Tikiintahiti

Hi. I'm wondering if anyone knows how much is the current PG rebate for the included airfare?

 

Also, if any of you have used PG's included flights, but booked your own pre- or post- stay, did you get charged a deviation fee and an airfare differential?

 

TIA!

Things change from time to time ........... I would contact PG directly and ask.

We will be doing the 10-day Princess FP cruise plus 3 nights in a Moorea OWB and 2 "transition" nights im Papeete (one before, one after the cruise/OWB).

 

We are researching independent excursions and want to reserve them ahead of time. We are looking for:

- Quality experience

- Not a large group

- Not a "bus tour"

- Not a "canned experience" feel

- Super scenery

- Relaxation

- Don't think we'd want to do pearl or vanilla stops

 

Since we'll have extra time on Moorea we're thinking do our Moorea activities then and relax on the ship. Or should we maximixe our OWB time and do an excursion from the ship?

 

Any recommendations for excursions on the following islands that would align with the above objectives?

- Huahine

- Rangiora

- Bora Bora

- Raiatea

- Moorea

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, insights, and suggestions!

Your questions get asked on a weekly basis ....... did you do a search of the threads for answers?

Bora Bora

Moorea

Huahine

We are sailing aboard the Statendam during the holidays and one of our stops is Bora Bora where we will over night on 30Dec.. and set sail at 11pm on New Years eve (31Dec).

Will there be any fireworks display at midnight on NYE that we could see from out ship?

Usually the locals have a party going on next to the tender drop off location. Remember the population is very small so don't expect anything major.

Hello All,

 

We have booked our cruise for December 13th, getting a little worried because as soon as we booked it there has been a flurry of bad reviews. We always make the best of any trip but just seems strange that it happened soon after we booked $$$. Lovetotravel68 review has been helpful though.

 

We are staying at the Le Meridian Tahiti pre cruise. Anyone stayed here, thoughts?

 

Looking for some advice or words of wisdom on excursions/itinerary. Here is what we planned so far:

 

Day 1, Tahiti- The boat!

Day 2, Huahine- ???

Day 3, Taha- The PG Motu

Day 4, Bora Bora- Jet ski with Moana

Day 5, Bora Bora- Reef discovery snorkel

Day 6, Moorea- ???

Day 7, Tahiti- The boat ???

 

Anything you can suggest with the days with question marks? My wife and I are in our early 30s and looking for a good mix of adventure, relaxation, and eating on this trip.

 

The marina on the back of the boat, do they have stand-up paddle boarding? One of my favorite things to do, probably super awesome there. The open hours on the Marina seem short?

 

Any local must buys and where? Like vanilla, best place?

 

We are staying on deck 3, looking forward to the block party :-)

 

Thanks for the help!

Did you notice this ........... current, this month ;)

Snack Mahana close to the IC. The place is awesome. But I think they close up at 2-3

 

 

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I'll agree, good choice

Another choice would be Les Tipaniers, close to the same area. Their Beach café is reasonable, good and great views of the reef and motus.

Thank you so much for your input Tiki! This will be so valuable in helping us make up our mind!

 

Jill

Anytime ;)

I'm seeing everything through your eyes ......... great job on the review .....

Now get bust and give us more, we need our 'fix' today :)

Oh .............. and welcome to the Tahitian flu club

After our fantastic morning, we headed back to the cruise ship just in time for lunch. We feasted to our hearts content then I went off to do a Polynesian dance class. It was really fun and I learnt some new moves. I had such a good time I even went back a few days later for another class.

 

(polynesian dance class with Les Gauguines)

 

Later that evening the cruise line put on a 'blessing ceremony' and those who were celebrating their honeymoon or wedding anniversary were invited to attend. It was a really nice ceremony where the entertainment director read out a lovely poem and one of the dancers performed. Then one by one, starting with the couples who had just been married and finishing with those who had been married the longest, we were invited to be wrapped in the 'fertility blanket' to be blessed. As DH and I had been married for just 11 days we got to go first!

 

(newlyweds)

 

We made a toast to all the couples onboard and were given a piece of cake to celebrate. If we were to return to the PG, DH and I would actually go to this ceremony again as it was really well done. They did a great job of making everyone feel special and it was nice to have a special evening onboard. To continue on our 'special day' we had made a reservation for 'La Veranda', an ambient restaurant which features French cuisine. Our dinner was so amazing, I loved every single thing I ate - even the creme brulee. For someone who doesn't even like custard, that's a big call :) Each course was paired with wine so we just had what the waiter recommended and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

 

(grilled wahoo with green beans)

 

(creme brulee)

 

A great end to our first day in Bora Bora.

I can see the color in your face on that last picture ....... is that because of you being outside in the sun having the time of your life or ....... ah ..... is it because of the 'fertility blanket' :eek:

Thanks so much for your detailed review. It's a real pleasure to read. It's clear you had a great time.

 

You are doing wonders for our anticipation. Cannot wait for September.

 

I forecast the beginnings of the PG Flu in your future. If we next go on the PG soon becomes WHEN we next go on the PG. All of a sudden you become a lifer like some of us!

I can tell she is getting the 'flu' .......... I'm sure I'll meet up with her someday :)

Go to the new thread:

Best time of year to go on the next Paul Gauguin Repeaters Cruise

Hit the link and vote ..........

I'll leave it open until October 1st so those that are n the September Reapers Cruise will have time to discuss and then vote.

In October I'll make a new poll with only the top 2 vote getters for a runoff.

In November I'll do a poll on some possible itineraries.

