Just back - PG July 4 cruise!

[Skipper2]

Hi everyone,
Just home from our PG cruise (12 nights, to Rangiroa, Nuka Hiva, Hiva Oa, Bora Bora, Moorea) and had a WONDERFUL time! The Society Islands were gorgeous but I'm especially glad we made the trek to the Marquesas. I am exhausted from plane rides and will try to write an extensive review over the weekend, but I loved the itinerary, ship, food, and cruisemates. That said, there were some areas that could have used improvements service-wise (in *some* locations); I'll provide my honest opinion, as we went in with non-fussy attitudes and expectations having sailed only twice previously on non-luxury lines.

In the meantime, if anyone has questions about ship, ports, etc. I am more than happy to answer to the best of my ability! Fire away.

PS - Hi to all the great CC members we met. Hope you all had a safe journey back home.

[georg0]

Thanks, my wife and I and 10 year old grandson are on August 15th cruise to society Islands and appreciate any learning, particularly on water and snorkeling shore excursions, as will as tips on boat.

[Skipper2]

First, definitely sign up for the kids' club--your son is the right age and will love it. It is run by naturalists with the Ocean Futures Society. There are few kids onboard and those that are there enjoy each others company--we had only a half dozen kids or so. They include a lot of hiking and snorkeling opportunities along with shipboard "fun" education about corals, fish, ecology, etc. It's not a day-long daycare type situation, but rather has a set schedule of specific activities (some of which are kids-only, like the 2nd night dinner or the scavenger hunt, so they can get to know each other) and some of which are activities for the whole family, like the enrichment lectures or shore excursions. They usually encourage the whole family to participate if they want. (I had a good time making seed bracelets with my daughter, for example.) When you check in, they will give you a schedule and you can sign up for whatever you feel like doing. One tip: the Bora Bora Sting Ray & Snorkel Safari is part of the child's $249 fee. Normally this costs $105/pp (I think)--we had pre-paid for all three of us, not realizing this and being concerned about space. We were able to just turn in the ticket for my daughter and have it credited to our account. If you're interested in this excursion, I do recommend booking it online for the adults since space fills up quickly. It was a blast, if you don't mind being mobbed and "climbed" by friendly/hungry stingrays! We skipped a few of the hikes because we had already planned 4WD tours, and were grateful not to be hiking through hot and humid terrain! That was in the Marquesas, though, and sounds like you won't be getting that far.

One of the highlights of our trip was the Dolphin & Whale Watch trip in Moorea. This is billed as a boat excursion only, no snorkeling, but wear your swimsuit and bring your snorkel gear. We saw nary a single dolphin, but encountered the first humpback whale of the season. Dr. Poole let people (carefully, and in small groups) snorkel with the whale while he collected skin samples. It was very curious about us and I have some fantastic pictures---words cannot express what a life experience this was. This is not the norm, it could have swum away at any time but repeatedly approached the boat, lay on its side right next to the boat, swam under the boat 3 or so times. Realize this is unusual behavior, and typically you just see them at a distance and they head away. But this was a young guy and curious. You'll still be there in humpback season, so you never know!

The boat is small but feels large, if that makes sense. You will see the same people frequently and get to know each other well. Be prepared for dinner in L'Etoile to take at least 90 minutes if you have the multicourse dinner--courses and entrees are small--and it's a long time for kids to sit and wait. A good option is doing dinner in Le Grill, where we found there were always tables available. And of course, there's always room service.

I'm in the midst of writing a longer review, so if you have any specific questions in the meantime just let me know. Hope the above info is helpful.

[cruzy-sue]

One of my friends was on your sailing -

He is a painter and a Paul Gauguin expert... Do you know if he was able to do his presentation???

[Skipper2]

My DH talked with him the first day and I'm pretty sure he did do his lecture. Nice guy! We were not able to attend, sorry to say. :(

[Skipper2]

Oh, the trip home is as bad as everyone says. Be prepared. Our flight left at 11:30pm. After standing in the horrendous line, then waiting in the open airport (no walls = no AC), someone 2 rows behind us passed out cold while we were on the tarmac waiting to take off. There were three doctors onboard, fortunately. They said she'd be better off laying down, which required some shuffling of passengers. They decided to take off, amazingly, which was scary with an 8 1/2 hr flight over the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, she seemed ok. Keep in mind to stay hydrated and be rested going into the return trip. They keep the lights on in the cabin until after serving dinner (about 12:30 or 1am). The seats are extremely uncomfortable--you do not notice nearly as much until trying to spend a night in them!

