PG review Fiji/Tahiti 3-16 June

[minxtabb]

We recently returned from the Fiji to Tahiti 14 day cruise on board Paul Gaugin (3-14 June) and would like to post our thoughts on the cruise and ship as we had found reading through these forums so helpful prior to our trip.

 

We arranged our own flights and transfers (at half the cost of Regent air from the UK). There was a Regent representative at the airport meeting Regent Air guests, but they also assisted us when our driver had not arrived. We had a day room at First Landing Resort near Lautoka on our arrival which was perfect for relaxing and half way between the airport and dock. Transfer to the dock was US$10. Be aware that if you embark at Lautoka, you need to have a taxi that has a permit to get onto the dockside, many do not. Ours did not, but he arranged with a taxi that had just dropped some passengers off to take us the 300yards (with our luggage) to the ship. We arrived at 2.30pm, there were no queues at all and we were checked in and shown to our cabin by 2.45pm. I understand that there was much confusion when the buses arrived with the Regent air and pre-cruise passengers that delayed their boarding substantially.

 

We were in cabin 439 (large window, no balcony) which we found adequate. The bed and bedding were very comfy. Small seating area, we decided that it would be too small to have in room dining. Small bathroom, looking a little tired, but immaculately clean. Two wardrobes with shelving over the hanging area. Five small drawers. TV and video, both old and temperamental, but great list of videos at the reception desk. We requested 2 bottles of drink from our stewardess which were promptly brought, but you are limited to a short list.

 

We ate in both L’Etoile (main restaurant) and La Veranda. We did not particularly like the ambience in L’Etoile, it was very noisy, and nearly all the tables for 2 are lined up together on the port side, making it feel a bit like a cafeteria. The food was mostly good. The ambience in La Veranda was much better, as was the service in general. The menu was the same for the first week, then changed for the second week. There was always one additional special each day. Overall, we preferred La Veranda for food, service and ambience.

 

Breakfast and lunch are available in La Veranda and Le Grill (poolside), both were self service buffet. You could order fish, minute steak, burger etc from the waiter and it would be brought to your table. The buffet had a special theme each day. Food was good and nicely presented, some fresh items began to run out after the first week however.

 

Entertainment was varied. We loved Les Gaugines who were truly charming. Their activities are well worth attending to learn more about the islands and their lives. We didn’t care for the other entertainers having seen them on the first evening (singer, flautist, singing impressionist). The lecturers were good (the astronomer) to very good (the marine biologist) to excellent (the anthropologist). The quizzes led by Karen were much fun. The cruise director was hardly to be seen throughout the cruise, only making announcements and introducing lectures and performances. The Grand Salon had mostly good sight lines and comfy seating. One sea day we had a "Country Fair" where the crew had set up games for everyone to play which was great fun. The passengers voted for the best game and the best decorations and I understand that the winning departments got cash prizes which was nice as they had all put a lot of effort into the event. We had several local dance troupes on board during the cruise which we enjoyed.

 

Our favourite spot for a pre and post dinner drink was La Palette. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres were available both here and in the Piano Bar. We found the Piano Bar like an extended corridor in some ways and not conducive to relaxing.

 

The pool deck was attractive and the pool enticing (deep throughout) but there are too few places to find shade. On sea days it can be hard to find a lounger anywhere and lots were left unused due to books/personal items being left on them. The top deck was hardly used and the Sun Bar (?) was never open.

 

Our prime reason for choosing this cruise was to sample the diving in a number of places so our excursions were geared towards that. Some of the diving was excellent, some was just OK. We very much enjoyed diving directly from the PG as it made things very easy. The PG dive team were professional and helpful.

 

A brief rundown on the ports

Lautoka – not a particularly pretty place and definitely not geared up for tourism. We dived here with an outside operator arranged by PG. Dives OK to good.

Yasawa – stunning beach, mediocre snorkelling. Islanders put on a kava ceremony and dancing which was nice.

Savusavu – we dived here, excellent colourful soft corals. Very hot ashore.

Tonga – took a private tour to the blowholes, royal palaces and burial sites, saw fruit bats and lots of local life, really enjoyed it, cost US$15 each. Market interesting and very reasonably priced. Free shuttle to/from ship to town a bit erratic.

Rarotonga – there on a Sunday so most things shut. Attended a church service, definitely recommneded. Took the local bus around the island (NZ$4, US$4), very interesting. No diving offered by PG but an operator was available on the dock.

