Pudgesmom

Dining room just before dinner and sea view from chaise lounge.

Yesterday we were able to disembark on Thursday Island, Australia after clearing customs. There was quite a bit of cleaning in preparation, including balconies and all snorkel gear. Immigration was a face to face passport check which was accomplished quickly and easily. We had to fill out a customs form, but items purchased will not be checked until disembarkation in Cairns. We all enjoyed a beer in the northernmost pub in Australia. Today we were able to make a quick unplanned snorkel/dive stop at the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef. Amazing coral and unique marine life! Last full day is tomorrow. 😞 We will stop at Lizard Island, conditions permitting, for a second chance in the Great Barrier Reef. We have had a Frank Sinatra evening, Liars’ Club night, and a trivia evening. There are no dancers onboard. Two suggestions: 1. Get a waterproof bag off Amazon. Ours was $25 and floats. Great for Glasses, phones, cameras etc on Zodiacs. 2. Bring a small bottle of air freshener or do like me and nab the eau de parfum bottle from the kit onboard your flight. The small toilet area in the cabin does not have a fan!

@jpalbny your wonderful thread was so helpful to me before this trip and one of the reasons I hoped to share some information back to the group. Thank you.

Our landing at Komodo was a wet landing with the Zodiacs. Our tour company has brought a full complement of zodiac drivers who are also naturalists, college professors, Indonesians and other specialists who accompany us on land. Also the tide was very low compared to the height of the dock. We have only docked in one location - Kalabahi, Alor Archapelago. This tour included a one day tour in Bali with a stay at the Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay. It is a fantastic property. Yesterday we were in Papua, Indonesia. They had organized a trip to a village which had never hosted any tourists. Until 1980, residents of this area were head hunters. We were greeted by a flotilla of at least 30 shallow canoes and then some of their ceremonies. A lecture had been provided the previous day on their culture and practices. We feel very fortunate to have experienced this. The photos are from this excursion but don’t come close to showing what happened. We have had one minor issue happen twice now. Our dinner order was misplaced in the kitchen and we waited for a hour and a half for mains, and did not receive until asking. I should note that we were having so much fun we didn’t even notice for a long time, lol. The wait staff is outstanding and really hardworking but I think they could increase their numbers a bit. I really hate to make such a minor complaint as everything is so great about the ship and our experience.

Door hanger that can be put out night before.

There are individual swivel chairs instead of the banquettes shown on the website.

The Blue Eye lounge mid- day while ship is at anchor. We saw many many jellyfish, but no other marine life.

Yes - your previous experience sounds quite a bit like this one. Every evening we have a briefing describing the next day’s planned schedule. Most days have had a start time around 8:30 am. We arrive earlier, zodiacs go out to scout snorkel and dive sites, and they set those sites up for our arrival. Often the ship moves during lunch to another site. Today the highlight on stop 2 was a floating beach bar around 4 pm. Tomorrow will be different. We arrive very early, zodiacs will leave for our first tour onboard them at 7 am. Breakfast times are adjusted.

Yesterday- not chronological. Welcome dances dockside, nutmeg farm, sailaway sunset and ship side greeting.

We have snorkeled 3 times with two more planned for today. All of the snorkeling has been done off the Zodiacs. One time it was also possible to walk in from the shore for snorkeling. I’m sure the ship is like our many Windstar water platforms. The ship cannot drive into the shallow reef but parks nearby in deeper water. So far the water platform has not been offered as the the zodiacs are busy shuttling people back and forth. There would be nothing to see at this depth. Restaurants- We have a daily recap and interesting info session in the theater for about an hour each evening before dinner.(with cocktails!) Both restaurants have opened each night at 7:30 and closed at 9.

There are just the two restaurants. The main dining room can hold the entire ship, they also have a few tables outside. The buffet offers a variety of items for self selection. Mains are ordered at the buffet and delivered to your table. Room service has a limited menu, but offers the main dining room menu at dinner. You could eat outside on your balcony.

Our room after dinner, an afternoon cocktail by the pool and a presentation in the theater. The blue eye lounge was open last night ; we were unable to go, but they are offering some afternoon hours tomorrow. Today we saw a Pygmy blue whale - huge despite the name! The captain actually did a U-turn for us. It surfaced every 10 minutes for 4 different sightings. I was in the pool this afternoon and a staff member turned on the counter current. I had a fantastic workout. However, next time I’ll wear mask or goggles as current blew hair into my face while free styling. It’s possible to swim more to the center for more resistance and a bit to the side for less, depending on your swim speed.

