Paul Guaguin or Princess Cruises??

[Lindsey Loo]

My husband and I are planning to do an anniversary cruise to the French Polynesia in the next few years. We are really wanting to go to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji, and some other islands. The pricing between Paul Guaguin and Princess Cruises for a regular balcony room are very different. Which cruise line would you recommend for a luxury cruise to this area?? Thanks!

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

23 minutes ago, Lindsey Loo said:

My husband and I are planning to do an anniversary cruise to the French Polynesia in the next few years. We are really wanting to go to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji, and some other islands. The pricing between Paul Guaguin and Princess Cruises for a regular balcony room are very different. Which cruise line would you recommend for a luxury cruise to this area?? Thanks!

Apples and oranges ..... PG is by far the more luxurious cruise line. 

 

If you want the better experience go with PG, not even close 😉

 

And yes I've done both   ....

 

 

Edited November 16, 2019 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[Lindsey Loo]

4 minutes ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

Apples and oranges ..... PG is by far the more luxurious cruise line. 

 

If you want the better experience go with PG, not even close 😉

 

And yes I've done both   ....

 

 

 

[Lindsey Loo]

Tahitianbigkahuna, You’re answer is EXACTLY what I was needing. We were thinking that PG is a lot better, but since we haven’t cruised on either, I wanted to ask the experts! 😜 Thank you so much for your response. Which cruise line is your ultimate favorite?

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

2 minutes ago, Lindsey Loo said:

Tahitianbigkahuna, You’re answer is EXACTLY what I was needing. We were thinking that PG is a lot better, but since we haven’t cruised on either, I wanted to ask the experts! 😜 Thank you so much for your response. Which cruise line is your ultimate favorite?

 

I'm a PG regular ..... but my answer was honest, done Princess twice in French Polynesia and then went on PG and never looked back. This coming Spring will be trip #7 on the PG, 21st to FP.

 

There are ways to save a bit but we are not allowed to give details on CC.

You can email me if you want some pointers: tahitianbigkahuna@gmail.com

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I would think about doing a window cabin on the PG, if you want to save some money.  Although I would not consider a cabin without a balcony on any other cruise, it makes little difference on the PG.  The cabin is the same size, and frankly, the outdoor spaces on the ship are so lovely, that you'll spend little time on the balcony.  Yes, it's a lovely luxury, but a pricey one that we have lived without--only once on our six trips did we have a balcony, and I frankly hardly ever used it.

Edited November 16, 2019 by Wendy The Wanderer

[Larro9]

You got some good answers.....regarding a balcony on the PG : we book early and reserve an aft cabin w balcony...this subject comes up often and is split between posters like Wendy and others who always say, ”the ship is your balcony” and the other side that say having a balcony is great for fresh air, private time, eating and resting on your balcony...oh and as I said fresh air...nothing like a quiet morning on your balcony..nothing like champagne in the late afternoon on the balcony...when you want to be with others, pop in to la palette or other bars and mingle.....my point, I like the choice of having a balcony and willing to pay the extra.....everybody has a choice when booking..either way you are in a wonderful ship in the most beautiful part of the world 

Edited November 17, 2019 by Larro9

[Lindsey Loo]

Thank you so much, everyone!! Tahitianbigkahuna, I’ll definitely be giving you a shout. Any tips to save money is greatly appreciated. I agree that opting for the window instead of the balcony definitely saves you money, I can’t see us having a room without one. Every cruise I’ve done, we had a balcony and had our morning coffee every day on the balcony. And Larro9, I agree with you.....sometimes you just need to get away from everyone else. Thanks again for your input!

[minabruuke]

I am Elite on Princess and thus obviously quite a fan of the cruise line but there is just no comparison here.  Paul Gauguin is hands down much better.  I would take a port-hole cabin on the Paul Gauguin over the nicest suite on a Princess cruise and I say that having experienced both the port hole cabins on Paul Gauguin and several suites with Princess.  I love Princess but they are most certainly not a luxury cruise line.

 

When Princess announced their 2020 French Polynesia return I was initially ecstatic as I had been so disappointed when they discontinued their seasons in French Polynesia.  However, it took me about 10 minutes to come back to the reality that I personally had nothing to be excited about as I was now permanently spoiled.  Having experienced the Paul Gauguin there was simply no way that I would be booking with Princess for their FP sailings.  Had Princess never taken a break from spending seasons sailing in the FP then I probably would never have tried the Paul Gauguin so I guess I indirectly have them to thank for my Paul Gauguin addiction. 

