Trip Report on 6/30 PG Marquesas

[SnooBoo]

I was also on this cruise and gladd Chickgeek wrote up a Trip report. I am putting in some additional thoughts..

 

Comments on what I have seen:

 

1. Early morning is the best time on this ship in the Pacific- I got so many Sun rises-- and they were all amazing!!!

2. On the Marquesas- there is not alot to do so I would book the excursions. We have small kids so this was not a real option and we did things with the Ambassadors of the Environment group( kids group) like Boogey Boarding in 15 foot Waves which was quite exciting.Bottom line is you really want to have something planned when you get to these Islands- since there are not alot of Taxis to hire( although there are some at the pier that is true) and there is not alot to do in the little towns near the docks. With three Sea days-- plenty of time to recuperate from Bumps, Bruises :))

3. I am a diver and Snorkeler- Diving in Rangiroa was nice- but Pass was close as it was too rough.. Snorkeling was the best in Moorea as well as Diving was great as well. Bora- alot of rain so snorkeling was not the best.. I can answer any questions on this subject.

4. In terms of the restaurants- I believe and got the sense from alot of people- that Etoile- which did not require reservations- had the best food/selection... Also note- you can do room service from this restaurant as well..

5. The Gaughines really were a highlight of the trip-- did great concerts and educational activies.. The Marquesian dance show was amazing. Bruce- amazing- and also had a great clarinetist- Peter Neigbour on the ship.. The entertainment was very good on this ship..Along with Mark and Charlie- the Lecturer on Gaughin-- it was a very strong Entertainment and Educational cruise along with Great Food and Relaxation..also-- the Folk group they bring on the last night from Papeete is the best in Tahiti and was amazing..

6. the Drinks included policy really was amazing--- alot more people out and about socializing due to that-- so much easier to make friends..

7.Casino and Gym not the biggest--but served its purpose-and the blackjack table was alot of fun....

8. Pearls-- We did buy Buys from the Shop on the ship- we found in looking at stores in Moorea and even in Papeete--things started to look the same quickly--you really have to trust what you are buying since we heard there are alot of fakes out there- and given the Tahia Collins brand is very well respected and trusted-- and that we liked the store on the ship and felt it had better selection than the main store in Moorea- decided to buy in the Boutique..

9. Service was amazing-particularly the Wine Stewards and Servers in the restaurant..

10. Radission Hotel for pre/post is not a bad choice- I would buy a meal plan if you can- the food off the menu is very expensive. we did use the 2X day shuttle to town and went to the Market-- well worth it.. If you are staying for for more than 2 days Pre/Post- definitely stay in Moorea

 

Let me know how I can help.. or answer questions.. This Message Forum was very helpful before we left so very much want to give back!!! My only thought is things are very easy- getting reservations for meals, getting on tours etc.. so do not sweat it if you do not get everything done before you leave.. they are very accommodating!

SNOOBOO

[micked10@earthlink.net]

Thank you SnooBoo and Chick Geek for all of your information. Chick G. your trip report was so informative and SnooBoo all of your suggestions were really good.

We leave Sept 1st and you both gave us some great info. I hope that I will be able to repay everyone when we return with as helpful information as I have received from everyone. This forum is such a good source of info. I have been planning this trip for about 6 months and reading the forums several times a day. I have a notebook full of hints and suggestions from everyone on this forum. Thanks so much.

Micked10

[chick geek]

SnooBoo - forgot about the clarinetist - he was terrific! I don't know if you made it to the piano bar that night when he was jamming with Bruce - felt like I was in the Blue Note. You put it well - a very strong Educational and Entertainment cruise.

 

I agree - Regent is very accommodating, but I would book the Marquesas tours beforehand, because they did seem to book up and just waitlisted people later - not sure if they ever got on.

[SnooBoo]

ChickGeek-- I saw peter jamming with Bruce( actually-- I helped nudged the two of them together a bit after his show-they got together the last night as well) I spent a bunch of time with Peter at the airport.. Just a great guy..

 

Main message is for Marquesas-you definitely want to have something planned for these Islands( either Regent or Private Excursions)- for those who did not plan-- they felt like it was a bit of a waste going up there especially when we had two sea days following..

[DrHemlock]

Well, yes and no. It depends entirely upon one's preferences and physical condition.

 

We were on the March '07 Marquesas cruise. We took no Regent excursions or private ones, either. Didn't want to, thanks. What we did do was bring our hiking boots. At each of the four islands visited, we took an early shuttle ashore and hit the road, inland or along the coast, depending upon the island.

 

We saw fewer piles of ancient stones than those who took organized excursions. But once the convoys of packed-to-the-gills Land Cruisers passed us on their respective ways to wherever, we got fresh air, exercise, sweeping views, sounds of nothing but nature, fresh guavas picked from roadside trees, and a pace of exploration that was ours alone.

 

For those of an independent mind, I highly recommend it. Please DO NOT feel that you must pre-plan and participate in organized activities in order to enjoy the Marquesas. They are pearls of nature unlike any others, and you can enjoy them thoroughly on your own. Paul Gaugin walked; so can you.

[chick geek]

DrHemlock - I totally agree with you, as we are athletic and enjoy the good hike and certainly the Marquesas are unlike anything we have seen. That being said, touring with Mark (the onboard archeologist) brought a perspective that we wouldn't have gotten otherwise. They were truly unique excursions, so I would encourage anyone going to the Marquesas to book with him. You can still do the hike on your own (not as long, but long enough to enjoy everything you talked about) as we did have the time.