First time cruiser ?s....family of 13. From ages 11 to 50o

[Mudehy]

 

How do we book excursions?

Can we make sandwiches for off boat excursions?

Are there snacks?

What activities are on boat? Especially for 4 teens and a 11 year old?

can we bring 2 way radios?

what do they stock in fridges?

Do we need international phone plans? Would they work on the ship?

When are there other food options like a buffet?

What type of foods/menu for room service?

When are bars open?

Best excursions for our big group?

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you

[sita]

-Excursions thru the ship open up 60 days before the embarkation date (double check though, as this may be dated info)

-I have heard of people having box lunches made; enquire onboard. Please note that some excursion providers may not want you eating on their, boat, bus, 4x4, etc

-Snacks? In addition to 3 square and 24 hour room service, there is afternoon tea, occasional ice cream socials, food available in the afternoon at the pool grill; have never gone hungry on the PG

-The ship does not cater to children like the mass lines. There is an ambassadors of the environment kid activity group on some voyages, also, daily craft class, trivia/name that tune contest, other classes with the Gaugines including language, pareo tying, dancing....kayaking off the marina (only certain days) If the kids love water stuff, they should be fine

- Unk about radios

-Fridges have water, beer, sodas ... let your stewardess know your preferences and they will try to accommodate. Please don't expect it to be filled with Rock Star or the like.

-Have no idea if international calling plan would work on ship

-Breakfast and Lunch are buffets with options to order off cook to order menu. Lunches are themed, French, Italian, Asian... etc

- Breakfast orders through room service are placed by filling out a card and hanging on door before lights out. There is a 24 hour menu that includes a (small) variety of options. Last time we went it included sandwiches, pasta, pizza, salads, chicken, deserts.... someone may have posted it (Try Delane's enormous travel log) Also, during the hours of the main dining room, you may order anything off that menu that day. That can be a good way to spend a quiet evening after a long excursion day.  Also, sometimes, we don't like to wait around to order dessert in the dining room so we do so once back in our cabin. 

The daily program will give you the hours of the bars; I don't remember off the top of my head. Yes you can get a morning Bloody Mary and late night cocktails, just unsure of the specific times.

Not sure how to advise as to large group excursions.

 

Any more questions, feel free to post as this thread has a lot of repeat PG cruisers... we're planing #10 ;o)

[SWFLAOK]

I think that most of your questions should be answered by reading the Paul Gauguin website. I also think that the Paul Gauguin is not geared toward large family groups with children. There are no activities provided onboard for kids or teens. No one onboard makes sandwiches to bring on excursions. Food is not stocked in the fridge so there's no way to do that. The PG website covers excursions available on each cruise. Excursions are not included in the cruise price, and are booked online after you make reservations and pay for them in full.

Have you looked at any ships on a different cruise line that might have activites for teens and preteens?

[SWFLAOK]

I just remembered that they used to have a Cousteau program for teens in the summer. I don't know if they still have that, but the website should have details if that's still available.

[pgcruises]

23 hours ago, Mudehy said:

 

How do we book excursions?

Can we make sandwiches for off boat excursions?

Are there snacks?

What activities are on boat? Especially for 4 teens and a 11 year old?

can we bring 2 way radios?

what do they stock in fridges?

Do we need international phone plans? Would they work on the ship?

When are there other food options like a buffet?

What type of foods/menu for room service?

When are bars open?

Best excursions for our big group?

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you

Hello Mudehy,

 

For kids and teens, we offer the Moana Explorer program during summer and holiday voyages.  In partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation, the Moana Explorer program invites children and teens, ages 7-15, to discover and value the natural wonders of the South Pacific through hands-on, interactive learning on board and ashore.

 

Every day of the voyage, there is a combination of naturalist-led island and/or beach excursions, science activities, crafts, games, and other adventures. Depending on the itinerary, children and teens might explore underwater life, conduct water experiments, create natural jewelry, go on a treasure hunt, learn about Tahitian culture, discover island legends and geology, design a Polynesian tattoo, and more.  The program for kids and teens is included as part of Paul Gauguin Cruises’ all-inclusive cruise fares.  Guests are encouraged to reserve the program at the time of booking or any time before their sailing date. The program can also be booked on board if space is available. For more information about the Moana Explorer program and daily schedules, visit: https://www.pgcruises.com/family.

