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Reviewer Ratings

4/5

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March 31, 2012 7 Day Society Island

Tahiti - 3/2012

7 Day Society Island cruise Papeete roundtrip.  Ports of call - Raiatea arrival Sunday everything closed, Tahaa with day picnic to Motu. Bora Bora overnight and the Moorea overnight. Ship was lovely, rooms upgraded with recent refurbishment. Staff were hardworking and extremely friendly.

The weather was very kind considering March can still be a wet month. Airport immigration is long and tedious but manageable. Boarding the ship is a breeze and then from the moment you step aboard you are transported to a mode of relaxation and happiness.  First port is Raiatea arrival on a Sunday and all the stores are closed. Important to make sure clients book a shore excursion here (ruins a great choice or a tour to vanilla and pearl farm.). Next day is Tahaa and the motu picnic which is so much fun and a great way to meet others on the ship and establish new friendships. 

Tuesday we arrive in Bora Bora for an overnight. Here is another opportunity to visit an isolated motu with fabulous turquoise water. (keep in mind no deck chairs or bathroom facilities). It is only a15 minute complimentary boat transfer and well worth the trip.  Bloody Marys  Bar is another popular spot or rent a car and do a easy drive round the island stopping at the many galleries .

Thursday we head on to Moorea  no longer anchoring in Cook's Bay due to renovation of the pier. Now it is Opunohu Bay and unfortunately only free transportation is to the Intercontinental Hotel or one of the various pearl stores.Several vendors have set up their wares for purchase on the dock. The must do tour here is the trip to the Belvedere where you have a lookout point over Cooks Bay and Opunohu Bay. Rental cars are very accessible and cost effective.

We arrive back into Papeete about 7.30p enough time to go ashore and enjoy the sites.

If you are on  an air/sea program the next day you have a short excursion of Papeete and are transported to the Radisson hotel with a day room until flight departure at 11pm.

Pros: Small ship 330 passengers. relaxed atmosphere, no formal nights. Alcohol included

Cons: first day arrival in Raiatea with everything closed.

Reviewer Recommended? y

Reviewer Ratings

5/5

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Staff Dining Entertainment Activities Cabins/Staterooms Itinerary/Ports Value

Paul Gauguin Remains Top of the Line!

Tahiti - 2/2012

I always wondered if PG could keep up the same standards, we all expected from Regent? Would having just one ship in the area be enough to keep guests returning?

Paul Gauguin Cruises have exceeded expectations! Their ship is well maintained, and has a sophisticated and understated elegance that reminds us of their previous owners, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The staff were well trained, available and friendly, they tried to learn everyone's names within the first day or two, and they appeared to be genuinely interested in ensuring that you were having a good time.

From the reception, to the pool, to the excursions, to the maintenance crew- each and every one were gracious and hospitable. Very refreshing!

The food was terrific - the main dining room was enough for most guests and even though there were two alternate dining facilities (converted from regular restaurants during the day) they did not appear busy or neccessary. Most of the guests did reserve these alternate restaurants, but none that I spoke to felt that they were extraordinary. They were good, maybe even very good, but not way above and beyond that which was available at the regular dining room..

Several of the passengers we met and spoke to did not even swim or go to the beach, so my impression and the myth  that this is a great cruise for those who love the water was dispelled quickly. One lady particularly loved photography and she participated in the classes and excursions and felt it was well worth while. Others learned to scuba for the first time and were taken out to sea. There was plenty to do.

The on board lectures, documentaries, demonstration, and shows were all superb and in addition to the computer room, library, and many other 'nooks and crannies' to find a quiet moment were popular with guests.

This cruise was well worth it - I never heard a single complaint and many were planning to return within the next 3 -  years.

Pros: On board activities, size of stateroom, staff, incredible location, variety.

Cons: None! ( I only made the dining a 4 due to alternate dining not being 'over the top')

Reviewer Recommended? y

Reviewer Ratings

5/5

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Staff Dining Entertainment Activities Cabins/Staterooms Itinerary/Ports Value

French Polynesia Holiday Cruise

French Polynesia - 12/2011

Sailed from Papeete Tahiti on Dec. 21, 2011 and cruised the islands of French Polynesia.  The seas were calm and the weather was great, considering the "rainy season". 

The ship size (332 passengers) was appropriate for the itinerary and the crew was most friendly and very accommodating.  Many learned our names within hours of being onboard, greeting us with smiles and learning guest's preferences.  They were amazing.   The officers were present and also extremely friendly.

Of special note was the excellent quality of the meals provided.  Meals were very fresh with local polynesian as well as gourmet French offerings.  They had three venues for meals: main dining, more intimate specialty dining, and alfresco top deck dining.  Room service meals were available 24 hours per day. 

