We will be going on our first cruise on the Paul Gauguin in March (7 day voyage). I have scoured this message board for all sorts of great information. Thank You. You are all a big help.

I have a question. I have read about the Bora Bora motu but can not locate any information about it on Paul Gauguin excursion information. Is the motu a choice on both days? Is it a paid excursion?

Thanks in advance for any information. I am so excited about this trip - but we still have about 6 months to go. I check the board for new messages everyday!

missouri_girl

Hi! I just found out I'll be on the PG in just a few weeks (I'm on the Dec 2 cruise), so I've been in an information gathering mode as well. I too have heard of the Bora Bora motu, and here's what I found on the B&K site:

" Not an official excursion but offered while in port in Bora Bora by the ship. The tender will be taking those who wish to go to a motu in the Bora Bora lagoon. This is a beautiful little spot – will not serve the big buffet lunch etc, but to just go somewhere, snorkel, take a canoe ride and basically just relax this is a great spot. Complimentary beer and punch and bottled water is set up for the day. This whole excursion is complimentary."

I've also read mentions of it in a couple of reviews. What I've heard is that some people actually prefer this motu over the Taha'a Mahana motu, because it's much quieter, no crowds, very peaceful. However, it also won't have the great beach bbq, all the chairs & umbrellas, and the Gauguins there for entertainment. So I guess there are great things about both motus. I'm planning on going to the Bora Bora motu in the afternoon, so I'll be sure to post what I think about it. Can't wait for both! <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" />

Oh, and by the way -- welcome! This is a fabulous message board with the most delightful and helpful people you will ever find.

If the weather is nice, i.e., not too windy, the BB motu is wonderful. Completely relaxing, beautiful white sand, lovely swimming. There is also a fabulous view of Bora Bora and the ship, so take your camera. There is snorkelling, but you have to go fairly far out in deep water to find the coral heads. Just take your beach blanket to lie on. There are drinks available.

Many of us like the Bora Bora motu as much as Motu Mahana. They are different from each other but each wonderful in its own way. We always got an extra set of beach towels from the pool deck so we'd have one set to lie on and another set to dry off with. We also requested box lunches from one of the head waiters the day before. They would be delivered to our cabin in the morning. I was able to get the same mixed tropical drink at Bora Bora motu as at Mahana simply without the coconut surrounding the plastic cup. You walk over to the little bar rather than having a floating bar in addition to a free standing one. There is a nice long beach to walk on and it is quieter there.

When we went everyone told us to take a cheap air matress.
It was great to use in the water at both Motu and Bora Bora beach days But it was really nice to have at Bora Bora since there are no chairs.
I would recommend you take one along . Just those cheap less than $5 ones work great.

Both motus are simply wonderful, and we loved both for different reasons, as others have stated here. The only challenge we had with the Bora Bora motu is the lack of restrooms. Would have loved to have spent ALL DAY out there otherwise!

Okay, now after reading this I have an important question. We were going through the excursions, and we're interested in the Off Road Experience on Bora Bora. I'm going to be diving in the morning, and we only have one day on Bora Bora, so now we can't decide if we should spend the pm at the motu, or doing the off-road thing. Any opinions? Thanks!

The off-road tour is great, so if you have only the one day, and spend half of it in the water, perhaps the land trip would be a better choice. But I admit, it's tough, especially since in the morning you'll mostly be *under* the water!

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe that it's really true that THESE are the problems that I'm having to concern myself with these days. ;)

I'll probably go ahead and so the off-road tour, since I have no idea when (if ever) I'll get to Bora Bora again and I'd like to see as much of it as I can.

LeeAnne, you may want to have a backup plan as far as excursions go, just in case something gets cancelled. Back in June, we had an excursion cancelled with only a couple days' notice (they were celebrating some type of FP holiday - I was irritated that they couldn't have foreseen this). There were only two groups offered, and the second one filled up immediately, so we missed out. Just a word of caution, as it looks like you are a "planner type" just like me! ;)

I also want to say that I was following your saga about the Mariner's problems and eliminating the ports you & your Mom specifically booked the cruise for - I am so glad that you were able to rebook another cruise that was acceptable to you. You really have a great attitude, and I am so glad it's working out for you! Susan is a rare gem, that is for sure!!!

Yes she is, and I intend to write a letter to Regent reminding them of what a fantastic resourse they have in B&K.