We spent two nights in Komodo National Park. Arrived in the afternoon, and many went out for a snorkel or scuba dive. Next morning zodiac trips to walk on shore to see the dragons. Trips were of different lengths. I took the shortest and saw two, my husband the longer 3 hour and also saw 2. Late morning the ship repositioned for scuba, snorkel or beach break. This snorkel was truly unbelievable. Crews on the Zodiacs, most of whom are A and K employees, are uniformly excellent. several lectures per day, anthropologist, geologists, ornithologist among others. All excellent and also A and K We are in deck 4, all basic cabins are the same size, deck 3 balconies have a solid lower wall on the balcony. There are 8-10 two tops in each restaurant. When we have wanted one, no problem. However we are only half full. On our cruise people are very open to sharing tables.

Announcements are in English only as the ship is fully chartered with English speaking guests. There are 90 passengers. I believe the ship holds 180, but A and K was only going to fill it to 140.

We have just finished Day 1 on our 14 day cruise from Bali to Cairns, Australia on Le Laperouse. The ship is fully chartered by Abercrombie and Kent. I won’t be doing an onboard travelogue. However, if someone has a question about the ship, let me know and I’ll try to find an answer. I’ve learned quite a bit here on Cruise Critic about Ponant and will gladly share info with others.

Here are some random observations: We have been on Regent once (Splendor), and are long time fans of Windstar, especially the sailing ships. We have not been on the PG. One difference to us was the much greater amount of actual outdoor deck space per passenger on Windstar. Splendor felt much more like a floating hotel, mostly focused towards the inside, including the main pool area. We prefer to sit outside in a common area than alone on a balcony. I do think they are moving the Wind Spirit out of the area and replacing it with one of the motor yachts. That’s too bad as sailing anywhere on a really small ship in a tropical location is fantastic. However, even the motor yachts have better outdoor spaces than Regent. Food is more upscale on Regent. If you don’t take a suite, you may or may not get your choice of excursions. We prefer to do our own, so the inclusion is not a benefit for us. Staff on both are equally excellent, and will learn your preferences quickly. Windstar will come in quite a bit lower on the price. The ships are significantly smaller, which we like. Some one pointed out elevators. While Windspirit does not have one, the motor yachts do. YMMV. 🙂

We will be leaving next week for Bali for a chartered cruise on Ponant. Our tour company has recommended the “visa on arrival” in lieu of getting one ahead of time. It’s $35 and can be paid in US cash.

The fund helps the crew in so many ways. On a cruise many years ago, a large photo was posted on an easel of a very long time crew member who passed away at a relatively young age with a wife and small children at home. The family was very dependent on this employee’s wages and donations on that cruise went to his family.

People are generally very open to sharing tables and chatting around the ship. I’m a little confused though. Are Francinv and Grandex the same poster?

I assume a rollaway bed would be a problem as it could roll away as the ship rolls. The third berth could be when adding the cabin next door. It’s also possible to book three in a row there for the grand owner’s suite.

I’m sure you’ll love the Wind Surf. There is another place on this forum for “Roll Call” threads like yours. You may want to post there or mods might move it.

I understand- just thought it would give the two separate sleeping rooms.

It’s quite small. I wouldn’t want to sleep on it. If in your budget, you could book the next cabin over from the living area. The suites are adjoining.

The classic suites face a little used area on the bow of the ship. There is a hot tub there and a couple of chaise lounges. The windows are very tinted. I’ve never been able to see inside. Note that the bow area has a solid wall to waist height. Im not sure how that might impact the view from the room, but it does make it somewhat blocked while sitting on the lounge chairs. One deck above are the forward owner’s suites. The breeze and the legend have a smallish outdoor balcony, while the pride has a much larger balcony. The balconies overlook the hot tub area described above. Those cabins on the Pride have a walk in shower but no bathtub. I think ( but am not sure) that the legend and breeze have a combo shower/tub, so someone else would have to verify. I have posted here on another thread a video of the forward Star Pride owner’s suite.