FYI..what we have learned so far, hope it helps upcoming PG cruisers:
Air:
--Use
www.seatguru.com to select good seats on flights.
--At LAX once you have checked in thru TSA and ATN you now go to final TSA security check in. If first one line is too long; go in opposite direction about 50 ft..to a second final TSA check in.
Boarding:
--On first boarding check your excursions for accuracy, as they are on first come, first serve basis.
--make rsvns for specialty restaurants Apicius
and The Pacific Grill.
--Go to the Marina and check out your fins/mask
set for the week.
--Go to Carita Spa and make reservations for the complimentary Steambath (we reserved every nite at 5:30) they also have a shower stocked with aveeda products (both bath/shower have doors with locks for privacy)...this is a great way to unwind after a tough day at the motu, or diving
Entertainment
--For Children of Raitae show get their early (immediately after lifeboat drill) to ensure good seats for video/camera shots.
--dinner at L'Etiole--we went nitely at 8 pm..if our favorite table/waiter (jerry) was not available, Allessandro (m/d) would send us to la Paleete for complimentary drinks
--Go to La Paleete nightly between 6:30-8 for music provided by Hal Frasier and canapes. (good pre dinner mtg place for drinks)
Excursions
--Sign up on Sunday for the Jungle Hike throuh
Hell (5 hours with ropes) in Raitea (new excursion) very demanding but worth it...you get to bath in waterfalls after two hours of tough hiking...Have a story to tell later on this excursion as a rainstorm came and the river became a rushing (class III rapids) needless to say we made it back to the PG last night at 6:45.
be sure to buy a good pair of reef shoes (wall mart for $5 or
www.cudas.com for $20)
Bora Bora 4X4
--great excursion, bumpy..great camera shots of
the gorgeous ocean colors..good WWII history.
Moto Day (Monday)
--be on first tender to get good seats (last ones on immediate left side by water's edge) very quiet area.
--bring cheap (Wal-Mart $1.99) air mattresses to float on....float up to the bar order a pina colada...life does not get any better than this.
--be on your balcony with rooom service at 7 am
to enjoy the stunning views of the Islands as we sail into the Motu..if no balcony go the pool deck (8).
Pearl Shopping:
--Yep, gave in and got Ida a nice angel pearl
(don't ask) but if you are like our new cruise
friends and want a new black pearl necklace..go to the ship's boutique and get a free shuttle voucher to go to the Black Pearl Gem Co shop on Moorea either Thursday or Friday...our friends bought a magnficent set for five figures--their strategy was to enter the store and offer them only once an offer 20% less than the store's (15,000 versus 18,000 (gulp)
Late Night Entertainment
--bring you own CDs and Eugene (DJ) in la Paleete
will play your dancing tunes....Ida does this and closes La Paleete down every night at 1 or 1:30.
Exercise:
--Go to the ship's gym early (0600-0700) for best selection of treadmill, eliptical, stairmaster)
--Pool opens at 7 am..one lap is 6 strokes or 56 stokes per minute, figure 105 laps for 15 min.
Classess:
--Resident Sculpter on board (Hanson from Maui)
teaches you how to make pins (fish or turtles) you can wear as a broach.---his art sells for $3500-$8000...Ida wanted to get me the Manta
Ray sculpture (hey she said it was 25% off while on board)--No way..he this is the price for a week on the PG..but the art is wonderful..
Room:
--bring 12 Ft. extension cord--good for women's hair dryer
--bring two plastic shoe racks to hang on your cabin door--great space saver
Last Tip:
If we were to do it again, we would absolutely fly out Fri nite..Papeete is our least fav port.
and even tho you are on the PG till early Saturday aftertoon...you arrive in Papeete Fri Nite at 7pm...there is really nothing to do in Papeete (besides we were there for a one day precruise 12 days ago)...we are still trying to get our tickets changed.
Diving:
Best diving in the French Polynesia with the PG Dive staff...they provide all equipment--new, great shape (altho I brought wetsuit,fins,mask)
Dominque runs super dives, lots of sea life (lemon sharks, black tips, lion fish, turtles)
For an outside operator on bora bora, we used bora diving center--they were good...but diving from the PG can't be beat for convenience.
Specifically, PG offers six dives..two with outside operators (mushroom patch w/hemi sub
and a Tues night dive with BBDC)Dove with both outside operators and recommend them..did a manta ray dive with BBDC on Tuesday am in place of Table Top with PG...Tabletop is a refresher dive for all divers not very deep 30-45' and my least favorite of the PG dives (did it week two)..the best PG dives are Weds--Tapu (lots of sharks)
Thurs/Ledges (Sharks/turtles/eels) and Fri/Shark
Gallery (more and more sharks)...remember, all dives are good dives, but tapu/manta ray dive with BBDC and shark gallery are spectacular.
Parties (i.e., open bars)
Sunday, Captain's Welcome Aboard
Weds, AMX-Platinum cocktail reception
Thurs, Seven Seas Society Party
Fri, Captain's farewell, Divers Party
Lectures:
Tahiti in the time of Cook--Mark Eddowes, Wednesday 6pm
The Real Story of Mutiny of the Bounty--Mark Eddowes, Thursday 9am.
Dolphins in French Polynesia, Dr. Poole, Thursday 6pm
Lunches (L'Etiole)
Sunday: American Buffet (Ceasar Salad/Grilled Chicken)
Tuesday: Italian Buffet
Weds: French Buffet
Thursday: Pan Pacific (Asian) Buffet (Fresh Sushi)
Friday: Mexican Buffet
Hope these tips helped.
PS..Doug will tell Dominque hello...Norm now works the excursions.
r/Wes & Ida
