I am not impressed

[Floridiana]

So you pay for the day room with PG and you pay for it with Oceania? I see no difference. Both lines offer it. What a fuss created by the title of this thread.

[bitob]

So you pay for the day room with PG and you pay for it with Oceania? I see no difference. Both lines offer it. What a fuss created by the title of this thread.

 

The day room is complimentary with PG if I recall. We booked a two night stay in advance of our cruise so there was no need for it.

PG is the gold standard for cruising in FP IMO. There is nothing else like it. Best cruise we have ever taken.

Edited November 17, 2014 by bitob

[TrulyBlonde]

The day room is complimentary with PG if I recall. We booked a two night stay in advance of our cruise so there was no need for it.

PG is the gold standard for cruising in FP IMO. There is nothing else like it. Best cruise we have ever taken.

 

I just looked up PG because quite frankly I cannot remember if it was complimentary or not...I think it was extra because you can also upgrade to over water bungalows too. They are running a few specials now that include pre and post hotels. One of my favorite cruises too. Bottom line...enjoy it and get out your wallet..worth every penny.

[Caroldoll]

But the time change from Montreal will be a killer. Why start a cruise half dead...go a day early so you can equalize. Also know that it is very hot and humid there.

[Merriem]

I just looked up PG because quite frankly I cannot remember if it was complimentary or not...I think it was extra because you can also upgrade to over water bungalows too. They are running a few specials now that include pre and post hotels. One of my favorite cruises too. Bottom line...enjoy it and get out your wallet..worth every penny.

 

Yes, on the PG everything was included, the day rooms coming and going. Of course it is included in the price, but IMHO if you are doing Tahiti, they are the best.

 

We did a three day extension with them in Moorea, and they took us to get the ferry, provided the tickets, a day room when we got back, and took us to the airport. Couldn't have ask more.

 

I know that Windstar is back in Tahiti now, and we did our first trip there 20 years ago with them. Everything was provided also.

 

Tahiti is my favorite trip................no complaints, except we had a defective balcony door, and got locked out at night, and it took us an hour to get back in. That was not too funny.

[Benita]

I just looked up PG because quite frankly I cannot remember if it was complimentary or not...I think it was extra because you can also upgrade to over water bungalows too. They are running a few specials now that include pre and post hotels. One of my favorite cruises too. Bottom line...enjoy it and get out your wallet..worth every penny.

 

If you took the "included air", PG included the day room and all transfers both before and after the cruise. If you booked air on your own, you could buy the package - it was about $200 a person. We did the air on our own (Air Tahiti Nui partners with American Airlines and we were able to get business class seats for about 55000 points per person each way.) We spent a few days in Tahiti and Moorea before the cruise - found a Tahiti specialist who got us a very good deal at the Moorea Pearl. We disembarked the PG on a Friday night - it arrives in Papeete around 6pm and docks overnight, with the passengers leaving on Saturday, but they had no problem with letting us leave early . We had dinner on the ship and the PG arranged for a taxi to take us to the airport, where we took the midnight flight back to LA.

If O stays overnight in Papeete, you might consider that as well.

[StanandJim]

Yes, PG and Windstar were top of the line experiences ten years ago, but both of those Lines have aged out of the luxury marketplace, because they haven't invested in new ships.

 

This is particularly true in the Tahiti realm, because it takes Warren Buffet money to keep a "beach-house" pristine beyond the first ten years.

 

I have an inkling that is why Regent sold the PG in the first place.

[bitob]

Yes, PG and Windstar were top of the line experiences ten years ago, but both of those Lines have aged out of the luxury marketplace, because they haven't invested in new ships.

 

This is particularly true in the Tahiti realm, because it takes Warren Buffet money to keep a "beach-house" pristine beyond the first ten years.

 

I have an inkling that is why Regent sold the PG in the first place.

 

The PG was totally refurbished in 2012. It is an amazing ship and a unique experience. You live and breathe French Polynesia on that ship. Oceania cannot duplicate it no matter how hard they try.

Edited November 18, 2014 by bitob

[Merriem]

Yes, PG and Windstar were top of the line experiences ten years ago, but both of those Lines have aged out of the luxury marketplace, because they haven't invested in new ships.

 

This is particularly true in the Tahiti realm, because it takes Warren Buffet money to keep a "beach-house" pristine beyond the first ten years.

 

I have an inkling that is why Regent sold the PG in the first place.

