In spite of everything, we loved our trip and feel we will go back next year.....
We got lucky at the airport and got our seats upgraded (not to business, but to the side with two people and up about 20 rows). The flight was pleasant and when we reached Papeete, and cleared immigration and customs, there was a bus right there for us.
The Paul Gaugin was incredibly lovely, our stateroom, 739 was just great. We really enjoyed having a balcony. The lady who took care of our room also did Steve and his wife's the trip before. Manon said to tell you hello. They let us trade our liquor allowance for beer, which made my husband very happy. It was clear and a beautiful summer evening (summer to us) in Papeete.
We headed for Huahine and there were big old clouds all around. We did a lagoon snorkel there, and when I poked my head up, it was pouring. I'm sure it would have been even better snorkeling if the sun had been out.
The next morning in Raitea, (still cloudy), they said the current was too strong for our snorkeling experience we had scheduled; we rushed to the tour desk and were able to get two last tickets on a 4X4 expedition, which was lovely.
We then took a rather rough sail to Rangiroa. I do not ever get seasick, so was just fine. We were just exhausted that evening and so ordered room service and just stayed in. Manon worried we were seasick.
Rangiroa was sunny with just puffy clouds. We did a drift snorkel, where we saw rays, sharks, and even turtles. I love to snorkel and am strong at it, so the drift was a new experience for me. You just let the current take you. Sometimes other bodies end up on you. You do the drift 2 x, one time in shallow and one time in deep water. Then they take you for a short snorkel in the lagoon. We walked around later that afternoon, after lunch and all.....not a lot to see there. The next morning we snorkeled the lagoon and I saw a black tipped shark invade a school of jack and grab one and swim away with it, the other sharks followed, but he wasn't sharing, so the others came back. It was fun for me, as I have never been in the water with sharks present before. It creeped some out, but I was fascinated. We went back to the PG and took the tender to the other dock, and walked around (not a lot to see, but I am always fascinated by islands and other styles of living. We so a dog FISHING over there.
We got back to the ship, and we got the phone call
that our dear Darrell was not expected to live through the night. That my son was flying in from Hawaii to say good-bye. I had visited with Darrell the night before we left for the PG, and he wouldn't hear of our not going.....I remember being very sad that night and asking for a table for two, as I didn't feel like fit company for anyone.
The next morning, he was still alive, and we were told it could be days now.....don't come home. I consider this day to have been D's gift to us. We went on the ray trip. There were rays everywhere, and lots of sharks, too. This was Bora Bora, by the way. It was incredibly beautiful. The snorkeling place they took us to on that trip was to die for, but not for amateurs. And they give you a good long time, too. We laughed, and cried, and did a lot of remembering on excursion. We went to the motu that afternoon, which was incredible. I never drink but had some of their rum punch (somehow I just needed a drink--realized it was too strong for me, and had it watered down with fruit punch--but drank several of them!) When we got back to the ship, I tried to reach someone, anyone, but could not, and sort of felt in my heart that he was going just then. As it turns out, I was right....
After we got back from an already planned dinner with some lovely folks we met on the excursion, the message was waiting for me. Then several very sad calls from home. I walked out up on the deck, determined to see the Southern Cross in the skies, and unless I was imagining things, there it was. Sleeping was fitful in paradise that night.
Here's what i want to say...Laina at the tour desk moved heaven and earth to get us off the ship the next morning and onto the flight from Papeete that night. They even credited back all the excursions we were scheduled for. Three people went with us on the tender to the dock in Bora Bora--Laina, one of the ship's officers, and a porter who wouldn't even let us touch our luggage ourselves. They made sure we got on the right ship to the airport (which is on an atoll) and were wonderful. The flight from Bora Bora was beautiful, so many little islands with atolls and motus around them. It was sad, too. When we got to Papeete, and Air Tahiti Nui opened, they kindly waived the fee for changing the tickets for compassionate reasons, and apologized that we had horrid seats on the way back. It was uncomfortable. I couldn't sleep, and from the moment we got home, I still haven't slept much as I am a deacon in D's church and was intimately involved in planning the service, particularly in the food area. It's all done now, and life is sort of returning to normal, and it's now time to make the adjustment that he is not here.
So all in all, it was a bittersweet experience. I wish we had always remembered to bring lots of money with us on each excursion. Like the last excursion with the rays, the fellow on that was incredible, and we had no tip money. Most people didn't......
The food in L'Etoile was very good. We had one dinner in La Veranda and it was marvelous. We also had that last dinner in Le Grill, and I thought it was also very, very good. Lunch is always a buffet, theme based, but you can order a burger, fries, or veggie burger in both places if you wish. I was thrilled that on the Italian buffet they did panna cotta, which I developed a passion for in Rome. The one afternoon we were at sea, it was impossible to get a lounge around the pool. People left towels on the lounges to reserve them, and then never used them. Maybe they were all in the pool, but it didn't look that way.
I was really happy we had a balcony. We found lots of storage places in the room and found that the beds were perhaps a little higher and all our luggage fit just great. They didn't have Aveeda products on this trip but the Judith Jackson Carita Spa items. They had a citrusy scent and I liked them very much.
We met so many people that we thought were so nice on the cruise. Sue and her children are so charming. Hope they used the beachball! Sadly, I wanted to meet Kristin and Greg but did not.
There were some rough seas. My DH felt some seasickness one night. A lot of people left La Verandah one night due to the seas. I am lucky to not get seasick on a ship, even a small one. But one week has gone by, and I am still landsick now. I feel the motion of the boat constantly.....could sure use some dramamine now!
Can't think of anything else now.....will try to add some pix to another thread later, and please feel free to ask anything about the ship, our excursions, etc., the food, etc.
Love, Elena :cool:

Elena - thanks for your review. We are very sorry for your loss. Such a surreal experience. Hugs, Anne

Elena, how heartbreaking for you. I am not surprised however to hear how concerned and helpful the PG's staff was. They make this cruise, in my opinion. (Well, except for Manfred--lol--but even he'd rise up to help if I'd needed him to, I know.)

