sjkoen

On 10/6/2023 at 11:28 AM, Leejnd4 said:

We have a booking with Europcar through my Amex account. I do drive a stick, but a reserved an automatic with unlimited mileage. We need it for all four days we are in Papeete as we are staying in an Airbnb outside of the city. 

We rented manual with Avis - picked up in downtown Papeete and returned to the airport - we used car after the cruise. So glad we stayed for a while, you will enjoy having it. Driving wasn't difficult, sometimes I missed the exit and we had to go a bit before turning around, but never a problem. Our tour to Teahupoʻo and Te Pari was canceled, but we still drove down there and took a taxi boat to just the wave. Pretty cool even if just wave.  Have fun!

22 hours ago, minidonuts85 said:

Thank you! Yea just a “temporary” visitor left me feeling icky. We’d definitely do the mantas again in Bora Bora; they were magical! Also saw some crown of thorns out there in Bora bora too. 😞 
We had a trip on Silversea planned for our honeymoon but decided we want to come back to PG instead as we enjoyed it so much. 
 

Did you do the Canyons, Gallery and/or Ledges on Moorea? 

@minidonuts85 Ledges 😀

@minidonuts85 I didn't realize you got sick - sorry! We did mantas and rays, mantas were pretty amazing. Rays were hiding from us😆. Moorea too - lots of turtles and little fishes - but also crown of thorns which is a bummer for the coral. Lucky you to begin dreaming of next trip, have fun planning.

24 minutes ago, minidonuts85 said:

@sjkoen 

How was the lagoon there in Aitutaki? It looks amazing in pics! I wonder if we maybe just try and dive in Raro (plan with outside operator) and enjoy a lagoon tour in Aitutaki. 

@minidonuts85We did get dives in starting with Bora Bora stop (and I did Tahiti the morning after arrival and really liked),  my favorite dive was an out and back off of Riatea (day of Motu Mahana) - lots of sharks at first, which I can take or leave, but the small fishes are what I like - lots of them and healthy coral and hearing whales.

I get it about Cooks, and I'm really sad to have missed  Raro. The lagoon was amazing for the color of the water, unreal. I was so excited on my last day in Tahiti to go get pics of the Picasso fish I ran in the water with my battery/SD card hatch open. The camera is still damaged, but I soaked the SD card in rubbing alcohol and just got these pics off of it. On way to 1 foot and on one foot. I think lagoon tour would be a good idea. An idea, not thru ship, but one place I was looking at was Sail Aitutaki - small hobbie cat sail tours. Looked pretty cool and with just you two a good honeymoon 😍 activity.

I'll shut up after this! But there are flights from PPT to Raro. Or open jaw to Raro and pick up Paul Gauguin in PPT. Then you don't have to worry about the sea days - unless, you like the sea days.

7 minutes ago, minidonuts85 said:

Welcome back! You did the 11-day cooks right? Do you have the dive info sheet by chance or can tell me the sites? We are looking at the 11-night for Sept 2024 🙂 

We did! So sad to be done!  I didn't take a pic of the dive sheet, but, I remember them. Huahine - did have dives on our trip, early AM and afternoon. Then, no dives in the Cooks. I saw other dive sheets that had them in Aitutaki and waitlisted in Raro - both outside providers. They told us they were having trouble with the outside contractors. We also had an outside contractor on Taha'a, but that's because the Marina team is needed on the Motu. The non-Cook sites matched the society itineraries.

I'd check around on the Cook itinerary. I would not have missed it because I was lucky enough to hook up with a traveling swim club in Aitutaki and was able to participate in their swims from and to One Foot Island! They swam all week, I just joined the one day, attached map, did the yellow swims. Soooo much fun. But if I had wanted to dive there I would have been bummed. The trip to Cooks (according to some, not all, staff) is rough everytime. We had a rough trip, we didn't get sick, but a lot did. We also ended up skipping Raro because where the ship anchoring area is not protected and they were worried about weather (so many people just wanted a flat night) and tender loading safety.

