I have just signed up for the June 14th, 11 Day Cruise on the Paul Gauguin. (Papeete, Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands, Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands, Hiva Oa (Atuona), Nuku Hiva (Taiohae), Bora Bora, Taha'a Motu Mahana and Moorea) It is as 35th wedding anniversary as well as the 10th anniversary of our first cruise. That makes it pretty special, but from what I have learned so far, this is a pretty special cruise as well as a special cruise ship.

I am also trying to keep this cruise destination a surprise for my wife so I have not told her where we are going nor have I told her which cruise line. I will try and keep it a surprise right up until we board the ship. You might wonder how I will continue with the surprise element when we start checking in at Air Tahiti? Well, we have flown to Florida on Alaska Air so I thought I would use that analogy and see how far that gets me.

Because I am trying to surprise her, I have to get everything correct. Since this will be our first cruise to Tahiti and our first cruise on Regent, I have a few questions for you knowledgeable Paul Gauguin cruisers.

1. Are the electrical outlets in the cabins two prong, 110 volt, US compatible or do I need converter and/prong adaptors? I only need one outlet as we bring an outlet strip.

2. If we are not going to arrive early and spend a few days before the cruise, what is the procedure for transfer from the airport to the cruise ship? Is a taxi available and for how much? How far is it?

3. What to wear for dinner? We are used to a couple of formal nights, but from what I have read it appears that the Paul Gauguin is casual every night. Is this correct? If I get this part wrong I am a dead man.

4. Is there some sort of daily guide as to activities. If there is, how can I get a copy of them ahead of time? Most of the other boards have people who post them. I realize that I am moving up, but if anyone has copies or can save copies from their next cruise, I would love to get them before June.

5. What is the checked baggage allowance at Air Tahiti Nui? I have looked at their web page and it is somewhat confusing. Is it two 50 pound bags per person or one. All of the other flights I have taken from a US airport have allowed two, but ATN says one bag. They do say that if I am on a connecting flight that allows two bags, I get two. If I am leaving from LAX does that count?

I would also love to hear any other advice you may have for this cruise.

Wow you're brave! So when you're in the departure lounge or on the plane, knowing that you're flying to Tahiti, do you think she'll think it's a stopover on the way to New Zealand? What a hoot.

Yes, it's Country Club Casual all the way. That's "elegant" casual, but it's a true tropical destination and there is that air about the ship. For you, a pair of casual khakis and a nice shirt, silk, or hawaiian-style, whatever. For her, a simple pant suit, or a wrap skirt with a nice top, or a simple summer dress. Get her to bring some sort of wrap or shawl, since the A/C tends to make the dining room cool. You really do not need lots of stuff, shorts, capris, t-shirts during the day, with cover-ups against the sun, and reef shoes to protect your feet.

There are definitely daily sheets, they are called "Ia Orana", and I have several copies. They do remain fairly consistent from cruise to cruise, BUT...I have not take your itinerary, so my 7-day set would not allow you to predict your activities. But why would you want to? Sufficient that they are well-planned and that you will have a blast--leave something for you to be surprised about!

There is one of each kind of element (European and American) in the vanity in the bedroom. The bathroom outlet is razors only (can't remember which kind), so a power strip is a good idea, and good length if your wife likes to dry her hair in the bathroom.

As far as transfers, if you do Regent Air, then a shuttle transfer is offered to the ship, usually a mini-van or bus depending on how many passengers there are. If you are on your own, just grab a cab--depending on the time of day it will be about $20. You can get some local currency at a Currency Exchange wicket at the airport, always open when a plane arrives, but the cabbies will take USD as well, but ask the cabbie just to make sure.

Keep the baggage down, as I said--you don't need a lot! And yes, feel free to ask whatever you like, but perhaps you want to surprise yourself a bit too!

Scuba diver:
I just sent you a email.

Just a brief followup to Wendy's post, mostly to emphasise a couple of points she made.

The PG in 2000 was my first cruise, and the only way Wendy got me on the ship was by promising that I needn't even take a tie or jacket. It turns out I like cruising enough that I am now willing to take and wear such duds on other ships, but never on the PG.

Second, you really do want to take reef shoes.

Finally, depending on how you two react to jet lag, you might want to consider flying in a day early. How you manage to keep the surprise is a challenge, but it would be a shame to spend a day on my favorite ship in the world feeling sort of punky because of the jet lag.

