MrRandal

You are now able to access your account on pgcruises.com, our names and cruise shows up, with our booking number and personal info. None of our excursions are listed for our cruise which is 44 days out. I realize in the past excursions came out 30 days in advance, I'll let you know in 2 weeks.

We're 44 days out, so far no excursions available to book. In the past, they were available 30 days before sailing. Also, the website doesn't seem to be retaining some personal information, such as country, state, emergency contact, phone numbers, passport expirations. I fill them out, go back and they are all blank or incorrect. You would have thought after all this time they would have all of the bugs worked out.

The ship used to have an excursion called a "Circle Island Tour", which was either an open or closed bus that made a number of stops as it circled most of the island. It was very informative, the stops were interesting, most at historical sites, and if I recall it was modestly priced.

It has always been 60 days prior to your cruise and you booked online. Now the website states 30 days prior, and you need to call PG direct on the PG website under My Bookings. The My Bookings on the PG website was supposed to be up and running several months ago, then I was promised June. It is still not up.

To be re-evaluated in 90 days, right in the middle of our cruise 🙂

No more testing to re-enter the U.S.

Yes, a lot of confusing, contradictory and changing information out there. And don't throw out any tests you think may have expired, as they have apparently extended the shelf life of many at-home tests, including those iHome tests we received from the Government through the Post Office. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#list

My mistake, we were able to order 8 free tests through the Post Office, which was pretty simple. But when I got another email from Medicare stating I could order 8 tests, I filled out the form and it said my address had received the maximum. The maximum was for the mail order free tests. Now, you must go through your pharmacy, you are allowed 8 tests per month, per person. You must get them at the pharmacy counter. The pharmacy will bill Medicare or your insurance directly. It should be zero cost to you.

Eight at-home tests total, not each month. And all the tests we have gotten from the Post Office expire within 2-4 months.

The ship's excursion with Pure Snorkeling with Reef Discovery (PFBOB61) is 3.5 hours long and still states they take you to see both Mantas as well as Eagle Rays. I've been on 2 excursions with Pure Snorkeling before they were an official Paul Gauguin vendor, and they put us over Manta's and Eagle Rays both times. While their boats are not a Polynesian outrigger, with all they trimmings, they are fast modern 18-20 foot boats, and their their guides are knowledgeable and top notch. Their website still shows that they visit the mantas on most of their privately booked excursions. I would book Pure Snorkeling over Patricks tour in a heartbeat, and intend to when we sail in September.

PG website did clarify their testing requirements Thursday. It initially read that passengers needed an antigen test or a PCR test within 24 hours of embarkation. It now reads an antigen test 24 hours before, or a PCR test 72 hours before. From a cost standpoint, the PCR test doesn't make sense, but it may logistically for some travelers. "Effective May 21, 2022 - *Within 24 to 72 hours of embarkation: Prior to boarding the m/s Paul Gauguinguests must present valid proof of vaccination (any guest joining the ship must have completed the vaccination process), negative Covid-19 RT-PCR (taken within 72 hours of embarkation) or antigen test results (taken within 24 hours of embarkation), and the completed health declaration and health questionnaire formsalso sent to you with you cruise documents. If guests are arriving in French Polynesia early and the validity period of the Covid-19 PCR or antigen test has expired, please visit The Louis Malarde Institute (ILM) in Papeete prior to embarkation."

https://tahititourisme.com/en-us/covid-19/ Paul Gauguin has not updated their testing requirements at this time.

We have a PCR test scheduled through the Concierge at the IC Tahiti 48 hours before embarkation. They have a company that will come directly to your room and perform either a PCR or Antigen test. We also have them coming for an Antigen test before we fly home, as we'll be in Bora Bora for a week after the cruise and then fly back to Tahiti for one night before our 7:30 am AF Flight. I suppose now we'll need to change the PCR to an Antigen test the following day to be within 24 hours. The company comes to the hotel twice a day at 8:30 am-9:30 am and 3:30 pm and 4:40 pm. I know the PCR test was $120US, the Antigen test considerably less.

Past cruisers get an automatic 5% off whatever published fare there is, possibly more with more cruises, someone else may be able to answer that. However, the 20%, 25% and 30% PGC bonus is something fairly new to me. I know PGC started using Ponant's pricing strategy which starts at a 30% discount when booking very far in advance and the discount decreases pretty quickly after. They also run the occasional sale for undercooked cruises, although sales are almost always limited to 7 day Society cruises.