Just back-Paul Gauguin New Year's cruise

[azgkrudi]

Just back from our second Paul Gauguin cruise (third on Regent), 12/29/07-1/5/08 cruise. Overall, we had a fantastic time with only a couple of negatives which I’ll explain last.

 

We lucked out with mostly sunny days, except for our first day on Bora Bora which was iffy (although not downpour variety). We’d heard that the prior week was pretty much a constant rainout, so we considered ourselves VERY fortunate! There was a full complement of guests (320), all age ranges from infant to 80s, with LOTS of families (including adult families) on board. It was so enjoyable seeing so many families having such a great time together. It was a wonderful group this sailing!

 

Suite: We had one of those new category C aft suites on deck 7. We were in 765 and enjoyed it much more than our previous category B suite 814 (not to mention a lot less $). Our balcony was much larger, and we LOVED our bathroom. For a small cruise ship like the PG, our shower was surprisingly spacious. The suite was in pristine condition, as well. Our friends who stayed in 818 (category B) said their suite was quite run down, so we felt fortunate to have had a refurbished suite.

 

Entertainment: Karen Grainger, a lovely Canadian singer who can impersonate every singer on the planet, including Michael McDonald (you’d have to see her to know what I mean!).

 

And, of course, Siglo, who TOTALLY lived up to what everyone on these boards has been saying. Actually I should say they far surpassed our expectations. We found ourselves rearranging our dinner reservations in order to be able to catch every one of their appearances that we could.

 

The only so-so in the entertainment realm was an Elvis Presley impersonator who the PG commissioned for a special New Year’s Eve performance. Not worth the trouble and expense, I can tell you that. The rest of New Year’s Eve in the Grand Salon was wonderfully festive, and a GREAT time was had by all guests present.

 

The staff: I just cannot say enough about the PG staff. This was far and away the best staff on any cruise we’ve ever taken (Regent, Silversea, NCLA). They are so gracious and accommodating. We were SO pleased to see so many of the same staff who were onboard the PG our last time around (June 2006). We were astounded when we arrived at dinner the first night, recognized Laksman from Sri Lanka, who didn’t even blink when he said “Welcome back, Greg and Kristin!” Unbelievable.

 

The casino: Greg made his usual contributions to the video poker slot machines. We were very pleased to see they had redone/rearranged the casino since our last PG cruise. It somehow seemed more spacious than last time.

 

Food: Very good to excellent. Room service was prompt and served at the correct temperature. Write-ins on the breakfast card were always accommodated (I requested berries, which are not on the card). La Verandah and Le Grill both very good, although we always seem to prefer the main restaurant, Letoile. The wines this time around were excellent, better than we remember from 18 months ago.

 

Ports: Our favorite days were the Bora Bora motu and the Ta’haa motu, and they were every bit as wonderful as we remember them. Absolute paradise. While in Bora Bora the first day (the rainy one), most of the stores were closed due to the fact that it was New Year’s Day. However, Nyco’s was open and Kristin was able to procure her second black pearl ring. :) On Moorea, we rented a car with some newfound friends and toured the island. I must say that we had some of the best pizza of our lives at this little roadside restaurant named Daniel’s Pizza. The owner, Daniel (go figure), lives on-site and makes all the pizzas himself in a large brick oven while you watch.

 

Extras: Apparently, some guests had requested that the college bowl games be shown, and voila, we got a few of them! I was very impressed, as I am sure football isn’t on the top of French Polynesians’ list to watch, and extra channels must be difficult to come by on a ship such as the Paul Gauguin. The games were broadcast on the large screen in the Grand Salon, as well as in our suites.

 

Radisson day room: We enjoyed our room at the Radisson, although we didn’t have power to it for the first half hour or so. One word of caution: when you go to check out, be sure to look over your bill carefully. We had two beers next to the pool coming from one venue, then tapas & drinks upstairs at another restaurant. What should have been two line items and 4,660 XPF somehow turned into five line items and over 12,000 XPF, thanks to some other guest(s) making charges to our account.