 

I would be truly sad to be in the French Polynesia and not be able to step aboard the Paul Gauguin to see all the friendly faces.  For us, the number one factor that makes the Paul Gauguin so special is the crew.  When we boarded our second PG cruise I was unbelievably touched by how many crew said 'welcome back.'  My favorite cruise crew member of all time even spotted me across the ship and called out my name. The only people that will get that sort of welcome on a Princess cruise are those that have spent hundreds if not thousands of days sailing on Princess.  That favorite crew member of ours took care of us at every single meal- breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We requested a table in his section at dinner the first night of the cruise and were then sat at that same table for the rest of the cruise without having to ask.  At breakfast and lunch he would see us immediately and escort us to one of his tables.  The result of this was truly incredible service.  He learned our preferences so well that he could predict what we would order at dinner.  Our drinks were never empty.   I have the unfortunate tendency to decide that I require seconds when it comes to seafood appetizers, on the 2nd or 3rd night of the cruise I asked if there was any way I could get a second soft shell crab, the biggest smile formed on his face and he walked over to his service station, picked up a plate and brought it to me.  He had just run back to the kitchen to get another because he had noticed that I seemed to really be enjoying the first and he was certain that I'd want another.  Needless to say, we miss this man greatly and we think of him often.  The fact, however, is that this level of service is not a rarity on the Paul Gauguin.  They really know how to take care of their guests.  

 

I would also echo Wendy's comments about considering a window cabin.  Most of the Paul Gauguin itineraries are so port intensive that we wouldn't find enough time to use the balcony to warrant the significantly greater cost.  We do not miss having a balcony one single little bit when we are on the Paul Gauguin.  The price difference on an 11 day PG cruise, for example, between an F category port hole and D category balcony is $4000 ($2000/p).  To each their own but there is no way that we are spending an extra $363.64 per day to have coffee on our balcony in the morning, at least not on the Paul Gauguin where it is very easy to find a quiet place to sit outside.  

 

Princess is great but if you can afford the Paul Gauguin then I definitely recommend going that route. 

Edited November 19, 2019 by minabruuke

[DavidTheWonderer]

10 hours ago, minabruuke said:

... Princess is great but if you can afford the Paul Gauguin then I definitely recommend going that route. 

I've stayed away from posting on this thread since I have never been with Princess, but do have about 60 nights on the PG, which remains my favorite ship. So I read minabruuke's comments, of which I quote only one sentence, with interest. A great post.

I will only add that if someone does an "all in" comparison of the PG with a mass-market line like Princess. more than one person has told me that the difference in cost is not nearly as great as you might think.

Edited November 19, 2019 by DavidTheWonderer

[minabruuke]

11 minutes ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

 

I will only add that if someone does an "all in" comparison of the PG with a mass-market line like Princess. more than one person has told me that the difference in cost is not nearly as great as you might think.

I do agree that the difference is not as great.  At least not as great as it initially appears.  

Out of interest I compared two similar options just grabbing the past passenger rates from each line's website (not including air).  The rates are for two people in a balcony cabin (prices in USD).

 

Oct. 14, 2020 Paul Gauguin 10 night Society Island and Tuamotos- $12625.50 (cruise fare) + $430 (port fees & taxes) = $13055.50 (for us we would add internet & possibly laundry costs here as we get those amenities for free on Princess)

 

Oct. 15, 2020 Princess 10 night Tahiti & French Polynesia- $6298 (cruise fare) + $200 (port fees & taxes) + $290 (gratuities) + $1415.75 (premier beverage package) + $120 (2 specialty restaurant visits for 2 people) = $8323.75

 

In this scenario we can see the price difference is not as great as it initially appears.  Now of course if the Princess cruise does not fill up then Princess will discount that cruise rate as the cruise approaches and you can be quite certain that there will be people who pay a much lower rate.  On such a port intensive cruise, I also believe that very few people would come out ahead purchasing the Princess beverage package versus paying per drink but it seemed fair to throw that package in there for comparisons sake.  

 

However, there are incredible deals that you can find on a mass market line when booking closer in to the sailing date.  I've never seen comparatively fantastic deals appear with Paul Gauguin (maybe they do and I just don't know how to find them).  