For a diving itinererary, take a look at their Crossing Oceana, Fiji to Bali and Singapore to Australia itineraries. My friend did the Bali one and said the diving is the best she's ever done and of coarse. Obviously the Tuamotus also, but that's advanced cert. 

45 minutes ago, equinelady said:

Of course I loved the pictures of horses.   

I thought you might like those! They are on the way to Belvedere Lookout in Moorea. 🐎🐴

We were 11 night Cook/Society and did two LA Veranda, two Le Grill and remainder L'etoile. We reserved right after diving reservations - agree with split up - diving can take a long time if people in front of you have questions - ones before us took an hour. So one person can at least hold a place in diving line.

There was a chef's menu night where all restaraunts were had same menu - so check to see if they know that night before booking. It was an at sea day. My friends would have been bummed if that had been the La Veranda night. For me, being vegan, I preferred L'etoile menu, liked Le Grill location and casual atmosphere best, and didn't care for La Veranda (loved it for breakfast and lunch where you could sit outside) - but my friends liked the La Veranda dinners best.

Have fun.

5 hours ago, equinelady said:

Unfortunately the second day in Bora Bora the wind was so strong that all water activities were canceled including diving. 

 

Wind must have been something! Tahiti wasn't great, but had saved last day for museum, so it worked out. United flight from PPT to SFO last night had some passengers who apparently almost didn't get out of Bora Bora in time for flight. And we waited a gate for a final batch of passengers. They were all happy to have made flight. 

Just returned after a few days in Tahiti.

The trip before ours was all rain. We had rain most of our time and rough seas for our trip to Society and Cook Islands (so much so, seasickness bags lined the hallway). The port day in Rarotonga was cancelled and moved to Riatea. The running joke was Aitutaki was a looong way to go for picnic. 😆 I would not have wanted to miss Aitutaki. The crew was amazing and guests made the best of things. I'm sure there was a lot of work to set things up on short notice. We appreciated the clear communication from the captain.

We dove Motu Mahana day, but were really happy for everyone that it waited to rain until end of day. 

I've attached a pic of the seas on the crossing to Cooks (and some others to show the varied weather and the whale and baby that said HI to the tender), it doesn't really show how high the waves were - we could see splashes up to the Grand Salon. We never felt unsafe and it was incredibly sweet how helpful the dining room staff was in helping steady guests and carry their plates. I'm sure the Captain and bridge crew didn't sleep much on the crossings. 

18 minutes ago, ltdemptynest said:

@Leejnd4 We just arrived home yesterday, I will take me a bit to get reviews done…But. I wanted you to have the whale swim info so you can see if it works for you. 

There are a lot of companies that do this.  One of the most popular options for this is with a renowned expert on whales who resides in Tahiti.  I have no personal opinion, but heard from 2 separate couples on the cruise that they were very disappointed in their experience, not because they didn’t swim with whales, but because of the tour operator- specifically the “expert”.  They booked through cruise. 

I booked the whale swim privately with Pacifik Attitude in Moorea.  

 

I opted for a private for my husband and myself. I emailed them directly at pacifikattitude at gmail . com.  There were 5 of us on the boat.  the Captain, The swim guide,  a photographer and us.  Not sure if the photographer was included or if he just showed up for personal ?- but he got some great shots, and we bought them from him. 
 

I think they offer a small group option as well as the private. 

 

 

 

Thanks! I am looking atbprivate with https://en.blueinvitation.com/ for same reasons and I'm worried about the impact of the chaoticness on the whales.

How was ScubaTec? We dive with them tomorrow to get wet. 😀

1 hour ago, minidonuts85 said:

@Leejnd4 my fiancée has a TG6 

I miss my tough! I used it into the ground over many, many years. Thanks for posting the pics.

Our official documents say 3:00 but I've seen 2:30 discussed. Want to board as early as possible for diving sign up. Guess we line up at 2:30 anyway.

Once checknin and diving/tours booked, can you leave ship? Assuming I'm done early enough, I may have a quick something I want to run and pick up before boarding.

Thanks.

They have removed one document from the web page.  I know because I took snag-its when my friend and I were working through the forms.