 

Overall, we really had a fantastic time, and the only real negatives came while NOT on the ship:

 

Air Tahiti Nui: Has really taken a dive, in our opinion. We flew business class from LAX on the 1:00pm nonstop. Contrary to what I’d heard, you still have to take a bus out to the tarmack. They load biz and first passengers onto the bus first, but then continue to fill the bus with economy passengers, and by the time you get to the plane, it doesn’t matter what class you are in, you just all load the plane like cattle. On the airplane, the seats were worn & torn, and our flight attendant (although adequate) looked exhausted and as if she was just “going through the motions.” A word of advice if booking business: DO NOT book the last row (row 5). With each meal course, by the time our stewardess reached us, our choice was no longer available. Our stewardess was very well aware of this but still started at the front with each and every course. You’d think that by dessert, she’d have started with our row & proceed forward, just to give us a break. Nope. On the return flight, we were in economy. I’m not sure if it was the same aircraft, but again, the seats were soiled and torn, and the center overhead bins creaked and swayed to the point we thought they were going to cave in. Awful sounds were coming from somewhere, possibly the wing (we were sitting right on it). The last time I remember feeling that insecure about our safety on an aircraft was flying Air Jamaica years and years ago. Lastly, the food was inedible, but it didn’t matter because we were on the redeye and slept most of the time.

 

Transfer to ship: On our previous two Regent cruises, we have been met at the airport by a Regent representative immediately and taken to our vehicle for transfer right away. Upon arrival into PPT this time, there was no representative to be found. We stood next to the Regent sign for awhile, then met another couple who was doing the same. After about 15 minutes of watching all the other tour operators whisking their guests off to their destinations, we asked one of them, “Have you seen the Regent rep/is it unusual for them to be so late?” They showed us a white marker board that had some names on it and asked if ours was on the list. We saw the name “Rudi MacMillan” and said well, our LAST name is Rudi, so that must be us. Then this tour operator (who it appeared handled arrivals for multiple hotels/ships/etc.) indicated that our bus would be along shortly. At this point we found “MacMillan”, who was a lady arriving alone, and the five of us figured out that we were the only passengers from the 1:00pm Air Tahiti flight who would be heading to the ship. So we waited for our bus, getting to know each other and talking about the upcoming cruise. Another 15 minutes passed, and we asked if that multiple tour operator person knew where our bus was. “It’s coming.” Another 15 minutes passed and we asked one more time. Finally they told us they were awaiting two other passengers. It was strange how long it took for these two other passengers to arrive, considering the flight had been on the ground for close to an hour, but they did finally appear. So, after an hour of uncertainty, we finally headed to the ship. The couple who had arrived late hugged someone from Regent and then disappeared, which seemed odd. The rest of our three parties checked in, but it took seemingly a very long time to be processed. Our flight arrived at 7:20pm and ultimately, we reached our suite at 9:00pm. The whole ordeal was not very Regent-like, but we were just happy to be on board. I must say that later on we found out who the mystery couple was who had arrived late – they were part of Regent’s ocean photography group. So we spent all that time waiting for someone in Regent’s employ – that left a bad taste in our mouths.

 

We normally don’t complain to Regent but this was something that I felt I had to write on the comment card. I wouldn’t want this to happen to someone else, particularly if they are first-time Regent cruisers. The five of us who waited for so long had already cruised Regent but had said if it was our first time, we’d have (1) wondered if we made a huge mistake booking through them, and (2) hesitated to book another Regent cruise.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Too bad about the airport glitch--sounds like Regent not taking care of business.

 

As for ATN, that's also too bad--do you happen to know the name of the aircraft? I think the last one we went on was the Rangiroa, but that was in 2005--wonder if any of their fleet is up for a refurb? I kind of wondered about crew morale--after a bunch of them got arrested and fired a few months back for drug trafficking! We do intend to try to Business in December, so this is not heartening news.

 

I don't know who their land agent is in Papeete, but we've never had good experiences with them in the past--it used to be Tahiti Nui Travel, and it's always been kind of nightmarish. No consolation to you, but.

[Cruisedreamer1]

We flew business class for our 12/9/07 cruise on the PG. I did not find the food delivery problem that you did. However, I sat by an operation manager for the airline who told me that the airline plans to change their food delivery operation to where the plate is just given to you without being able to select your sides, etc. I protested to him and one of the flight attendants agreed with me that it would be a drop in service. We,too, flew back in coach and found the food uneatable and the seating extremely hard and narrow. We came in 3 days prior to the cruise and that perhaps that was why the pick up was so disorganized and slow.The cruise its self was wonderful.

[RachelG]

We were in F in ATN going to Tahiti in August and in Business coming back. Both planes were in perfect condition, so I think that it was just the particular plane you happened to be on. Also we boarded at a gate, not by bus at LAX--again may vary from flight to flight.

