Ahab10

Tipping is not required.:)

Great travel log! We thought about PG for our 30th but we're doing the Panama Canal. After reading this and seeing your pictures, I really want to go to FP one day.

 

I also enjoyed your lovely wedding photos. I'm glad your husband is recovered. You have a knack for writing!

 

Kim

We've done both. Really no comparison. We won't be going back to Panama anytime soon.;)

In the Caribbean twice. Way to quick for my (limited) camera skills.:eek::D

Yes, saw it while on the Tera Moana.:D

My wife and I were on it in March for the Panama to St.Marteen run. All went very well and we have no negatives to relate. The food was very good and on lobster night you could have as much as you wanted. Service was superb. Someone on one of the first cruises complained the beverages served were not top shelf. Nonsense, I purposely ordered top shelf items and was never refused or had to pay extra. The wines were fine and if you didn't like the selection you could order something else. Dom Perignon cost extra however. We had 2 sea days and they were a bit bouncy. I had no problem but my wife and some of the guests did. You can go to the desk and ask for "Chiclida", a medicated chewing gum for motion sickness and it works. This part of the Carribean is subject to constant Trade Winds, thus choppy waters depending on your coarse. The Captain said the waters of the Mediterranean tend to be calmer and more predictable. We had a great time and would take the Tere Moana again.:):):)

I took 118,000 XPF ($1500 USD) with us, expecting to spend a lot more on shopping for trinkets, food in port, and expecting to pay for two private excursions in XPF--turned out one wanted USD and the other ended up cancelled. We paid for everything we purchased and taxi rides including our last night at the IC in cash but not including the pearl necklace, and still came home with 30,000 in XPF. I was surprised at how many people seemed to prefer and/or expect USD.

That is true, but most everyone on this site refuses to believe me. We've never had a problem with either plastic or USD's including buying pearls.:):):)

We were allowed on at 1:45PM but were asked to stay in the lounge till 3:00PM or walk around the town till then. Luggage was kept on the dock under a tent with a guard.I don't consider the TM a very small ship.;)

We've done both itineraries. The Marquesas are very interesting and beautiful. And extremely hot. Everything is about the rugged beauty of the islands and the history of the people. It was very worthwhile, but I wouldn't go back. On the other hand I would do the Fiji trip again in a heart beat. We snorkeled in the Cooks, Tonga and Fiji, and have never seen such magnificent coral and fish. We took a canoe trip up a river in Suva to experience a kava ceremony. Very worthwhile. This trip included history and the cultures of other people, but the shear beauty of the underwater world was incredible and unforgettable.

My senttiments exactly.:D

Of coarse you can.:)

I'll try to answer your question rather than ramble on. Our first cruise on the PG was under Regent, the next three under the new owners. I feel the PG is less stuffy today and the recent refurbishments have made it a even more enjoyable experience.:)

We rented a car on Morea for a full day and feel it was definitely worth it. Shared it with another couple.:)

First, let me say a huge THANK YOU for your outstanding review and summary of your experience with PG! I have a booking for the 2 Oct 2013 sailing, 10-night Society Islands and Tuamotus, but was vacillating about whether or not to go. I am traveling solo, and the added "single supplement" is considerable! I was unsure whether or not I would enjoy the ship itself enough to justify fully the relatively high cost. However, your wonderful photos and descriptions resolved that doubt. Clearly the ship meets or exceeds all of my needs and expectations! Also, you posted menus ... that was a massive help! I am a "foodie" and was very worried about food on a small ship in a place where so much has to be air-cargoed in. Judging by the menus, the food is entirely appropriate in relation to the total cost of the cruise.

I am concerned, however, about traveling alone on PG. I do it all the time on Cunard, but I gather from your descriptions that the passengers on your PG trip were largely honeymooners, second-honeymooners, wedding annivesary celebrants, or travel groups. I am wondering how much I will stick out like a sore thumb as a 55-year-old never-married male traveling alone if the other passengers are all (or mostly) couples celebrating their "coupleness". I'm not much worried about the "onboard" experience, but rather about the shore excursion experience ... becoming the third (or fifth or seventh) wheel in the group. Did you notice any solo travelers, or people who took excursions without their spouses?

Again, thanks for the amazing review and summary. It really did serve to cement my plan to go as scheduled. I am now confident that the trip will be amazing!

Virtually everytime we've been on the PG there have been singles of both sexes aboard and they did not stick out like a sore thumb. Yes they did take excursions.:)

We have dealt with Ron Hall and Tahia and been happy with both. Ron Hall was able to show me a whole bunch of unmounted pearls and I chose a special double pearl and a mounting. He had his technician mount it wile i waited.:)

We were there in January. They picked us up at the pier by boat.:)

We took Patricks tour last November. There was 8 of us and we had Moreto who was great as was the barbeque. Water was super clear at each stop and we had no negatives. We would definetly do it again.:D

Thanks for the review rmsfly. We have booked Patrick's for June. Hopefully Patrick also reads these reviews and takes note.

I don't think he does, but you should tell him of your concerns via e-mail.;)

In Huahine we went on the Sacred Sites and Legendary Places. Loved it!! Done by an anthropologist. People who went snorkeling here, diving on Fakarava and Rangiroa, snorkeling on the other islands were the ones who went with us on Patrick's tour in Bora Bora and said that the snorkeling on Patricks tour was the best of the trip.

YUp, I'll second that.;)

Yes, the coral garden is the same. We enjoyed Patricks tour because it included a great beach barbecue, snorkeling, and the sharks and ray's for one reasonable price. here's some underwater pics of the garden.:D