ScotsLady

I have just seen this and so upset .

 We booked 767 2 years ago for my special birthday cruise, we love aft cabins.

i logged in and we have been upgraded to category B.

irene

Hi, 

Currently looking at cruise for 2022 and would  like some advice re itineraries.

originally wanted to do a round Australia and New Zealand cruise which Royal Caribbean doing next year but not in 2021 and not released 2022 yet.

celebrity have 11 nights from Sydney. Can I ask are Milford,sound, Dusky sound etc the Fjordlands? It then goes to Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Picton, Napier Taraunga and Auckland.

cunard has 21 nights from Adelaide to Kanagaroo Island, Melbourne, Fjordland, Dunedin, Auckland, Bay of Islands back to Melbourne, Eden, Sydney and Adelaide,

we have been to Sydney and cruised up the east coast before.  Tempted with the 21 nights  but are we missing good ports in New Zealand? The 21 night cruise is in February from 4th, the Celebrity one is from 19th Feb.

welcome thoughts from people who have done such cruises or know the area.

irene

19 minutes ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

 

 

So here is the straight skinny   ....

 

Patrick still does the ships' lagoon tour with feast ....

 

If your on-board the PG you must book through the ship. 

 

My guess is somehow Patrick doesn't think your on-board. Once he knows he will inform you to book through the ship. That is the current arrangement ....

Thanks so much for your help. I have not booked yet I have only looked and was unsure whether to book with Patrick or book with PG, so I have my answer 

In your opinion if we did Pure Snorkel on day 1 would this be good option on day 2 or should we go for the underwater scooter trip? 

On 10/29/2019 at 5:58 PM, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

 

Marc's and Pure Snorkeling are private vendors

Hi,

i would like to ask you a question as you seem to know so much about this area.

Our trip is not until October 2020 but have already booked Pure Snorkelling for first morning then will go to the private motu  in afternoon. Second day have looked at booking the trip with Patrick.for the trip and lunch. Is this  the same trip PG offer for Lagoon excursion and Polynesian feast? If so are we better waiting and booking with PG rather than direct with Patrick?

thanks for your help

Irene

On 11/4/2019 at 4:17 PM, aururab said:

Huladoula1's profile says she is in Rhode Island, 4am her time, would have been 1am Pacific time (PG is located in that time zone). My guess would be midnight pacific time which would be 8 hours off for you, so 8am. 

 

ScotsLady - when do your excursions open?

We do not go to October 2020 so I worked out 60 days will be in August

On 10/9/2019 at 2:34 AM, huladoula1 said:

Today was "excursion booking day" for the PG 12/7 sailing & I'm glad I set my alarm for 4am to do it.  We've booked PG's Lagoon Excursion & Polynesian feast on Day 1 on Bora Bora, and then PG's ATV tour on Moorea!  We've also booked Marc's Motu Picnic on Huahine & Pure Snorkeling on Day 2 on Bora Bora.  We still have a couple of days on Moorea pre-cruise to figure out, but I'm honestly looking forward to just hanging around & relaxing at the IC Moorea.  Either way - the countdown clock is really ticking now!!!

 

Hi,

What time in US does the excursions become live to book? We are in UK so will need to work out time here to go on and book.

Thank you

Thank you for this, you sound very like me!We are doing 11 nights next October for my 60th  birthday, we are coming from Scotland so a big trip.

At moment waiting to book our flights to Tahiti from LAX with Air Tahiti.We want to go Business Class but I am very surprised at how much they cost, much more expensive than similar distances from UK. 

We have booked 3 nights pre cruise in Hilton Moorea. Is it worth hiring a car in Moorea and if so what do you recommend seeing? Also did you eat in the hotel or eat out?

post cruise we are just going to do a day room at the IC and fly back overnight as we will be headed to San Diego for a few days before we go home.

Any trips that PG did you can recommend? We have quite a bit of OBC but usually we would book private tours.

Thanks

Irene

Irene, we have flown AF Premium Economy twice on that route, and it's good. Some people find the seats a bit hard--they are that 'modern' kind that slide back and forth as a unit, rather than the back tilting independently. The first time I took a small seat cushion since I have back issues, but I didn't feel it was a problem.

 

It's been a while since I have flown ATN, so it's tough--last time I did it was in their old Business-class, which was fairly lousy frankly. Any PE is better than Coach, in my opinion, but I've heard the newly-refurbished ATN planes are quite comfortable.

 

I'd like to go back in 2020 as well, although we're getting old, so may not be travelling much by that time.

 

When is your birthday?

Thanks for the reply. My birthday is October.

