My daughter Cindy just came back from Tahiti and the Paul Gauguin. She has been about four times before and said the product is now superior to any of her other trips. They spent a ton on updating the ship and she said the lunches were the best she has had on any ship.

I have some time in August and September 2013 and on August 17th there is a 11 night program, the regular Tahiti ports plus Aitutaki and Raratonga in the Cook Islands. This is a prime time to visit this area, temperatures are lower (their winter) and it is the dry season.

I have been to Tahiti 16 times before but it started to sound appealing to me. If anyone is interested I will see if I can get a group rate. Email me or post here.

Well now that's intriguing and we haven't got anything planned around that time. Tahiti/French Polynesia is my favorite place in the world. Keep us posted.

Interesting-please keep us posted as well. That's a great time for us to travel as everyone who can heads out of SW Florida that time of the year. The PG website lists the date as August 17th.

Very very tempting! I've been wanting to go on the PG for years and it would be great to travel with friends. Please add Jerel & I to the interested list.

Oh decisions and trade-offs. I doubt that we could do this and also the Mediterranean in October (GONDOLA) and TAJ MAHAL in April.

But we LOVE French Polynesia and some of these are islands that we haven't yet visited. Of course, if we're retired ...

Definitely put us on the list of interested parties.

--------------------

Eugene

We might be interested, Ngaire. Not the perfect time for us, would prefer September, but we have been getting attacks of the Polynesian Flu lately, so you never know.

(Edited to add: I realize that the 17th of August would probably be too early for us, unless David's summer teaching term could be adjusted. I see the 11-night Tuomotus on August 28th, nothing but the Australs in September--although I would personally love that one, not sure others would.)

We would love to do French Polynesia again but could not do Taj Mahal, Gondola and this one in 2013. So decisions would have to be made. What about 2014?

Carolyn

This would be in 2013 for sure I have the time to fit this in.
If it is great then we can consider this again in 2014.

We're interested. We have done the 14 day cruise that included Marquesas and that's a wonderful itinerary. It would be a good starting point to continue on to NZ and Australia.
Pat & Jim

If it was in August Mark and I might be very interested. The last time we were on the Paul Gauguin we traveled by ourselves and were only 2 of 10 that weren't on a Toyota incentive group.

Definitely this August 17, 2013 sailing. I want to include those Cook Island ports rather than just a 7 day sailing that is too short.

We might be tempted. I know Paul would love to dive there again!

Tempting!

Ngaire - Michael and I could be tempted - obviously he will have to check with work (not a good time right now as he is already on holidays) but if he can't make it, I will have to find someone else! Seven days is just not long enough for me though.

Also, could you please let me know what is available for NZ/Aus in January - also cost as I've only just realised that the quoted fare includes airfare! Can't call me slow! Email would be great. Thanks in advance.

Lee the cruise is 11 nights long. I will email you the information you requested.

Ngaire - Al and I are definitely interested in this cruise! We cancelled the Paul Gauguin in 2008 and have always regretted it.

Ngaire, we definitely might be interested.

Hi all of you on the thread and those that emailed me.

I am working on a contract now with a clause stating that if a better offer WERE to come out than our pricing for the August 17, 2013 trip that the lower price would be honored for everyone in my group. Do not want to encounter a situation where the price goes down and we are stuck.

Not done a group with PG cruises for along time. Nice thing is the man I am working with used to be with Regent so we have a great working relationship. That ALWAYS helps.

I too am quite enthusiastic about going back to Tahiti so hopefully I can get this all put together before Ieave.

2012 is 92% sold so we want to get in and get the best cabins left now and one thing I know is the Paul Gauguin when it comes to the cabins.

Put us on the maybe list.

Definitely interested... but need a roomie!

You have one. Count me in.

I was hoping I could count on you, Crystal!!!

We're in, Ngaire.....

I should have the contract tomorrow or Friday for sure.

I leave for Shamrock next week so if you know you want to come and know the type of stateroom you want just email me and I will start a list of cabin requests. I will get the availability and then select the best cabins in each category based on when I received the email confirming you want to book a cabin.

I will get a web page up as soon as I get that contract with more details than the current web page on PG cruises shows and let you know when I have that completed and give you the link. This is a enhanced escorted BK reward trip of course. Signatures SBC is $200 per cabin.

The new D balcony cabins are the same size as the C balcony cabins. These have been added since many of you went.