 

As an example, I just recently booked a 14 day Princess cruise for my parents.  The cruise sails to/from Australia and visits New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji.   Surprisingly to me, I actually found these rates two days before final payment meaning that other guests that were already booked who qualified for these rates (past guests) could've re-fared and/or canceled and rebooked.  In USD, we secured a balcony for $1686 ($843/person) + $400 port fees ($200/p).  Add in $348 for gratuities, maybe two specialty restaurant visits for $120 total, the specialty coffee card my dad will want for $35 and probably a maximum bar bill of about $150, subtract their $200 on board credit and their total cruise price sans air and any excursions will be around $2539 (of course this reflects their on board spending habits and someone else could spend a lot more).  I don't think that I will ever see a 14 day Paul Gauguin cruise that even begins to approach that low price point.  

 

[SWFLAOK]

10 hours ago, minabruuke said:

I do agree that the difference is not as great.  At least not as great as it initially appears.  

Out of interest I compared two similar options just grabbing the past passenger rates from each line's website (not including air).  The rates are for two people in a balcony cabin (prices in USD).

 

Oct. 14, 2020 Paul Gauguin 10 night Society Island and Tuamotos- $12625.50 (cruise fare) + $430 (port fees & taxes) = $13055.50 (for us we would add internet & possibly laundry costs here as we get those amenities for free on Princess)

 

Oct. 15, 2020 Princess 10 night Tahiti & French Polynesia- $6298 (cruise fare) + $200 (port fees & taxes) + $290 (gratuities) + $1415.75 (premier beverage package) + $120 (2 specialty restaurant visits for 2 people) = $8323.75

 

In this scenario we can see the price difference is not as great as it initially appears.  Now of course if the Princess cruise does not fill up then Princess will discount that cruise rate as the cruise approaches and you can be quite certain that there will be people who pay a much lower rate.  On such a port intensive cruise, I also believe that very few people would come out ahead purchasing the Princess beverage package versus paying per drink but it seemed fair to throw that package in there for comparisons sake.  

 

However, there are incredible deals that you can find on a mass market line when booking closer in to the sailing date.  I've never seen comparatively fantastic deals appear with Paul Gauguin (maybe they do and I just don't know how to find them).  

 

As an example, I just recently booked a 14 day Princess cruise for my parents.  The cruise sails to/from Australia and visits New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji.   Surprisingly to me, I actually found these rates two days before final payment meaning that other guests that were already booked who qualified for these rates (past guests) could've re-fared and/or canceled and rebooked.  In USD, we secured a balcony for $1686 ($843/person) + $400 port fees ($200/p).  Add in $348 for gratuities, maybe two specialty restaurant visits for $120 total, the specialty coffee card my dad will want for $35 and probably a maximum bar bill of about $150, subtract their $200 on board credit and their total cruise price sans air and any excursions will be around $2539 (of course this reflects their on board spending habits and someone else could spend a lot more).  I don't think that I will ever see a 14 day Paul Gauguin cruise that even begins to approach that low price point.  

 

The Pacific Princess with 670 passengers is too big for us to consider in French Polynesia. That's the ship size that we hope to never encounter on our PG cruises, especially in the Tuamotus and the Marquesas. That's too many people for the small islands to handle. Hopefully some of the Princess passengers stay onboard in these small tendering ports rather than overwhelming them.

Someone recently mentioned that the PG had to divert to Cook's Bay at Moorea, inconveniencing them for their tender dockage and excursions because Princess was in the anchorage they were scheduled to anchor in.

We love having the crew remember us, and we love deck 8 with a balcony on the PG. It's a long way from Florida to Papeete, so we're not looking to save money in the South Pacific. We can cruise the Caribbean cheap, but at this point, it's too crowded with cruise ships to enjoy. We've tried twice, and will fly to the Caribbean in the future. Cheap cruises to the South Pacific will make it the same over crowded destination, and going to small destinations further away such as Vanuatu makes it even worse.

Edited November 20, 2019 by SWFLAOK
added more info

[Wendy The Wanderer]

On 11/19/2019 at 8:13 PM, SWFLAOK said:

Oct. 14, 2020 Paul Gauguin 10 night Society Island and Tuamotos- $12625.50 (cruise fare) + $430 (port fees & taxes) = $13055.50 (for us we would add internet & possibly laundry costs here as we get those amenities for free on Princess)

 

Oct. 15, 2020 Princess 10 night Tahiti & French Polynesia- $6298 (cruise fare) + $200 (port fees & taxes) + $290 (gratuities) + $1415.75 (premier beverage package) + $120 (2 specialty restaurant visits for 2 people) = $8323.75

 

You don't mention the cabin classes or sizes.

 

I admit all this talk has made me miss the PG very much.  No future plans to sail again, but never say never!