For those of us who use the Air Tahiti Nui flights from LAX booked through Paul Gauguin, the transfers to the IC, and the day room at the IC are free so you don't have to worry about where to leave your baggage, or transfers there or back. You also don't have to leave the ship until 12:30 so you have lunch on the ship. We don't consider the day room to be overpriced, since it's included. If it's more convenient to fly to Tahiti from somewhere other than LAX, then take the air credit. But if you're going to fly from LAX, Paul Gauguin gives you the best deal with the easiest transfers and add-on stays. They own the IC hotels so they have the best rates for the hotels they own, as well as already having transfers to and from their hotels. Paying for taxis and baggage storage and hanging around in Papeete doesn't sound like a bargain if you're flying to LAX on Air Tahiti Nui anyway.

Looking to book a PG cruise for my big birthday in 2020. We live in Scotland so it will be a long journey , planning to fly to Vegas, visit friends in Arizona then head to LA.

Looking at flights we would prefer Air France as they gave premium economy section. Has anyone had experience of flying with Air France? How does it compare to Air Tahiti Nui?

Thanks Irene

We sailed four years ago on Millenium from Sydney. We got married onboard on 1st December and all Christmas decorations were out.

Really loving reading your posts and the pictures. I am planning on this trip for my 60th birthday in 2020, a long journey for us as we live in Scotland. We love to travel and did Galápagos this year.

We were there in March, think you could go when you wanted but when we arrived the restaurant was full, service was awful and food not that great.

Thanks everyone very helpful. I think we will stay a few days in LA as we have friends there. Will wait and see what cruises are on offer when they are released, my birthday is 10th October so would like to be aboard for it if possible.

I like to plan ahead, just booked a cruise for March 2019'in Caribbean, nice to have things to look forward to.

Hi there, planning my big birthday trip in 2020 and I want to do PG cruise. We are from U.K. So I know it will be a long trip via LA.

What is the weather like in OCtober in FP?

We would plan to stay pre or post cruise I noticed someone says Moorea is good. Can anyone else recommend a resort in that area or Bora Bora or Tahiti. Just trying to get my head round everything so when time comes to start booking I will know what I want to do.

Following the help from so many people here on CC, I am now paying back with a review. Will try and post pics when I can.

Any questions please ask

Vancouver

I arrived on Thirsday night about 7.30 after an excellent flight. Got a cab to the Pan Pacific which would be home for the next 3 nights.

 

Great hotel, perfect location at Canada Place and a beautiful room overlooking the harbour. Wonderful sunsets and enjoyed watching the float planes take off and land.

 

Up early on Friday due to time change so did a little work on the computer and then headed out at 9 am to start my day and what a busy day it was! Weather was superb mid 70s and had already bought my Trolley bus hoho bus ticket online. Took the park tour first which went around Stanley park and other areas of Vancouver. This took about 1.5 hours and was a great tour. Then wandered the sea wall a little and got breakfast before getting the free shuttle to Capalino Suspension bridge. Not cheap here but I felt it was worth it. Unfortunately I have recently had shoulder surgery and although I tried to cross the bridge I could not hold on comfortably and it was swaying a lot, so I had to abandon my attempt quite quickly unfortunately which also meant I could not do the treetops bridges. I did, however do the cliff walk (despite my poor old knees and hip!) yes I am older in some parts than others!

Caught the shuttle back to Canada place and bought a ticket to Fly Over Canada. This was amazing, well worth it at around $17 Can.

I then did the hoho bus City tour to Granville Island which was fun, just mooched around and had a drink before getting back on the bus and home to my hotel at around 5.30

 

Quick shower and change and went to meet people from our roll call at the hotel bar. Only 3 of us there but we had fun. I opted for room service light dinner afterwards.

 

Day 2 Saturday . I had booked the Rocky Mountaineer train ride to Whistler and this was worth every penny, an awesome day. An early day too! Picked up at 6.50 from the Fairmont hotel and a 15 min bus ride to the train. Service was superb aboard the train, our hostess Jo was really helpful and good fun.

The ride itself was through such amazing scenery, I would highly recommend it. I booked the two peaks gondola ride (cable car) on board the train which gave a discount of $5 plus an additional discount if you're a senior.

Had to wait in line for this but only about 10 mins but it was in scorching heat about 32 degrees C. Wow this was fantastic. The cable ride to the top was fab but the journey between the two peaks was just breathtaking.

 

At the bottom I had a bite to eat and a drink and then back on the bus for the train journey home.

 

Arrived back at the hotel around 7.30 and had nibbles and a drink overlooking the waterfront and then happily to bed to await the cruise tomorrow.

 

 

Day 3 Sunday, the cruise starts here! Staying at the Pan Pacific meant that they took my luggage direct to the ship. They suggested I board early or late but definitely not between 11.30 and 1.30. So I went straight down to the terminal (elevator from the hotel) around 10.30 and was on board in less than 45 minutes (probably nearer 30). I enjoyed my glass of fizz and then got a frozen Mojito from the pool bar and chilled out in the sun (if that's not an oxymoron!).

