OK, now that PIP is history, what would you do different next time? Different date, different packing, different dining venues - - -

Different packing!!

Everyone who has sailed on the PG has said they brought far too much stuff. So I cut back (for me) and when I saw there was room left in my suitcase, I tossed more in instead of downsizing the bag. I brought twice as much stuff as I needed...

But, as there is really nothing there to buy (except for Tahitian black pearls which don't take up much space) you don't need any room for souveniers on your return.

Take heed. Believe those who have gone before me (as I did not). Pack light and then take stuff out!

I told Heather to lay out everything she wanted to take, then put back 1/3. It was still too much. No need for different clothes every day except for dinner. Day clothes = tevas, swimsuit and shirt almost everyday.
Go out at least a day early. Why spend the first day of vacation on a plane all day? Time of year was great (we have also done Sept which was equally nice). There will be some differing opinions, but I don't believe the balcony is necessary since everyone is out on deck or on the islands anyway and this isn't a sailing cruise. Don't try to squeeze everything in every day. It will ruin you for the night fun.

I think the weather was great - so the date would remain. 80-85 at most in the day. Yes, I'd have taken less clothes, and although I wanted a balcony, we do like to take sunset/sunrise photos from our balcony, it wasn't necessary.
We ate almost all our meals in L'Etoile and missed the Grill from Breakfast - we might have tried that. And I'd have taken the 8:20 AM Air France flight home and miss the Radisson Plaza mess.

I agree with Suzanne - different packing (less of it!!)

I did O.K. in the clothes department, even wore some things twice. But all the miscellaneous garbage I just knew I had to take. That's another story. I have all that stuff in a big pile right now. I'm going to sort thru it, one thing at a time and make a list of all the items I'm glad I brought and those I wish I'd left at home. I'll take bets on which list will be longer :D . As soon as I get it done, I'll post it so that everyone can learn from my experience!!

I packed a bit too much too.

Ditto for us with packing less. We could have left an entire suitcase at home (with benefit of hindsight) even after considering our post-cruise trip.

Find a cruise that starts or stops in Bali and do a precruise there (for as long as I possibly could swing it). It's got a lot of Tahiti's beauty at 1/3 the price and three times the smiles from the residents. Simply magical.

Cheers, Anne & Gary

Ann, I haven't been to Bali, but it's high on my list. My brother lives a stones-throw from there, and is always on our case to come visit. A pre- or post-cruise visit would be perfect.

My two-weeks worth of packing was pretty good, although I still came back with clean clothes. In the second week I got to wearing the same two or three outfits for dinner, and just rotating them. And I hear you Cyndi, about the "junk". Took vitamins, didn't actually take them, way too much makeup and cosmetics.

My most valued clothing items were my two large silk shawls, which dressed me up nicely at night.

I too would try for the early-morning AF flight on Saturday next time, although our flight home overnight was very good (I managed to sleep, thanks to a muscle relaxant and a glass of wine).

Next time, pre-cruise in Moorea at least, or something more exotic if we can afford it. If there is a next time on the PG, that is.

Haven't read comments about the Rad Plaza hotel yet, but despite the bad service, we would go back there.

I'd pack less too. But that is true for every cruise we have taken. The problem is a certain immovable mountain on this subject--Mt Freddie.

We took the AF morning flight. That was a really good decision for us because we slept in our own bed that night. We splurged on a buisness upgrade. AF service in business was really good, more than we had anticipated. Every seat was sold on that flight, so we were particularly glad we were in business.