New to PG, have a few questions

[MrBill923]

We have cruised 9 times and are in our 60's. We enjoy active ships and look for things to do onboard and onshore. We have done some searching but thought I would let your experiences guide us. Questions:

What is the cabin difference between Balcony D and C besides the deck number?

Is any of the ship's entertainment more than just a piano or Polynesian music/dancing?

How do you RSVP for dinner at the La Grill?

Can you be seated at a 2 Top table?

How and where do you sign up for excursions? 

Are the pre-cruise "day rooms" a good idea with the cruise line or with individual hotels?

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

[TheDarkestBlue]

Hi! 🙂

 

What is the cabin difference between Balcony D and C besides the deck number?

 

We were just on last June and stayed in a D balcony, I'm pretty sure the only difference is the deck number.

 

Is any of the ship's entertainment more than just a piano or Polynesian music/dancing?

Yes, there was a house band with an excellent singer, they did a tribute to divas and I remember, she really knocked it out of the park doing some songs of Tina Turner, who we had just lost.

 

How do you RSVP for dinner at the La Grill?

Can you be seated at a 2 Top table?

 

2 tops for dinner no problem. I will attach the weekly activity schedules from my voyage and you can get a feel for things, and info about rsvp's, etc

PaulGauguinSocietyIslands6-10-23.pdf

How and where do you sign up for excursions? 

 

Call Paul Gauguin directly 1 (800) 848-6172 https://www.pgcruises.com/shore-excursions

 

Are the pre-cruise "day rooms" a good idea with the cruise line or with individual hotels?

 

Day rooms can be had at a much lesser cost booking on your own, if you are comfortable with that. With all the airline's delays, I would not cut it so close as to arrive the day you embark, but that's me. We bookended the trip with a couple days at the Hilton in Tahiti to adapt to the time change so as not to waste time on board getting in sync, and another day at the end as a buffer before heading back to reality, lol 

[MrBill923]

Thanks The Darkest Blue. This is very helpful, The Daily schedule answered several questions. I did notice there was no food available between 2pm and 6:30pm. Is there no quick bites somewhere to fill in after a long excursion or late at night?

I agree with booking hotel pre and post cruise. Did the Hilton Tahiti work for you, was it nice? How did you get to hotel from port and hotel to PPT? By Taxi - was it easy to get taxi and what was the cost and did you use $$? 

Thanks for your help. I think we will book August cruise. 

[FlightMedic555]

Tea time every day from 3:30 - 4:30.  Finger sandwiches, fruit, ice cream, etc.

 

Taxi from airport, or Intercontinental, or Hilton to the cruise pier is about $25 USD plus or minus a few dollars.  Simple from all as they line up at the airport and the hotel concierge will call for one.  They will accept USD or local XPF.  If USD they convert 1000 XPF = $10 USD.

 

The Hilton is very nice, clean and modern.  The Intercontinental has a much more Polynesian feel, I think better food and better pools.  There is a mall across the street from the Hilton with a large supermarket.

[TheDarkestBlue]

There is also 24/7 room service, good selections, had a nice grilled chicken club sandwich and fries (excellent) when we got back late from an excursion.  There are complimentary drinks (beer, water, soda) in your cabin fridge that get restocked with your choices if you let your room steward know.

 

We loved the Hilton, newly done over and beautiful, view of Moorea in the distance. If your flight is coming in early morning, you can hang by the pool and they will hold your luggage until your room is ready. There is a big lounge with showers you can use to freshen up or change clothes, and you can hang on your final day after checking out, too. 

 

Pedestrian bridge to mall across the street with shops and a Carrefour, similar to Walmart. Ran over there to the coffee shop for breakfast instead of hotel. 

 

Hilton Tahiti 

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ppthihh-hilton-hotel-tahiti/

 

Pacific Plaza 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pgzWqDbcLg4zmugy8

 

https://www.facebook.com/carrefourpolynesie

 

We rented a car and hung out at a local beach about 20 minutes away  

Plage Vaiava 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YndQuLee6Sm4Qm8j6

 

 

Edited February 5 by TheDarkestBlue

[MrBill923]

 

Thanks to both of you for the info.

Beautiful picture. We will look into pre and post stay. Thanks. 

Did anyone use PG airline reservations? We typically make our own flight plans as we like to pick times and seat locations. 

Just curious.

[TheDarkestBlue]

Always do my own flights ✈️  this time went on frequent flyer miles to PPT, and right now United Airlines is having a rewards mile sale on Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia for 75,000 miles round trip. Less than Europe.