Tahitianbigkahuna

The balcony question depends on what is important. I don't use the balcony very much but my BH loves it. We were in a window room last October and she really missed having her balcony. She would enjoy her coffee and continental breakfast while she put on her makeup on the balcony ... Are there places to enjoy the views on the ship? Of course ... Remember embarkation is only between 3PM and 5PM. You can not take and afternoon flight from the west coast and arrive in Tahiti in the evening to board the ship, you must go the day before and spend the night or do the red eye which arrives in the early morning. A few days on the islands before the cruise is nice as you get on FP time. Moorea is so accessible for a few days before your cruise. The Sofitel and the Hilton really deliver for a few days. Nice thing is the ship is only 100 yards from the ferry terminal ... to go from Moorea back to Tahiti on an ferry that arrives around 2PM - 4PM and walk your bags and yourself over to the ship. As far as the return I don't like the early departure in the morning ... to early for me. United has the earliest night flight back to the west coast but you still need to find a way to burn about 8 hours before heading to the airport. As Medic stated a day room isn't easy to get unless your ready to spend a large sum. I usually rent a car and drive around Tahiti stopping for sites and a bit of shopping but make sure your bags are not visible. Another way is to get off the ship once you arrive back in Tahiti (around 7PM) and head directly to the airport taking a late flight back to the west coast.

Medic and I agree on most things concerning FP 😉

Agree with Medic on everything ....

Keep in mind some islands in French Polynesia are considering size restrictions on ships. Not sure on the timing as the talk is it will be done in phases but eventually they are talking about is to eliminate ships larger than 1000 passengers from visiting some islands. Ships larger than 1000 will likely be held to the islands of Raiatea, Tahiti and Moorea. I would do some searching to see forums/post that might give some more details on this issue. While this is being sorted out just imagine a ship with 1500 - 2500 passengers visiting an island with less that 1000 population. Not many will see or enjoy an excursion on an island with that amount of infrastructure .

All ready have 3 scheduled on the PG in 2024 🙂

Tender is every hour "bar service' = soda, water & usually some Hinano beer Usually a few lounge chairs Usually stand up paddle boards and kayaks

As they say to each their own ... any good photographer can tell when there is manipulation ... small basic edits and it's still a photo ... beyond that and IMO it's art. However, most don't know the difference and many 'artist' try and pass it off as if they are a great photographer and it really looked like that. True photographers take the time to plan their trips ... going at the right time for lighting, going at the right time for textured skies, going at the right time so it isn't overly crowded ... another words they get it right in the camera as much as possible so there is no big need to do extensive corrections/manipulation. True photographers are becoming extinct as the increase in filters and manipulation continues ... like so much in the world what you see isn't always real ... darn right scary. Just my two cents ...

I did receive an email from PG regarding their rebate policy. This is what was stated, "Paul Gauguin Cruises has a very strict rebating policy. Should we be aware of such a situation, we will address it accordingly." Are there agents who break this policy? Yes ... but if they get caught .... nuff said.

FYI ... the PG was a Regent ship when she came to FP 😉 You can't go wrong with either ... however, the PG is home based in FP so there is likely more cultural emersion on the PG. I've been told good things about the Regent crew and they are very good. I'm taking a group a Regent ship in FP in January 2024 ... this will give me first hand knowledge. Remember the destination is a key reason to go to FP.

Unless if there is a recent change because of Ponant it is a no no .... I'll email PG and ask if there is a new protocol. Email sent ... once I hear back I'll post what they state.

Taken this morning in my garden ... simple basic editing 😉 Nothing fancy ... a consumer grade Sony camera with a cropped sensor. (RX10IV) 1/320 F/4 600 mmm equivalent ISO - 1600

I'm a bit of a purest .... basic editing is OK in my book but there comes a time where you've gone beyond that and it is no longer a picture but art. I never replace the sky .... I'll enhance lets say clouds and make them a bit more dramatic or a bit more saturation but the clouds were there from the beginning ... I often see 'pictures' which are so over enhanced that you know it didn't really look like that. All of my pictures after a basic edit still look 'like a picture' not art. I'm old school and the challenge it to get it the best you can in the camera ... not in the edit software.

If this is your first trip to FP on the Paul Gauguin it is nice not to worry about anything and let PG handle everything. I've gone 30 times to FP so I know most everything as far as traveling there. I book my own airfare and accommodations ... but as I said ... no worries if you let PG handle everything as a newbie 😉

TA's can can give OBC but post cruise rebate is frowned upon.

3 trips to FP this year 4 trips in 2024 to FP It never gets old 🙂

I would have local currency doing a livestream shortly to my group

The North Pass on Fakarava is very wide ... the sides are 40 - 60 feet deep with the center being much deeper. The North Pass on Fakarava is the widest pass in French Polynesia. Water clarity is very good. Lots of large fish and a bunch of sharks with most being black tip reef. The South Pass is not near as wide but the majority of it is deeper. There are Hammerheads in the South Pass ... never seen any in the North Pass though they may be there as well ... I find it interesting that this itinerary for the Marquesas bypasses Rangirioa ... one of the best dive locations in the world.

Nice ... So I'll remember you two are down there on that night ...

ATM is across the street from the ships

Marche is 3 short blocks from the ships ... some vendors take CC but you will get a better price by using local currency 😉

South Pass on Fakarava is really good .... just make sure the vendor you book has a deep 'V' boat as the trip can be rough and long 😉

Interestingly we will visit Florence via small cruise ship this fall ... but we will spend some time in smaller towns in Italy ...

The Marche is the local market .... more like a farmers market and fresh fish market though they do have an area for souvenirs