Just read about Tahitian Princess on CC front page.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, the lack of formal nights is a biggie. I think they have two on a typical TP cruise. I can't imagine doing that in this destination--it just does not make sense.

 

We had our best deal in April 2003. It was partly just because it's "summer in Tahiti" (i.e., humid and hot), and partly because the industry was struggling after 9/11. I haven't seen prices like that since then (I don't have records back that far, and I can't remember the price.) In June 2005 (PIP), the back to back (7-day x 2) was $5490 pp, before port taxes or air, but also before any discounts. You can't quite cut that in half since there's a b2b saving, but it translates to $2750 per week pp. E cabin, always.

 

I agree about the intensive port time of the 7-day itinerary being absolutely great--we've done it 4 times and would do it again, although spending time on some island or other is also a priority, and visiting a new island like Huahine would be nice. Not sure how I feel about days of sea time out there--I can get sea days in the Caribbean for a lot less money! And Papeete, ehh.

[Scrumpy]

We have also been looking at Princess vs. RSSC and are strongly leaning toward PG for several reasons in spite of a higher rate. I like the look of the ship and expect a high level of service. If push came to shove, we'd try the Princess cruise, but have had friends absolutely rave over RSSC and I'd rather not wait too long to try it.

 

I see the air fare mentioned in some of these posts. We'd be combining this with a trip to visit DH's family in New Zealand. Has anyone done flights out of Auckland? That is what we plan to do because the cruise would most likely be at the end of our NZ visit. Any helpful hints in that regard? I could probably look this up (somewhere) but does anyone know off-hand whether the airlines down there have any kind of partnership with United, Northwest, or American? We have a LOT of miles, especially on United and would love to cash in some of them. We can play around quite a bit on the time because I think we're going to hit NZ two years in a row - probably 2007 and 2008, but it could be that we skip one year. I keep eyeing the cruises January through March. Would love to escape a Colorado winter :)

 

Thanks!

[mapschier]

I booked a surprise cruise for my husband on the Renaissance cruise (the TP in a prior life) for a big birthday present. A few months later I read in the WSJ they went bankrupt. Fortunately, my Citibank credit card refunded the entire amount of the cruise. But, I was so disappointed we were not going to Tahiti. Then we found the PG. We went for the 7 day cruise in 2003 and another (the same week) in 2004 with an additional 3 nights in Moorea. We are going back "home" in 7 weeks for the 14 day Papeete to Fiji. The ship is the reason to return. We would miss the Gaugines too much!!

[kruzingtogether]

We went on the TP last August and have also caught the "bug" (the French Polynesian flu, as Wendy so aptly coined it). We are deciding between the TP and the PG for August 2008 and leaning toward the the 10 day PG itinerary. We really want to go to Rangiroa, which is included on the PG 10 day. We missed Rarotonga (Cook Islands) on our TP cruise (long story that seems to involved some dishonesty on Princess' part -- they said the weather was too bad to tender, though it looked perfectly fine, and then we later found that one engine had broken on the ship and that it was going to take a longer time to get back to French Polynesia, so they turned us around early); anyway, this all resulted in 3 (rough) days at sea in which my new husband and I (who rarely get sea sick) were both quite ill. Aside from that, the trip was great... one complaint I had about the TP was that too many passengers smoked -- is that an issue on the PG as well?

 

A few other questions... Is there a casino on the PG? Is the sailing, generally speaking, smooth? We were also kind of annoyed by some poorly-behaved kids on the TP... have any of you found this to be a problem on the PG? Are there a wide range of adults age-wise on the PG or is it mostly an older crowd? Is there Hinano on the PG? :-)

 

Any other advice that would be helpful to us in making our decision would be great. We are SO excited to return to French Polynesia -- paradise!

[Admiral Horatio Nelson]

We went on the TP last August and have also caught the "bug" (the French Polynesian flu, as Wendy so aptly coined it). We are deciding between the TP and the PG for August 2008 and leaning toward the the 10 day PG itinerary. We really want to go to Rangiroa, which is included on the PG 10 day. We missed Rarotonga (Cook Islands) on our TP cruise (long story that seems to involved some dishonesty on Princess' part -- they said the weather was too bad to tender, though it looked perfectly fine, and then we later found that one engine had broken on the ship and that it was going to take a longer time to get back to French Polynesia, so they turned us around early); anyway, this all resulted in 3 (rough) days at sea in which my new husband and I (who rarely get sea sick) were both quite ill. Aside from that, the trip was great... one complaint I had about the TP was that too many passengers smoked -- is that an issue on the PG as well?

 

A few other questions... Is there a casino on the PG? Is the sailing, generally speaking, smooth? We were also kind of annoyed by some poorly-behaved kids on the TP... have any of you found this to be a problem on the PG? Are there a wide range of adults age-wise on the PG or is it mostly an older crowd? Is there Hinano on the PG? :-)

 

Any other advice that would be helpful to us in making our decision would be great. We are SO excited to return to French Polynesia -- paradise!