 

Here is a link to shore excursion and you can start booking them 60 days prior to your sailing date: https://www.pgcruises.com/ms-paul-gauguin/shore-excursions.

 

We offer breakfast and lunch in two dining venues, and dinner in three dining venues. There is also 24-hour room service. We also offer daily afternoon tea (finger sandwiches, pastries, fruit, etc.) at Le Grill by the pool. https://www.pgcruises.com/ms-paul-gauguin/dining

 

The in-stateroom refrigerator is stocked with beverages (soft drinks, water).

 

There is a daily newsletter Ia Orana which lists activities. Our Tahitian ambassadors, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, lead Polynesian activities throughout the voyage.

 

For cell phone plans, check with your cell phone carrier.

 

We offer internet packages you can purchase aboard the ship. https://www.pgcruises.com/faq?subjects=346

 

Snorkeling gear can be checked out at the marina during designated times and used throughout the voyage from designated beaches or on shore excursions.

 

We also offer kayaking and paddleboarding from our watersports marina in select ports (weather permitting). https://www.pgcruises.com/ms-paul-gauguin/watersports

 

Kind Regards,

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Edited June 11, 2019 by pgcruises

[Mudehy]

Thank you so much!!

[Mudehy]

We are booked(my mothers trip) for July 27. As far as the dress code. Do all passengers have to continue dress code beyond dinner. Ie shows, casino, piano bar, walking around the ship? 

[pgcruises]

9 hours ago, Mudehy said:

We are booked(my mothers trip) for July 27. As far as the dress code. Do all passengers have to continue dress code beyond dinner. Ie shows, casino, piano bar, walking around the ship? 

Hi Mudehy,

 

We look forward to welcoming you and your family aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin!

 

Country Club Casual, or elegant resort wear, is appropriate dress for all evenings aboard The Gauguin. Country Club Casual consists of a dress, or skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater for ladies, and slacks and collared shirts for gentleman. No ties are required at any time, although gentlemen may opt to wear a jacket to the Captain’s Welcome Reception. Please note that casual wear such as shorts, t-shirts, casual jeans (frayed and/or with holes), baseball caps, flip-flops, and Crocs are not considered appropriate after 6:00 p.m. in all restaurants and lounges. Bathrobes and bathing suits are not appropriate in the ship’s restaurants and lounges, and shirts and shoes are required in all public areas at all times.

 

Kind Regards,

Paul Gauguin Cruises

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

In all my trips on the PG I've never seen a kid get bored ….. It is actually refreshing to see the kids/teens learn something while having a blast. Do I want them to learn about marine life or dance around with some cartoon character  … need I say more.  

[Wendy The Wanderer]

If you're thinking about the walkie-talkies for the ship, they might not be needed, it's pretty small.  Then again, since there aren't many kids onboard (and kids can get bored), it might be a way of keeping them under control--well-behaved kids are lovely to see, but sometimes they can run a little wild (not trying to disparage your family, just stating a reality.)

[Mudehy]

How late can the pool be used? Are there any areas that shorts can be worn after 6? 

[sita]

At night, a net is stretched across the pool so that it is not used; unsure what time this happens. Keep in mind because you are near the equator, sun sets 530-630pm; depending on time of year. Shorts not permitted in any public areas after 6pm. I imagine going back and forth to gym okay ;o) 

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

The restaurant on deck 8 opens shortly after 6 pm and it is staged so some of the tables are open on the pool area 😉

[SWFLAOK]

7 hours ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

The restaurant on deck 8 opens shortly after 6 pm and it is staged so some of the tables are open on the pool area 😉

If I remember correctly, when the area around the pool is staged with tables, it's reservations only, and you're expected to dress appropriately, with no shorts.

The last time we ate there, we were in the bay in Moorea, and it was a wonderful experience watching the sun go down behind the island. There were no tables for large groups around the pool area for dinner on either of the cruises we have been on so far.