Aitutaki – tiny beautiful atoll, we dived here which was just OK. Very little ashore. Would recommend taking the lagoon tour to One Foot Island here.

Bora Bora – beautiful island from the ship, less beautiful on the shore (very commercialised and surprisingly built up). We dived from PG here, excellent, and then dived with an outside operator in the afternoon, which was poor.

Tahaa – private motu. Snorkelling was good, although VERY shallow in places (tummy scraping!!). We did not attend the barbecue but it looked fine. Beach was not idyllic. Kayaks were available on the beach.

Moorea – our favourite island, beautiful from the sea and ashore. Dived from PG here, excellent. Took the shuttle to a shopping area and bought some pearls at a reasonable price.

Tahiti – disembarkation day. Very built up. We had not arranged a taxi in advance but one was hailed for us at no cost. Taxi to the IC was US$20, from IC to airport was $20 (although its very close to the airport, prices go up after 8pm). Best place to go if you are independently travelling as it is closer to the airport. Lovely pool area. Good food and selection, normal 5 star prices.

 

 

Overall – would we go again, YES. Would we go on the PG again – YES, we had some disappointments and issues but overall it was great.

 

Hope this helps, but please remember that it is our own personal opinions. Please feel free to ask any questions.

Roz

[sundial]

Thanks so much for posting your review! We had seriously considered this exact cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary but opted instead to do two back to back cruises in Europe on the Voyager. Reading your comments I think we made the right choice for us especially given the fact that we have already done the standard seven night PG cruise and my husband is not that much of a water person. Although I know we would have enjoyed ourselves it doesn't sound like Fiji added that much to the itinerary.

[22Club59]

We were on this cruise and agree that the review is 'right on.' Additionally, the staff were extremely friendly, courteous and responsive (especially the Head Waiter in The Grill.) We planned our own front-end in Fiji for 4 days at the Westin on Denarau Island. While the hotel was great, Fiji was a dissapointment -- very poor road infrastructure and Nadi reminded us of downtown Tijuana! On the back end we stayed in Moorea in an over-the-water bungalow at the Sheraton - an experience which should be added to a list of 1,000 Things to do ... One lesson we re-learned is that, with most cruise lines, your own air, transfers, front- and back-end add-ons, are not only better value but more flexible and more interesting. We made one mistake - flying outbound with Air Pacific. Business class was old and tired, the service indifferent at best, and we understood why this airline was not well-rated. Air Tahiti Nui on the return was a first class, in all senses, experience.

[micked10@earthlink.net]

Thanks so much for your reviews. We leave on Sept. 1st. and I think you have given us great insight into the ship, cabins, food and excursions. We are on the 14 day cruise so there is a little bit of difference in the itinerary but your reviews were excellent. Thanks so much.

Micked10

[canadagal]

Thanks for your review! It confirms in my mind that we made the right decision to cancel our Nov Fiji cruise last week. I love the PG and I think we'll stick to her regular itineraries for our next booking........that's what she seems to do best.

Pat

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Pat, that must have been a hard decision! Are you going to book again at some point?

[canadagal]

Hi Wendy, yes we kept waffling back and forth on whether or not to cancel and in the end with so much money riding on it we decided not to take the chance. We would love to re-book the PG again but right now we are waiting to see what dates we can go and if she is even going to be under Regent's management after 2008. We still want to go to the Yasawa area but we can do that on Blue Lagoon Cruiselines and visit the islands we really wanted to visit in the first place. Fiji to me was always an airport and stopping off or starting out destination. I never really wanted to spend time on the island of Fiji as I always heard not so nice things about it. I think the PG is a wonderful ship, it just depends on where she is cruising to that would ever make me think twice about booking her again.

Pat

[RachelG]

Thanks for the report. We will be on the 7 day on Aug 4. Useful info. How was the mosquito situation? We usually don't check luggage for a 7 day or less trip, but can't take mosquito repellant carry on, so I am wondering what to do.

[canadagal]

RachelG: what about taking mosquito wipes rather then a lotion or aerosol.

Pat

[RachelG]

Good idea--I've never heard of them but will look next time I go to the store. That would totally solve the problem. Besides, I hate those aerosol sprays.

[minxtabb]

we didn't have any problem with mozzies at all, but didn't really go into the middle of many of the islands as we were diving in most ports so only a short trip ashore in each place mostly.

 

Roz