Star Breeze vs. Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia

[jthayek]

My wife and I are planning a 10 year anniversary trip, and I would love to hear the opinions of experienced cruisers to the area. 

 

Have you cruised on Windstar's Star Breeze or the Paul Gauguin? What did you like/ dislike about each? Have you done both? Even better! Tell me about it. 

 

How was the food? How was the atmosphere? Did it feel stuffy or fun and casual? 

 

One of the most important things to us is having quick and easy access to play in the water. Did you use the sports platform to kayak/ swim/ SUP? Was the sports platform open a lot? Was it fun and easy to use? 

 

Thanks for sharing your opinion and experience! 

 

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

2 hours ago, jthayek said:

My wife and I are planning a 10 year anniversary trip, and I would love to hear the opinions of experienced cruisers to the area. 

 

Have you cruised on Windstar's Star Breeze or the Paul Gauguin? What did you like/ dislike about each? Have you done both? Even better! Tell me about it. 

 

How was the food? How was the atmosphere? Did it feel stuffy or fun and casual? 

 

One of the most important things to us is having quick and easy access to play in the water. Did you use the sports platform to kayak/ swim/ SUP? Was the sports platform open a lot? Was it fun and easy to use? 

 

Thanks for sharing your opinion and experience! 

 

 

Most of your questions have been asked several times and answered several times ... I would recommend looking through the post for the last 4 - 6 months.

 

Remember the SB has only been stationed full time in FP since February 😉

 

I've been on the PG 16 times ... last year I was on her twice. Taking the SB in a few weeks for fact finding as the ship is relatively new to FP compared to the PG.

 

Both are wonderful small ships ... the only way to really experience FP ... small ships 😉

Edited May 13 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

2 hours ago, jthayek said:

My wife and I are planning a 10 year anniversary trip, and I would love to hear the opinions of experienced cruisers to the area. 

 

Have you cruised on Windstar's Star Breeze or the Paul Gauguin? What did you like/ dislike about each? Have you done both? Even better! Tell me about it. 

 

How was the food? How was the atmosphere? Did it feel stuffy or fun and casual? 

 

One of the most important things to us is having quick and easy access to play in the water. Did you use the sports platform to kayak/ swim/ SUP? Was the sports platform open a lot? Was it fun and easy to use? 

 

Thanks for sharing your opinion and experience! 

 

 

Only a few comparisons ... the SB is relatively new to FP full time ... likely only a handful of people have done both 😉

Most of your questions have been asked several times and answered several times ... I would recommend looking through the post for the last 4 - 6 months.

 

Remember the SB has only been stationed full time in FP since February 😉

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

We've just returned from the Star Breeze  .... this was a fact finding cruise to check out the ship for my 'groupies'. I'll post pictures now and then and give a bit of general info. Please don't ask, wait for the info I post over the coming weeks and months. 

 

Taken as we were leaving PPT

 

There was a aircraft carrier from Japan docked next to us in PPT. The tug along side as we back out of the berth.

 

Taken as we backed out of our PPT berth. People lines the railings to take in the evening views. The SB has 2 jacuzzies and a small pool, good amount of shade ... there was never a shortage of lounge chairs to enjoy.

Edited June 8 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[jthayek]

How awesome! Can't wait to hear more! 

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Leaving Rangiroa ... picture taken from our French Balcony on the Star Breeze.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

A jacuzzi with a panoramic view  ....Star Breeze

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Leaving the lagoon of Tahaa on the Star Breeze .... You can Bora Bora 15 miles away and if you look closely you can see the steeple on the little church on the right. This view is awesome no mater which small ship.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Leaving Rangiroa at sunset on the Star Breeze  .... the 'Aquarium' is on the other side of the small motu.

Edited June 14 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Cook's Bay Moorea ... the Star Breeze in the background.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Wish you all could join me tonight as I'm doing a livestream comparison between the Star Breeze and the Paul Gauguin and then and open question and answer time  ... bottom line: both are fine ships for visiting French Polynesia 😉

[jthayek]

Comforting to hear we can't go wrong with either line! 

 

One thing I really want to know is about the sports deck. This is something we are looking forward to most, and I really can't find any detailed intel on it anywhere. Like what activities are available, restrictions, operating hours, etc. 

 

My wife seriously wants to jump off the boat and swim, kayak, SUP. And if she can't or it's disappointing, well, I don't want to know what will happen to me. 

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

This should help ... times will be dicated by ship schedule/itinerary and weather. Taken a few weeks ago on Moorea.

 

Star Breeze Marina

Edited June 26 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[Wilcoam]

I have sailed both and also the Wind surf (or one of those, lol) in Tahiti and they are equally wonderful products - My preference though is both WS and the Breeze - Why? 

 

First WS is a little less expensive - Second I find WS generally just bit more 'casual' - Third love love love the WS staff - Fourth The ship is a bit more 'modern' - Fifth I love love the all inclusive packaging 

 

However apart from the basic 7 day cruise PG does offer more interesting itin's - Food wise they are both way above average

 

Will b e sailing on the WS Breeze Oct 24th for a week - Can't wait  

 

jc

 

[jthayek]

14 hours ago, Wilcoam said:

I have sailed both and also the Wind surf (or one of those, lol) in Tahiti and they are equally wonderful products - My preference though is both WS and the Breeze - Why? 

 

First WS is a little less expensive - Second I find WS generally just bit more 'casual' - Third love love love the WS staff - Fourth The ship is a bit more 'modern' - Fifth I love love the all inclusive packaging 

 

However apart from the basic 7 day cruise PG does offer more interesting itin's - Food wise they are both way above average

 

Will b e sailing on the WS Breeze Oct 24th for a week - Can't wait  

 

jc

 

Appreciate hearing your opinion. I am also leaning towards a Windstar cruise in 2025. Did you have any experience with the water sports platform? How was it?

[Wilcoam]

Spectacular and SEXY!

 

We tend to do 1:00p afternoon excursions (when possible) and use the water sports platform as a free excursion of sorts after breakfast - Couple of hours of swimming in the ocean, playing on the floatees, maybe take out a kayak, etc

 

We used the platform a ton in on WS Cruises in the Panama Canal and in Croatia as well but it's a daily 'destination' in FP (minus Raiteria which is docked and the Taha Moto day)

 

I've yet to feel a 'crowd' on any of our four WS cruises to date - There's never a ton of pax using the sports platform which is kind of crazy....  

[jthayek]

8 hours ago, Wilcoam said:

Spectacular and SEXY!

 

We tend to do 1:00p afternoon excursions (when possible) and use the water sports platform as a free excursion of sorts after breakfast - Couple of hours of swimming in the ocean, playing on the floatees, maybe take out a kayak, etc

 

We used the platform a ton in on WS Cruises in the Panama Canal and in Croatia as well but it's a daily 'destination' in FP (minus Raiteria which is docked and the Taha Moto day)

 

I've yet to feel a 'crowd' on any of our four WS cruises to date - There's never a ton of pax using the sports platform which is kind of crazy....  

Sounds amazing!