 

I think I can help clear up the situation with the food service. On American for sure, and I think on many other airlines as well, the order of who is served first depends on the flight number. On American, the rule is FEBO--front even, back odd. On odd numbered flights, they start at the back and move to front. On even numbered flight, they start in front and move to back. This will be the same for every meal served on that flight. So if you are on an even numbered flight and at the back, you will have last choice every time. I try to get a seat kind of in the middle of the section if flying on an airline where I am unsure of the rule.

[azgkrudi]

Our two aircrafts in June 2006 were in top condition, as well, which is why I was kind of surprised. In 6/2006 we also had business on the way out (again, in the last row) and all of our food selections were still available even though they were serving from the front. We were in first on the way back and that was over-the-top excellent, of course.

 

I had heard about the "FEBO" rule a few years back and did recall that while on board, otherwise I may have asked our stewardess if she could serve even just one course from the back row to the front.

 

It was just disappointing that after our last biz experience where they had plenty of each choice, this time around they did not. Oh well, most importantly, we got to experience the Paul Gauguin and the French Polynesians once again, and THAT is what matters! ;)

[scuba diver]

We are scheduled to do the June 14th cruise. (11 days) I have a question about "the day room". So far I have not thought much about it, but I just got our flight schedule and we fly out at 10:00 (2200 hrs) on June 25th. I believe they throw us off the ship sometime before noon. We booked our flights through Regent. Is the day room something we need to book ourselves or is it part of the Regent package?

[Leonid]

On our 09/2008 sailing, we decided to book AF out of LAX through AmEx PTS at a large savings over what one could get through Regent on ATN. We've got Business both ways. The return flight is at 1:45 AM. Ugh!!

If one does their own hotel; e.g.; the IC, does one have to book a day room before flying back to the US?

Feedback would be appreciated.

[Iamboatman]

On our 09/2008 sailing, we decided to book AF out of LAX through AmEx PTS at a large savings over what one could get through Regent on ATN. We've got Business both ways. The return flight is at 1:45 AM. Ugh!!

If one does their own hotel; e.g.; the IC, does one have to book a day room before flying back to the US?

Feedback would be appreciated.

 

I stayed at the IC pre-cruise and post-cruise was able to use the hotel and transit rooms for showers, changing, etc., as well as all the hotel facilities, restaurants, pools, etc. for no charge. No reservation was necessary.

[south seas sue]

Scuba diver, if you booked your air through Regent I am pretty sure it will include the day room, probably at the Radisson. You are right, you need to leave the ship by 1:00 so they can finish getting ready for the new passengers, who begin arriving within a few hours. YOur bags need to be out by 1:00 a.m. the night before, and you do need to vacate your cabin by 9:00 a.m. so they can begin the preparation process.

 

The bus will take you to the Radisson, you will get a very nice room (there have been some horror stories, but we did not experience any!), and the bus will take you to the airport around 6:00. Not sure what time your flight leaves, but believe me you will need at least 2 hours to check in.

[AtA]

We were in F in ATN going to Tahiti in August and in Business coming back. Both planes were in perfect condition, so I think that it was just the particular plane you happened to be on. Also we boarded at a gate, not by bus at LAX--again may vary from flight to flight.

 

I think I can help clear up the situation with the food service. On American for sure, and I think on many other airlines as well, the order of who is served first depends on the flight number. On American, the rule is FEBO--front even, back odd. On odd numbered flights, they start at the back and move to front. On even numbered flight, they start in front and move to back. This will be the same for every meal served on that flight. So if you are on an even numbered flight and at the back, you will have last choice every time. I try to get a seat kind of in the middle of the section if flying on an airline where I am unsure of the rule.

Nope not on ATN. They always seem to start at the front in biz. I credit this to the fact that they first serve those in first class and then just follow down the row. We had odd going, and even coming back and it was the same.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We are scheduled to do the June 14th cruise. (11 days) I have a question about "the day room". So far I have not thought much about it, but I just got our flight schedule and we fly out at 10:00 (2200 hrs) on June 25th. I believe they throw us off the ship sometime before noon. We booked our flights through Regent. Is the day room something we need to book ourselves or is it part of the Regent package?

 

It's part of the Regent package, if you book Regent air. They let you stay on the ship and have lunch, then optionally you can go to the hotel, or take a bus tour then go to the hotel. You can't check into your room until about 3, and you're out about 6 or so, but it's nice to have a place to roost. Very nice pool at the Radisson as well.

