Demographic aboard Paul Gauguin

[MightyQuinn]

I'm looking at pictures in an old brochure (winter '09) when Paul Gauguin was operated by Regent. I see lots of smiling, fit, young people having a wonderful time. A copywriter's dream. Is this the "typical" PG passenger? Are there also smiling, fit but slightly older folks (50s) aboard? We've cruised extensively & have never been concerned about the age of our fellow travelers, but it seems PG may be a special case. Thanks for any insights.

[pacheco18]

We just returned from the 8/14 voyage. A complete mix. Some honeymooners (in their 20's), some 70's and even 80's and most in between. Lots of 40's, 50's, 60's, a few teenagers and 3 very young children. It is a fairly active group of passengers and extremely well traveled for the most part. We had a ball with everyone.

[MightyQuinn]

Thanks Pacheco! The age range on your sailing pretty much covered the waterfront. That makes me less fearful that we would gate-crash a honeymooner's convention. ;);)

[pacheco18]

Not a chance - maybe there were 5-7 honeymoon couples aboard -- in fact, we tour some tours (Bruno, Patrick and Michael Poole) and spent time with a honeymoon couple we met on CC (Jon & Katie where are you?). They seemed to really enjoy spending time with us old folks. LOLOL

[MightyQuinn]

We first started cruising when we were 30-somethings & we were always among the youngest aboard. There were few in our age group & we enjoyed spending time with older folks. It was a hoot. We've now morphed into 50-somethings & become the older folks. LOL for sure!

[pacheco18]

I think a cruise is somewhat of an equalizer -- everyone is enjoying the same wonderful experience regardless of age or financial condition. No one knows if you're in the Owner's Suite or an inside cabin. We're all 20-something aboard ship!

[DrmnOfMaui]

We just returned from the 8/14 voyage. A complete mix. Some honeymooners (in their 20's), some 70's and even 80's and most in between. Lots of 40's, 50's, 60's, a few teenagers and 3 very young children. It is a fairly active group of passengers and extremely well traveled for the most part. We had a ball with everyone.

 

This was very similar to our cruise last February, minus the kids though. School was in session, so only one child. Otherwise, the same!

[MightyQuinn]

This was very similar to our cruise last February, minus the kids though. School was in session, so only one child. Otherwise, the same!

This is great feedback DrmnOfMaui. We're considering an April/11 itinerary on PG & now I know to expect the usual suspects to be aboard - 40s, 50s and 60s with few children. We should fit right in! Wonder why I thought that PG was a honeymooners' cruiseline?

[Emdee]

Just in case there are Vantage groups on board the age thing is skewed so there are then mostly 65-80 year olds. This has been the case in two of our 5 PG cruises. This hasnt really bothered us much until the last time when some of the passengers appeared to be incredibly 'nosy'

[south seas sue]

Just wondering Emdee, about your experience with older people on the PG, that they were more "nosy" - I assume you mean the people you met asked inappropriate questions. Could you explain more? As an older traveler myself, I am curious about your experience with the intrusiveness of people of different age groups.....perhaps younger people were occupied by their families and not as likely to inquire about yours?

[MtnDriver]

Just wondering Emdee, about your experience with older people on the PG, that they were more "nosy" - I assume you mean the people you met asked inappropriate questions. Could you explain more? As an older traveler myself, I am curious about your experience with the intrusiveness of people of different age groups.....perhaps younger people were occupied by their families and not as likely to inquire about yours?

 

SSS - You are hardly an older traveler! Nosy, maybe...(just kidding).

[Emdee]

sss, we are not young anymore ...in late fifties. That said we are old for our years.....

 

Last time on the PG my daughter had a standing invitation to visit the bridge and take pictures leaving each island. I never did go to the bridge but she would go some evenings with or DH . At the bridge the invitees were offered champagne canapes etc. Anyway one afternoon at Malolo island a couple approached us quizzing us about why she was on the bridge, why they were on the bridge, why we werent on the bridge etc etc. I definitely considered that nosy to the extreme.

 

In previous years we had a very mixed group - like the Regent demographics which I favour.

The last couple of times we had a lot of vantage passengers with a significantly older demographic.

