Blue262

I don't remember ever seeing anyone on any board that has been on both in FP.

Besides the PG 5 times I have been on two Princess cruises here on a 700 person ship. Excellent cruises but I still preferred the PG overall.

14 day PG cruise to the Marquesas is great but I wouldn't recommend it if water activities is your thing. It was my first PG but after my two Princess cruises.

 

 

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Just curious, why is the Marquesas not recommended for water activities? I was considering this trip.

I just got back from a 14 day Paul Guaguin cruise through the south pacific. We stopped at Tahiti, Moorea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Aitutaki, Tonga, Savusavu Fiji, Suva Fiji, Beqa Island Fiji and Lautoka Fiji.

The Paul Gauguin is an incredible small ship delivering 100% on the promise to bring you in to small islands bigger ships can't get to. This ship is the best value in a cruise ship I have ever done.

The south pacific islanders are the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. If you ever get a chance to do this trip do it just to met the most incredible people you will ever meet.

All said and done, Anguilla, Exuma and Turks and Caicos are the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Bonaire and Turks and Caicos are the most beautiful snorkeling I have ever done.

I'm now satisfied that for flying 3 or 4 hours to the Carribean, versus 14 hours to the south pacific and for 25% the cost, the carribean is my paradise.

I did the Beqa Lagoon trip on 4/27. I didn't feel any current but it was choppy that day. I don't like snorkeling in 2 foot waves. It is an open water snorkel trip on a reef out in the middle of the lagoon. It is a pretty reef and worth the effort. The bus ride is a pain, about 50-60 minutes. The boat ride is 10 minutes, maybe 2 miles.

For the day at Taha'a, order breakfast room service for 0700, then do the morning (0830) coral garden snorkel trip, after the snorkel trip the boat drops you off at the Motu and lunch is served and you still have all afternoon to enjoy the Motu. This is a very shallow water (<6') drift snorkel with a lazy river type current right through one of the prettiest coral gardens you will have the opportunity to see. The coral garden is between two small motus, so its very safe, not an open water snorkel trip. Your son will love it.

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I really value the diversity of opinions. I'm sure everyone's advice will enhance our first FP/PG experience as we will be following much of it. Thanks again.

I sort of posted this question under someone else's trip report and realized I would get a better response if I made it my own thread. So...forgive me if you have seen it before.

We are going on the PG 4/15 to 4/29/2017 (14 days) Tahiti, Moorea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji Islands cruise.

I am familiar only with Caribbean cruises, where you can book excursions or walk off the ship on your own and visit local beaches, markets, villages, etc. We tend not to like crowded, cattle car excursions.

Is it possible to tender-in ( I don't see where we dock very much on this trip) and find local beaches and things to see/do on our own or is it necessary to book an excursion each day?

If we must book excursions each day, what are your favorites?

We really want to do this trip right, but really don't know what to expect each day and reading this board leads me to think its: sit on the ship or book an excursion.

I know you have probably gotten this question hundreds of times on this board, so again forgive my duplicity.

Becky,

Thanks for putting a very detailed and helpful report out for us first timers, it is greatly appreciated. I have a few questions for you. I am only familiar with Caribbean cruises where if you don't want to do an excursion you can still walk-off or tender off and do your own thing. Is it possible to tender in and find your own thing to do? Find your own beach to sit on or visit the local village or market? Or is the tender location remote and there is nothing to do but book an excursion?