Just back from the 11 Night Cook & Society Island PG Cruise - bring on the questions!

[Escriteur]

Thanks so much for your follow-up re. the bug spray, luggage, and day rooms, Tiki and lithlith! It's helpful to know what to expect. :)

 

Glad to hear you didn't really encounter any mosquitoes on Motu Mahana, Emdee and avalong. I'll probably still bring the spray anyway, as mosquitoes seem to have a particular fondness for me!

 

Can't believe we set sail on Saturday. So excited!

 

Thanks again to all of you veteran PG cruisers for sharing the benefit of your experience with us PG newbies (and a special thanks to Emdee for the tips doc); it's greatly appreciated!

[Trend]

We weren't expecting mosquitos Paul Gauguin's Motu Mahana in Tahaa. But I was glad I have brought our bug spray to the motu! Two weeks ago my husband was bit 3 times there, after those initial bites, we put on the bug spray and were fine the rest of the time. We also noticed several other couples near us putting on the bug spray at the motu.

 

I know what you mean they find me all the time and on Motu Mahana many years ago my back looked like one big one as there were so many they blended together. This time I take spray or wipes with.

[oasis55]

Hey everyone, I just joing cruise critic after being a longtime lurker. We have been on over 20 cruises, but will be going to our first one to Tahiti in January. I am wondering where I might find the blog post everyone has mentioned. I would love to hear more about your trip!

[frank2842]

Just back from the PG 11 Night Cook & Society Island Cruise (June 30 to July 11, 2012). We had a great time and I'll post a review sometime in the next week.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the PG, islands, excursions or whatever else you come up with! (And I'm sure some of my fellow Cruise Critic members who were along on the same cruise will gladly chime in regarding questions as well!)

 

We are on the PG in Oct for 13 nights, Tahiti to Fiji. What is the attire for dinner for both men and women - I've heard many stories/suggestions!

 

Thanks, Frank

[Emdee]

Hi Frank,

Let me tell you what we wore to dinner when we did the Tahiti to Fiji itinerary.

 

Myself: Nice pants and tops, dressy skirts and tops.

No fancy outfits, evening gowns or formal wear. Just stuff you would wear to a friend's house for a saturday evening dinner.

DH: Dress Pants/Khakis/Tommy Bahama shirts with hawaiian prints, collared short or long sleeved shirts, collared golf shirts.

No jeans/shorts/tacky clothes for dinner.

 

Day time was shorts/tees/golf shirts/capris/sun dresses

 

Hope this helps.

 

You are in for a real treat.... wish I didnt have to wait until next year!

[Emdee]

Oasis - 2 suggestions for you:

Look at the cruise review and then members review for Paul Gauguin.

Look for the roll call for your particular cruise in January. If you are on the January 23rd cruise welcome as I will be on that one too and we are busy arranging some excursions for it.

[lithlith]

We are on the PG in Oct for 13 nights, Tahiti to Fiji. What is the attire for dinner for both men and women - I've heard many stories/suggestions!

 

Thanks, Frank

 

I agree with Emdee on what people are wearing on the PG. I would describe it as casual/resort casual. During the day, it was shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops. After 6pm: For men, I didn't see anyone with a tie the entire cruise. I saw a couple with jackets, but that was in a minority. Most had dress pants and a Hawaiian/Tommy Bahamma type shirt or polo/golf type shirt. For women, no evening gowns, just causal and cocktail dresses or capris/dress pants/skirt and a nice shirt.

[macbest]

Can you tell me who is the pianist is currently on board the PG? I remember Hal from years gone by and I wondered who is on today. And if it isn't Hal, how was he/she?

 

This was always a great way to "prepare" for dinner, a nice cocktail or glass of wine, listening to the pianist and then dinner.

[frank2842]

Thank you lithlith and emcee, that tracks with what I've read from PG and other posts but since lithlith you said to ask questions, I thought I'd ask a recent cruiser! ;-p

 

We are REALLY looking forward to the cruise!!

[Emdee]

Macbest

Pianist is not Hal - I heard he hurt his leg and was on sick leave and then didnt come back. Missed him last year. Dont recall the name of the new pianist - is still very good ... but not Hal!

 

The Piano bar has always been my favourite place before dinner especially when Efren is the bartender but I like the other bar staff too. There is something so 'civilized' about that area and you will be seeing the refurbs as well. Enjoy!

[caa]

Can you tell me who is the pianist is currently on board the PG? I remember Hal from years gone by and I wondered who is on today. And if it isn't Hal, how was he/she?

 

This was always a great way to "prepare" for dinner, a nice cocktail or glass of wine, listening to the pianist and then dinner.

 

His name is Ruben. He's from Argentina.

[Giskard]

The Piano bar is "the place to be" before dinner. It is a perfect place to meet up with new friends before heading into dinner. Efren and Nelson were incredible (not just in the casino bar but everywhere they served us). We were there every night before and after dinner.

 

Our only comment to PG was why is the Piano bar next to the casino? I'm sure for 90% of PGs cruises the casino is a quiet place. However, for our cruise we had a great group of people and for some reason (none of us roulette players) enjoyed the roulette tournaments each night. It got quite noisy at times. The casino staff was great playing with us and making sure we all had a great time. My husbands words " the roulette tournament is by far the cheapest excursion we've done". Now I'm the first to admit it all had to do with the people and the atmosphere we created. But the stars aligned and we had a lot of fun. But I didn't like feeling guilty about the noise we were making with the "serene" piano bar next to us.

[Leejnd4]

Deb, we sat in the bar several times while you guys were over there whooping it up at the roulette table, and I can assure you the noise didn't bother US! If anything it added to the convivial atmosphere of the pre-dinner drink. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying listening to all the fun. And if anyone did have a problem with it, there were certainly quieter places to go have a pre-dinner drink, such as La Palette. :p

[Cruisedreamer1]

We just got our packets and it is showing the Radison hotel for the day room. It is not bad just out outrageously expensive for food and drink.