Edited November 23, 2019 by Wendy The Wanderer

[Dolebludger]

Back to the balcony vs window cabin question, we find that the balconies on the PG's "regular" balcony rooms are too small to really be of any use. I don't think we would like the port hole cabins. But the next time we take the PG we may just go with a window cabin. That is if we can ever justify the cost of going again. When we first cruised the PG in 2002, the fare was $2300PP! And it included air from and back to Oklahoma City. Granted, the air was coach. But with the PG fares up about 500% and coach air accommodations shrunken, we have to take business/first to avoid misery on such long flights.

 

But we have cruised a lot on the PG (I've lost count) as well as other ships and lines.I have to say the PG is our favorite cruise.

[SWFLAOK]

4 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

You don't mention the cabin classes or sizes.

 

I admit all this talk has made me miss the PG very much.  No future plans to sail again, but never say never!

I was just quoting minabruuke, the Princess cruiser. We looked at Princess once, and decided it wasn't for us and that we were not interested in sailing on Princess. When you book your parents on Princess, and are looking at Paul Gauguin for yourself, that might  indicate which cruise line looks more appealing.

We've been on deck 8 for our 3 previous cruises, and are booked for Fiji to Bali in April in a cabin we stayed in on our first cruise on PG. After that, we've done all of the ports that PG visits, so we might be done..

 

4 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

When we first cruised the PG in 2002, the fare was $2300PP! And it included air from and back to Oklahoma City.

Wow, that was a fantastic bargain. In 1995, we flew economy from Newark to LAX to PPT, and stayed a week at the Sofitel on Bora Bora, and a week at the Beachcomber on Moorea. I recently found our receipt from the travel agent and it was just under $10,000 for the 2 of us. Neither of the hotels had AC, and it was hot with just a ceiling fan. It was MAP, with no drinks, excursions or rental cars included. Over 20 years later, the Paul Gauguin seems like a bargain compared to the 1995 prices.

[Dolebludger]

I may have exaggerated when I said PG fares have increased 500%, because I think the increase in pure fare is more like 250%. But when you add in the fact that included air was from where one lived, rather than LA as it is now, and the fact that coach air was doable then and not now, I may have not been far wrong. Also, included was pickup from our home to our city’s airport and return to our home after the cruise. Much of the increased prices I mentioned since 2002 have been due to airlines reducing coach class space to that found on an urban city bus (in the bad part of town), which forces those of us wanting a lux experience to fly business/first at a very high cost. Other parts of the increase has been due to “included air” being only from LA, and not where the guest lived. In any event, we booked the PG not long ago in a balcony regular cabin (would have been a bit less in a window cabin) and added business/first air to and from LA and upgrades on Air Tahiti Nui to business/first, and found that we were looking at a cost of $30K!  Much more than our 2002 cruise at a cost of less than $5K in 2002. Then, we had very nice, air conditioned day rooms after the cruise, along with ground transport everywhere needed. We had full transportation to our city, and ground transport to our home. So maybe my statement of 500% increase since 2002 wasn’t exaggerated . It looks more like a total cost increase of over 600%, all things considered. 

 

Since 2002, we have been on over ten PG cruises. Between cruise fare increases and included air decreases and airline’s degrading of coach class, we have seen the cost of a PG cruise increase gradually but steadily.  The time in the past year when the total cost reached $30K was a breaking point. Not because we lack the money, as that is not the case. We just didn’t think it justified after over ten PG cruises on more reasonable terms.

 

But still, if the OP is looking for “the cruise of a lifetime” there is no substitute for the PG. If the OP cruises on Princess, they will still be hit by obscene air fares to and from Tahiti — especially if the OP does not want highly uncomfortable air accommodations. Under these unfortunate circumstances, the increased fare it opt for the PG sort of becomes lost, and is very much worth it.

Edited November 24, 2019 by Dolebludger

[Dolebludger]

Also, in about 2004, we were on the Radisson (now Regent) Navigator in Alaska. The PG used to be a Radisson/Regent ship and the onboard experience on the PG didn’t change with ownership. In any event the Navigator was once in the same port with a Princess ship. One of their passengers offered me $1K to switch with him! Now that probably would have been against some law or regulation, but in any event I said an emphatic “no”. Neither Princess nor any other mass market line has any attraction to me, EXCEPT when a line like MSC has a totally separate lux area which is all inclusive. But MSC does not go to French Polynesia, and is not an alternative to the PG. and no other line is.

[DavidTheWonderer]

7 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

... The PG used to be a Radisson/Regent ship and the onboard experience on the PG didn’t change with ownership. ...

