Tahitianbigkahuna

I don't as I take the pictures myself for anyone in my group. It's what I do for a living ... wedding photography. Which cruise date are you on? I know of another good photographer that might be on your cruise. This last year I had to couples in my groups that did a vow renewal/ceremony. On the first picture the Captain and Cruise director look on as the couple 'seal' the deal up on deck 9. The second picture it was an actual ceremony done the Bora Bora motu.

It's something you book well in advance by contacting PG or have your TA do it. Vow renewals are typically done on Bora Bora private motu and Motu Mahana. The ship photographer can be included in your renewal price. Now if you came on one of my PG cruises I'd take the pictures for you but your already booked for July.

I just asked a friend of mine who loves the PG and is a highly qualified diver, "Can you pre-reserve scuba outings for the Paul Gauguin? Prior to arriving to the ship?" His answer, "No sir you need to present the dive desk with your credentials before they will sign you up." He went on several scubas aboard the PG this last year. I guess someone (qualified diver) could always call PG and try and book some scuba ...

You might want to check the itinerary in French Polynesian waters ... Some islands are in the process of eliminating larger ships. Not sure if it effects you but you might want to check 😉

I am finding everything is in flux right now and can change ... best to contact PG directly ... As an example is the new boarding time ... 3PM - 5PM That eliminates arrivals on same day except the red eye which arrives around 5:30 AM. Fortunately I picked accommodating flights even before the change. 🙂

Contact PG directly and let them know your frustration. A TA can loose their standing with PG if they don't represent PG in a professional manner. PG might ask you to stay with the TA on record but a nudge from PG is in order 😉

Medic stated it right ... IC will let you hang out and use a transit room if your staying there. As far as staying in your room until 7 PM it depends on how full they are and if they will allow for that late of a checkout they've started charging a small fee ... nothing huge, last time they charged us an extra $65 but then again they were not full.

Sita .... do you know as 'fact' that you can now pre-book scuba? This last year many in my groups stated they had to wait until they boarded ... Just asked a big time diver and he said, "for any dives that you need to be certified for you have to wait until you are aboard to present your credentials. You can pre book the learn to dive course class" If this has changed it would be good to know .... thanks

The coral is getting better but it's likely to take a few more years ... eliminating the mega ships in Bora Bora will help with the coral recovery. Taken a few months ago

It's being phased in over a few years ... each year it tightens a bit more on the size of ship and the overall cruisers allowed on the islands at any given time.

Glad Bora Bora finally enacted what they've thought about doing for many years. My understanding the goal is to eliminate ship size to under 1000 passengers and eventually only allow a total of 1000 cruise guest combined between all ships. Windstar, PG, Aranui, Ponant and other smaller ships such as the older R3 and R4 will be the new norm in some of the islands of FP.. Larger than 1250 is held to Tahiti, Raiatea and Moorea .... and Moorea my follow something similar to Bora Bora very soon. I was on Bora Bora last October and a HAL ship with 2500 was there at the same time .... IMO it was a mess and impacted others not on the ship as far as available excursions, rental availability and the town of Vaitape was overloaded .... To answer your question ... Bora Bora is all about the lagoon though there are many other lagoons in FP that rival but don't have the backdrop of Mount Otemanu .... Bora Bora has become much more commercialized - touristy IMO the most beautiful island as far as the land is Moorea, Huahine and Tahaa. The Marquesas' are beautiful in their own way but you have no lagoons. Hope that helps

I read your review on the Ponant forum .... nice review and I could almost hear some fondness for the PG in your writings. One thing is clear .... you wrote your review from the vantage point of being a Ponant lover whereas most on the PG forum write from their love of the PG ... FYI ... first ime on a cruise was on the same ship as you over15 years ago .... we both can agree the PG is far superior than what we both experienced from a different cruise line 🙂 One last thing .... the PG is very different on the Christmas cruise ... more children, more North Americans and the ship is usually full. On the Marquesas runs there are usually more Europeans ... especially French 😉 As I take groups on the PG they have the benefit of learning everything they need to know before going. I help them plan ... plus we do Zoom meetings as a group so everyone gets to know each other prior to meeting in person plus ask questions. And I'm there to help them out on the ship ...