That said, Regent will give you two options if you are using their air: 1) go right to the hotel after disembarking; or 2) have a 2 1/2 hr bus tour which includes going to a marae and a guided tour of the museum. We opted for the tour, rather than sitting around. However, I have to say the dayroom at the Radisson was AMAZING. It was a huge suite with living room, separate bedroom, large bathroom with separate tub/shower/double sinks, and large balcony overlooking a gorgeous black sand beach. (This was in Building 2, if anyone needs a reference point.) The beach itself is lovely, beautiful fine sand on the bay looking out over Moorea with a view of the sunset. They also have a huge pool with zero entry. We were so beat by the time we got back we only had time to shower and rest briefly before dinner. I'd rather go straight to the hotel and enjoy the pool and beach, take a nap, and then be rested and relaxed before the flight. Wish I had known this, so hopefully you will all benefit from this advice! :o

[georg0]

We appreciate your advice. we are signing up for kids program,and considering whales and dolphins. sounds wonderful.

[AnglerGirl]

Oh, the trip home is as bad as everyone says. Be prepared. Our flight left at 11:30pm. After standing in the horrendous line, then waiting in the open airport (no walls = no AC), someone 2 rows behind us passed out cold while we were on the tarmac waiting to take off. There were three doctors onboard, fortunately. They said she'd be better off laying down, which required some shuffling of passengers. They decided to take off, amazingly, which was scary with an 8 1/2 hr flight over the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, she seemed ok. Keep in mind to stay hydrated and be rested going into the return trip. They keep the lights on in the cabin until after serving dinner (about 12:30 or 1am). The seats are extremely uncomfortable--you do not notice nearly as much until trying to spend a night in them!

That said, Regent will give you two options if you are using their air: 1) go right to the hotel after disembarking; or 2) have a 2 1/2 hr bus tour which includes going to a marae and a guided tour of the museum. We opted for the tour, rather than sitting around. However, I have to say the dayroom at the Radisson was AMAZING. It was a huge suite with living room, separate bedroom, large bathroom with separate tub/shower/double sinks, and large balcony overlooking a gorgeous black sand beach. (This was in Building 2, if anyone needs a reference point.) The beach itself is lovely, beautiful fine sand on the bay looking out over Moorea with a view of the sunset. They also have a huge pool with zero entry. We were so beat by the time we got back we only had time to shower and rest briefly before dinner. I'd rather go straight to the hotel and enjoy the pool and beach, take a nap, and then be rested and relaxed before the flight. Wish I had known this, so hopefully you will all benefit from this advice! :o

Skipper, thank you very much for these inside tips. The fact that I can and should skip the tour after the voyage helps me immensely. I look forward to looking at my day room as a real extension of this trip. Again my thanks!

[Travelcat2]

Skipper, thank you very much for these inside tips. The fact that I can and should skip the tour after the voyage helps me immensely. I look forward to looking at my day room as a real extension of this trip. Again my thanks!

Suggest you double check that you can actually get into your room that early in the day. If the hotel is full, you would have to wait until the afternoon to check in.

[AnglerGirl]

Suggest you double check that you can actually get into your room that early in the day. If the hotel is full, you would have to wait until the afternoon to check in.

Already taken care of. Thanks!

[egret]

In the good old days, circa 2001, you got off the PG early and if you went straight to the hotel, in our case Le Meridien, we had to wait around for our room. Everytime since, we were transferred to the Radisson and always have been given our room right away. We never have eaten anything at the Radisson since we have eaten too much on the PG.
The story about the whale is amazing, I wish I had seen that.

[Skipper2]

At least on our trip, they gave us a form partway into the trip asking us for departure flight info and to check off what we wanted to do -- tour or right to the hotel. If you do not turn in the form, you default to taking the tour.

We ate dinner in the Radisson restaurant, beautiful with thatched ceiling and view of the beach, and had sticker shock after eating at the PG all week! Something scary ($25?) for a cheeseburger off the snack menu, which isn't unusual for FP of course. And it took 40 minutes to show up (you'd think the kitchen would be accustomed to handling the cruise guests since they do it every week but they seemed to be scrambling w/servers flustered). Relax and enjoy the view, and give yourself some extra time.

