lagoon.

 

Bora Bora - Don't just stay in Vaitape, go to the other side of the island to see the lagoon.

 

Stingray Ballet 4 1/2 out of 5 : You get to stand in 3 ft of water while the guide feeds the rays and then the Black Tip Reef Sharks show up. The second stop is a coral garden to snorkel in, and finally a deep reef snorkeling spot.

 

Circle Island by Waverunner 4 1/2 out of 5 : You get to circle the entire island inside the lagoon on a waverunner. So much fun and you get to see all of the best resorts around the island.

 

A Day at the Beach 4 1/2 out of 5 : If you are not extending your stay at the IC Bora Bora Thalasso, then this is your chance to experience one of the best resorts in French Polynesia.

 

Raiatea - Ship docks here at Uturoa. Good shopping and internet access at the post office.

 

Discover Faaroa River by Kayak 4 out of 5 : Take a double kayak on the river through the jungle and see the locals as they live along the river. No white water, just easy cruising.

 

Coral Garden Drift Snorkeling 4 1/2 out of 5 : This can be done here or in Taha'a. Better to do it in Taha'a since you cannot go onto Taha'a, just to the Paul Gauguin motu (beach BBQ). This is by far the best coral gardens on the trip. The water is only 3-5 ft deep and you make three passes through the gardens.

 

Taha'a - You cannot access this island on your own, only the ship's private motu for the beach BBQ. They have kayaks, a bar, lunch, and water sports on the motu.

 

Exploration of Taha'a 3 1/2 out of 5 : Great way to see the island and visit a vanilla palntation. When you are done you will be dropped off on the motu.

 

Moorea - Our favorite island. Lots to do here, either on an excursion or on your own. Avis will be waiting at the dock to rent a car or you can rent a scooter from Albert. There will also be many transfer vans willing to take you to their shops and the local town.

 

Dolphin Watching Expedition 5 out of 5 : By far the best excursion of the cruise. Dr. Poole is so knowledgeable and entertaining. You may even see some whales if you are lucky.

 

Trail of the Ancients or Three Coconuts Trail 4 out of 5 : Great history of Polynesia tour along with a hike in the jungle. Lots of fun.

[Tikiintahiti]

As you rated each one I'm assuming you took every tour, right?

[Hillskis]

Having been there twice in the last 14 months we had a chance to do all but one of these, the waverunner, and that was done by many of our friends who loved it.

[twin123185]

Also on Saturday night there is a Hawaiian Airlines flight to Honolulu to make that airport experience that much worse! I will find out just how bad next year.

[Tikiintahiti]

Having been there twice in the last 14 months we had a chance to do all but one of these, the waverunner, and that was done by many of our friends who loved it.

 

Kuddos to you for having taken all those tours and then rating them. When I give a recommendation 95% of the time I to have personally taken the tour. When there are several on the same island if you haven't taken them all then you have no reference point to make a judgement.

 

Sometimes a poster will take one tour on an island and then say they took the best one but as I said they have no reference point.

 

Most people on here take private tours so your recomendations of the ships tours is appreciated .......... kuddos :)

[NJBeaglemom]

There are only 2 security stations and besides x-raying your carry-on, they frisk you and open and inspect all of your carry-on bags.

 

That must be new, or they stopped doing it, because we weren't frisked and they didn't open nor inspect our carry-ons when we were there in July.

Edited November 21, 2013 by NJBeaglemom

[April29]

Thanks for the detailed info.

[Icecat]

Regarding the security at the airport, they didn't fisk us. The only problem we saw was at the airport, was boarding ATN had one staff assigned to the Y class line and 5 staff assigned to the business class line. (We were pushing back a lady went crazy and they disembarked her, and it took awhile to find her luggage which took a hour, then when we got to the runway a thunder storm hit, and we sat on the runway until it cleared, so we were 90 minutes late to LAX)

 

We could also wear shorts into the dining room,(apparently we were the given more leeway since ours was a charter) which I wore all 14 nights with a nice shirt.

 

There wasn't any side to side rocking of the ship that we noticed.

 

We used deck 9 for relaxation due to the shade and the, and the quick access to the bar.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Icecat

[Emdee]

Icecat I believe that your charter was clothing optional so there were none of the usual guidelines. I am pointing this out as I dont want newbies to think they can wear shorts on regular cruises.

 

Cheers Hillskis - well compiled and a handy reference for newbies!

[twin123185]

Yes excellent. Next year by the way ATN changes their schedule. Saturdays will have a morning flight and one late evening flight.

[ducklite]

 

While we were at the Intercontinental they had a Resort Package for XPF 1100 per day that includes unlimited internet, 1 liter of water, one pay-per-view movie, and 50% off one drink at the bar. Great deal. Also, there are washers & dryers at the hotel and they are free. On Saturday morning before going to the ship you can do laundry.

