dontdiwundrin

Can't wait to hear the rest. We had wanted to take this cruise but the timing was bad. Now I get to hear what I missed.

Don't give up hope:).... I heard the ship is repeating this voyage in 2016 when it's due to head east again (maybe Singapore?) for a maintenance/service etc.

I am typing more about the trip and my recollections and will try and make it good reading for you!

Day 1. Cairns, embarkation.

Having arrived the night before and stayed at a waterfront Hotel we did some sight-seeing around Cairns during the day and arrived at the ship about 4pm.

There was quite a queue waiting in the warm sunshine, some looking a little jaded (I discovered later that some had flown in that morning from overseas and were unhappy there was no refreshments offered until later).

Unlike when we boarded the ship in Papeete on our previous cruise 2 years ago, outside the Cairns cruise terminal (not the prettiest building!) there was no welcoming music, cool towels etc. This possibly related to the crew not being allowed outside the terminal building and dockside without visas.

It was just a line of waiting people, some said it was a disappointing start. Again Cairns is not a regular port for cruise ships and both Australian Customs, Immigration and Agricultural controls were in place. Unlike Papeete where Customs and Immigration takes place at the airport. Once the formalities were over we were offered fresh fruit and photographed then climbed the stairs to the ship. Once aboard – off to the Grand Salon for registration, photograph (the identity photo is embedded in the magnetic strip of your key card for easy identification when getting on and off the ship). A glass of bubbly and off the cabin – easy to find, as we had been there before.

Afternoon Tea was being served in la Veranda (my favourite venue for meals). My husband and I were surprised and delighted to be greeted by name by several of the crew who seemingly recognised us from last time. I am sure they have a system – but I was flattered anyway! Endless smiles and polite greetings from every Officer, staff and crew member we encountered throughout the entire voyage– that is a hallmark of this cruise line.

Lifeboat Drill was at 5.30pm after which we went the Welcome Aboard party on the Pool Deck as we sailed away from Cairns as the sun set…. It was a pleasant, balmy evening with cocktail of the day (Malolo Sunrise) in hand we bade farewell to Australia and looked forward to our first port of call.

This was about 36hours sailing time away – Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. During the cruise there was an insightful lecture by Mick Fogg. (More on lectures later in the review)

The band on board was Santa Rosa, personally I thought their music lacked the interpretative skills of Siglo (the previous band) and their music although acceptable was monotone and loud, and the female singer often sang out of key.

We had dinner in L’ Etoile – the main dining room, - open seating, we decided to be seated with anyone – a table for 8 or 10 would be fine. Good to meet and chat with fellow travellers. Dinner was good, wait service attentive, and we would dine in this restaurant several more times during the voyage. Sometimes at a table for 2 or 4 or a larger group depending on our mood.

The maître d’hôtel Luis was delightful, well-organised and made us feel special.

Day 2, en-route to Port Moresby.

Early morning coffee at la Palette watching the sun rise and the sun sparkling on the ocean. Breakfast at Le Grill this morning, my first lamb chops, potatoes, - anything you want really!!

Lunch at La Veranda, a French Buffet was offered, - great food.

An enrichment lecture in the afternoon with information on Papua New Guinea was fascinating. There were many activities available during the day. Afternoon Tea at Le Grill at 4pm –just in case we hadn’t eaten enough already! Off to the internet café to look at emails and cruise critic (!) just in case some-one had written back.

There was a detailed description of the historical information of PNG’s culture on the front page of Ia Orana (the daily program). This was appreciated but would be more useful if there was also a description of the current situation in Port Moresby - (and all the ports we visited).

There were many guests who were completely unaware, maybe did not read anything prior to coming on the trip, and may not have even attended port talks. Although most considered these talks to be just a way of encouraging people to go on ships excursions. – Again, many considered the excursions over-priced and lacking value.

We decided not to go on any excursions at this port. Those that did opinions varied from “average “to awful, waste of money, “why did they drive us through slums with graffiti” – well, that’s probably because that’s what was there! The full day tour was $219USD.

I already knew from research that there probably wasn’t much I wanted to see. The only part of PNG I’d like to see is the Highlands, and that’s another pretty difficult place to get to. Apparently some said there were promised a visit by the Mud Men (tribe) in Port Moresby but this did not eventuate. From what I have read it is difficult to get tour guides, transport and things to arrive on time in this PNG, so difficulties with tours was not a surprise.

