There is a six week gap in the PG schedule next June and July. Is this a very long charter, a sign PG may be off doing other itineraries, a very long dry dock, or just Radisson withholding inventory so that we would book a different date?

Any speculation?

Any one know the real answer?

All June and July '05 dates for the PG are listed on Ngaire's site, Marc. Did you check there?

Maggie

I found the answer last night.

The PG will have new 10 and 11 day itineraries next June and July. Two of each during the six week period. I do not know what the itineraries are nor are they posted on Ngaire's site. In addition, there will be a 14 day cruise in September.

Along with the Eclipse sailing in April, the normal 14 day Marquesas trip in November, and the 10 and 11 day sailings over the holidays, these sailings really move PG away from the "been there done that" seven day sailings week after week after.....

Of course, we haven't been there done that yet....until PIP!!!!

Maybe we can thank Tahitian Princess with their variety of ten day sailings for helping to expand the PG's horizons. Maybe next they can find a place to send PG (e.g. Australia or South East Asia) during the rainy season.

I think there are a lot of prior PG cruisers who would love to go back when the itinerary changes, but it needs to change significantly, not just adding a couple new ports.
I, too, would love to see them do Australia/New Zealand. Of course I'd love to see them do it at the same prices, with free air (and complimentary business-class upgrades for prior PG cruisers, and complimentary 4-category cabin upgrades ))
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So Marc,

Where did you find this out? Is it posted anywhere? This would be very welcome. We're booked for the PIP b2b, our third trip there, but variety would spice things up, for sure.

Wendy:

All the information I provided was straight from the "Cruise Planner December 2004 - December 2005" available to be ordered on the RSSC website. There was no additional detail provided.

How about Fiji...Cook Islands, etc?

Spent a week on the PG and it was fantastic! Love the ship, the atmosphere, the parties, the food and on and on. Having said that and not being a mariner, does the PG with a shallow draft and no stablizers have the ability to give one an acceptible ride over the open ocean for extended distances? I'm all for the varied lenght crusies to different destinations. Just a thought!
Gail

Ngaire - When you are a little more settled in from your most recent trip we would love to hear what you might be able to learn about this.

Phil, we think alike...just want the little things! :D

I have the itineraries. I will see if this will post. No prices of course as 2005 is not out yet for pricing should be any time now though.

Well it would not post and too long to write out here. These are trips that include Rangiroa and some smaller versions of the Marquesas trips with a call in Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa and also Huahine.

I tried to post these on the web site today but when I first get back it is very busy so neither Julie or I could get to it today. Hopefully tomorrow.

I dont see the PG going far afield from Tahiti. She is built perfectly for the lagoons and waters of French Polynesia but she does not sail as well with her shallow hull over large distances.

Rangiroa is good for divers but the other French Polynesia islands are more attractive and have more to offer than Rangiroa. The partial Marquesas trips will be nice options.

Cant wait for 2005 pricing to come out.

I learned while on the PG last week that these trips were added because of the number of repeat PG sailers year-to-year. They stated that many like to come back over the summer and they thought changing the itin a little would make the experience that much more exciting.

Having been on the PG twice now, I think an extra day at the private motu, a different day in Raiatea (Sunday everything is closed) and one less day in Moorea would be great. But then again, I love the water.

As for stabalizers, the PG does have them as we learned from the Bridge tour (which was way more informative than any other bridge tour I've taken on other lines). But as has been posted, the shallow draft (I think they said 5.5 meters?) makes it very difficult to go longer distances.

So now all we need are some special deals with those of us who have been on the PG more than...twice in my case. But then there are people who have done the cruise many more times than that.

BTW, we learned the first time we were on the Paul Gauguin that one of the stabilizers had been non-operational since they started--that problem was probably repaired when they went into dry-dock several years ago, but I'm not sure of the timing of my facts.

Christian Saloux mentioned the addition of the ten & eleven day sailings when we were on VJ7. Glad to see them come to fruition. Between Air Tahiti going with non-stops from NY and longer itineraries, I could get very comfortable visiting Tahiti!! Cheers, Anne