Got into our rooms at 12.45.

Hello,

Loved your review. We are doing infinity next August from Vancouver. Before that we are doing Rocky mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver.

Still to book our hotel in Vancouver but Pan Pacific was on my list. Did you book direct with the hotel? What airline dud you use from UK? We are looking at BA or Air Canada.

Irene

CruiseVivaLady - most of the scenery and animals were taken with the Canons and the ones with us in them were mostly taken with the iPhone.

 

The lenses we used were a Canon 300mm fixed lens with a 2x teleconvertor; a Canon 17-85mm, a Canon 18-55mm and a Canon 55-250mm.

 

I liked to use the 55-250mm the most and Bill like the 300mm one.

Hi,

We are looking to buy a good camera for Alaska. I love taking pictures and have a canon powershot sx50, point and shoot but feel want something to give better pictures. What body do you use for the canon?

Irene

Just loved reading this and looking at the wonderful pictures. We are going to Alaska August 2016, Celebrity Infinity Vancouver to Vancouver. Looking at your pics I feel we have picked the wrong cruise, but it suits us this time as we are visiting friends in Canada first and also doing the Rocky mountaineer train. Look forward to you posting Galapagos as we have booked for March 2017.

Irene

Highlights from the Ruby's maiden Alaska cruise.

 

Great video, wish I was going this year, roll on August 2016

[attach]349396[/attach]

Looking forward to following you, we have booked Alaska for August 2016, can't wait until then

For Tracy Arm, you have to either have it mentioned on your itinerary or have at least 12 hours in port, ideal at least 7a-7p. I don't really recommend the "fast" shorter timed tour. TIME is what's going to give you the extensive views and time to view wildlife and wait for glacier calving.

 

There are few times where ship commentary is given. They give more programs, you will have to attend, they may be taped where you can watch time on the tv.

 

For commentary to be heard on most balconies, you have to have your tv on the channel, and your door open. This would be the case with your glacier sailing- either Hubbard Glacier or Tracy Arm. If you remain in your cabin during these sailing, you will get less than 50% of the viewing.

 

You have plenty of time to make changes if you wish to. I haven't even got my Alaska, cruises booked this season. :)

Hi, thanks for reply. Can I ask re your comment if you remain in your cabin during sailing you will miss 50% of the viewing. We booked an aft cabin after reading reports that these were best for Alaska, and instead of fighting for a space on deck you would be able to see all from your balcony....

So excited, have booked Alaska for August 2016, seems such a long time away. Already looking at trips etc, I like to plan ahead....

Have been reading about the Tracy Arm Glacier aboard a smaller boat but not sure if the ship I am on will do this. Does anyone know if Celebrity Infinity , a Vancouver round trip of the inside passage does this tour? I know we stop at Juneau, looked at Celebrity website but saw no mention of this other trip.

Another question, we have booked aft balcony. Have read that there are naturalists aboard who give commentary...will we be able to hear that on our balcony or do you need to be on deck to hear this?

We had a bad experience with Thenford and would not recommend. Friends used Royston and I wish we had. We booked what we thought was a personal tour, we only ever book small personal tours as we do not like to go on bigger buses and also my husband has his own private tour company in Scotland so we know what we like. When we arrived at the dock we had to wait and were concern at the numbers waiting for Thenford. He then arrived and split us into groups, we were in a group of 20+. When I complained he was most rude and unhelpful. We ended up getting on his bus but felt his commentary was poor, the journey to the first stop took one hour when a car would take 5 mins, he kept stopping at places such as outside the university vet school? We ended up getting off at the fist stop and finding a local taxi driver who did the tour cheaper and was much better.

Not impressed, booked what we thought was a private tour, ended up on a bus with 20+ people! man was quite rude when I complained. His commentary was very poor, my husband has his own tour company and knows what is good and what is not. We ended up getting off at the first stop, did not pay and got a local taxi driver to give us an island tour cheaper. Friend on he cruise used Royston and raved about it.

Just as well Thenford Grey booked up, we had not a good experience a few weeks ago, the man is very rude. We had booked what we were sure was a private tour, ended up in a coach with 20+ people followed by other coaches. His commentary was poor, we got off at the first stop and found a lovely local taxi driver who did he tour cheaper.

I will be arriving on Celebrity Silhouette on June 16 in Greenock. I am trying to find a private tour company that goes to St Andrews for the day. There seems to be very few and also none with reviews on trip advisor. Also the companies seem to want the money in advance- not like the ones we used in Italy. Any suggestions??

Hi, try Ultimate Scottish Tours, http://www.ultimatescottishtours.com. You do not have to pay in advance, my friends used them last year.

Greenock to St Andrews will take approx 2 hours 20 mins by car. It is closer from the Edinburgh ports but still doable from Greenock.