gabelle

Pretty much anything you want.  Are there specific brands you are looking for?

Wendy - The Marquesas was our first trip on the PG. We liked it, (obviously we have returned to the PG many times!!) but it was ridiculously hot in January when we were there. We enjoyed the beauty and enjoyed the local performances, but we much prefer the reefs and waters of the other islands. On the other hand, we would cruise back to Fiji in a heartbeat as we had wonderful weather with relatively calm seas. Others on this board would disagree with that!

Might be interested, but not Marquesas. And isn't the Marquesas the next reunion cruise itinerary?

Come on Wendy. There are a bunch of us you know who are going. It will certainly be fun. And the Marina isn't that big!!

Great review!!! I have not experienced the south Pacific on Oceania (although we have sailed them many times), but have been there on the Paul Gauguin many times. I am sorry you didn't choose huahine nautique with Marc for Huahine. We have done both his island tour and his picnic tour twice. Both are wonderful experiences and his picnic in the water is wonderful! The first time we were there we got to do a shark feeding which still goes down as one of our most memorable excursions of all times. Unfortunately I don't think he does that anymore. I am thrilled you enjoyed our favorite paradise on earth:):) :):):)

Wendy, we met Twin on that cruise which made it very special:D. The Marquesas are distinctly different than the Societies. We loved the wildness and history, but prefer the water capabilities in the other islands. And as I stated before, we loved both reunion cruises.

Our first PG cruise was the Marquesas. Great cruise, but probably our least favorite itinerary of all. As much as we have adored the past two reunion cruises, this one will more than likely sail without us.

Braveheart, we were on the cruise prior to yours. It was decidedly less successful than previous cruises on Oceania. Our other least favorite cruise on O was also on the Riviera, also in the Caribbean, and also in December. Consequently, we will not cruise on the Riviera again in the Caribbean in December. Actually the Caribbean, never again!! That being said, your experience mirrored ours very closely. Bad experience in Toscana. Exceptional recovery with terrific meal and service. Exemplary service and food in Polo twice. Terrific Jacques. Red Ginger as always amazing. Main Dining Room, for the most part, a disaster from raw eggs to cold food to slow service. Waves was wonderful at first, and then went downhill. They couldn't figure out by the end of the cruise how to correctly cook meat. The officers were invisible. The entertainment staff was very green but very friendly.

We have had fabulous cruises on O with exemplary food and service on their other ships in other parts of the world, but not on Riviera in the Caribbean.

Accept perhaps in Bora Bora, you will not find vendors at the dock. Book ahead. Check out Paul Gauguin boards. Most info will be there. Absolutely Pure Snorkeling in Bora Bora and Marc on Huahine. Both are excellent!

We are scheduled on a Riviera cruise in December that has most ports affected by Irma. We also live in a mandatory evacuation zone caused by Irma. We have elected to shelter in place. Worrying about your deposit and canceling a cruise because the ports were devastated, and your vacation might not be perfect, is really bothersome. Have some feelings for those people who have had to experience the wrath of nature.

The bathrooms were under renovation as of Sunday morning, so you had to go downstairs. No big deal.

We will sincerely miss Elmo. He is extremely special!

They provide L'Occitane products. Why pack your own?

AMEX Platinum bogo is only for business class. We have flown their premium economy several years ago and it was fine. We chose that over business for our upcoming July trip. The price differential was tremendous!

We have cruised many times on both Oceania and on the PG. We love Oceania, but for French Polynesia, nothing can compare to the PG. The food and staff are wonderful on both, but on the PG, after several years, the staff remembered us and our favorite things. Quite amazing! Don't think I could say that about the staff on O. Perhaps it's due to the shear number of passengers. And that, the small ship size, and the total familiarity with the locale, makes the PG the star of French Polynesia.

I vote for Capt. Toni on the repeaters. Been with him twice. He's wonderful!!!

Emdee

Is it days cruised or cruises? So many of the PG cruises are 7 days. All of the ones we have been on have been longer. Just curious.

It's a distinct possibility. We'll see:)

Nancy and Ken

Loved watching this! Brought back so many memories.

Liz - the Tahiti to Fiji was wonderful! You would definitely love it!

How about that itinerary for a reunion cruise??????

Love the pictures, Liz!!! Great memories for us of a great trip!

We arrived on the 5 am flight and got our room around noon. And we have Ambassador status. When we got off of the ship, we got our room around 11. That was pretty amazing! Don't expect a room early.

Liz - spot on about the tenders!! And I totally agree about having a great time at a great party! We enjoyed sharing it with you guys immensely:)

Apparently I'll be the one with the divergent opinion:rolleyes: We've been on both cruises, and adored them both, but really enjoyed our time in the Cooks and Tonga. The waters and snorkeling were spectacular. And in Savusavu, Fiji we snorkeled amidst the most amazing coral I've ever seen. In Suva we participated in a Kava ceremony. If you like magnificent underwater experiences, the Fiji trip can't be beat. The sea days were an added bonus for us to relax. The Marquesas were more land oriented and extremely hot. Very interesting, but VERY hot.

Avenida Palace was wonderful! A charming hotel and the location was terrific.

Four of us took a taxi in June from the port to the airport. It was 50euros. The lines at the airport were extremely long. Business class was a snap, but if you aren't a frequent flyer or in business class, allow a lot of time.