 

I have worked for both cruiselines Princess and Regent respectively and I was amazed when I arrived at Regent on PG to see how much more pampering goes on towards passengers. The crew's attitude towards passengers is also on a different level. I don't want to take anything away from my former colleagues at Princess but the crew are more attentive and work harder to please. I think it's because of the ratio of crew to passengers, being less so they can afford to put in more effort to satisfy. Also Regent crew are generally paid more and treated better then Princess therefore there is less turnover of crew meaning they know their job better.

 

As for the smoking policy, you will very rarely see other passengers! The ship almost always seems like you are the only people onboard. Others will back me up here I'm sure, but it's the only line (and I have worked on most of the big lines) that can actually boast of those images you see in the brochures of standing on the moon lit deck completely on your own are possible! No queues (sorry lines) a reception, or at the theatre etc. Entirely a different experience, hence the difference in money.

 

If any PG passengers sailed on Princess you would be shocked at the difference in service, very disappointed. And any Princess passengers sail on Regent would be amazed at the improvement. (That's just my opinion.)

[egret]

We have done the 7 day PG three times. I long for another, the Tahitian Flu you know. We are not smokers and smoking bothers my DH, it has never been a problem on the PG for us. While on each crew there have been a few children, they have not been a problem either. I am not saying that there is never something annoying, if you are afraid of that don't go on a ship. On the PG we were treated very well by everyone, from the housekeeping folks to the officers they went out of their way to make us feel important and make sure we enjoyed our stay with them. I can not comment on the TP experience but I also could not contemplate going to French Polynesia without time on the PG.

[kruzingtogether]

Thanks for the reply... we are definitely not afraid of children's presence, in general, and usually enjoy having kids around, but on the TP, there were a few different families that were just terrible... Kids would literally jump into the hot tub and splash people (and neither the parents nor crew would say anything), lots and lots and lots of screaming from kids too old to be acting that way, etc. etc.

 

As for the smoking -- good to hear... I have bad allergies.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Thanks "Admiral", for the insider's view! I'm a PG addict (28 days), and have considered the TP as an alternative, but you have reminded me just how pampered I feel when I'm on the PG.

[Jim B]

Yes Thank you Admiral for confirming what we have always thought

about the Paul Gauguin.

Just shows it really is Apples to Oranges, (or is that lemons), in trying to compare the two lines.

[etmanch]

I would also like to say a quick thanks for your thoughts Admiral. I have booked the PG for April 2008 and was a little nervous about whether or not I made the right decision based on how much money this trip will be costing us. I know once I get on board the PG it will all seem worth every penny I spent.

 

I can hardly wait to experience all that you past PG cruisers have felt. I have cruised on many of the larger ships - Princess, Royal, HAL and I am looking foward to feeling like I am on my own personal yacht :D

[Rich 1]

Smoking on the PG.

 

The pool bar area had people smoking in it on a regular basis.

[AtA]

I agree with previous posters that a true apples-to-apples comparison is impossible.

 

One clarification is that the least expensive oceanview price on the Oct. 24 PG cruise is $2,795 (we have stayed in that category "F" as well as category "E", and there is no noticeable difference in the window/daylight).

 

There are also, in my mind, significant differences in the itineraries -- 2 sea days for the TP v. Motu Mahana and an extra day in Moorea for PG.

 

Individual preference which is "better" .... all in the eye (and pocketbook) of the beholder.

 

Based on this cost and using the earlier numbers, the price of the PG for this sailing would be $9928 for two which is quite a bit closer in price to the TP price.

[Jim B]

AtA

We were in F cabin also. Auctually enjoyed it.

Like many people we decided to save our $$ for excursions

instead of upgrading a cabin since we would not be in it very much.

Was a good decision.

It is really difficult for someone looking at both the TP and PG and realize

that when the cruise is completed the price paid per person will come out very close. The PG really does not charge for so many things that you have to pay for on TP.

[AtA]

Well we're booked for the 12/12 cruise as part of the group. I believe you're booked on the Mariner then? We'll see you again when in Tahiti. :)

[Jim B]

That is correct. We will be on 'LAMB"

You will have Gil,Arlene, Russ, & escort Debbie on yours.

We know all of them. Have not sailed with Arlene.

[Jim B]

Sneaky Arlene!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Waaa!! I'm not booked on PEARL, and would love to be, but the Caribbean is simpler for us at that time of year (and cheaper). It would be so great to meet the people on Mariner! We enjoyed a two-night pre-cruise at the Radisson last time we went, and really liked the hotel, although it's a bit isolated, so if you get a chance to pick up some bottled water etc. elsewhere, it's a good idea.

[Jim B]

Yes we on Mariner "LAMB" are excited to meet those just getting on Paul Gauguin "PEARL"