 

Well, you obviously have not been on the PG recently. It was a total delight, and one cruise that was totally perfect. The staff was friendly, warm, and the whole experience was perfect. Excuse me Boys that I was on it last year. Cat B with a butler. Not a single complaint. You may love Oceania, but when it comes to Tahiti, PG has their act together. You really are clueless. When was the last time you were on the PG?

[Merriem]

The PG was totally refurbished in 2012. It is an amazing ship and a unique experience. You live and breathe French Polynesia on that ship. Oceania cannot duplicate it no matter how hard they try.

 

You bet, and it was lovely.

[StanandJim]

Well, you obviously have not been on the PG recently. It was a total delight, and one cruise that was totally perfect. The staff was friendly, warm, and the whole experience was perfect. Excuse me Boys that I was on it last year. Cat B with a butler. Not a single complaint. You may love Oceania, but when it comes to Tahiti, PG has their act together. You really are clueless. When was the last time you were on the PG?

 

As thrilled as I am that you enjoyed the PG (and I really am glad that you enjoyed her), I would suggest that your opinions are not unanimous; or at least not unanimous enough for a luxury Line, which is what PG Cruises is trying to pass for.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=65

 

2014 reviews on Cruise Critic are mostly glowing, but also reference serious issues such as moldy smelling cabins (an ongoing issue which seemingly cannot be corrected), spotty air conditioning (which would completely ruin a Polynesian cruise for me), and an ongoing problem with the stability of the ship (this often becomes the case with aging cruise liners).

One review, indicates that the popular stern marina was not deployed for at least one entire cruise, while another points out continuing issues with diesel exhaust fumes and soot on the passenger decks; if that does not smack of operational problems, I don't know what does.

 

It's one of those sad but true ironies about running a shipping concern in that part of the Pacific that provisioning and maintaining the ship to American standards is so expensive that building up a reserve for new tonnage is nearly impossible. Therefore, they run the old ships on and on and on...

...until they're good for nothing more than razor blade fodder.

 

*Don't take my word for it, Google "Matson Lines" (they built the Royal Hawaiian Hotel), "American Hawaii" or "Pacific Far East Lines".

 

[bitob]

I love it when people post their opinions of a ship that they have never sailed.

 

The number of people who sail the PG for the same itinerary multiple times is the best review of all.

 

Oceania is a great line but it is NOT the PG with 330 passengers, a purpose-built ship for FP, the fabulous Gaugines as hostesses and entertainers, a sports deck where you can waterski off the ship, the best food at sea (better than Oceania's in our opinion), guest lecturers who only work for the PG and connections in the area going back 20 years. On an Oceania ship you cruise in FP. Same ship that sails everywhere else -- just ports in FP. Back on the ship it's the same as if you are in the Caribbean or in the Baltics - a few meals at Polo, a few at Toscana, needlepoint groups ... close your eyes and you could be ANYWHERE. On the PG you are in FP 24/7 . . . That is the difference.

 

Try it and THEN tell us your opinion.

[TrulyBlonde]

You bet, and it was lovely.

 

I was on it too, last Oct 2013....lovely ship, fab FP experience, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I love O as well, but PG is best for FP. We kayaked and used SUP Boards off the stern of PG while in Moorea in the beautiful bay. Just the diving experience offered in itself separates PG from others. I am very selective and enjoy luxury and cannot find fault with our experience on PG.

Edited November 18, 2014 by portofinoitaly

[Floridiana]

For those of you who can live without premium luxuries, I recommend going on the comfortable freighter/passenger ship Aranui. Her crew is entirely local, so you truly get the Polynesian feel.

 

Momentarily, they run the aging Aranui 3 - about 10 years old. Her successor is being built as we speak and will be named Aranui 5. Her Tahitian/Chinese owners skip the number 4.

 

The Aranui does the Tahiti - Marquesas run via the Tuamotus. 6 + 2 islands. It hugs the Marquesas coasts and anchors in bays that no PG and no Oceania ship will ever see. Excursions are included in the price, so are table wine, water, restaurants and picnics ashore. Commentary provided in English, French and German.

 

Remember, the primary purpose of this ship is freight. I was on the Aranui 2 and 3. Difference? On the smaller Aranui 2, the crew worked barefoot and in flip-flops. On Aranui 3, they all wore sturdy work boots. The waitresses wore Tahitian flower dresses. Nobody wears uniforms.

[DavidTheWonderer]

As thrilled as I am that you enjoyed the PG (and I really am glad that you enjoyed her), I would suggest that your opinions are not unanimous; or at least not unanimous enough for a luxury Line, which is what PG Cruises is trying to pass for.