[Bearnaise]

We ate dinner in the Radisson restaurant, beautiful with thatched ceiling and view of the beach, and had sticker shock after eating at the PG all week! Something scary ($25?) for a cheeseburger off the snack menu, which isn't unusual for FP of course. And it took 40 minutes to show up (you'd think the kitchen would be accustomed to handling the cruise guests since they do it every week but they seemed to be scrambling w/servers flustered). Relax and enjoy the view, and give yourself some extra time.
Glad you all made it back in one piece! I was in such a tired hurry to race into that shuttle with all our bags and head to our parked car that I didn't say a proper goodbye. That's the first time I've had the shuttle right there when we emerged from the arrivals terminal - usually I dash to the shuttle stop only to wait 15 or 20 minutes, but this time we didn't have time to catch our breaths.

That Radisson experience was a bit too brief, I wholeheartedly agree. While the tour was interesting enough, after all the intensive touring we did on the cruise, more pre-flight relaxation would have been in order. As it was, in order to avail ourselves of the pool/black-sand beach and the room's shower and bath to clean up afterward, we were more than a bit worried about eating dinner in time to make the airport transfer.

Those worries were certainly compounded when it took 10 minutes just to flag someone down for a menu, another 20 minutes just to get the drinks we ordered, and the restaurant was only 1/4 full at most. After all that prompt and efficient service on the PG, the Radisson restaurant was a sheer contrast.

But, even after ordering off the regular menu instead of the "snack menu" (after being advised against it by the waitress - but I simply needed one more fix of that fresh Polynesian tuna), we managed to sign for our check, wait in the long slow line to check out (why, oh why, can't they have an express checkout since they already took a credit card imprint?), and still I recall trimumphantly leaving the checkout counter and turning to DW with hotel receipt in hand, all ready to board the transfer, exactly at the appointed time of 8:00 p.m.

Of course 8:00 was only our time to start waiting, as it took almost another full hour to fill up three entire buses ahead of us, until the rest of us were finally able to secure space (and plenty of it) on bus number 4. But we all made it on the flight, so apparently the process works well enough or else Regent wouldn't repeat it week after week after week. (Though I honestly had to keep reminding myself of this since, except for the flawless quick Radisson check-in process, it seemed that the hotel and transfer service and even the airport were unexpectedly overwhelmed with the crowd).

The next time I visit Tahiti, I'd love to get on a cruise that would take me all the way back home to L.A. and avoid that insane red-eye airport mess. Something like this would fit the bill perfectly:
http://www.rssc.com/cruises/MAR091202/Itinerary.aspx

But other than the big flaw of having to start and end at the Papeete airport, just about every other aspect of our PG cruise was excellent. It was great meeting you and the other CCers we encountered. I can't wait to read your full report. I'm trying to get up the motivation to draft one of my own.

[Skipper2]

Hey Bearnaise! No worries, had already said goodbyes at the luggage carousel. :) Great meeting you and DW. It was a blast, and I'm so happy we did the 11-day trip since 7 days would have just felt WAYYY too short. Hope to see a review from you, too, if that should come to pass! I'm 3/4 there, it's rather long since I'm covering all the ports, too. Reality today: back to work! :(

[Rally]

But, even after ordering off the regular menu instead of the "snack menu" (after being advised against it by the waitress - but I simply needed one more fix of that fresh Polynesian tuna), we managed to sign for our check, wait in the long slow line to check out (why, oh why, can't they have an express checkout since they already took a credit card imprint?), and still I recall trimumphantly leaving the checkout counter and turning to DW with hotel receipt in hand, all ready to board the transfer, exactly at the appointed time of 8:00 p.m.

Of course 8:00 was only our time to start waiting, as it took almost another full hour to fill up three entire buses ahead of us, until the rest of us were finally able to secure space (and plenty of it) on bus number 4. But we all made it on the flight, so apparently the process works well enough or else Regent wouldn't repeat it week after week after week. (Though I honestly had to keep reminding myself of this since, except for the flawless quick Radisson check-in process, it seemed that the hotel and transfer service and even the airport were unexpectedly overwhelmed with the crowd).

The next time I visit Tahiti, I'd love to get on a cruise that would take me all the way back home to L.A. and avoid that insane red-eye airport mess. Something like this would fit the bill perfectly:
http://www.rssc.com/cruises/MAR091202/Itinerary.aspx

But other than the big flaw of having to start and end at the Papeete airport, just about every other aspect of our PG cruise was excellent.