I got a response on cruise critic from the Captain of Pacific Link – a ship that was in Port Moresby harbour – just along the dock - at the same time as us. He commented that it was good to see the PG and had seen some of our guests in town. His ship takes doctors, dentists and nurses to remote provinces of PNG where there are no roads, electricity, cell phones or medical care. The indigenous people travel in dug-out canoes and barter. He was with US merchant navy but is now semi-retired and works for Mercy Ships. They travel either to Townsville (Australia) or Port Moresby to collect and drop off medical staff and crew.

There was a change in arrival and departure times. We should have left Port Moresby at 10pm, but because of “bunkering” delays – taking on fuel – we didn’t leave till about 1.30am delaying our arrival into Samarai Island at 5pm.

This was very disappointing, as it was dusk when we arrived, mozzie feeding time. Some braved the shore with t shirts, shorts and flip-flops, either not heeding or reading the advice for long sleeves and long pants after dusk. This is malaria country!

The islanders were excited to see the ship arrive and had spruced up the place, we had booked a 2hr walking tour, but of course this was cancelled – as it was getting dark. Thankfully, as it would have been a waste of money and it wasn’t possible to spend that much time walking around the island!

PG may have relied on shore-based agents to organise the tours in these various distant ports, the feedback from the majority of guests I spoke with was that their expectations were not met. Although when we came to Vanuatu, people seemed happier with what the tours delivered.

To be fair to PG it was clear that many guests had expectations well above what is possible in most third world countries. Some expecting paved roads, shopping malls and well-established tours. The visits to PNG and the Solomon Islands reminding my husband and I that we are privileged to live in a country with well-established infrastructure.

It might have been better if some guests in these countries had recognised the indigenous population were doing their best under very difficult circumstances. Maybe making a charitable donation to improve their life, rather than critiquing their life-style, state of hygiene and pet-care

After Samaria Island departure at 7pm we sailed for about another 36hrs to Kieta in Bougainville. We enjoyed a fascinating lecture by Mick Fogg on Papua New Guinea, its history and its people. The 2 hours or so sped by as he was a very entertaining and informative speaker. There was much in that lecture that surprised and distressed us.

At cocktail hour there was a concert in la Palette with Monica Ripamonti (piano) and Seth Taylor (violin). These two provided much classical music during the voyage, both in the Grand Salon, and also the more intimate venue of la Palette.

After dinner in La Veranda this evening, there was a concert with Michael Shapiro with a New York cabaret show.

We arrived in Kieta about 7am or so, I had coffee and Danish pastry in la Palette just after 6.30am, watched sun rise a little earlier and looked forward to the adventure of the day.

Kieta was an island with a population of about 700 and no other cruise ship had been here for 30 years. It was raining, and those that had selected the Island tour returned a little wet, muddy and having been transported in trucks, and buses. Some thought it good, others disappointed.

One or two hardy souls went trekking to the village, hitch-hiked and got a ride around the island and paid the princely sum of a few dollars to their driver – both parties happy with the deal!! Some who went on the significantly more expensive ship tour were possibly jealous!

We were absolutely amazed to see beautiful colourful coral growing at the dock in the crystal clear water.

Several locals had handicrafts for sale at the dock, and regarded us with curiosity and interest! We got off the ship and talked to several locals at the dock about the island, we noticed here and later in the Solomon Islands just how many people chewed betel nuts.

Noticing the brightly coloured red stained teeth and lips of the people we talked with we found out that betel nuts are mild stimulants, appetite suppressants and beneficial in stress reduction. Unfortunately also causing mouth cancer and broken teeth.

After a brief (few hours) stop, boarded the ship we left Kieta and sailed to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, arriving about 8am.

More to follow

Thanks Tess. Awaiting your next instalment.

Typing and trying to remember all the info' all morning as we speak, Miriam!!:) Thought I'd type a word document and then upload that and photos if I can.

I had a problem accidentally deleting paragraphs as I typed directly in CC once before!!

Tess

It will come as no surprise to the regular guests on the PG that the crew are the stand-out stars of this ship!

I am pleased to tell those of you who are eagerly awaiting the Repeaters Cruise on Sept 10th that the condition of the ship, the friendliness of the crew, the superb food and all the familiar things you like about the PG are still firmly in evidence.:D

In speaking to many crew members, they are also looking forward to greeting old friends and this slightly different itinerary in French Polynesia.

Talking of itineraries, ....this is where I want to briefly summarise this trip. The ship went from Papeete to Fiji, then to Australia in June, on to Singapore for some maintenance work,- then retraced her steps leaving Singapore on August 4th. I understand from some who were on this sailing there were many more sea days that some realised, a couple of those days were pretty rough seas.

