sjkoen

On 6/17/2023 at 12:36 PM, mermaid 285 said:

Perhaps you could suggest to Ponant in your feedback to give everyone a ' Paul Gauguin' aluminium drinking bottle (which could be great advertising for them), take out the plastic bottles from the minibars and instead install some drinking fountains.  

Sooo...I asked about refill stations and received this reply 😀  - 

"There will be water flask/bottles (in metal) gifted in each stateroom and that water will be available as well to replenish them"

What is tipping etiquette for PG excursions? Not tipping in Austrailia felt so weird, I still did. I want to make sure I have enough local cash. 

Which of these ports have marina access?

Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Huahine, Society Islands 
Moorea, Society Islands
Rarotonga

Also - I know swimming is not allowed from the platform. Does anyone leave on the paddleboard and then swim? I can see from some videos they ask that you stay in their line of site. I'm a distance open water swimmer, so I'd be fine with the swimming, but would understand if they don't allow. I haven't been clear on whether the no swimming for safety reasons is about the swimming or approaching the boat while swimming. I know I likely won't see anything in the the water, but just getting a few yards in swimming will feel good.

The pool - I can't remember where, but I swear I saw something about being able to use a swim tether/resistance band in the pool. Has anyone done this or seen someone doing this? Does PG have the tether/band or bring own?

thanks

6 hours ago, Leejnd4 said:

Well, BoraBoraH2O is currently only doing morning excursions for cruisers. But I wouldn't worry about getting ashore. Yes, the first tenders are supposed to be solely for PG excursions, but on my last PG cruise I don't recall having any problems getting on one of the first tenders and getting ashore in plenty of time for the private tours we had booked. For our upcoming PG cruise, we're doing a snorkel trip with BoraBoraH2O and they are picking us up right on the dock where the PG tenders drop us off. They just asked us to be sure to get on the earliest tender we can.

 

Just let your tour op know that you're coming from the PG. They work with lots of PG cruisers so they know the drill. 🙂 And be out there ready to hop on a tender as soon as you can!

Thanks! We just booked with them. 😀

6 minutes ago, mermaid 285 said:

All drinks are included on the ship, so no need for water stations.  Also you have free use of your minibar which contains bottled water, so if you want to fill up your water bottle for shore excursions you could always use the water from the minibar.

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. It isn't about saving money, I'd prefer to minimize use of plastic - I'd be bummed using multiple plastic bottles.

Anyone bring own water bottles. Are there self-serve water stations to fill? Or can you just do in room sink? I've only been on small live aboard dive boats and they have said okay to drink but also had water stations. I have regular water bottle and backpacking with filter. The filter bottle doesn't carry as much, but I'd bring it if no fill stations or way to fill own bottle. Thanks!

Thanks for the feedback. Will look at BoraBoraH2O

For non PG organized excursions - do you plan on afternoon or late morning? Nervous about timing for getting ashore - I believe I read that PG excursions get priority. Thanks!

Heading out on a Cook Islands & Society Islands PG cruise. I'm sad to see so many excursions that mention or show feeding the fishes. It's bad for the coral - fishes don't eat enough algae from coral and can lead to fish starvation. https://sevenseasmedia.org/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-fish-feeding/#:~:text=Fish feeding can lead to,to fish starving to death.

I know this isn't limited to PG. However, has anyone found water excursions, especially snorkeling, that do NOT feed the fishes? 

I'll see if I can contact excursion providers directly, but I'm not sure how feasible that is.

Thanks.