 

Some people are impossible to please, and others will put up with things that I personally would (and have) loudly complained about. So I don't know how to quantify "unanimous enough" for a luxury line. For example, I don't think anyone would classify Regent as anything other than a luxury cruise line, but over on that board there has recently been a number of complaints about the service, food, etc. Regent "cheerleaders" are in near-open warfare with those who are criticizing their experience but that is, sadly, very common over on that board. I've had voyages on Oceania, Regent, and the PG and seen posts by people on the very same cruise whose remarks had no relationship to my own experience. An old saw: "Success is getting what you want, but happiness is wanting what you get."

[Merriem]

I love it when people post their opinions of a ship that they have never sailed.

 

The number of people who sail the PG for the same itinerary multiple times is the best review of all.

 

Oceania is a great line but it is NOT the PG with 330 passengers, a purpose-built ship for FP, the fabulous Gaugines as hostesses and entertainers, a sports deck where you can waterski off the ship, the best food at sea (better than Oceania's in our opinion), guest lecturers who only work for the PG and connections in the area going back 20 years. On an Oceania ship you cruise in FP. Same ship that sails everywhere else -- just ports in FP. Back on the ship it's the same as if you are in the Caribbean or in the Baltics - a few meals at Polo, a few at Toscana, needlepoint groups ... close your eyes and you could be ANYWHERE. On the PG you are in FP 24/7 . . . That is the difference.

 

Try it and THEN tell us your opinion.

 

Well, I just love experts! A see we are on the same page.

[Travelcat2]

It is difficult to compare Oceania and the PG (IMO). It is a unique ship - built to sail the waters of French Polynesia. Yes -- she is older (as are the three smaller Oceania ships). Even when Regent managed the PG, she wasn't as luxurious as the Regent ships but we had a marvelous experience sailing on her. Actually, Oceania is not a "luxury" cruise line either and will be sailing on the Riviera next week. For many of us that have cruised on the PG, it is difficult to recommend a larger ship for that part of the world. In the Caribbean I recommend Oceania over Regent...... in some areas of the world I would recommend Regent over Oceania. It depends upon itinerary and what onboard experience the person is looking for. Thankfully we have many choices.:)

[Minoushka]

But the time change from Montreal will be a killer. Why start a cruise half dead...go a day early so you can equalize. Also know that it is very hot and humid there.

 

The air from Montreal is over 4000$ ....I donT think so ....

[TERRIER1]

The air from Montreal is over 4000$ ....I donT think so ....

 

 

Have you spoken to your TA about taking the deviation and coming in early a day or so? The deviation charge is $175 pp (very high in my opinion) and you get charged ONLY if you accept the flights they offer. I would search the net and come up with flights that you want and have your TA give them to Oceania to ascertain if there is an additional fee above the deviation. We did this last year and were charged the deviation plus $100pp coming from NYC.

 

Good luck.

[TERRIER1]

It is difficult to compare Oceania and the PG (IMO). It is a unique ship - built to sail the waters of French Polynesia. Yes -- she is older (as are the three smaller Oceania ships). Even when Regent managed the PG, she wasn't as luxurious as the Regent ships but we had a marvelous experience sailing on her. Actually, Oceania is not a "luxury" cruise line either and will be sailing on the Riviera next week. For many of us that have cruised on the PG, it is difficult to recommend a larger ship for that part of the world. In the Caribbean I recommend Oceania over Regent...... in some areas of the world I would recommend Regent over Oceania. It depends upon itinerary and what onboard experience the person is looking for. Thankfully we have many choices.:)

 

I agree. We did French Polynesia over a year ago on the Marina and loved every minute but feel the ship is too large for that neck of the woods. I always wondered why they didn't utilize one the smaller R ships other than pure profitability reasons. If I did only French Polynesia again I would go on PG or wait until the new Aranui 5 is built (freight ship).

[Minoushka]

Have you spoken to your TA about taking the deviation and coming in early a day or so? The deviation charge is $175 pp (very high in my opinion) and you get charged ONLY if you accept the flights they offer. I would search the net and come up with flights that you want and have your TA give them to Oceania to ascertain if there is an additional fee above the deviation. We did this last year and were charged the deviation plus $100pp coming from NYC.

 

Good luck.

