Excursions can't be

WOW I just found out that excursions cannot be pre reserved on the Paul Gauguin website until there are 60 or less days before the cruise.

Have you Paul Gauguin cruisers that have cruised in Tahiti found a way around that?

No way around it, set your calendar to alert you 60 days out and book.

Seasoned PG cruisers head straight for the tour desk upon embarkation

If your going to use PG flippers or mask get to the marina deck as soon as you can

Seconded. I called the day things opened up and made reservations. We still had to move things around upon boarding since not all of the dives are published or can be booked beforehand.

I used my own snorkeling gear since I also dive, but my wife borrowed from PG. Go early to make sure you get gear you can use.

No, but no one else can reserve before that time either, so it isn't a problem.

If we see a few excursions that we like that are handled by third party companies and not contracted by Paul Gauguin then we might go ahead and schedule them. I think I read somewhere that Ato's Blue Lagoon is one that could be group reserved outside of PG?

I suppose though if PG changes their schedule that could mess up the reservations since the ship would not arrive in a timely matter to make those connections to the third party excursions.

Is it true that most of the third party excursion companies do not require upfront deposits?

Some do, some don't. A change of schedule does happen, always for a good cause. Usually weather or another ship is visiting the same small island so the PG captain will alter the schedule to facilitate cruisers on the PG to enjoy the island to the fullest extent.

Don't see what the big problem is. Used to be you couldn't book in advance at all. Sixty days is plenty of time.

If your cruise has a roll-call you can see if anyone else is trying to organize excursions through local operators (of course, these are the same operators that the PG uses.)

Don't see what the big problem is. Used to be you couldn't book in advance at all. Sixty days is plenty of time.

 

If your cruise has a roll-call you can see if anyone else is trying to organize excursions through local operators (of course, these are the same operators that the PG uses.)

Only sometimes.....Wendy. Not true in Atolls or Cooks.

Does Paul Gauguin give priority to its previous cruisers for the most popular excursions?

The reason I ask is that we are first timers and we don't want to get shut out on a few excursions. That is why we might just go ahead and pre book outside of Paul Gauguin and avoid the rush and anxiety of getting to the excursion desk before the seasoned cruisers line up at the desk.

We realize of course from previous cruises that things do change and get cancelled either by the excursion company or by the ship we are on because of weather etc.

no extra love for returnees as far as getting tours first, it's first come, first served. Everybody is special on the Paul Gauguin! I've already set my iPhone calendar 60 days prior to my cruise. I've been on numerous times and I still set my calendar to remind me when to book.

Does Paul Gauguin give priority to its previous cruisers for the most popular excursions?

The reason I ask is that we are first timers and we don't want to get shut out on a few excursions. That is why we might just go ahead and pre book outside of Paul Gauguin and avoid the rush and anxiety of getting to the excursion desk before the seasoned cruisers line up at the desk.

We realize of course from previous cruises that things do change and get cancelled either by the excursion company or by the ship we are on because of weather etc.

All seasoned cruisers get is extra love and a small discount.

more love, but no more power. For us that have been on there many times the crew is like extended family, and for that reason we get extra love but other than saving a few bucks everyone gets in the end of the line when it comes to excursions.

I may add this is what makes the Paul Gauguin so special, it's crew! Not many ships can claim to have such a loyal crew. So many have been there so long and for that reason we get to know them well. This is a small intimate ship, the service is always delivered with a smile but in a casual way , which is why so many return year after year.

In any case it is great to hear that the Paul Gauguin ship keeps its employees and treats them well. We are looking forward to the trip.

Only sometimes.....Wendy. Not true in Atolls or Cooks.

Which isn't true, that 60 days is lots of time, that the ship uses the same operators as people try to book privately, or what?

In Atolls like Rangiroa or Fakarava and Cooks the ship uses different operators.