Glad you had a wonderful cruise! Our first time on the PG we stayed two extra nights at the Intercontinental and you experiences mirrored, to some degree, ours. The hotel was gorgeous . . . except they put us in a "jungle room" the first night instead of the over-water bungalow we had reserved (through Regent.) I know they don't call it a "jungle room" but that is what it was =) Anyway, they mnoved us the second night to a wonderful overwater bungalow and it was heavenly. When we checked in the nice woman from the land-operator company told us to be in the lobby at 7 AM for the transfer to the airport (this was a change and certainly cut into our "two days and two nights extension in Tahiti") so, on the last morning, we went to the restaurant, had continental breakfast, and then sat in the lobby waiting to be called. About 8 AM I started to wonder and asked the desk if they knew anything. Well, yes, the pick up time was 6 AM ("Sorry abut that") and they had called our room --- our OLD room! Holly Molly the flight was leaving at 10. Hurried calls, frantic this and that, we arrived at Faa'a'a'a'a (I know, I know) to find the constant long, slow, hot and humid line . . . and eventually got through, to the plane, and home. What a wonderful way to ruin the end of a trip, except we had such a glorious time on the PG nothing could ruin it for long.

By the way . . . Regent made it up to us later, so all is well that ends well. That was our first Regent cruise.

[Bearnaise]

Hey Bearnaise! No worries, had already said goodbyes at the luggage carousel. :) Great meeting you and DW. It was a blast, and I'm so happy we did the 11-day trip since 7 days would have just felt WAYYY too short. Hope to see a review from you, too, if that should come to pass! I'm 3/4 there, it's rather long since I'm covering all the ports, too. Reality today: back to work! :(
Yeah, that's the real "fun" of flying right back to one's home port. I got my cell phone out when the announced the pre-landing so I could start "work" as soon as we touched down. Managed to hit the office on the way home to pick up mail, but took the rest of the day off to recuperate and charge up for the following morning. Even the weekend proved eventful, so we finally have a bit of a chance to relax this afternoon in the 105-degree heat!&$*#

(though I have to say that with the Santa Ana winds blowing and the extreme dryness, outside shade temps here are actually more comfortable than in some of the spots on our cruise IMO)

I really do want to write a review before it all fades into pre-senility, but I have a lousy track record. I vow to make a strong effort tonight to get most of it penned - hopefully that vow will be more effective than my wannabe seafood-and-veggies "diet" plan for the cruise which immediately faded after the first night's decadent (albeit slightly overcooked) Tournedos Rossini at La Veranda.

Missed saying goodbye to your DH at the carousel as I had staked out a nice spot in the customs clearance line while my DW was saying her last goodbyes to all of you, but I've got his card and will definitely e-mail and do the Facebook thing as soon as the more pressing overdue items have been processed :o We likewise had a great time visiting with you three throughout the trip - the CC rollcall worked out excellent in that regard. I'm now suffering the post-trip malady of occasionally clicking on various itineraries, as well as poking into non-cruise destinations, even though I dare not plan a thing until certain business deals adequately congeal. Then I think of Dorothy, who clicked her heels adamantly in order to escape the wonders of Oz for more time at home in drout and hurricane-ridden Kansas, and try to convince myself that home is just fine. For a while. :D

[Bearnaise]

By the way . . . Regent made it up to us later, so all is well that ends well. That was our first Regent cruise.
Our 2-night Intercontinental precruise was fantastic, even though we were in a "jungle" room, except for a couple issues:

1) When we attempted to check in after being delivered to the hotel by our Regent transfer, the hotel had a slight problem finding our reservation. Later, when I called to find out what time the transfer would be picking us up to take us to the PG, it was diffiicult to get an answer. I first called the Air Tahiti Nui Travel contact supplied on the Regent documentation, only to be advised to contact a certain gentleman at the front desk. When I attempted to contact him, I was told that he had already called me (which he hadn't, I assure you ;)). Finally we spoke, and he divulged the time of our transfer, which still ended up being 15 minutes earlier than the time the hotel eventually disclosed.

Apparently this issue arose from the fact that at the time of meeting our airport greeter, we were not provided with the crucial information that we were supposed to be provided. Perhaps this crucial information would also have prevented issue number two:

2) I knew the 2-night Regent pre-cruise included breakfasts each day. What I didn't realize, until later, is that it also included a lunch on the second day. When we sat down to lunch, our waitress curiously claimed certain items weren't included in our lunch, to which we expressed complete ignorance, stated we were paying our own way, and proceed to order what we desired. Only later did I read the fine print in the PG precruise brochure and discover any suggestion that we were supposed to received a comped lunch - apparently the paperwork that we never received at the airport might have detailed this benefit; instead we were out $100 or so for our last paid meal before getting on the ship. At least the $100 paid for a darn-good cheeseburger!