[shorton]

Azgkrudi, Wendy et al

Thanks for all the great info. We are booking our air through Regent for the 9-26 cruise. Nice to know all the transfers are included. We plan on going right from the airport to the ship when we arrive from LAX. Hopefully that will go smoothly. We're thinking there could be many cruisers on the flight.

[gazuccio]

On our 09/2008 sailing, we decided to book AF out of LAX through AmEx PTS at a large savings over what one could get through Regent on ATN. We've got Business both ways. The return flight is at 1:45 AM. Ugh!!

If one does their own hotel; e.g.; the IC, does one have to book a day room before flying back to the US?

Feedback would be appreciated.

 

 

Leonid,

 

We have the same flight on Air France. However instead of waiting to the last day to disembark we are leaving the ship the night it comes into port (7:30PM) and then heading directly to the airport. I don't see any advantage staying the extra night on the ship, especially since we will have been in Papeete for 3 days prior to the cruise. Just an idea but I would look at leaving the when you get into port. All you need to do is let the ship know when you are departing and all arrangements will be made. Have fun and good luck.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Leonid, I've heard lots of people say good things about this arrangement. Since we have always got Regent Air, we don't have the choice. But the downside of leaving that evening are: you may miss the farewell show which is (used to be at least) a very good Polynesian dance review; you miss one last nice leisurely dinner that night, and breakfast/lunch the next day; you can't spend the morning in Papeete, at the market, shopping; you miss seeing one last sunset out at the Radisson hotel, overlooking the black sand beach.

 

I'm guessing if you chose to pay the deviation fee, you could ask for Air France flights instead of ATN, but I don't actually know if this is true (we usually deviate anyways, so something to think about.)

[canadagal]

Nice review Kristin! Sorry to hear about your wait at the airport but whoever Regent contracts their meet and greet service to still doesn't sound up to snuff. I agree that it is a bad introduction to a stellar cruise. I remember wandering all over the airport looking for our transfers too as nothing was clearly marked "Radisson".....it was Radisson then. Only after asking several people did we find the person with the transfer list and get any info as to what was happening. There should be someone standing there with a card or white board in the baggage area.....like limo drivers do.

Do you think perhaps the terrible food experienced on the plane might have something to do with your flight being over the holiday period. Less staff and substitute staff....preparing things??? Just a thought!

Pat

[spookyzen]

It sounds like you had a blast! (Although how can you not on the PG?). Thanks for the review. I enjoy reading others' experiences so I know more for next time.

 

What did they do for the midnight countdown?

[Leonid]

Are you planning to stay in LA overnight or are you flying the same day from the east coast? Because we're doing are own air and you never know with the airlines, we're flying into LA on the 25th and staying over at the airport. Also makes it easier on DW.

We're only saying one night pre-cruise in Papeete so we will be staying on board for the last night. Still don,t know where we will be staying, although AmEx PTS has some kind of deal with Le Meridien.

See you on board. If there enough ccers sailing, maybe a get together after drill.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Hmm, I guess I should look into this, since I'm Platinum now, and planning a (non-cruise) trip. With the proviso that the first ticket is "full fare", I am wondering about the cost-factor, but it's worth a shot.

[gazuccio]

We are staying in LA for two nights and then taking Air France over Business Class (only one class). Then we are staying at the IC for 3 nights OWB Villa (same as what they have in Thalasso). Then we board the PG and then head home the evening we get back and then we have an over night in LA before we head back to Virginia. So I have tried to build in some cushion for delays, jetlag etc. As for the reason for staying at the IC vs. going to Moorea and Bora Bora, as this is our honeymoon we wanted the PG to be the first sight we set eyes on at all the ports. Sort of a surprise. We were orginally going to stay at the St Regis for 7 days but when we saw that we could do a 10 night cruise well that was an easy decision...my new bride has never cruised before and I am sure PG is going to spoil her for the rest. We are both in our early 40s (she is a newbie to the 40s this month) so we are looking for some get away time. We both took up scuba diving and looking forward to diving in the South Pacific. I have cruised before but this is the first time that I have gone with Regent. I don't expect anything brand new, or entertainment that is going to WOW us...we are there for the cruise, the food, the service and of course the sights!!!

 

Yes Amex Plat works with Le Meridian however...they will work with IC..Amex got me into the resort at a great rate so even if it is not the prefered vendor of choice they will work with whoever you like. Good Luck.