#62361 - 04/16/07 11:18 AM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
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darlene
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 16
Loc: missouri
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I am fairly new to this forum but have been reading it for several months. The information you all provide is invaluable. We have finally settled on a 15 day cruise on the Paul G.on Sept.1, 2007 in order to get an overview of the islands and find several we would like to return to--this is our first visit to FP.
We will be celebrating our 47th aniversary so want this trip to be really special.We love to snorkel and go to nice beaches. We do not dive and I don't think I would like a 4x4. our main thing is to relax on a nice beach and to snorkel. Are there any snorkeling trips ( or anything else) you would recommend on each island?? Also, should we book before we go, use the shore excursions from the ship or book online? We have been on 22 cruises and after the 1st one we found out we did not like the shore excursions thru the ship since the crowds were too big, you are herded around like cattle and they were always more expensive and involved less time snorkeling and more time getting from place to place.
The islands we will be visiting our: Papeete ( beginning the cruise),Huahine (12:00 to 7PM), Aututaki (8-6),Rarotongo(7-5),Tubuai (11-7), Taha's ( ship's island so we will do the BBQ etc. there), Bora Bora(8-5),Rangirea (1PM and overnight until 4:00 Pm the next day) and then Moorea ( 9AM and overnight until 5PM the next day. We are also doing just 1 day of a pre-cruise at the Radisson mainly to get over the jet lag.
Thanks for any suggestions you can give us.
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TahitiTravel offers excellent deals for cruising the magnificent lagoons of French Polynesia.
We highly recommend the Bora Bora Cruises for luxurious intimacy (actually a v.good value compared to the cost of a stay at a 5 star resort) or the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Paul Gaugin for a deluxe but more traditional cruise experience.
Check our Cruises page for more information
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#62368 - 04/16/07 01:28 PM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: darlene]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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You should understand that FP has beaches, but they're not the soft white, cool, sand kind of beaches of the Caribbean. They're made of crushed coral and are coarser and most of them aren't very deep (there are exceptions....the Beach at and beside the Sofitel on Moorea's a good size). The snorkelling, however, can't be beat! We did a 4x4 tour of Moorea and the shark/ray feeding circle-island trip on Bora Bora and loved both of them.
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#62413 - 04/17/07 10:01 AM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: Old Wife]
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Jim B
Member
Registered: 08/15/02
Posts: 275
Loc: Montana
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We did a 7 day tour 02/15/03 and thought the cruise was fantastic. When you get on board the Paul Gauguin try and go to the back of the ship and get your snorkle gear just as soon as possible. There is no charge for it, and they are very good at fitting you correctly. You will take this to your cabin and keep it for the entire cruise returning it the 2nd to last day. The day at Motu Mania was worth the trip by itself. It is free and food, drinks, boats are all included. nice chairs, tables etc.
Wonderful.
On Bora Bora there also is a free snorkle trip. They tender you to a private beach. Now there are not any facilities, chairs, etc so it is a little more primitive.
I would recommend you take a couple of cheap blow up matresses.
They were fun to use at Motu, but really came in handy at Bora Bora beach day to sit on.
Morrea has somethings to, but hopefully someone else can tell you about them. We only did sight seeing excursion.
PS
The Bora Bora 4X4 was fantastic too.
You might want to go to www.luxurycruisetalk.com for more inforamtion.
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#62423 - 04/17/07 01:24 PM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: Jim B]
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darlene
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 16
Loc: missouri
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thanks Jim B for the suggestions. We do have our own snorkeling equipment and I think we will bring our mask but not the fins. Too much to pack. Did you bring the inflatable rafts in your suitcase??--rafts like you buy at Wal-Mart? I think that is a good idea. Anything else we need besides the usual--sunscreen hats, beach shoes for the coral---
We will definitely do the Motu's in Taha and in Bora Bora. Still looking for suggestions on Moorea and the other islands we visit. We are trying to stay away from doing shore excursions thru the ship since there are always too many people and not enough time.
thanks for any suggestions.