Nicely written though I would not agree with everything .... 1. Breakfast and lunch can be ordered from a menu if someone wants it that way. 2. The majority of North Americans prefer the casual eating experience and most fine the food superior on the PG compared to Ponant ships .... just sayin'. 3. PG IMO is the perfect size ship for the most of French Polynesia/Cooks. The smallest populated island PG visits is Fakarava with 806 people and I've never had a problem getting a solid excursion to take. With that being said Ponant is considering bringing in the 185 passenger explorer class ship for the Australs and Gambiers which are smaller and better suited for expedition style sailing with zodiacs ... I've been told this may happen in 2025 for 3-4 months of the year. 4. The sail away on Tahaa is always spectacular ... every captain sets the departure to optimize the sunset over Bora bora ... 5. Most North Americans love our 'old' ship. She has been well maintained with several updates and another drydock in the near future. 6. The diving on the PG was far superior before the Ponant change. You used to be able to book diving excursions prior to boarding .... now it's first come first served which is a shame 😉 Personally I would prefer cruising FP on the PG and not a smaller Ponant ship unless it was down to the Australs or Gambiers which an explorer class ship is ideal. If Ponant tried to make the PG more French they may loose some of the North America faithful ... just sayin'. I think Ponant has done fairly well with the changes they've made but they need to keep the ship North American friendly ... most love the causal feel of the PG. Again nice review and everyone has their own thoughts and expectations/desires 😉

The IC as well as other resorts are cracking down on 'laying low' and hanging out. If you have a reservation for that afternoon I would simply go check in and do the paperwork .... once they know your there they are likely going to tell you to check your bags with the 'hunky boys' They really are cracking down on those that just want to hang out.

In 2022 the Paul Gauguin once again was voted “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure. I could go on and on but IMO Windstar is a PG wanna be. That isn't to say Windstar isn't a good cruise but the fact is the PG has been on top of the mountain of French Polynesia cruises for a long long time. No in regards to your precise questions you are correct, the Wind Spirit has no balconies and even if you take in consideration port holes on both ships the cabins are much larger on the PG. Food is solid on both ships though there is more choices on the PG simply because she is larger. The PG is inclusive ... many things that are included on the PG are extra on Windstar. PG has local on-board Polynesian host, a trademark of PG. Wind Spirt does have a committed following as does the PG. I tried to get some interest to take a group on the Wind Spirt .... not many takers and we had to scrub the cruise. Next year I have 3 PG groups and in 2024 I have 4 groups on the PG. I have no problem filling cabins, heck, I had to stop taking request for the April 2023 group as it was getting to large ... I pride myself not to allow a group to get to large and loose it's intimacy and giving everyone my person attention. I only mention this as I want others to know I really tried to give Wind Star a chance ... I wanted to personally experience Wind Star so I had first hand knowledge of the differences ... but it just didn't happen. Either ship and you will have a wonder time ... the destination is the most important and both frequent similar islands. The crew is the #2 reason IMO ... PG has one of the highest crew returnee percentages of any ship in the world ... that is telling you something ... the crew loves working on the PG. Enough said ... I'm sure you will get some of the Wind Star faithful to add their 2 cents 😉

Australs will be fun ... working on one in 2025 ... PPT to Chile via the Australs, Gambiers, Pitcarn, Easter Island and a few others ... on a small ship. Enjoy ..

Merry Christmas everyone ... HO HO HO HO Yes, Santa does visit the ship on Christmas Eve 😁

FYI .... The demographics are different for the Marquesas itineraries ... in general the ration of French/Europeans in great on the Marquesas itineraries than the others. you may notice that in 2024 there were added Marquesas itineraries as the demand from France/Europe has increased ... as they travel far they like the longer cruise, the Marquesas.

They Avis could say the same thing ... getting to the tender location in Oponupo Bay to pick you up could be a long drive 😉

Glad I'm not a big drinker ... a cold beer if it's hot, maybe a glass of house wine with dinner .... I'm an easy pleaser 😁 Interestingly I live in a major wine region ... just never got into the wine thing ...

Now your sounding the same way I fell about the PG 😉 It's all about the fine service, good food and of course the destination

You will visit all the close islands to Tahiti ... but for one or 2 nights I wouldn't go out to an outer island ... not enough time IMO

I was referring to CC ... For years I was the destination expert for French Polynesia on TripAdvisor. I would say the post were generally more positive.