Re Bora Bora -- well, since I'm sort of on the fence about which choice to make for that afternoon, I suppose if the decision ends up being made for me, so much the better! LOL! Yes, I am a planner -- I like to know what all my options are, and what to look for, and what not to miss. I spend waaaaay too much time doing this in advance of any trip -- but then once I'm on the trip I just go with the flow, knowing that I did everything I could pre-trip, and what happens is simply what's meant to happen. A trip has never gone exactly how I planned it, which is fine by me because some of the unplanned, serendipitous things have often been the absolute best experiences we've had! :D

I can not believe thsi message board. I posted a query one evening and 24 hours later I have 10 answers. You are the best!

LeeAnn, I think you are like me. I like to pre-plan to the nth degree. I think the planning is part of the fun. There are always surprises but I want to make educated decisions when I have options.

Again, thank you! You are all great.

Francine

Way off topic!

I meant to ask Kristin about the Packer logo. Even though I was born and raised in Missouri, I live in Milwaukee now and we are huge Packer fans. This may be a long season but oh well. My husband always says that the Packers are rebuilding when they lose. Go Pack!

Francine

Francine: Married to a born and raised Milwaukee guy - you have those long and very cold football seasons!! Joanna

Joanna - That is the reason we go someplace warm in March. We need to get some warm sunshine. Tahiti March 24!!!! I just hope it will not be too rainy. I am really looking forward to this trip.

The past few years have been very mild - very little snow. I am not complaining. I never drove on the snow until I was 28. Now it doesn't bother me too much.

I hope your husband still loves the Packers. My son went to school in New York City and he always had his favorite Packer bar where he could cheer them on with fellow Packer fans. Fun. They even had Packer songs that they sang.

Francine

Francine, yay! :app: Always nice to see a fellow Packer fan. My husband & I were born & raised in Northwestern Wisconsin - also spent 4 years in Milwaukee - what an underrated, FUN city! If it were warmer there, we never would have left. We moved away 10 years ago this November, but of course, that didn't mean we were leaving our beloved Packers! We still watch every game, thanks to NFL Sunday Ticket. I know it may be a rough season, but I was born to love the Pack, and even if they lose every game, I can't help it - I still love them!

My Mom is going to the Rams game @ Lambeau this weekend - and sitting in William Henderson's seats!!! I'm so excited for her!

OK, sorry to hijack the thread..... :o

I hope your husband still loves the Packers

OH YES!!!!!! Forever

Francine
My brother in law is the Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the Packers so we
are big Packer fans to.

Lived at 1542 Warren Avenue in Milwaukee about 40 years ago!
ps
Did you get my email?

If you decide to go to the BB motu, and it gets cancelled because of weather (as it did once for us), you can always just go into town and rent a car or moke-type vehicle and drive around the island. That's a good backup plan for excursion cancellation. I think you also could take a cab to Matira beach and just wander and hang around as well.

About how often do the tenders run from the PG to the Bora Bora moto? I was looking forward to going but the "no restrooms" thing has me worried now, lol! An hour, maybe two, in the hot sun is about my limit anyway.

H Mrs_R, from what I remember you just have to go down and ask and a tender takes you over every now and then. I am one of those people who prefers the solitude of the BB Motu to Motu Mahana.

Will however be looking forward to doing all three motus when I go on the New Years cruise.

We were there in July. You would think I would remember exactly....but I "think" it was hourly from the ship and return to ship from the motu...I do remember we went back to ship after our waverunner and had lunch and then to the motu.
I am so impressed with the people on this site that remember so many details...even years later. I'm sure one of them will remember exactly.
It was a great beach and fun. Just don't drink alot at lunch!!
Enjoy,
Carol

It depends on the cruise. On the normal 7-day Societies itinerary, I believe it goes like this: the first day, the ship is anchored close to Vaitape, the town. The tenders to shore go every 30 minutes, and the tenders to the motu go every 60 minutes. On the second day, the ship moves over closer to the motu, and the tenders go there every 30 minutes.

I could have the exact numbers wrong, but the comparative frequency is about right.

Or...do what the fish do! :hyper:

That was the first thing I thought of (well, after not drinking a lot at lunch), but preformance anxiety usually gets the better of me. Though if the water is as warm as they say...

Jim:

I did not get your e-mail. It must be lost in cyberland? I am impressed and had to tell all my fellow teachers about "meeting" someone who is related to a Packer coach.