There were three total documents:

1) non-certified diver,

2) certified diver (PG diver questionnaire, PADI medical form - Form footer - PRODUCT NO. 10063 (Rev. 06/07) Ver. 2.01 -, boat release), and

3) certified and non-certified - multi-agency medical form (Diver Medical footer - DMSC 2020 10346 EN) 

The PADI-specific form within the combined PG document was replaced with the multi-agency Diver Medical.  

As the medical questions were redundant nothing substantive has changed, they have streamlined it into a single document.

To me, the web text is clear "print the forms, review and complete them, have your doctor sign the Physician section then bring these aboard the cruise. The doctor on board will not be able to issue the medical certificate." and hasn't changed.

For those of us who already have our forms signed, we just bring them all - we aren't missing anything. For those downloading now, it got a little simpler.

I know the whole having a doctor review has been frustrating, but safety is everything in scuba diving and I'm pleased they require it. 

7 hours ago, minidonuts85 said:

Got all of our forms approved by the doc! 

 

Regarding the dive log....we are bringing our dive computers (plus our own gear) and our dives our logged on the computer. Since we dont plan to do any advanced dives, I am hoping this will suffice just in case we are asked. Our last dive was on 7/22/23. Otherwise I'd need to manually recreate the dives onto paper. 

 

@ltdemptynest @sjkoen are you planning to bring a manual log? Just wondering. 

 

1. The need to provide a logbook:

If a guest wishes to embark on a dive at the “active advanced diver” level, he or she must have logged 100 or more dives and must have their logbooks with them.

Yeah for you! My dive log has a big hole of verified dives in it. And frankly the only reason I started getting them verified was a requirement for some volunteering. So, since I already have it, I'm taking my spreadsheet of unverified (70ish) dives and the actual pages from verified dives (30ish). Not really planning on advanced and I'm right onbthe cusp anyway - Huahine might be the only one that's advanced on my trip.

Hope you have so much fun. I'll be living vicariously through you for now. 🌸

1 hour ago, AussieBoyTX said:

FWIW, I've found dive operators in FP to be particular about the paperwork, especially in Fakarava and Rangiroa. In Rangiroa, we saw some PADI AWD divers without the deep certificate offered a different dive from the rest of us with a shallower profile. The deepest we dove was 102 feet there and I believe they were at 60.

 

The operators we used were governed by CMAS and were looking for CMAS Two Star certification. They accepted PADI AWD plus Deep as equivalent, for the most part, though the operator in Fakarava said that PADI Rescue was "more" equivalent (take that for what it's worth). All of us diving in Fakarava were either CMAS Two Star or PADI Rescue.

Not every operator wanted to see the medical form, but at least a couple did.

 

For many years, my PCP has been fine to sign the form for me. I have it pre-filled out and he signs each year at my annual.

Thanks for the info, I'll need to check what SSI equivalents. And, thanks for the suggestion, I'll be bringing the latest UHMS diver medical form to my next annual visit for future, just in case.

1 hour ago, minidonuts85 said:

@sjkoen May I ask, did you check the boxes yourself or have the MD do it during your appt? 

I was able to schedule an appt for 8/9 with the UC San Diego Dive Medicine office. No idea what it will cost but all relative since we leave in 4-weeks haha

I completed my portion ahead of time - only left the doctor fields - including clinic name etc. empty. But I had a second copy of each form just in case they didn't want me to do it that way - they were fine using the pre-filled form.

My primary probably could have done it, but appointments are booked out forever in her practice and the office couldn't tell me for sure if she'd be comfortable to review and approve until she saw the forms at the appointment. 

Wishing you the same easy and efficient experience I had with the dive dr. visit. And great diving. 😀

Thanks for confirming my interpretation of their mandatory (regardless of answers) med cert, I was a little worried I relied on the website instructions incorrectly.

I went to an Undersea MD (also consultant with DAN) for mine and they said the requirement is common for French Polynesia (and any France diving). Something about a 2018 law, but I can't tell if it is law or custom or some combination because not all shops require, only some. Anyway, maybe helpful to know not just new requiremnt for PG. 