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#62429 - 04/17/07 02:31 PM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: darlene]
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Jim B
Member
Registered: 08/15/02
Posts: 275
Loc: Montana
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If you would like to use a hair dryer or curling iron in the bathroom instead of at the dressing table take a 12 ft extention cord along.
Yes I am talking about the cheap $3.00 matresses. Just put them in your suit case when done leave them. The ships masks were good, but if you have prescription lens then I would recommend taking yours.
Remember. The Paul Gauguin is very small. You will not have to wait and stand in long lines to go on any ship excursion. I have been on the big ones too. The PG is nothing like that.
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#62458 - 04/18/07 10:54 AM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: Jim B]
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darlene
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 16
Loc: missouri
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Thanks Jim for the good info. Would you recommend taking the ships escursions instead of hunting around for others? Did you take any? If so, which ones and did you think they were good and worht the money??
Good idea about the extension cord. I would never have thought of that one.
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#62465 - 04/18/07 01:37 PM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: darlene]
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Jim B
Member
Registered: 08/15/02
Posts: 275
Loc: Montana
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We were a group of 10.
Most of us did the excursions thru the ship because they really did not cost much more than doing them on your own, and as I said before, you really never have a long line for anything.
Raiatea:
We did the Outrigger Canoe/Jeep tour. Very interesting.
Did feel the jeep part got a little long, but still was very good.
Tahaa/Motu Mahana:
WOW!! Is about all I can say. What a perfect setting.
Note: Some in our group felt like they got their best loose pearl purchases at the vendors on the beach. (DW & I did not buy any anywhere so really can not comment).
Bora Bora:
Since we were there two days we did the 4 hour 4x4 tour the 1st day then the 2nd day did the free beach excursion. 4 people did the shark & ray feeding tour and loved it!
Moorea:
6 of us decided to do the coach tour. 4 decided to rent a car.
I think renting a car there would be a good idea. You can tender to shore and pick which local company you prefer. They are these cute little convertibles. Looked like fun and you can't get lost.
The island is very easy to get around. Go to Belvedere.
Tahiti:
Since the ship offered a free coach tour of the island and a stop at the Paul Gauguin Museum before taking us to the hotel for our day room 8 of us decided to do it. 2 guys decided to rent a car and go golf. It is just a so so tour but 1. It is free. 2. You have to do something before they allow you to go to the hotel for lunch.
The guys golfing said it was so so. Course was not the best.
Hope this helps.
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#62471 - 04/18/07 05:37 PM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: Jim B]
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darlene
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 16
Loc: missouri
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Thanks Jim. Your suggestions are very helpful. i am reading Jan Prince's guide to Tahiti now and hopefully with all of your suggestions we will be well versed on Tahiti and FP and be able to make some good decisions. Can't wait until Sept.1.
Thanks
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#62537 - 04/21/07 06:43 PM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: darlene]
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darlene
Junior Member
Registered: 04/14/07
Posts: 16
Loc: missouri
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I have been reading about the drift snorkeling in Rangirea. Can anyone give me more info. about this ?? How long of an excursion, book thru cruise ship?? If you booked before you went who did you book it through? We love to snorkel but do not dive. Is this a good snorkeling trip??
Thanks for any information.Darlene
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#62550 - 04/23/07 10:42 AM
Re: Suggestions for excursions for a PG cruise in Sept.
[Re: darlene]
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Jim B
Member
Registered: 08/15/02
Posts: 275
Loc: Montana
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I don't know if this will help.
If you go to www.rssc.com and
pull up your cruise and look at excursions sometimes they
have them listed and tell you how many hours etc.
If not maybe check a cruise date that is just ready to go
and they usually have more information.
That is what I usually try to do.
Might ask this question on www.luxurycruisetalk.com.
I am sure there will be people there that can answer your question.
Edited by Jim B (04/23/07 10:44 AM)
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