Hi all! This seems to be the expert board for RSSC. My wife and I have been on Silversea a handful of times and enjoy that, but are anxious to try one of those beautiful Tahiti cruises. It seems that the Paul Gaugin would be our best choice for a small luxury cruise in this region. We are looking at next June or July, thinking the weather would be ideal then.

Questions are - when was the last time the ship was refurbished, and how are the Veranda Staterooms (category B) - anyone have photos from all angles?

Which stateroom # would you book if booking that category (or maybe a better question is, any # to stay away from?)?

We do enjoy pre- and after-dinner drinks...martinis, cognac, port...I understand these are not included, so what kind of prices are we looking at? I assume they have premium brands.

Finally, the fares that are listed on their website...is this the best fare a first-time passenger can get? Would it be wise to book through an agent?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide!

Hi RooRoo and welcome to the board! I think there are several board member photos posted here in the pictures forum, where you might be able to find some room pictures.

As for a travel agent, I would never book a cruise without one as you never know what can happen. There is an area on the Radisson website where you can request a travel agent in your area. I use Brown and Keene, who sponser this board, of course. :)

Hi Roo Roo!

There are several cocktail parties on board where drinks are included, we had a minimal bar bill on the PG. We were there last month - the board here you will see reference to PIP - Party in Polynesia. A group of us went May 21st-28th.

It is a beautiful ship and we did enjoy her. We too used Brown and Keene and there are prices here:
Click here to go to Brown and Keene\'s Paul Gauguin page or
http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com./2006_Schedule_PaulGauguin.htm

With the in-room set up, you can make your own predinner drinks so they can be included. I bring my own martini shaker when I travel on RSSC but if you ask, they probably would provide you with one from Room Service.

Drinks run about $6.00 each in the bar, which is reasonable. You can order a drink in the dining room with dinner and it is included. I often order Sambuca or Grand Marnier and linger over dessert.

I love the name you have for the boards. I am not sure if it's a reference to Australia and the Kangaroos or if you are familiar with the Cairn Terrier who barks and makes a sound "Roo Roo". We have a Cairn and I often call her Roo Roo.

Just got home last night from the June 11th embarkation and 3 day post cruise at the Moorea Pearl Resort.

The PG will be going to dry dock in Australia around the beginning of January.

We were on deck 6 in #621 and it was a great location for us. Radisson offered us a free upgrade from deck 4. I think all of deck 3 and deck 4 were booked by Grand Circle Travel. The average age on this cruise was at least 10 years higher than when we were on last year. The snorkeling excursions were not as fully booked with the older group on board.

Patrice, the head sommelier, will take excellent care of you if you make friends with him early in your cruise. He was among several from the crew who remembered us from last August/September.

Thank you all for your replies! I just joined as "RooRoo" because of my adorable Italian Greyhound pup...that's the sound he makes when he barks! He also hops around like a kangaroo! :)

I think we will be happy on this cruise as long as we know what to expect. It seems the suites on Silversea are larger, but service may be better on the PG. Above all, I think it will be such a privilege to be in this region of the world and witness all its beauty.

Any further input would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Woo Woo Woo Woo from Katyusha our Cairn Terrier!

Your best bet in the South Pacific is the PG. No doubt. We love Radisson cruises. And Radisson is doing their best with the PG. But all the evidence suggests you book as soon as you can because she will likely end service as a luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific at the end of 2006. And Radisson is struggling with the new owners of the ship to maintain quality for the next eighteen months.

I can't compare her to the Silversea ships. Our first Silversea cruise is this November on Whisper. But from what I've read about Whisper, and what I know from 23 days on Radisson's Voyager, be prepared for smaller cabins and a significant notch lower on the food quality chain.

But you will be cruising on an unusual itinerary. And it is MARVELOUS. Your PG day on Motu Mahana will be something you will remember for life.

I haven't yet cruised in Antarctica. I hope to. Because of the unusual itinerary, I expect to have to bend a little on the "luxury cruise" standards I expect on Radisson's Voyager and anticipate on the Whisper. But it's worth it! I think you will also have to bend a little on the PG with respect to your Silversea standards, but it will be worth it.

Patrick

Patrick, we will be on the Whisper in November, too - any chance you are on the Fort Lauderdale-Barbados Nov. 2-11?

Silversea is wonderful, but certain aspects seem to be declining. Nothing major (as evidenced by our continuing to book through them).

Roo Roo We are booked on the Whisper's 11/21 10-day cruise leaving and returning to Ft. Lauderdale. This one does the Western Caribbean. Cabin 805. We have read great things about this ship and are looking forward to the cruise very much. Patrick

Sorry we'll miss you, Patrick - your itinerary is a lovely one. You will have a wonderful time, I am sure!

RooRoo, We stayed in a category "B" on the PG last September, and had plenty of room (especially since all of the luggage fit under the bed, and we kept our dive gear at the ship's marina). The butler service was excellent, and we found it very difficult to actually spend our money on drinks with all of the various ship sponsored parties. I have video of our room, but it was exactly as shown on the Radisson web site. Fabulous cruise. My trip report is at:

http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com./IR_Tahiti_Ken_Equailo.htm

Cheers,
Ken

Ken, oh MY! That must have been the trip of a lifetime. And your report was wonderfully detailed and well written.

We are 99% certain we are going to book, but now we need to choose the dates.

Thank you all for your input - it has really helped!