Between Radisson/Regent selling and Pacific Beachcomber, the current operator, buying there was a truly dreadful interlude. Fortunately, after Pacific Beachcomber arrived the PG became at least as excellent as before.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

With the addition of two new smaller ships under the Paul Gauguin Cruises name things look very bright that PG will continue to be the go to cruise line in French Polynesia for those that want the best experience. With three ships we will probably see the continuance of the current itineraries plus the addition of new 'explorer' crises to some of the other small/less traveled island groups. Don't quote me on that but knowing the current 'bread and butter' of the new parent company I could totally see that happening. That would be exciting and so many of us that love the PG will have more reasons to continue to go and see places in French Polynesia we've yet to experience. 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2019 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[Emdee]

9 hours ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

Between Radisson/Regent selling and Pacific Beachcomber, the current operator, buying there was a truly dreadful interlude. Fortunately, after Pacific Beachcomber arrived the PG became at least as excellent as before.

David, I was there then, too. It was still under Regent but we had Grand Circle holding the purse strings. This meant a reduced food budget and a very different  ( and quite dreadful) type of passenger! Fortunately our wonderful PG staff were still there as was Michael Shapiro, Rajko etc.

[Emdee]

17 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

Also, in about 2004, we were on the Radisson (now Regent) Navigator in Alaska. The PG used to be a Radisson/Regent ship and the onboard experience on the PG didn’t change with ownership. In any event the Navigator was once in the same port with a Princess ship. One of their passengers offered me $1K to switch with him! Now that probably would have been against some law or regulation, but in any event I said an emphatic “no”. Neither Princess nor any other mass market line has any attraction to me, EXCEPT when a line like MSC has a totally separate lux area which is all inclusive. But MSC does not go to French Polynesia, and is not an alternative to the PG. and no other line is.

Richard good to see you on these boards again....hope you are both well. Now we only need HRProf to post in this thread and Motu who is MIA to almost close the circle of old timers. 

 

A better comparison IMO is the PG and Regent Navigator ....both on the smaller side and great level of service. Of course cabins on the Navigator are a tad larger!

[Dolebludger]

Emdee,

 

Another thing about the PG that deserves mention is that it was specifically designed to cruise French Polynesia and other reef - enclosed islands in that area. It has only a 15 foot draft so it can get closer to the islands to reduce guest’s time in the tender boats (which offer no luxury). And with only 300 passengers, lines for the tenders are thankfully short also. In about 2016, we took an unusual cruise on the RSSC Mariner (with 700 guests) that started in Tahiti, visited some islands in FP, then cruised east to Easter Island, and ended in Lima Peru. That cruise was great, attractively priced (especially we could use RSSC’s business/first on most of the flights), BUT, the tendering time and and congestion was much greater to the islands than on the PG. The Mariner has a much deeper draft (as does the Princess ship) and cant get as close to the islands.If we could do the PG again for the cost of that cruise, we’d do it!  But as the PG doesn’t offer any included air in N.America and only economy from LA to Tahiti and back (which is costly to upgrade), and has no included excursions, the total actual cost now makes me say “no”. For me to say “yes” the PG needs to reduce its fares, include some excursions, provide business/first air from LA and back, or some combination of these things. As it now is, a 7 night PG cruise would run us about $30K in only a standard balcony cabin.

 

Princess would be no solution. They include no air at all, charge unreasonable amounts for drinks or an overpriced package, subject us to lines and crowds, give us less convenient tendering, and not save us any real money when all is totaled. 

 

Now, as you know, we have been to FP many times on the PG. For a person who had never done this asked my opinion, I’d Say it it might be worth today’s total cost for a “cruise of a lifetime”. And I’d certainly advise against a mass market line like Princess just to save a small amount.

 

And by the way, we are doing well living high in the Colorado mountains. We are in good health, and hope you are as well.

[Dolebludger]

er, 

 

Fortunately, we never cruised the PG between RSSC operation and that of Beachcomber. But we notice no difference onboard since we didn’t cruise her in that interlude. The only difference we notice is that business/first air would be included now from LA and back if it were still RSSC, and other air would be included, but economy (which we have upgraded to “premium economy” for cash for a half way decent domestic flight). Also, if the PG were still RSSC at least some excursions would be included. As cost is the deterrent against us taking any line to FP again, these matters make a difference. In addition to liking cruise vacations, I like sports cars. The $30K total cost of a 7 night PG cruise happens to be half the cost of a new 2020 mid engine Corvette, so this cruise cost rather turns me off - as we have cruised PG more times than I can count. But again, if I were looking for a “cruise of a lifetime” I’d go!