Is Siglo still around, or am I just showing my age? It's almost 10 years since our first PG cruise. I know that they were gone for a while and then came back. Did Cindy say anything about the band on board? Siglo was one of the best bands (for our kind of music) that we've ever heard on a ship--or at a Bar(t) Mitzvah or wedding!

--------------------------

Eugene

I believe Siglo is still onboard for part of the year. We really missed them last time. Siglo himself has been trying to retire, and probably has by now.

This is going to be a tough one for us. Also considering a Galapagos trip and a European river cruise. Somewhere new, or somewhere we've been 4 times before? (Except never the Cooks and Huahine.)

We too might be interested. We've walked around the PG but never cruised on her before.We cancelled PIP way back when.

Yes Randy can play "FREEBIRD" like nobody else....

Okay I have the contract with the group pricing. I have made bookings for those that contacted me but they have not come through yet. All the aft balcony cabins were gone.

Past guest program for 2013 is ONLY if you sailed on the Paul Gauguin recently when the ship was under the PGCruises management. Past Regent cruises do not qualify. SORRY.

I booked everyone with coach air from LAX for now and we can sort this out individually when you deposit. The addon air from other cities to LAX looks very high to me so I would imagine everyone will do their own to LAX. The plane leaves LAX at around 11.00 pm so plenty of time to get there. Coming home the flight leaves PPT at either 8.00 pm or 10.00 pm. Two night time flights.

The LAX round trip air is priced at $1450 and includes transfers and a hotel day room on arrival plus transfers and a day room on debarkation. I checked August 2012 and the fares on Air Tahiti Nui were ranging from around $1600 to $1900 depending on the date of travel. So the air is a good deal. Upgrades are limited but available but not reduced like Regent air. Limited space high demand. I do not have a price on this yet.

You can also use miles of course but you wont get the day rooms on arrival or departure but you can book your own rooms and use a taxi not a problem.

I thought I would post the basic pricing here and hope to get a web page up if not tomorrow I will do it over the weekend with more details.

Web Pricing

Stateroom Type Cruise Only Price Air Included Price
F Porthole Stateroom $3,945.00    $5,395.00   
E Window Stateroom $4,145.00    $5,595.00   
D Balcony Stateroom $5,595.00    $7,045.00   
C Balcony Stateroom $5,795.00    $7,245.00   
B Veranda Stateroom $7,445.00    $8,895.00   
A Veranda Suite $9,345.00    $10,795.00   
GS Grand Suite $12,645.00  $14,095.00   
OS Owner's Suite $13,245.00    $14,695.00   

Group Pricing

Stateroom Type Cruise Only Price Air Included Price
F Porthole Stateroom $3,748 $5,198
E Window Stateroom $3,938 $5,388
D Balcony Stateroom $5,315 $6,765
C Balcony Stateroom $5,505 $6,955
B Veranda Stateroom $7,073 $8,523
A Veranda Suite $8,878 $10,328
GS Grand Suite $12,013 $13,463
OS Owner's Suite $12,583 $14,033

Air Credit from LAX $1,450
Port tax additional $139

BK Reward 7.5%
$200 Signature Benefit
Escorted by Ken and Ngaire


Want a cabin and not emailed me please let me know.

Darn I cannot get those colums to post correctly. SORRY

figures....thanks should be fun

Ngaire: Are 'little' planes involved? Would there be a problem if I came straight from here (meaning Australia) and Michael left from the US? Also, is there availability for twin beds? Ta in advance. Lee

No small planes involved. Twin beds are available. You just buy your own air from Australia and Michael can take the US air package or do his own air as well.

http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com/2013_Escorted_Tahiti.html

This is a link to a preliminary page that has more details. I will be adding to that as information becomes available. Also will add additional linked pages of Tahiti Information.

Okay I have been "negotiating" with PG cruises. Their web site is ambiguous on the past guest discount. The discount is NOT valid for 2013 unless you sailed with PG cruises after August, 2009

HOWEVER, I got a concession that any booking DEPOSITED by 5/31/12 on this 8/17/13 sailing can get the Past Guest Discount if I have proof that you sailed on the PG. If you booked through BK we will have that proof.

This is a 5% savings a nice discount on a C cabin $550 per couple.

So if you are going LET US KNOW and get the deposit in by then so we can get that additional saving for you.

On June 1 the savings will not be honored.

That's a nice little benefit for us past PG cruisers.

----------------

Eugene