Enjoy!

-- David

We took 2 bags each. One full of beach toys (yes, bring a blow up raft - we brought a swimways and snorkel gear and reef shoes definitely) and three of clothes for two of us. Rules may have changed since 2005.

Since he chose the name "scubadiver" this may not be of interest to him, but others may wish to know that the PG supplies fins and masks for snorkeling (sp?) gratis. Wendy has a special mask for vision correction but I just use what they give me. The quality seems good, and the dive masters insure that you get the right sizes.

Of course, Wendy and I tend to travel light. Kathy and Frank on the other hand ... ;)

-- David

Thanks for all of the information so far.

My wife and I do not travel light. She has her clothes and I have my dive gear. That is why I was worried about the 2 checked bag 50 pound limits. The absence of formal wear should lighten them up somewhat.

David,

I have to say I was really happy to know that the baggage allowance on Air France to Nice was 2 suitcases per person 70 lbs each...

Kathy, I was excited about Qantas's 70lb limit till I found out that after we sail back to the US at the end of the cruise, the limit is 50lbs!! So we are stuck with 50lbs on the way over, too. I shall make it work! :)

Karen,

Miles are really good for those long hauls. I even get 70lbs each from FLL to LAX on the way home via American.

Luckily for me, I get to bring mostly summer clothes so they don't weigh that much! I should be fine with 200lbs total plus carry-ons.

Yikes...Don't tell Frank I have 280 lbs of luggage....

Oh Karen!! :ohmy: :eek: :ohmy: :eek:
Think light!

You might want to check to see if ATN treats dive gear separately. I believe on flights between the islands, the local airline AT gives special consideration to divers since there are so many of them (and maybe surfers, not sure.)

You may get advice from other divers who have done the PG as well, as to which equipment you should bring, and which you can leave at home. Apparently the provided stuff is pretty good.

I always bring my own gear except for the tank and weights. It all weighs in at less than 40 pounds. (Mask, fins, BC, regulator, wet suit) I bring my dive camera, strobe and housing as my carry on. Two bags will usually cover all my stuff and give me some extra room to carry some of my wife's stuff.

You are correct about most local airlines treating scuba gear special for inter-island hops. We have been to Fiji on a few dive trips and they usually do not count that as luggage between islands. However, we did have to get on scales to make sure we all would make it on the plane.

SD, welcome to LCT...have been on the PG for a b2b and dove every
dive with them and then more with outside dive ops so we would not repeat the dive...Dominique, the PG's divemaster is one, if the not the best you will have, they do have everything you need. I just brought fins, mask, shorty...their equipment is new in great shape..for the Caribbean I bring all my gear. There are many other LCTer's and one of B&K's T/A's (Susan--who has dove from the PG over half-dozen times)that have dove with the PG who may chime in..but bringing your equipment is a personal decision..with your eq/or the PG's--you will have a dive blast.

Regarding clothes...if you like Tommy Bahama..they are perfect for the PG.

Have fun and pls send us seamail!

r/wes

I have read lots of great reviews about the diving on the PG as well as the fact that the gear was top notch. However, I always drag my gear with me. If didn't, my wife, Carolin, might start to wonder why I have spent all my money on dive gear. My family just accepts the fact that I am addicted to compressed air.

Hi scubadiver and Welcome!

We too did a b2b on the PG. We took our fins, masks, 3 mil full wetsuits, regs, and computers. We used the PG's BCs and, of course, weights and tanks. If you end up getting close to the airline luggage restrictions, don't worry about leaving your BCD at home.

It seems to me that Air Tahiti Nui allows each person 2 pieces of checked baggage with a weight limit of 50 lbs each bag. And for carry-ons, 1 bag per person with a weight limit of 22 lbs each bag. In addition to the 1 carry-on, each person is allowed a "personal item" --- I think we carried on our backpacks and our 22" Samsonite rollers.

As Wes said, Dominique and his staff are the best! They spoil you! And please send us sea mail!

