just booked

[travellgirl]

Well, we just booked the Paul Gaugin for May 20 with a post cruise stay in Bora Bora. It's our first time to French Polyenisia and first time on Radisson. We normally sail Celebrity and love it so I am sure this is going to be just unbelievable.

I know I will have lots of questions in the coming months about cruise and I will also be on the South Pacific boards.

Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions so far.

[JanetinPA]

Hi!

We are booked on the 11 day- Feb. 15th sailing on the Paul Gauguin. Like you, this will be our first cruise to FP. and Radisson.

[Daw6id]

You're both gonna be very happy with your decisions. Polynesia is as close as we've come to paradise. Bali Hai will call you.

 

David

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Oh you will have a great time, such a nice time of year to go, we've been in May twice. Just watch that you don't catch the Polynesian Flu, or you will have to go back every few years!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Oh you will have a great time, such a nice time of year to go, we've been in May twice. Just watch that you don't catch the Polynesian Flu, or you will have to go back every few years! Are you doing a pre-cruise at all? Even a day or two helps with the jetlag, and an overnight on L.A. going out also helps.

[travellgirl]

We ar taking a non-stop from JFK which will get us in around midnight the night before the cruise so technically we are staying one night, even though it's really just for sleeping. We are doing a 5 night post cruise in Bora Bora. We ar so looking forward to it.

[L & L]

We went last August and had the time of our lives! It is true paradise! We are finding ourselves looking at the video and pictures everytime we start to get the "flu". The colors are magnificent,the staff is awsome and the memories will last a lifetime..... Have a great time.

Beth:)

[azgkrudi]

We're going on the PG in June for our 16th anniversary - our first on RSSC, too. We have had this thing booked forever, so I've tried not to get too excited too early on.

 

I will be living vicariously through your voyages, each of you who are sailing before us!!! Can't wait to hear from each of you!

[flyerdreamer]

We're going on the 6-21 PG, too! Just completed the booking this a.m. and can hardly concentrate on work. I'll be traveling alone with my two teens as I did last year on Golden Princess around Great Britain. Did not have a chance to get to know my fellow passengers too well. Am hoping the small size of the PG will be more conducive to that. I DO enjoy some "adult" conversation from time to time.

 

~Sue

[travelbug924]

We just got off the P.G. Last cruise before the refurbishment so I can't wait to hear how it looks post refurbishment. We happened to be in the last cabin, right next to the Connisseur Club which is becoming four cabins instead. I can see why as it was rarely used. Also, the casino is being reduced in size and the other part is becoming a piano bar.

 

You are in for the trip of a lifetime! I've never been anywhere as beautiful as French Polynesia. The water, oh the water! I feel like I'll never stop talking about it! Feel free to ask any questions. We did the 10-day cruise and I'm more than happy to tell you about the excursions we did.

[flyerdreamer]

How cool! It sounds like you had a wonderful trip!

 

Thank you for the offer to answer questions. Is the shipboard marina back in service? Someone said it was not being used because of security concerns. Also, I read that snorkeling Gear, Sea Kayaking, Waterskiing are Included. I knew snorkling is, but do they take you waterskiing, and w/o a charge?

 

Must one always have to book an excursion? While I don't want to traipse around on my own with my kids, it's be nice if you could simply hang out and do water stuff like snorkling and swimming without having to attend something organized and costly? Or are the simpler water sports always part of excursions?

 

I visited the South Pacific about 16 years ago. Yes, the water is incredible...

 

~Sue

[cinder10]

travelbug, we are happy to hear that you just returned from the PG, we are going on right after the refurb for the crossing from Brisbane, so will certainly fill you in. I'd love to hear about your cruise, food, service etc. There is alot said in both camps on quality, and since we are going to be on for so long, would love to hear what you thought. you can email me at

 

cdross@comcast.net.

Thanks! Glad you had a great time.

cindy

[flyerdreamer]

Travelbug, Cindy, if you don't mind posting to this board too as opposed to only private e-mail, many of us eager for info on the PG would appreciate hearing about your experience. Thank you!