 

I was tiold need to pay deviation plus flight difference ....which runs into the thousands ....it is very expensive ...flights are between 3500$ $ to over 4000$

Teust me if I could have I would have

[juli2020]

Yes, PG and Windstar were top of the line experiences ten years ago, but both of those Lines have aged out of the luxury marketplace, because they haven't invested in new ships.

 

This is particularly true in the Tahiti realm, because it takes Warren Buffet money to keep a "beach-house" pristine beyond the first ten years.

 

You also wrote in another post:

2014 reviews on Cruise Critic are mostly glowing, but also reference serious issues such as moldy smelling cabins (an ongoing issue which seemingly cannot be corrected), spotty air conditioning (which would completely ruin a Polynesian cruise for me), and an ongoing problem with the stability of the ship (this often becomes the case with aging cruise liners).

One review, indicates that the popular stern marina was not deployed for at least one entire cruise, while another points out continuing issues with diesel exhaust fumes and soot on the passenger decks; if that does not smack of operational problems, I don't know what does.

 

It's one of those sad but true ironies about running a shipping concern in that part of the Pacific that provisioning and maintaining the ship to American standards is so expensive that building up a reserve for new tonnage is nearly impossible. Therefore, they run the old ships on and on and on...

 

I have an inkling that is why Regent sold the PG in the first place.

 

You seem to know so much about the Paul Gauguin but have yet to sail on her.

 

My husband and I sailed on the Paul Gauguin in 2012 right after they totally redid the ship. It is a gorgeous ship and a luxury experience. The ship was in perfect condition and the service was amazing. On that ship...when you embark....you are greeted and escorted to your stateroom/suite. If we were going back to French Polynesia....the P.G. is the way to go. I can't imagine sailing on a ship with 1200 passengers in French Polynesia.

 

Plus the Paul Gauguin has a shallow hull and can get much closer to the islands to anchor than a larger ship such as the Marina. Their inclusive beach day on a private motu is similar to what Seabourn does in the Caribbean.

 

The Paul Gauguin ship's excursions were very reasonable and the groups were very small.

 

My husband went scuba diving with the dive team on the P.G. right off the marina on the back of the ship.

 

Speaking of older ships....Crystal has two older ships and seems to win all the top awards year after year in all the travel publications and the Berlitz's Complete Guide to Cruising gives it top ratings along with the Europa 2. Same can't be said about Oceania.

 

Sailed on the Regatta in June after the redo and was not impressed at all. The public rooms were nice but the Penthouse Suites were not up to par. We were a family of 7 and had taken a few suites. The bathrooms were overlooked in the redo. There was black crud around the tub which was gross. The track on the veranda doors were corroded and had black crud also. Some of the drawers and closet doors were broken. Butler service was a joke. A luxury experience not.

The service and food were below the standard that we are used to.

 

We had problems with the air conditioner when we first sailed on the Regatta in 2009 in the Caribbean.

 

Never had an issue on the Paul Gauguin with the air conditioner.

 

We have sailed on Oceania five times and have enjoyed sailing on the Marina and Riviera.

[canuck.qc]

The air from Montreal is over 4000$ ....I donT think so ....

Michele-

Of course, if you book on your own the air could be costly. This is not at all the the case because you booked O with Air. There are OTHER O options!

Consider the 'DEVIATION' option. You ask for and get better nonstop flights for 175$ pperson. You may get a small upcharge to get the EXACT flights you want plus you get there WHEN you want.

 

MONTREAL to TAHITI : Oceania cruise fare with Air + 175$ deviation + 100$pp upcharge

 

EXAMPLE: YUL/AC(10AM)-LAX/ATN(4PM)-PPT(10:30PM)

go onto MATRIX for other examples- submit them to your TA

 

It is worth taking the time to investigate this option..and because you don't seem to know of the benefits of this option, work with a good Travel Agent to help get the details in order.

[LHT28]

I was tiold need to pay deviation plus flight difference ....which runs into the thousands ....it is very expensive ...flights are between 3500$ $ to over 4000$

Teust me if I could have I would have

 

Are you flying first or business class?

 

I cannot see it being in the thousands for economy class which Oceania offers

[canuck.qc]

I was tiold need to pay deviation plus flight difference ....which runs into the thousands ....it is very expensive ...flights are between 3500$ $ to over 4000$

Teust me if I could have I would have

Michele, There is a problem with the info you have been given.

I did the same itinerary YUL-PPT: 175$pp plus 100$ upcharge pp= 550$ that is a long way from 4000$. Is it possible you are not getting the proper information?:eek: