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PG vs Oceania for FP?


cindivan
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Anyone have advice and comparison? We are looking at fall 2020 with DH and maybe two other couples. Oceania is definitely cheaper but worried about if we will be tendering in most ports vs docked. Flights will probably be a wash since we will most likely book on our own.

 

Appreciate any insight from those that know.

 

TIA

 

 

 

 

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Tia ....

 

I won't compare the difference between the two ships of Oceania that travel part of the year in French Polynesian waters and the Paul Gauguin who's home base is Tahiti.

 

What I will say in many of the South Pacific islands smaller is better. Some of the islands visited by both lines have a small population thus limited services and excursions. As both Oceania ships a much larger than the Paul Gauguin they require more vendors for excursions and when there is a limited amount available it can become tricky.

 

Remember the Paul Gauguin is in the South Pacific almost full time, the exception is when there is a refurbishment. The crew/staff and especially the local host (Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines) know the Polynesian islands well and will answer questions you may have. Ships who are not based in French Polynesia have a hard time to replicate this huge plus.

 

The Paul Gauguin was built for Polynesian waters with a shallow draft making it idea for entering and exiting shallow reef openings. I've seen larger ships forego stopping at an island in Polynesia because the weather was rough thus the safe depth to enter a lagoon was questionable.

 

When there are 330 cruisers on an island verses up to 1250 cruisers on the same small island you know it! Fact is the Paul Gauguin Captain occasionally deviates from the planned itinerary when there is a large ship visiting the same island, another words reverse two islands. This is done to give the Paul Gauguin cruisers the best possible experience. This isn't a problem with most excursions as the vendors are aware of the change.

 

For these reasons the Paul Gauguin is a great choice when you want the best experience.

 

Both lines primarily tender .... no big difference in that question.

Edited by Tahitianbigkahuna
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Thanks tahitianbigkahuna. I am thinking the same thing after reading a bunch of reviews. I guess if we are going that far (southeast US) we need to do it right. We are just so used to big ships I need to change my mindset.

 

 

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Thanks tahitianbigkahuna. I am thinking the same thing after reading a bunch of reviews. I guess if we are going that far (southeast US) we need to do it right. We are just so used to big ships I need to change my mindset.

 

 

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I've done large ships in the Caribbean .... and then I did a small ship on the smaller islands in the Caribbean. I'm sold on smaller ships where your more than a cabin number .... the crew/staff on the Paul Gauguin is second to none and then really get to know you and your likes ...

 

The food on either line is very good ....

 

This comes down to your wants. If you want the big ship feel with a bit more flash then you want Oceania. If you want a best Polynesian experience, a more intimate environment, less crowds .... go on the PG ;)

 

BTW, I've been on the Regatta, an R4 ship originally used by Renaissance then sold to Princess and sailed French Polynesia under the name 'Tahitian Princess'. For French Polynesian waters the PG IMO is the better ship/design.

Edited by Tahitianbigkahuna
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I am a huge fan of the Paul Gauguin, and my one Oceania experience (a trans-Atlantic) was less than memorable. So, although choosing the PG is my recommendation, I do have a couple of positive remarks about the Oceania alternative.

 

 

I clearly remember in 2000 flying into Papete for the first time and being gobsmacked by what I was seeing out the airplane window. I've been told that the experience is greatly magnified if you've spent a few days on a ship, not a plane, and see Bora Bora for the first time in the distance getting closer and closer.

 

 

Although Oceania is not for me, for some people it is a perfect cruise line. People I know and respect have done French Polynesia on Oceania and really liked it.

 

 

Choosing between the PG and Oceania is a whole other topic. It boils down to what things are more important to you. Regardless of your answers to this, others will have different opinions.

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Just FYI, there is almost nowhere in French Polynesia where a cruise ship is docked as opposed to tendering. This is true even of the Paul Gauguin. The exceptions are Papeete and Raiatea only, as far as I know (maybe one port in the Marquesas, can't remember.)

 

We have friends who did the Marquesas and some of the Societies on Oceania Marina, and I'm sure they had a lovely time. When we gave them advice about the trip, we didn't dwell on the fact that the ship is much bigger, that they would probably have access to much less of the local cuisine onboard, that the ship would not have a troupe of local entertainers and a pervasive Polynesian ambience like the PG. Nor would they have snorkel gear lent to them for the duration of the cruise, and use on special, magic, included islands.