 

~sue

[cinder10]

Don't mind one bit!! I am always hesitant to make posts about "my" upcoming trip, at risk of boring others, although I hope info can be gained by all. We are anxious to see what the changes are, I'm sure we will be pleased.

Cindy

[flyerdreamer]

Thank you! I for one will find "your trip" fascinating, Cindy, and anyone else's, so post away! :) :)

 

~Sue

[calberry]

Hey Azgkrudi, we are booked for the June 10th cruise, so we will be on board for your anniversary. Are you booked on the same one? Our anniversary (37th) is the 28th, so we will be celebrating also!

 

We are staying two nights pre-cruise at the IC Tahiti, and 3 nights post at the Hotel BB.

 

Steve

[azgkrudi]

Hi Steve! Actually, we are on the June 21st sailing - our anniversary is the 23rd. I think this will be a great way for all of us to celebrate our anniversaries!!! I can't imagine a more romantic place on Earth!

 

Sue, so you are on the 6/21 sailing as well? We'll look forward to meeting you!

 

Cindy, believe me, we will want to hear ALL ABOUT "your" trip!! :) The more details, the better! Not far off for you now, is it?

[calberry]

Oops. I guess I should slow down in my reading (skimming?). I mis-read your 16th anniversary as the 16th of June. Congrats and enjoy the cruise. (We will try to leave some fun behind for you!)

 

Steve

[travelbug924]

The Marina at the back of the ship was open for business. I did not use it other than checking out snorkeling equipment on day one (free and you could keep it until the end of the cruise.) Yes! They also offer kayaking and water skiing free of charge. (One more reason to love the P.G.). For water skiing, you do need to make a reservation.

 

I had sailed on Radisson once before, on the Diamond and found the service on the P.G. to be even better, and I loved the service on the Diamond. I'd be happy to e-mail you my full review but to keep things on the shorter side here, embarkation and debarkation were both a breeze. Neither took longer than 10-15 minutes. Luggage was delivered immediately. I thought the food quality was wonderful overall but I know that's subjective, and having not been on the P.G. before, I can't say whether it's declined or improved.

 

It's definitely a small ship which works well for this cruise because you are soooo occupied and there isn't an island you would want to miss by not getting off the ship. Small gym but with very nice equipment. You can walk on Deck 9 but it's 20 laps for one mile! Like a fool, I did this daily as I much prefer walking outside to the treadmill and I certainly couldn't beat the views. Another nice Radisson touch, everyday, someone from the waitstaff would see me walking and bring me a bottled water. I loved those guys :) Nice spa. I didn't use it but my friend got a manicure and facial and loved both. They don't try to force you to buy products at the end. In fact, my friend wanted to buy one of the products and had to ask about it and it wasn't for sale! "For professional use only". Very small library (really just some shelves of books in a hallway) but you won't have much time to read anyway. I usually do 5-6 books per cruise and this one I finished only 1.5!

 

There are three restaurants. We often ate in Le Veranda for breakfast, Le Grill for lunch and Le Toile for dinner. The waitstaff and the room stewards on the P.G. are literally as good as it gets. Best service I've had in 15+ cruises. Room service was always delived quickly and very hot.

 

Radisson has its own motu on Ta'haa that everyone we spoked to agreed, you could easily do a second day at. Plenty of chairs, a yummy barbecue, some local women selling crafts, free use of kayaks, etc. One of our favorite places of the whole cruise.

 

Oh, and the Gauguines, a group of gorgeous young women who are on board and teach crafts and French Polynesian customs. They really made a huge difference in sailing the P.G. versus another line. They were all so lovely and it was great fun to make a shell bracelet one day and learn Tahitian dancing the next (how do they get their hips to do that?) They also teach parea tying and the language, and things like that. They put on two shows that are absolutely intoxicating to watch and Radisson also brings on the "Children of Raiatea" show that is also worth catching.