We boarded the ship in Cairns, Australia on Monday August 18th and then set sail for Port Moresby, (Papua New Guinea), Samarai island, Kieta, Solomon Islands , Vanuatu and Fiji.

We chose this itinerary because of the remoteness of the destinations to be visited, and discovered later that in one particular case (Kieta, Bouganville) the Paul Gauguin was the only cruise ship to have been there within the past 30 years.

I think more emphasis should have been placed on the "adventure or expedition" type cruise itinerary by PG marketing - or maybe the responsibility is with some travel agents - as it was obvious in speaking with several guests they were unprepared for the remote locations and the lack of infrastructure and organisational skills necessary for excursions.

Incidentally, some thought it was going to be just like the PG Tahiti cruises, where the locations, services and tour options are well-known .More of this later.

Tess! So glad you and Roger are back on the PG! Looking forward to reading your review! :)

 

Kim

Hi there Kim, good to hear from you. I have seen your name on the board a few times, hope you will get on the PG again one day. Its been an interesting itinerary.

Talk soon.

Tess

At the Repeater's Cocktail Party last night I believe I heard there were 170 guests on this trip who had previously sailed with Paul Gauguin.

( It was pretty windy up on deck 8 and I didn't hear clearly but it was the most repeaters ever!!!

(I heard the ship is sailing with around 320 guests).

I am not so good at math, some-one smart out there will work out the percentage!!

So, until the Reunion Cruise in September, this record probably stands.....:)

Looking forward to reading your review with all the details. Glad you are having a good time.

 

Miriam

we are having a good time - pretty choppy seas today though! as soon as we departed Port Vila yesterday.

I won't write much detailed comment at the moment as you know how the internet connection is here and how much download it takes (!!) :eek:, i plan to do a reasonable length review when I get home next week.

Tess

This has been quite an interesting trip so far, considering we have visited ports to which very few cruise ships have been. There have been fascinating insights into other cultures.

I will write a trip review when we get home if anyone is interested?

Today we are in Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, en-route to Fiji and the last day of the cruise Sat 30th.Aug.

She then leaves Fiji and on home to Papeete.

I expect many are excited and looking forward to be on the Reunion Cruise soon, I am pleased to tell you and the ship and crew are as superb as ever!:D

Thank you for your lovely review, it's evident how much you enjoyed your time in FP.

We went on the 10day cruise in 2012 and had a fantastic time, and met so many great people (Hi Clairesmom - good to see you here!)

Your review was just what was needed on this board there has been so much adverse comment and negativity . Its a delight to read and your happiness shines through!

As some-one else commented it's a tonic - or a breath of fresh-air..... thanks again.

ps. love NZ, travelled there a bit, and endorse Wanaka as sooooo beautiful.

Nothing like a bit of competition that helps the consumer : )

How true!! Let's see how it plays out in the South Pacific.:)

Just read a press release that states Windstar has bought Seabourn's 3 smaller ( 208 pax) ships.

Plans to bring the Seabourn Pride (obviously with a new name ) to Tahiti in May 2014.

Will watch for further developments. Sounds interesting!

How good are the sales usually?

Ahhh so much pressure!

just check the website, sale starts today:) feb 19

:o I'm glad Escriteur found out for you,I didn't know. Interesting, eh? (pleased to see the photos of these ships too, Escriteur)

What a sensational review,- looks like the definitive version!!- and it's just like being there. So great having all the photos too. Reading it has brought back memories and re-kindled desire to cruise these islands again. We did the 10day in July as our first ever cruise , - which we loved.. I 'm already driving my husband crazy talking about going again in 2013 and 2014. I realise how much time and effort it takes to put your review together so thanks again and I am sure many will benefit from your experience. :)Regards

Tess.

uote=Familygoboston;35939148]Well, you are the one who has read it! ;) Just kidding! I'm glad you liked it! and hope it's helpful to newbies...and fun for repeaters. Certainly, with just one sailing, I can't say that I have any expertise beyond my own experience and all the paper I brought home with me!

So... the Odyssey's...that explains it! Wow!! I never knew about shadow boats- essentially a boat to hold all your toys so your yacht doesn't look cluttery...Wow!! :eek:

Glad to read that the Prince is so generous with the vessel. In my travels, we've been so many places where these incredible homes and vessels sit empty and unused for much of the year. Good for him for finding and funding a good use for it when he doesn't need it!

Thanks for sharing the link and the photo!

Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to post such a detailed review, love the photos too. Reading it brings back delightful memories of our cruise in July. Can't wait to go again!! -already planning.:D

PS. (and importantly) - We are thinking of you in the North East, and watching with shock and dismay at the storm destruction. It looks awful, keep safe.

Tess