The Bora Bora motu sounds great. I hope it doesn't get cancelled because of weather. I am a liitle worried about late March weather but... you go with the flow.

Francine

My memory concurs with Wendy on the tender schedules. It was the same on our 10 day itinerary that included Huahine and Rangiroa along with the society islands with 2 days at Bora Bora.

There are palm trees on the Bora Bora motu to provide shade. I learned to swim in the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey where there was actually a several mile stretch of private land back in the 1950's. (It is now Island Beach State Park.) A family could purchase a permit good for the season for $18 and go enjoy the beach in near solitude. So I learned to do like the fish in my childhood. :eek:

Got out my Ia Orana (daily schedules) from December 2005...

Bora Bora Day 1:
Tender Schedule to town - first tender 8:30 am - then every 30 minutes until 9:00 pm. Last tender back to the ship at 10:00 pm. There was also a special tender to Bloody Mary's at 7:20 pm.

Tender Schedule to motu - 10:40 am - 11:40 am - 12:40 pm - 1:40 pm - 2:40 pm - 3:40 pm. Last tender from the motu at 5:00 pm.

Bora Bora Day 2:
Tender Schedule to town - first tender 8:30 am - then every 30 minutes until 4:00 pm. Last tender back to the ship at 5:00 pm.

Tender Schedule to motu - 10:15 am - 11:15 am - 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm - 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm - 4:15 pm. Last tender from the motu at 5:00 pm.

Dena

Hi All,

I sat down today to post a query about Bora Bora motu bathrooms (or rather the lack of them) and immediately stumbled upon this thread. I'm glad Diana and I are not the only ones who "never met a restroom they didn't like"!
I guess the tender schedule is the same for the one-day visit on our itinerary in early December. (Hi DenaH!) Where would the ship anchor if we are visiting just one day- at the anchorage closest to the motu?

Bill B.

Bill what sailing are you on? I'm on the Dec. 2 cruise.

Hi Bill - I was also wondering how it will work for the one day visit to Bora Bora. My guess would be that most people will probably be going to the village for excursions, shopping, etc. so the anchoring location might be closer to that? Also, when we were there last December, there was another ship there the same day, so that would affect anchor locations too, I'd think.

Dena

Leejnd: We're on the PG out of Papeete on Dec. 2nd, along with DenaH. You too? DenaH, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Since we are now within 60 days of departure can we book excursions now? Can they be cancelled once we are onboard if we change our minds? You are both so lucky to be in CA to start your journey without having to fly across the US! We were lucky enough to convince Vantage Travel to change our one-stop flight to LA (in Dallas with a one hour connection window! Not enough leeway for perennially late-out-of-the-gate airpot like Phila. So now we fly non-stop on United- one less thing to worry about. Say Happy Birthday to me! Later..... Bill

I am sure that you can already book excursions.
I have booked for my December 29th trip.

Miriam

Bill, you can indeed book your excursions now. You do this online at www.rssc.com. Click on "My Cruises" - you will need to set up an online account if you haven't already, and then you enter your booked cruise using your reservation number. You can actually request your excursions within 120 days of sailing now. If you don't want to book online, there will also be a fax form that comes with your documents.

RSSC is very easy to work with on excursions. Sign up for what you think you want to do, and you are not charged until you settle your onboard account at the end of the cruise. You can cancel excursions and not be charged until a certain point - I think it's usually noon the day before the excursion date.

Yes, the flights are not bad for us West Coasters. It's about 8 hours each way, which is much easier than Europe and a little easier than the Caribbean for us. Sounds like your change to the nonstop is a good one.

Is today your birthday? If so, :woh:

Dena

Bill and Dena, yes we're on the same cruise! We'll have to arrange a meeting. Dena, we met already at the luncheon in OC.

We've already booked our excursions online, so you can too.

As for the flights, well...after all the mess I went through to change our cruise, we're still having to fly to New Zealand first, stay a few days there and THEN to Papeete. At least our flight home won't be so bad. Although we weren't even supposed to HAVE a flight home, as the cruise we were originally booked on did an 8-day transpacific and ended in LA.

Oh, and happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Bill :happyb: :happyb: :happyb:

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes! We will be deciding on our excursions this weekend and booking soon. Everyone out there is so friendly, I wish we could meet you all! We are certainly looking forward to meeting LeeAnne and Dena and her husband.

Bill