Tahitianbigkahuna

A few taken from last weeks trip to French Polynesia ... my 31st trip to this photographer's dream location. No filters ... only basic lightroom. Sony RX10IV - sunrise in Bora Bora on the pool deck. Sony RX10IV - Taken cruising in the lagoon of Tahaa ... Bora Bora is 13 miles away in the distance. iPhone SE3😁- Taken in the lagoon of Bora Bora

Just off the PG ... Regent Navigator in FP in January. Pictured is Moorea from Magic Mountain.

Just off the PG ... for my 16th time. I will give a detailed review later but I'm addressing the draft issue. Both can go to any of the islands usually visited by both ships. The Regent ship has a slightly deeper draft but not enough to make any difference. Though PG is home based in FP at on time it was a Regent ship so the line knows the islands/vendors. The Navigator is an all suite ship ... smallest cabin is 300 SF, Cat F, E, D and C on the PG are all around 200 SF minus the balcony. Regent includes most basic excursions whereas you pay on the PG. I will be on the Navigator in FP in January. Looking forward to this cruise so I can have a comparison. I love most of the things about the PG but competition is always good ... Will be on the Star Breeze in October, 2024. As far as pre/post stays most pick Moorea ... so accessible from Tahiti. Many go to FP for Bora Bora but many fall in love with Moorea 😉

Check your roll call 😉

Food is solid, not spectacular but solid at the main venue. The Lotus option is good.

There are usually a handful of singles but remember FP is a place of romance so predominantly it's couples. At meals simply ask for a table where others are or can join you and then ask the Maître to send singles to your table. Sometimes the best way to make a friend is to be the initiator 😉

I would call PG ... we've always been able to use our OBC for ship excursions. Something new?

Taken from the Belvedere on Huahine ... looking down on Maroe Bay and the Paul Gauguin.

That seems to be one great price ... Was that for a regular room or did you have a day pass to run around and use of the larger 'transit' rooms. Regular rooms are often not available that early ....

That composition never gets old ... taken from Tahaa 13 miles away during the golden hour.

Actually the count was 307 total passengers, 215 were French 😁

There is a ferry but it isn't 30 minutes .... figure 2.5 hours from Raiatea to Bora Bora. Leaves Raiatea @ 12 noon .... the return isn't until the following morning. https://www.apetahiexpress.pf/en/timetable Bora Bora is the gem of French Polynesia ... to bad your on a ship that is to large to go into Bora bora ...

Bring a bag just to be sure ...

Which ship?

The easy answer to your question is no .... but On Fakarava you go go right on the main road and down about 3/4 mile there is a small beach with some shade ... you can wade out far and you will find some snorkel locations but nothing like some of the excursions where the fish are larger and the coral superior. On Rangiroa there is a public beach past the Kia Ora resort but it's a long walk and again nothing like some of the excursions which have sperior snorkeling.

The underwater world of Bora Bora ... taken at the coral gardens behind the Sofitel private island. 'Papa' feeding one of the eels.

We received ours 2 days ago .... we received everything including the bag ...

The French like the 14 night Marquesas itinerary. As they fly a long way and have 30 days of vacation time they prefer the longer cruises. PG has focused the summer months with many 14 night runs just for the French ... figure 2/3 of the ship will be French on the 14 night cruise and yes you will notice the difference ... more French influence ... North Americans are typically a bit more casual and easy going. nuff said ... Been on the PG 16 times ... I prefer the 10 and 11 night itineraries. Service is the best we've had on any ship. Though the ship is 25 years old she has been kept up well with frequent drydocks. Though Regent has big cabins I don't consider the PG small ... actually larger than some other lines.

Inside the intimate wedding chapel at the Bora bora Thalasso Resort ...

Historically Air France has been the lowest price for business ... but it is always expensive. I never fly business so it isn't an issue for us. If we can afford economy plus it is a good day ... Next cruise coming up shortly we paid $679 R/T economy on united out of SFO ... cheap cattle call.

Usually there are self peddle and ebikes right at the tender drop off .... but you would want to be there early before taken by others.

private

I'm Going to say this again ... though some people have been able to book more than one specialty reservation (one for each specialty restaurant) when boarding the official policy for the 10. 11 and 14 night cruises in one reservation in each of the specialty restaurants when you board and you can return halfway through the cruise and book again ... it really depends on the passenger load. If the ship is near full the official policy will likely be in effect ... if your lucky enough to make more than one in each of the specialty restaurants when you board good for you ... 16 trips on the PG ... enough said.

Time for a foo foo drink on the motu ...

Cruising past the Le Tahaa Resort which is right next to the famous drift snorkel on Tahaa ... Mount Otemanu on Bora Bora is 13 miles away ...