Just got back from the PG!!

[Cruisedreamer1]

Besides the Guiguines, what kind of entertainment did the ship have?

[Cruisedreamer1]

I just finished reading your travel blog and it was one of the best I have read! I loved your photos!

We, too, are coming in early and staying at IC. Doesn't the pre cruise stay include breakfast each day? When is happy hour at the hotel? That is when it is at least affordable to have a cocktail.

[MightyEl]

Originally Posted by Cruisedreamer1

Besides the Guiguines, what kind of entertainment did the ship have?

The house band "Siglo" is the best. They normally play an hour accoustic set in La Pallette at 6:30PM and a rock set after dinner. They work 8 months on and 4 months off. These guys are great! Also a piano player does his thing.
Best, Jim

[MightyEl]

Originally Posted by Cruisedreamer1

I just finished reading your travel blog and it was one of the best I have read! I loved your photos!

We, too, are coming in early and staying at IC. Doesn't the pre cruise stay include breakfast each day? When is happy hour at the hotel? That is when it is at least affordable to have a cocktail.

Yes, breakfast buffet (excellent) is included. I am not sure when Happy Hour is, but I did not think that the drink prices were that bad.
Best, Jim

[IslandRetrievers]

Originally Posted by bytemewalker

Hey, everyone!
I was on this same cruise and thought I would throw out some tips.
I highly recommend the Intercontinental in Tahiti for a night or two pre-cruise. Be prepared for sticker shock, though--it's $20 for Mai Tai at these resorts and you will pay $40-plus for breakfast or a burger...be warned! I was prepared for this so I packed a few bottles of wine which we thoroughly enjoyed on our deck--and we had extra room in our bags once it was consumed! (THAT'S a cool trick.) Also picked up some fruit at the market downtown and had a lovely breakfast on our deck.
--Bring more sunscreen then you think you'll need. My friend got a burn even though she was in the shade all day--the sun reflects of the sand.
--Bring mosquito reppellent unless you do not intend to go inland. One trip on a jungle tour and I was scratching for five days. No mosquitos on the beaches.
--Get your cash exchanged. I have never bothered to exchange US dollars for the Carribbean or Mexico but you WILL need local currency on these islands if you want to pay for a bus/cab/meal. I exchanged $300 US for 11 days and was comfortable. Also, exchange your money at the airport for a better rate (as opposed to the hotel). Obviously, you use your credit card for major purchases but watch out for foreign transaction fees!
--LADIES: Do yourself a favor and leave the fancy dresses at home! I was sorry I dragged a sequined cocktail dress all the way over there (and matching shoes). I spent most evenings in a pareo (sarong) with nice sandals. It's TOO HOT too dress in anything other than very lightweight and loose fabrics. You can look smashing in local wear and they are so comfortable! They sell them in the gift shop on board and at every port. True, you may never wear them in Wisconsin or Detroit but they are lovely in the tropics.
--Don't bring a purse. A pretty beach bag will hold everything thing you need and you don't need a purse on board. You are only one floor away from your room and you don't need money, right? And remember...when you are on an excursion, you will be bringing a beach towel and sunscreen and camera etc...seriously. Beach bag. And a passport/document wallet.
--This may sound stupid but I stressed about what to wear on the plane. I live in a very cold/wet climate so I wore jeans and sandals and a very summer shirt and sweater. I packed a pair of shorts in my carry on and changed mid flight there and back. Worked great. Only had to peel off the sweater and throw on my shorts.
--I was sorry I did not bring after-burn lotion. Even though I was careful and did not burn, the sun and salt water really sucks the moisture out of your skin and those little bottles of moisturizer provided don't go that far.
--Bring SPF lip care. Really.
--Bring more than one cover-up. You will likely spend half of your days in a bathing suit w/cover up and the other half in shorts and tank top. After 5pm means a pareo or light weight summer dress.
--Re: restaurants: We found that the quality of food in all of the restaruants was the same (and often the menu choices were similar). We hated the idea of having to reserve a time and found ourselves opting for the Etoile for the flexibility. The experience and food quality was the same, IMO. Try all of them but don't stress about the reservations.
--If you enjoy snorkling, invest in a good mask and bring it with you. I learned this the hard way with a leaky mask on a previous trip. That day was ruined!
EXCURSIONS: I was a little bit freaked out that I had not reserved many excursions prior to boarding. I did hear that our partricular trip was light on excursion reservations but I had no problem booking trips once I was on board. My favorite excursion (HANDS DOWN) was the Eco Snorkle in Bora Bora. It's a small group and we are given snorkles with piped in music--how cool is that? And we are led on a tour through towering coral reefs...it was seriously like being in an IMAX movie. Astounding and a once-in -a -lifetime experience. Also. Do not miss the swim the rays/sharks. 'Cause...wow.
Yikes, I just realized that this is sounding more like a review than tips so my apologies...back to tips..
Highly recommend Moorea for a post cruise stay. The Hilton is pretty $$ but the snorkling right off your bungalow is pretty awesome. Reef sharks and stunning tropical fish. It's pretty easy to walk across the pier to the ferry after you leave the ship and head back to Moorea.
Final day tip:
The BELVEDERE restaurant in Tahiti will pick you up (and your bags) and drive you high into the mountains for a spectacular meal overlooking the entire island and then drive you to the airport after your dinner for about $50. This was an exceptional deal and a spectacular way to end our trip. it can be arranged by the concierge at your hotel or possibly PG.