Yes, we did make use of the beachball and named it Wilson. :) We left it with some small children and their mama on the motu when we departed. Thank you so much for your note and the beach ball. I was so sad to learn of your loss.

I noticed that you brought up snorkling again and again. For me, too, it truly was a highlight of the trip.

Funny that you mention the "landsickness." I had that, too! Kept feeling a little dizzy as the ship's constant movement seemed to have settled inside me. Took a few days to get rid of it.

I, too, hope you can return and finish the trip someday, Elena. It has all been so wrenching for you. Prayers and hugs as all begins to mend and return to normal.

Elena, please know I am very sorry for your loss.

Elena,
Thanks for your report. I'm so sorry for your loss. I do hope you can go again soon and continue your great cruise!

Elena,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. It is so sad that you had to end it with a loss.
We are going on the same trip 7/12...in fact I am packing now! This is maybe a silly question re: the bath products...when I knew they used Aveda I decided to save poundage and not bring some products I use and use the Aveda shampoo etc. Was the other comparable? I am trying to pack light but after this board info I had to get the swimways raft and overdoor shoe thing and things are filling up without the clothes! Would love your input.
Also, you mentioned snorkeling day 2 in Rangiroa...was that a ship tour or could you go on your own?
Was also glad they would allow you to get beer instead of liquor....2 bottles would be too much for us and my husband likes beer! When did you tell them what you wanted? We do not have a butler and could not "request" online.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share with us.
I hope you will have another opportunity to complete your trip in the near future.
Carol

Elena I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thank you Elena for your review. Very sorry for your loss. Joanna

So sorry for such a sad ending to a beautiful cruise. I hope you can return to the beauty of Tahiti under happier circumstances.

Carol, I too left shampoo and conditioner at home looking forward to Aveda. I did not care for the Judith Jackson products at all. Neither did my daughter. The citrus smell was a bit much, almost medicinal. You may feel differently though!

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Would love your input.
Also, you mentioned snorkeling day 2 in Rangiroa...was that a ship tour or could you go on your own?

On your own--if you like. If you take the tender, there are two...Elena help me out here, it's the one NOT to the town, there's a very pretty beach near a overwater bungalow hotel that you can use. Get off the tender turn left, and yes, walk through everyone's backyards, say hello to the dogs, they won't bite and soon you will find the path to the beach. Snorkling anywhere you like! Some people ate lunch at the hotel and liked it.

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When did you tell them what you wanted? We do not have a butler and could not "request" online.

You will meet your stewardess pretty much right away. Just tell her then. The staff is soooo accommodating.

Dear Elena, so sorry about your loss, thank you for taking the time to post this!

Elena, I join the others with our condolences for your loss. I'm happy though to hear that you'll return next year for the full cruise and peace of mind.

Thank you for sharing your bittersweet cruise memory with us. We are sorry for your loss. I do hope you will go back and re-experience Tahiti in happier moments.

Elena, We send our condolences for your loss. I hope you are able to return someday and complete your cruise.

Thoughts and prayers are with you Elena.

Elena, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.

Sorry for your loss, it must have been tough coming home. Our thoughts are with you.

Elena, my sincere condolences to you and your family.

Nancy

Elena, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I hope you will return to Tahiti when your spirits are better.

Elena I am so sorry to read of your loss. May you find peace in the many wonderful memories you have and may you one day return to the PG.

Elena, thank you for taking time to share this. We are so sorry.

Elena - so sorry to hear about your loss. As others have mentioned, I hope that you will be able to return to Tahiti under happier circumstances.

Masaki

Thanks for your review - we would love to go on the PG and hope we can soon.

So sorry for your loss - I loved the part of the review though when you went to look at the stars

Elena - so sorry to hear of the sad ending to your cruise and I too hope that you get another chance to go again.

Thank you for posting your review.

Elena, I join in the chorus of condolences for your loss. Thanks for sharing your review and your loss with us.

Elena said that Laina on the tour desk "moved heaven and earth" for them. The staff of the PG, and all of Regent, are truly exceptional. But in the Pantheon of exceptionality, from my experiences I have to rank Laina at the top. It is nice to hear she is still on the ship.

-- David

Elena, Thankyou for the wonderful review, and I join all your friends at LCT in sending condolences on your loss.

Dear Carol or Cultur8, I liked the spa shampoos and conditioners just fine, but I have very healthy hair that can handle any product. If you are touchy about shampoo and conditioner, please bring your own. I brought the stuff to add body and make style hold and just cleaned and conditioned with their stuff. I liked the smell, but some did not.
The snorkeling trip that you paid for at Rangiroa was where I saw the sharks, etc. It was great with a lot of fish and coral. I never did make the walk over to the overwater bungalow hotel and do that snorkel, but did talk to some people at the dock who just had done that snorkel, and they were jealous when I told them what I had seen. The trip was $59. It was one of the least expensive. You decide. You really would have time to try both.
Love, Elena

Elena,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my questions...All this input is so helpful.
Carol

Elena, just getting caught up and finally read your review. I am glad you were able to enjoy what little time you had on that wonderful cruise. I am so sorry for your loss and that we never did get the chance to meet you!

It certainly is not surprising how accommodating the Regent staff & crew were in your time of need. They were so wonderful. I do hope that you can return once again and take in the whole experience - it was truly magical!