BTW: the "jungle" room that was included with the the base precruise package was, while somewhat small, nicely appointed and offered a nice lagoon and partial ocean view from the balcony. Shabby compared to the magnificent day room at the Radisson and certainly lacking the location of the OWBs, but decently habitable for our 2 night stay.

[PWC1]

Thanks, my wife and I and 10 year old grandson are on August 15th cruise to society Islands and appreciate any learning, particularly on water and snorkeling shore excursions, as will as tips on boat.

My husband and I will be sailing with you on the 15th, along with all my brothers and their wives and my parents. Looking forward to a wonderful trip! it's our first cruise, though my parents have been on the PG twice... 2 weeks to go!!!

[Rally]

Oh, the trip home is as bad as everyone says. Be prepared. Our flight left at 11:30pm. After standing in the horrendous line, then waiting in the open airport (no walls = no AC),

If you travel with more than a carry-on, make this NOTE TO SELF: BE SURE TO HAVE A 100 CPF COIN IN YOUR POCKET/PURSE. It is the only way to get a baggage trolley. Otherise you spend the hour or so in line pushing/pulling your bags ahead, inch by inch. The trolley is better, but you can only get it with that coin (no credit card.)

[Skipper2]

What's funny is (or not so funny in your case, Rally), when we were there they were handing out the luggage carts to everyone free of charge. We were a bit surprised to see this. But better safe than sorry--the cart is a MUST or the wait will be many times more agonizing. Have the coin handy!

[Rally]

What's funny is (or not so funny in your case, Rally), when we were there they were handing out the luggage carts to everyone free of charge. We were a bit surprised to see this. But better safe than sorry--the cart is a MUST or the wait will be many times more agonizing. Have the coin handy!

Not funny but great for you! =) I don't begrudge the coin just the not knowing that I needed it. This has happened to us three times (no coin.) I am a slow learner about some things =( Nopw that I think about it, I could have just bought something at a shop (there are shops nearby the interminable line) and maybe gotten the darn coin in change. Oh well, next time =)

[michel45]

What, please is a CPF coin? Sailing on the PG 8-29 and have had prior airport experience. A cart is a definite plus.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

It's the local currency, Polynesian Francs. Not easy to get a coin before you arrive.

All our suitcases are wheeled, no problems pulling them along.

[georg0]

Skipper2, are you still going to do a review of your trip? Thanks

[Cruisedreamer1]

Please tell us more about your on board experience. Did you attend evening shows? I know that this is one area that the PG is really deficent. How was the service at the pool, bars and dining rooms?

Did you prereserve all of your excursions? We want to wait until we are on the ship since they now charge your credit card immediately if booked prior.

Thanks and I know we are all waiting for your extended report.

[Skipper2]

Yes, I'm still planning to do a review! It's 3/4 there but of course work and life has interfered since returning. It's written as a port-by-port summary since that was easiest. I'll post when it's up, promise!

As far as shows, we did not usually attend since we have a young child and they start at 9:30pm. (My bedtime, too! You are so busy during the day it's hard contemplating a late night, although my fellow CC travelers were rumored to enjoy a frosty beverage or three to the wee hours and paid for it the next day, ahem! :cool:) However, there was one performance of Marquesan drumming and dance troupe that was absolutely superb. Not scheduled and they scrambled at the last minute to get them onboard, to the ship's credit. One of the highlights of the trip in my opinion. In general, the performers they bring on are terrific and not to be missed. I also heard positive things about the evening shows from other passengers, not sure how much that helps.

We actually had a few sea days, unlike the typical port intensive itinerary. It was nice for a break from busy port days, mostly with extra time to relax and read, and on one day the crew arranged for a fun "Tahitian Country Fair" on the pool deck, with different departments hosting various games (win tickets for a prize drawing). They also had an ice cream sundae bar. Lots of people participated and everyone seemed to have a great time.

We booked all excursions through the ship and were happy to have done so. Now, there are some ports where you can certainly book other excursions on your own and possibly cheaper, and have a great time. But especially in the Marquesas and Rangiroa, be forewarned that if you don't have something planned, do not get off the ship and expect to have stores and restaurants or lots of tour operators waiting. It's remote, and tour options limited, especially in the Marquesas. We also saw a lot of people at the tour desks who had not prebooked trying to get tours in vain, and being disappointed. So I suggest you preplan whatever it is you'd like to do. We tended to book one excursion per day, which allowed for a bit of exploring time (and often had other onshore activities going on through the kids' club), and that worked out about right.

Hope this helps!