 

To my mind, the small PG is the best of all worlds in cruising. Large enough to have good amenities (even a little casino if you like that sort of thing), interesting shows if not big broadway productions. But intimate enough for the staff to know your likes and dislikes within days, and probably your name too. For me, it's the crew that makes this cruise so special--the best at sea.

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Anyone have advice and comparison? ... Oceania is definitely cheaper ...

 

I've known people to put together a spreadsheet comparing the bottom line for the PG compared to other "cheaper" lines. Once everything gets included in the spreadsheet, they were surprised at how little difference there was.

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Oceania invariably cruises the Society Islands during the most humid and rainy time of the year. No thanks.

 

That's certainly a consideration. Remember that the seasons in the Marquesas are different than those in the Societies--worth doing the research. We went in December which is the dry season up there, but it was very hot and humid back down south in Bora Bora, etc.

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I've cruised on 4 different Oceania ships and twice on Windstar's Wind Surf, but my choice for French Polynesia was Paul Gauguin.

 

As Wendy says, apart from Papeete, you have to tender at most ports, so a smaller ship means less of a queue for the tender.

 

 

As avalong says, Oceania goes to French Polynesia in the rainy season. That's a big no for me too.

 

 

But the thing that struck me about the Paul Gauguin was how much fun we had on the ship. Although lots of people, including us, were jet lagged, enough people stayed up for the first night pool party to make it enjoyable. The sail away parties were great fun and people took part in the karaoke. The singer Johnny Ross was a great asset for creating a lively atmosphere too. And the Santa Rosa band hosted a jamming session one night and some passengers joined in.

 

 

On Oceania there has been, in my opinion, not so much going on after the show in the evening, though Riviera was better than the R ships. This has been discussed at length on the Oceania board where some posters feel that any post show entertainment is beyond the pale, and others, often the Europeans, feel that 9.30pm is a bit early to be going to bed when you're on holiday. Admittedly on this trip we were in bed by 9pm some nights but towards the end of the cruise we were staying up later and so were other people.

 

 

On the whole I would say it's a quieter, more reserved crowd on Oceania.

 

 

I also loved interacting with the Gauguines and Gauguins, which are unique to Paul Gauguin.

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... On Oceania there has been, in my opinion, not so much going on after the show in the evening, though Riviera was better than the R ships. ... On the whole I would say it's a quieter, more reserved crowd on Oceania.

 

Here is a rough and somewhat imperfect analogy.

 

There are people who tend to do most of their socialising in restaurants and bars. These folks tend to live downtown. When they socialise with others, it is seldom in each other's homes. Other folks tend to stay home more, and do more of their socialising there. They tend to live in the suburbs. Neither choice is objectively better than the other: different strokes for different folks.

 

On the PG (and Regent) the bars and lounges are full and active. It is why we're quite happy in the "tiny perfect" cabins down on deck 4 on the PG: we're seldom in our cabin anyhow. Of course, we live in the heart of downtown Toronto.

 

On Oceania, the bars and lounges are largely deserted, especially after dinner. The only exception is the happy hour (literally one hour) in the afternoons. Otherwise, people are staying in their cabins, perhaps with friends over. More like the suburbs.

 

Hopefully this helps people in deciding whether the PG or Oceania is right for them for French Polynesia.

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When we sailed with PG Jan. 2013 we were suppose to be in Moorea the same time as Oceania. A huge rain and wind storm appeared as both ships approached Moorea. PG was able to make it into the bay and Oceania was not able to enter either bay location. I do not recall the details why ...Guessing something to do with the size of the ship , reef and huge rocky waves. Once the weather cleared later that morning we were able to have a glorious day in Moorea, not sure what happened to Oceania as they were not there. We will be planning our second trip to F.P. and it will be on the P.G.

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That's certainly a consideration. Remember that the seasons in the Marquesas are different than those in the Societies--worth doing the research. We went in December which is the dry season up there, but it was very hot and humid back down south in Bora Bora, etc.

 

Seriously? I did not know that. That's very inconsiderate of the Marquesa's -- makes planning quite difficult. :-)

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Actually the temperature is very similar to most of the islands in the Society chain .... though the precipitation is a bit more even throughout the year as your closer to the equator.

 

You're right that there's not a huge difference, and that's also true of the year-round weather all over FP.

 

Here's one summary:

 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/tahiti-and-french-polynesia/marquesas-islands/weather

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