Souvenirs: I shopped HARD at Tahiti and Bora Bora and Moorea. On return, I found the products I bought on the Motu Taha'a were the best quality and best price. Seriously, the lotions and vanilla are exquisite and organic and lovely...as opposed to the crap I bought for the same price in a panic at the airport which are on my dresser because no one wants them. Sigh. The stuff they were selling at the huge market in Tahiti were also pretty low quality in comparison. And the price was the same. $10 for a bottle of vanilla, about $12 for a bottle of lotion or body oil. Look for the guy on Taha'a who has a table with products from his own vanilla farm. Fabulous. I did not buy the famous black pearls. Why? Because my friend bought $2000 matching pearls on her last trip and lost one earring. 'Poof. 'Nuff said. Now she can't wear the necklace or earrings...that's just me!
Hope this HUGE rant helps someone have a spectacular time as I did.
BON VOYAGE!
Kelly

Thank you for ALL of this!!!!! So helpful!

[Familygoboston]

Thanks Kelly-
Great tips!! DH and I went to Tommy Bahama and bought 3 shirts for him and 3 sundresses for me (had a 25% off coupon), and other than swimwear; that's all we plan to bring (well, DH will wear his pants) We are leaving everything else home...good to know our plan will work!

Glad you had a great trip and thanks for sharing your details!

[DGK]

Wow, thank you everyone for all your trips and suggestions. A question please…..Are ladies allowed to wear bathing suite with a cover up to breakfast on the days you have an early morning excursion? Thanks so much, Donna

[FlightMedic555]

Bathing suit with coverup for all is fine at breakfast.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well,...I wouldn't, at least if I did it would be completely covered, i.e., shorts and a t-shirt over it. And only on the pool deck, i.e., Le Grill.

[parislady40]

I am with you on that as well Wendy. In all my past cruises, I have not seen that done. Easiest way around that is to have room service which starts 6am or so. If you have a balcony, its the best spot for an early morning breakfast.

[rcandkc]

I guess I am in the minority. I will be on the May 23rd cruise and I plan on eating breakfast with my swimsuit on BUT I will have a sundress or overshirt and shorts/capris on over it. Why put on underwear with these things on if I can put on swimsuit with these same things over it just as easy....

[parislady40]

Hi rcandkc, a sundress, short, t-shirt and capris and the like, are okay, as Wendy wrote and I concurred. I guess I should have been a bit more detailed. I personally was meaning not the cover-ups that are sheer or half body for the restaurant etc. Sorry if I confused you. Not the intention!!!

[bytemewalker]

The sense I had on board was everyone wanted to look presentable but comfortable. I never once recall thinking "What is she thinking?" on this voyage, on the contrary I was thinking much I loved the warm breeze on my bare skin...after a long winter in Oregon! I would not venture out with my body bulging out of a skimpy bikini but I did feel completely comfortable with a tasteful coverup over my suit for breakfast. Most mornings, actually. Again, use common sense--ie, no banana hammocks at the buffet line. 'Nufff said. Honestly, use your better judgement and be tasteful and comfortable. That was the rule of the ship while I was on board and it made sense to me. 'Cause, we are on vacation!
PS--to those who commented--glad my post was helpful... and again, have a GREAT TRIP!

[Trend]

Glad it sounds a little more relaxed this time around. Last trip 10 yrs. ago it was a fashioneesta trip with jewels and designer stuff. I like to dress well but the Canadian in me says this is a hot weather destination to relax and enjoy not out do each other.
Thanks for the up date as we are returning in Nov. and I was wondering what the vibe was this time with it not being Regent.

[Emdee]

Trend,
Whether on Regent on with PG cruises I have seen a bit of both with respect to dressing up. Some people just love to dress up.
What I have noticed is that there are less people wearing their full strands of pearls on the last couple of days - in Regent days its was almost a parade. Also the boutiques stocks less of the very fancy pearls or pearl and diamond necklaces now and more of the mid and cheaper priced jewellery.

I at any rate dress very casually on the PG.

[Trend]

You hit the mark Miriam thanks for the up date. Yes certain groups in those days had their Burberry sun hats large diamond earrings and then a swimsuit and would not talk with the non designer set.

[Emdee]

Actually, Trend. I found those groups outliers. The bulk of Regent passengers on the PG or their other ships are very warm and friendly like Wendy - who is a Regent regular.