Those looking for Undersea MDs - https://www.uhms.org/education/credentialing/uhms-physician-diver-assessment-listing.html 

🪸🐡🐠🦈🐚

Yep, and must be their forms. There are two of them, Certified Divers Form and the Medical Cert. I almost missed the med cert since they both require a doctor's release.

https://www.pgcruises.com/scuba/required-forms

Also proof of skills/refresh dive if you haven't been diving for a year. 

Enjoy! I just got my review and certs signed by an underwater MD. Can't wait to dive.

@mermaid 285 do you see your PG cruise on the Ponant app? I just downloaded and was able to log in but says no future cruises. 

Thanks for the Society-Cooks one. 🪸🐠

@FlightMedic555 can read just fine, thanks! you aren't cooks - so not a sea day. enjoy bora bora

1 hour ago, FlightMedic555 said:

We are on the ship now for the 10 night itinerary. Let me know any specific info you need 

oh wow thanks! i think we might be following in your footsteps, including the teachupoo/te pari boat hike excursion. 🙂

I wasn't planning to dive initially and now, happily, I am. But, since I wasn't planning on diving I did a lot of research on non-diving land/water excursions and am now rather attached to some of them.

And my travel insurance is through USAA and I need to estimate how many dives I'll go on in order to insure them since they are non-refundable - I can't insure after the trip starts. My fingers are crossed, but I want to be prepared (or at least cost it out) just in case I get seasick (cruising is new - i've done catamaran liveaboards with no trouble) and need to cancel. 

So, by island:

Huahine - I have a private drive/snorkel excursion set up. super excited about it and will do for sure, but if there's Huahine diving, the approx time. I could maybe have the tour guide pick us up a little later than planned. 

Aitutaki - logistics, whether it is from the PG or if outside provider and where they leave from - the Arutanga pier or somewhere else. i have someone picking us up at the Arutanga pier to go plant coral. it would work great if the return is to the Arutanga pier. haven't set pick up time yet

for Bora Bora and Moorea our outings should work with morning diving as long as back by noon, and Le Truck is offered in the afternoon.

Motu Mahana - whether there's diving and curious if the driving tours to Taha'a  are offered in the afternoon.

I think you are on a sea day today! wishing you fun travels.

thanks!

Does anyone know for sure if the dive spots for the society and cook islands are Aitutaki, Bora Bora, and Moorea? Based on website those are the islands listed, so no diving on Motu Mahana day? 

Also, a rough estimate of departure and return times? For two tank dives. Determining timing for outside excursions. 

Thanks.

I just checked and confirmed the brand is Algotherm. Im happy they no longerbuse individual toilitries, but I only use cruelty free and the reources I use (primarily Leaping Bunny) indicate Algotherm is not cruelty free - I'll be bringing my own.

4 hours ago, TheDarkestBlue said:

la Orana! 😊 

 

For your viewing pleasure, Society Islands June 10 - 17, 2023, dailies, room service breakfast menu, and disembarkation papers - we left independently, bookended this at the Hilton Tahiti and rented cars from Avis in downtown Papeete, highly recommend them. I am just back and still jet lagged, but wanted to get this out there. 

 

On another note, we had a YouTuber named Gary Bembridge, whose channel, Tips for Travelers, present on this cruise. I didn't speak with him or mention that I was a subscriber until the last morning at breakfast to give him his privacy, as I understood this to be his 100th cruise, and was with his SO. I believe he's going to be doing a review of it, saw him taking pictures all over the place. Usually puts his stuff up on Sundays. Fingers crossed I'm not in any of the pictures, LOL!

 

Had a great time, food was really good and fresh, everybody on board lovely, excellent service all around 🤙🏻

 

Let me know if this works? I'm still sleepy 😶‍🌫️

 

PaulGauguinSocietyIslands6-10-23.pdf 11.38 MB · 15 downloads

Thanks for posting! So funny, I just watched his upload yesterday and he mentions someone stopped him on last day and said - if you ever see me, don't worry about bothering me, feel free to co tact before last day. 😀