[south seas sue]

Emdee, your experience with one couple on your cruise makes a blanket indictment of older folks as being nosy on cruises!Sounds like the couple were interested in your daughter and her family, rather than intrusive, but in any case it seems to me a case of labeling an entire age group negatively because of your daughter's encounter.Being able to sense a stranger's response to conversation and reacting accordingly, is an interpersonal skill that is demonstrated regardless of age. I guess that particular older couple were not "in tune" with your daughter's discomfort.

[Emdee]

SSS,

I only gave you one example ...there were a few believe me. I never did say that all old people were nosy - just those on the last PG cruise. It is you who are generalizing from only one example given. This was an example given since you asked for an example this was not a compilation of examples to build an argument.

 

In my varied travels I have met wonderful people, rude people, kind people and inconsiderate people but I do not generalize that all people fall into one of these four categories!

[pacheco18]

We had a small Vantage group on our cruise - 6 couples total!

 

I don't think the PG is attractive for truly "elderly" cruisers as most of the activities require participants to be "active" to some extent. It is certainly not a cruise for those on walkers, in wheelchairs or on oxygen.

[MightyQuinn]

We had a small Vantage group on our cruise - 6 couples total!

I guess with such small numbers, they did not have a Vantage on-board host for the group. Do you know if Vantage groups typically have escorts or hosts? Any special activities planned just for them?

[pacheco18]

There was no host

I thought I read somewhere that PG does not permit a Vantage host on the ship. Could be wrong.

 

The only reason I knew they were Vantage is that when they were boarding the flight to Papeete they had those huge (awful) tags around their necks.

[pacaduli]

JUST wondering....

Does being in the Vantage group make a person an "old" traveler?!?!?!

HAHAHA, I have been receiving Vantage brochures and there was a GREAT offer connected with the PG sailing.

I tried to book it but it was all booked up. Am I old????:D

[pacheco18]

Here's the problem

 

Vantage tends to attract an older demographic who do not feel comfortable making their own arrangements. We saw the Vantage Group having lunch on Tahiti the day before the cruise. One of the 6 couples was in their 50's or early 60's at the most. You could see the "regret" in their eyes.

 

We were in Romania 2 years ago. We toured Bucharest on our own and then hired a private guide for a week to tour Transylvania and surrounding regions (amazing trip). There was a large Vantage group in the Bucharest hotel (the JW Marriott) -- they had their name tags, color coded badges to make them into smaller groups, huge buses and were mobbing some of the sights. Enough said.

[Cruisedreamer1]

We have been on 4 PG cruises so far and the only time we heard lots of complaints was when there was a large group of Vantage passengers on board. I think they were use to a different type of trip with guides and tours prearranged. You have to understand that Vantage usually organizes their own trips but with the PG they only sell the cruise. That said, their pricing includes a night before the cruise and a night after the cruise with 2 tours on each end and I think a dinner or two. Their pricing can be good if you factor in these add ons.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We've seen both Vantage and Grand Circle groups on board several times. Once quite large, close 100 altogether, the other occasion certainly over 50. The first time they definitely had a guide. (GC and V are run by brothers who are rivals, or that's what I've heard.)

 

And yes, I've seen the regret in their eyes at the Radisson pre-cruise. But I've also seen them throw off their name tags and go their own way.

 

All nice folks most of them, some of them real hoots.

[MightyQuinn]

I attended a PG Webinar recently & asked the presenter to describe the typical PG passenger. She replied:

 

. average age about 50 years

. well traveled

. many honeymooners (of all ages!)

. some younger families who recognize the value in PG

. international group, including many Polynesians

 

She added that PG is a very welcoming ship that appeals to many. Well that's proven by the large number of PG devotees! :):)

[Talisker92]

There was no host

I thought I read somewhere that PG does not permit a Vantage host on the ship. Could be wrong.

 

The only reason I knew they were Vantage is that when they were boarding the flight to Papeete they had those huge (awful) tags around their necks.

 

I have traveled with Vantage and I agree those tags are awful! I never wear mine LOL

[Ahab10]

Soon to be on our 3rd cruise with PG the end of this month. I'm 70+ and DW 68. We challange you 50 agers to keep up with us.:D Don't worry about us being nosy, we could care less who you are or what you've done, as we've probably been there done that.;)

[Emdee]

Ahab Have traveled with a 90 year old. Its not about the age but about the NOSINESS!!

Enjoy the PG and say hello to them all from me.

I have to wait until next year to see them again,

 

Miriam