Vote Here

What fun ................ good for you guys ........... high rollers for the day :)

Huahine currents can be pretty strong. My DH one year had difficulty getting back to the boat without flippers and started to panic. Fortunately, a kindly gentleman helped him to the ship. Since then he has never snorkelled in Huahine.

 

Awaiting the next instalment.

Yes the current can be a bit strong on Huahine. I always bring my Fish Blade 5000 ........... pulls me along at 3 knots for up to 3 miles ......... love it!

We will be getting off the Paul Gauguin ship in the morning and our flight isn't until late that evening at 11PMish.

 

I see many suggestions on what to do - a 4x4 tour - looks good - but that isn't all day long. Any suggestions for how to spend a day until 11PM? And what do people do with their luggage during the day?

 

Is it common just to get a hotel room for the day so you have somewhere to go?

 

Thanks

Many of the hotels offer a day use rate.

There is a storage location in the parking lot at the airport.

Some rent a car and use the trunk as their storage area.

Thank you Tiki. I hope you don't mind looking at two more rentals for me.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p648676a

 

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p648676a

 

I'm done now!

 

I keep leaning toward Moorea over Bora Bora. I don't know why. I think the pictures are just appealing to me more.

 

Thanks again for your input.

 

Jill

Nice place in one of my favorite areas.

Off the beaten track and around where many of the locals on Moorea actually live.

Daniels Pizzeria that is mentioned is fantastic, I've eaten there several times.

There are a few small food markets close by but the bigger ones are s bit of a drive.

The place looks nice and looks to be a nice deal.

Hit the link under the picture .......

A bit of help to give you the lay of the land in comparison to the location of this place.

I think I am going to do the car rental. Can you tell me what areas to stop at? I should get a map to see what areas you are talking about. (Motus) no idea where that is. Someone said if you past the Hilton there is an area you can snorkel or can I snorkel at the Hilton no charge?

Hilton will charge you for day use.

The place just west of the Hilton is a public beach, right next to a small sailing club. Never snorkeled here, always seemed a bit choppy.

Just before the IC Moorea is the transfer location for Coco Beach, there is a sign next to the road.

Les Tipaniers is past the IC but before Le Petite Village

Lagoonarium is nice but pretty much for the beginner .........

You could take the boat schuttle over to between the motus on the northwest side. From Coco Beach transfer or the Les Tipaniers, about 10 bucks. The snorkeling between the motus is pretty good.

I think that Manihi and Tikehau were not possible when we looked at them last time.

 

Lets ask Capt Rajko what he thinks about them when we see him in September.

Manihi does not have a reef entry

Tikehau has one but it looks a bit tight and who knows the depth, that is why I thought Rangi for an over night and a ship relocation within the lagoon.

Hi Tikiintahiti,

Here are a few links to the places I found:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p273185#summary

 

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p667148a#ratesAnchor

 

(same pictures on these but appear to be two different rentals)

 

http://www.temanuata.com/en/rates_en.htm

http://www.bora-bora-ecolodge.com/hebergement.html

http://www.nonipension.com/

 

Any input would be appreciated.

thank you!

Jill

I've been to both these places. Very nice but not the best location. The driveway is very steep, the 'beach' across the street is very small. The units over the water that you can see in some of the photos are very similar. The closes 'real' market is about 5 miles away, only one local restaurant is close, about a mile away but very good and reasonable.

I am afraid that we will not be able to sail in January/February for a few more years. :(

 

Both my DW and I are college professors and if we are not in front of the classroom the students tend to leave.

 

We are already booked on the TM Reunion Cruise for next August.

How about sometime in the first 3 weeks of December?

When does the college let out for winter break?

Thank you all for your input. We appreciate that!

 

We are still considering a rental through VRBO--some will also rent you a car.

As I said, we want to stay in a place that has a kitchen so we don't have to eat all our meals out. Is that a good plan ?? Or should we look for a decent hotel with place nearby? Do we need a rental car on Bora Bora?

 

thanks again.

Jill

Jill,

The majority, not all, rental properties with kitchens are on the northern part of the island away from activities, so yes, a rental car is a must. I may also add that the beaches are superior on other parts of the island, primarily Matira Beach/strand.

I've looked a few times about doing what you are thinking so I have a pretty good idea of what's out there. There appears to be a few places located in the south area, close to Matira Beach but they can be very expensive. The north area is much more reasonable but then your off away from everything thing.

There are also a few rustic rentals that have kitchenettes but no A/C and it is very basic.

Feel free to give the ink of a property your thinking of, I know Bora Bora well, would be happy to give you my take on the area/property.

Just heard back, and booked, with Reef Discovery. Thanks.

You will enjoy Christopher and his gang of good skippers ...... ;)

Love the idea of being nearer the pink sand beach in Rangiroa. I have only once seen a Napoleon Wrasse and would love to see more of them. I am told they abound in that area. Of course the area may not been deep enough for the ship but worth looking at.

Even 1.5 days would be fine with half a day near the pass for those who want to dive the pass and a full day in the Pink sand area.

Just pointing out that staying within a lagoon over night is safe and the ship can anchor. This is important during that time of year that your thinking. On Aitutaki the ship can not do either thus why it's not always possible to stop there.

Emdee, email me when you have a chance

I like the idea of another repeaters cruise. For that time of year I too would say stay in FP waters. 10 - 11 night cruise, maybe another island in the atolls that is off the beaten trek that many have not seen. Or maybe an overnight on Rangiora and the ship can be moved toward the Blue Lagoon or the pink sand beaches where there is also another pass for divers/snorkelers.