Ports of call were not only scenic but also offered a taste of the local culture.  The leisurely pace of the cruise allowed overnight stays in Bora Bora and in Moorea.  Spending Christmas day on their private motu was very special.  Not only did guests enjoy this spectacular beach day, but the crew had fun with a Santa visit and local singing.   

Excursions offered guests many active water sports activities, great exploring of the beautiful islands beneath the sea and to the top of their mountains. The ship has a water sports back deck where guests could depart for snorkel and scuba diving excursions, go kayaking or on other trips.

Entertainment was intimate with the local Gauguines performing often.  A most interesting program was offered on Christmas with the crew having fun by performing together by each department onboard.  They laughed, the passengers laughed and it was a perfect choice for such an small, intimate ship.  Most passengers seemed to enjoy the offerings.

The ship is scheduled for refurbishment which should make future cruises even more enjoyable for guests.  The planned updates were showcased to guests on the cruise.  They have a very high repeat guest ratio and this holiday cruise had many guests who return to spend this special time onboard with Paul Gauguin.

Pros: Warm family atmosphere created by the ship's crew. Crystal clear waters and spectacular scenery.

Cons: Bedding in suites will be refreshed in refurbishment

Reviewer Recommended? y

Reviewer Ratings

5/5

Reviewer Scorecard

Staff Dining Entertainment Activities Cabins/Staterooms Itinerary/Ports Value

Society Islands, Marquesas & Tuamotus 14 day cruise

Society Islands Marquesas & Tuamotus - 11/2011

This is an excellent ship which holds 332 guests.  This is very much a niche market.  French Polynesian is all about various Polynesian Cultures, lovely views, beautiful water and a very seductive culture.  Including the Marquesa Islands raises the age on the ship by about 20 years (lots of 70 year olds).  These islands are on the lists of places to go to cross off your list.  They are half way between South America and Australia in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The Marquesas are volcanic islands with no coral (too cold for Coral).  They are made of several steep mountains and valleys with few beaches.  There is some unique diving there.  Visiting the Marquesas adds 2 days sail in each direction from Papeete.  The Tuamotus and Society Islands are lovely islands --some are atolls and others islands with lovely calm lagoons surrounded by coral motus.  Activities are water based.  Scuba, snorkling, swimming, hiking, 4 wheel drive exploration and sea kayaking are the activities that abound.  The ship is all inclusive except for shore excursions.  It offers an excellent value for visiting expensive French Polynesia.  Food and Service are outstanding.

Cabins are well laid out and very comfortable.  You will love having a balcony in this beautiful part of the world.  Queen beds are in most cabins.  Some have twin beds. 

The ship had excellent enrichment lectures including a marine biologist, an art expert on Paul Gauguin the artist, Mark Eddowes, an expert acheologist on the Polynesian peoples, and the 8 Gauguinists who bring the grace and elegance of the Polynesian Culture to the guests through, scent, dance, songs, and music.  I don't know what the enrichment would be on shorter cruises.

There is an authentic feel to the ship.  Entertainment is pretty simple.  The Gauguinists do some great dances, the cruise director did some caberet nights, a magician and two outside dance troupes were brought on board (terrific).  There was an orchestra which was ok for dancing.

There are 3 restaurants on board.  Room service is 24 hours and is excellent, the best that we've experienced.  One stop is a private island in Ta'Ha which was an excellent day.  Etoile restaurant is open only for dinner and you need no reservation.  You can ask to sit alone or with others.  The services and food are truly outstanding.  La Veranda is open for breakfast and lunch and becomes a French Bistro for dinner.  Reservations are required.  Le Grill at the top of the ship is open for breakfast and lunch and becomes a more casual restaurant featuring Pacific grilled specialties in the evening.  Reservations are required.

Ties are never required.  Country Club Casual is the dress.  The feel is "tropical elegance".

There is a marina at the back of the ship.  You cannot swim off of the ship.  You can sea kayak and windsurf--I didn't notice any windsurfing on our cruise.  Some scuba is done there also.

The ship has opened up it's marketing to the internet etc.  There was a large French population on our cruise and they were upset that so much was in English.  There were also many people who had never been on a cruise before and weren't prepared to get to lectures etc.  The ship didn't rebroadcast lectures in the cabin which they should.  Some passengers were quite surprised at how great the food and service were.

Pros: Outstanding food, service, enrichment, cultural immersion-beautiful water and sunsets and smells. Great for relaxing

Cons: for those who aren't interested in being at sea for many days in a small ship, it can be tedious. Water sports and rugged activities are the norm. Shore excursions were uneven

Reviewer Recommended? y