 

Great tip on the laundry--is there a detergent dispenser or should I just pack some? I'm spending a few days in LA before flying to PPT, so I'm going to being running out of clean clothes by the time we arrive.

 

For internet access throughout French Polynesia you can buy 5 hours for $25 from ManaSpot at http://www.Manaspot.pf . There are hot spots all over the islands, mostly at the post offices. You can buy the card at their main office on boulevard Pomare between the Vaima Centre and the main post office in Papeete. Another provider is HotSpot-WDG at http://www.hotspot-wdg.com . You can buy the time online when you connect to their wifi network.

 

Another great tip! Did you do this in advance? Can it be used by multiple devices?

 

Your airport notes make me glad we booked with Air France.

 

On the Paul Gauguin

 

 

•You don't need to bring your own fins, just your mask & snorkel. The ship has fins as do most of the resorts. The snorkeling around the IC Tahiti Resort is not that great.

 

So we need to supply our own masks and snorkels? I was under the impression that the PG offered these. Ugh.

 

•The Paul Gauguin is a shallow draft vessel and therefore not as stable as the Wind Surf. You will have a little side to side rocking even in gentle seas. Be prepared as you may need to take seasick precautions.

 

Good to have a comparison from someone who has sailed both.

 

•Most of the excursions leave before 9AM in the morning except on the 1st day

 

I guess I'll be up early every morning to get my hour of yoga in!

 

Thanks for the great details and tips!

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[Hillskis]

I don't remember if they sell detergent. We always bring some with us.

I bought the internet access card in Papeete before we started the cruise.

As far as mask & snorkel I always bring my own but the PG supplies all the snorkel gear.

[Adidas4fun]

Re laundry - we bought the unlimited package once on board the boat and then promptly put out our first three days of clothes to be laundered. Heaven compared to spending time in the hotel laundry.

[twin123185]

The laundry package for me was worth every penny especially since I was traveling for 4 days before I got on the ship.

[ducklite]

I plan on buying the laundry package. But I will be four days into my trip by then, my workout gear will be festering (I will be studying power yoga with a master yogi while in LA) and will really need laundering.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[CIRCUSGIRL]

Stick the workout gear in a sealed bag then put it in the ships laundry, it's a no brainer all your laundry done and hardly any washing when you arive home,as i said to Mrs Circusgirl.

Our favourite place was Fakarava,just seemed to capture the essence of the South Pacific, Moorea was next, stunning backdrop the other islands were ok although never did any tours.I did wonder why the ship had no crew from FP apart from the Gaugines speaking to some of the crew they wer'nt sure being as the ship is based in FP.

Anyway i digress the ship and crew are fantastic as well as most of the pax, it's just that the South Pacific did'nt wow us as we thought it would apart from Fakarava but we were glad we travelled the 10,000 miles there and then 10,000 back, ticked off the bucket list now.

Edited November 24, 2013 by CIRCUSGIRL

[ducklite]

Stick the workout gear in a sealed bag then put it in the ships laundry, it's a no brainer all your laundry done and hardly any washing when you arive home,as i said to Mrs Circusgirl.

Our favourite place was Fakarava,just seemed to capture the essence of the South Pacific, Moorea was next, stunning backdrop the other islands were ok although never did any tours.I did wonder why the ship had no crew from FP apart from the Gaugines speaking to some of the crew they wer'nt sure being as the ship is based in FP.

Anyway i digress the ship and crew are fantastic as well as most of the pax, it's just that the South Pacific did'nt wow us as we thought it would apart from Fakarava but we were glad we travelled the 10,000 miles there and then 10,000 back, ticked off the bucket list now.

 

Then I won't have clean yoga clothes for a couple of days after I board. I practice daily and don't want to fill my luggage with six sets of yoga clothes when I can cut that number in half by doing a load of laundry that takes me under an hour.

 

Bottom line, my choice to do a load of laundry isn't really your business. I will probably try to d ,it while in LA before I,fly to PPT, but having the guest laundry available at the IC is a nice back up.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[CIRCUSGIRL]

Then I won't have clean yoga clothes for a couple of days after I board. I practice daily and don't want to fill my luggage with six sets of yoga clothes when I can cut that number in half by doing a load of laundry that takes me under an hour.

 

Bottom line, my choice to do a load of laundry isn't really your business. I will probably try to d ,it while in LA before I,fly to PPT, but having the guest laundry available at the IC is a nice back up.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

 

I never meant for your laundry to be my business:) im sure you'll sort it out,all the best CGs

better half

[twin123185]

This thread just got a bit strange....

[luvhanalei]

"This thread just got a bit strange.... " You got that right!!!