Kim

Cork sandels are lightweight! So are ballet slippers. ;)

scubadiver,

We just got back from the same 11-day itinerary. It was a wonderful cruise, and very relaxing with the 3 1/2 sea days. The food was wonderful, and the sevice superb. My only complaint was the paucity of shady areas on deck. You had to get up very early to grab one of the deck chairs in the shade on the sea days! They did enforce a twenty minute rule on "saved" chairs, which was nice - no chair hogs.
We flew ATN from New York, and the limit was two 50 lb checked bags, and 40 lbs carry on. Our flight was delayed 6 hours because of a strike at the Tahiti airport, so I would try to arrive the day before, to avoid the anxiety and so you can board the ship at your leisure.
We did several dives with the crew on board. They were excellent, and it was great to just walk to the back of the ship and get on the zodiacs. They will store your equipment for you in the marina area.
You will have a geat trip. We did it to celebrate our 20th anniversary, and my partner and I both agreed it was the best vacation we have taken.

Welcome Scubadiver,

I must admit I am a bit biased. I have sailed on the Paul Gauguin a number of times for my anniversary and cannot think of a better choice. Many think I am crazy to be going back again next June but it is just that special to my husband and me. Kim will be on with me on the June 7th sailing. The scenery is so unspoiled and the diving quite good. While the diving is not the absolute best in the world, the sports platform makes the big difference and as Kim, Wes, and DoctorTom said the divemasters really work to make this a most pleasure experience. I agree with DoctorTom the best vacation we have taken.

I was certified to dive on the Paul Gauguin and can't think of a more perfect anniversary celebration. I truly believe you and your wife will have a fabulous 35th.

It definitely is a very casual ship so you should be able to conserve on clothing so you can take all your gear. Although I agree with Kim that their gear is good quality.

I have found that it is nice to fly in a day early so that you are more rested once you embark as the flight from LAX is 8 hours and your arrive later in the evening. If you fly in the day before you can embark at 3 p.m. and be ahead of the majority of guests that won't be embarking until sometime between 8 and 10 p.m.

I just wanted to thank all of you for the information you have provided. All I need to do now is start the count down and keep the destination a secret.

Greetings, Scubadiver, and welcome to the board!

My husband and I just got back from the PG from a 10 day cruise which included the tuamotus. I'll be posting a review/travelogue soon but to answer your immediate questions:

1. Are the electrical outlets in the cabins two prong, 110 volt, US compatible or do I need converter and/prong adaptors? I only need one outlet as we bring an outlet strip. we were able to charge our camera and our iphone without a problem in the outlet by the vanity. we did not try the ones in the bathroom

2. If we are not going to arrive early and spend a few days before the cruise, what is the procedure for transfer from the airport to the cruise ship? Is a taxi available and for how much? How far is it? We did the transfers with RSSC so I can't really say how much it would be. I did see taxis available. At the time of night we got out (around 7pm on a Wednesday) there was not a lot of traffic and we were at the ship within 10 minutes. You may be able to coordinate something with tahitinuitravel.com whom I noticed provided the transfers for us, however I did not use the service, it is merely an observation ;)

3. What to wear for dinner? We are used to a couple of formal nights, but from what I have read it appears that the Paul Gauguin is casual every night. Is this correct? If I get this part wrong I am a dead man. I would characterize it as "smart tropical"...no shorts in the dining room in the PM but definitely nice hawaiian shirts with summer weight gabardine pants or linen pants for the gents are what you see, same for the ladies although we have more leeway with our outfits...I wore a pareo a couple of nights

4. Is there some sort of daily guide as to activities. If there is, how can I get a copy of them ahead of time? Most of the other boards have people who post them. I realize that I am moving up, but if anyone has copies or can save copies from their next cruise, I would love to get them before June. I have all of them, I can pass a sample of them along to you (copy) if you wish...suffice to say that in between the excursions, the marina activities, the diving, and the Gaugines daily activities there is plenty to do!


5. What is the checked baggage allowance at Air Tahiti Nui? I have looked at their web page and it is somewhat confusing. Is it two 50 pound bags per person or one. All of the other flights I have taken from a US airport have allowed two, but ATN says one bag. They do say that if I am on a connecting flight that allows two bags, I get two. If I am leaving from LAX does that count? We travelled with a total of 5 bags: two carry ones, and three checked bags, none of which weighed more than 50 lbs. Our dive bag did not weigh more than 30 lbs once we packed out fins, masks, snorkels and additional doodahs. In fact this was good news for us on our return as we were able to stuff some of the goodies we brought back in this bag and we still did not top out the limit

Gatowoman:

Here is my email. jayapeterson@hotmail.com

Send me your mailing address and I will forward a stamped envelope and a check to cover the copy costs of any of the activity logs that you have.

I think I can get modern tech to help us out here ;)