 

I'm sure there's tons more, and again, feel free to ask specifics. If you'd like to read my review I wrote for friends when I got back, feel free to e-mail me at other1202@aol.com Just put Tahiti or P.G. in the subject line so I won't think it's spam.

[travelbug924]

Cindy, I can't believe you're one of the lucky ones on the way back from Brisbane! We mentioned that cruise more than once thinking about how lovely it will be. I will say, I think the crew was looking forward to the 10 day trip to Brisbane with no passengers on board. I'm sure they'll still be working hard but I know all the ones I spoke to couldn't wait. Our room stewardess was becoming the receptionist for the crew and one of the drink servers only had to do two coffee breaks a day so they were REALLY looking forward to it. Well earned for them, that's for sure.

 

I mentioned the two major structural changes and they made sense to me as the Connisseur Club was so rarely used. As we were right next to it, we often cut through there to get to the next deck and unless there was a special party or Jewish Services going on it was either empty or had 3-4 people in it. The casino is also not exactly "jumping" and a piano bar will be a nice edition. The pianist on board Hal Frasier, has been on the P.G., I believe, since its been sailing, and he does a great job. Afternoon Tea in La Palette is not to be missed. Oh, they also did a Galley Lunch where lunch was set up in (drumroll please...) the Galley. It was fun to see some behind the scenes action. This is a popular lunch and expect a line. I believe they only do it on the 10+ day cruises so yours definitely qualifies.

 

Only negatives... VERY hard beds. Yes, we asked for the egg crates for the mattresses and they helped but by the end of the trip I wanted off that bed. I hope new mattresses are pary of the refurb. Also, the beach towels are on their last legs. I think they were purple once but they're pretty faded and getting threadbare and could be hard to come by. They were supposed to be replaced each night by the room steward but often weren't because she didn't have any to give us and would have to wait for the laundry in the morning to give us new ones. A very minor complaint, I know. But on a cruise like P.G., you have to work hard to find any.

 

I'll e-mail you my review and I can't wait to hear all about your journey. Have a safe and amazing adventure!!

[flyerdreamer]

Wow, thank you, all of you for the WONDERFUL posts. Don't EVER be afraid of boring me. You simply can't. Any detail is most welcome.

 

Yes, I'm on the 21st cruise and look forward to meeting you. What a romantic way to spend an anniversary. I spent my honeymoon 16 years ago on the islands of Bora Bora and Moorea, so I can vouch that the islands are intoxicating. June was/is a great month to go as the weather is drier, somewhat cooler (80s), but it gets dark early (6-ish, as I recall) because it's their winter.

 

Travelbug, I will e-mail you for the full report. AOL doesn't like my server, so look for it in your Spam folder! It'll come from susangrant.com.

 

Everyone enjoy their day...and dream of the South Seas...

 

~Sue

[travelbug924]

I'll look for your e-mail.

 

I read in Conde Nast that Bora Bora was the #1 baby making spot on the planet!

 

One other quick note on a small negative for the P.G. Tendering is only once every half hour so if you just miss one, it's a good wait until the next. Radisson does always set up a tent with fruit and drinks though if you are waiting on one of the islands to get back to the ship. This did effect us one morning though as we missed the first tender because we couldn't get beach towels and then were late for our excursion. (We did make it though!)

[cinder10]

thanks so much Travelbug!!! We are in full packing mode, cannot wait to get aboard. I will email you for your review, and again thanks so much!!!

Cindy

[travelbug924]

Have a wonderful journey and I can't wait to read all about it!

[kathy16]

We are also on pg 5/20 cruise- first time to FP! Also flying nonstop from JFK ( it sounds so good, especially in the middle of the blizzard we are having now). Can one get off the ship early on debarkation day? We have an 8a 5/27 flight to Rangiroa, and we will be spending 4 days post cruise there ( at the Kia Ora villa hotel, then 2 nights at the Kia Ora sauvage )anyone have any experience there?), then 3 nights in Huahine.

Interested in hearing from fellow travelers on 5/20/06.

Any further info on the post- improvement PG? More shade and new bedding?