Trish and I are boarding the PG--Papeete to Papeete--in 5 weeks. I've been on the other 3 RSSC ships, as well as the Song of Flower when it was in the fleet, and noticed one thing all RSSC ships have in common: the show lounge is impossibly cold. Is this true on the PG as well? How about the other public spaces? I'm hoping to pack light for this one.

Also, we'll be arriving in Papeete a day in advance, and it looks like a lot of the most interesting sights are a distance from where we're staying (Intercontinental). Is there a tour or a guide you'd recommend to explore Papeete? We'd really rather not drive ourselves if we can avoid it.

Crystal,

Right outside the ICB is a stop for LeTruck. Check with the concierge about price. We took it into town and we took it to the grocery store since we had a pre cruise PIP party in our room the Friday night before the cruise for the LCT'ers. Le Truck is a cheap and fun way to get around with the locals using it as their main transportation.

Take a wrap or two, easy and compact to pack. I don't remember the inside spaces being freezing, just pleasant. But then I don't remember Voyager or Navigator lounges being impossibly cold either, so it's all relative I guess--I'm from the frozen north. Remember it's tropical, so sometimes you will appreciate the cool.

We just returned 2 days ago from the PG cruise. I will write a longer review when I get a spare minute but I want to help with this question.

We stayed at the IC for 2 nights pre cruise. Great hotel - it is a destination in itself! There is a tour desk in the front lobby across from the reception desk. They were selling 1/2 day and full day packages. We rented a car and enjoyed having that flexibility on Friday. We spent about 6 hours touring Tahiti and Tahiti Iti on the Friday before the cruise.

If you decide to rent a car you should reserve it in advance from EuropeCar. That is the only rental agency at the IC. We rented a new Renault with air for about $120. The desk is not manned all the time but they are there if there is a reservation for a certain time period. I scheduled my pick-up at 9 AM and the clerk appeared at about 8:59. Upon the return the clerk was not there but (per directions) gave the keys to the IC reception desk.

I must say that the IC is spectacular. There is enough to do there to fill several days. We stayed at the Radisson on the way home for the afternoon. The Radisson is also very nice but not quite the IC. Plus the IC is much closer to the airport.

As for freezing temps on the PG, I did not notice that - I am also from the north so it may not effect me as much. I definitly do not like cold restaurants so I think I would have noticed if it was cold in the public areas.

We had a great time - it was hard to leave. You will have a wonderful time.

Francine

A few more questions:

1. Embarkation time is listed at 3:00. Will they allow you on board earlier? (I know, I know--I said elsewhere that I was planning to board late. Just call me fickle.) I've been able to do this on a couple other RSSC cruises--just couldn't get into my cabin until later.

2. My flight on disembarkation day is not until 10:00 pm. Is there a place in or near the cruise terminal where I can store luggage while I play in Papeete during the day? I understand that there's a luggage storage place at the airport, but it seems silly to take a taxi out to the airport then back into Papeete then back to the airport again. FWIW, I've arranged my own air and hotel.

3. How are the ship's basic scuba diving lessons? Worth doing?

4. Does the water sports platform have one-person sea kayaks?

Thanks in advance. Y'all are the greatest!

Hi Crystal, to answer your questions:

Embarkation time - we've sailed the PG twice and both times boarded before 3:00. The first time we got there about 2:45 and boarded, no problem. Last time we arrived at 2:15 and were held in the Grand Salon (with champagne of course) until about 2:30. I think that the last passengers disembark about 2:00 so I probably wouldn't try much earlier than that.

Storing luggage - not sure about that. I'd ask onboard. When you get off the ship, your bags will be under a tent (no terminal building in Papeete). It's possible the ship's staff might let you keep them there as other passengers are embarking. No guarantees on security, though. There's also a Tourist Information office at the pier that might have suggestions.

Scuba - don't know about lessons - we had our certifications when we went. The dive staff is very good and takes good care of the divers. They offer certification courses on board but I think that would take away a lot of the time you could be enjoying Tahiti, as you would have pool drills and book work to get done. I am not sure what they offer in terms of "resort dives" where they would take you on a dive without certification. Dominique (or whoever the dive master is on this sailing) will be at his desk in the reception area the first afternoon - I'd ask him. The staff was very accommodating in fitting in everyone who wanted to dive as well as helping arrange "specialty dives" with local operators for those interested in that.

Kayaks - we are not positive about one-person kayaks but they do have two-person kayaks that we have seen used by one person. You can kayak off the water sports platform and they will have the kayaks at Motu Mahana and the Bora Bora motu.

I wish I were going with you! :)

Dena

1. In my experience, early embarkation is not possible on the PG. They may make a few exceptions, but they don't really want you there early (this could have changed in the last year or two, of course.)

2. I am guessing you're not doing Regent Air. I'm sure you know that if you were, you'd be given a dayroom, and be allowed to disembark late. As for bopping around Papeete, it's possible that perhaps the ship would keep your luggage for you for a while, but probably not that long. For a 10 p.m. flight you'll want to be at the airport by 8 or before. If you want to get out of Papeete, you could just dump your luggage at the airport and rent a car for the afternoon.

Crystal, re scuba, dena is spot on with recommendtion to do your certification at home; Dominque, Dive Master on the PG is super as well as the dive crew...if pressed for time at a minimum do the course work in VA, and do your four open water dives with the PG. This way you would not be doing "homework" on the PG but diving with morning dives...believe you would finish your skill work/certification in time to enjoy one or more of the PG dives (ledges, or shark gallery) have fun!

r/wes

The IC is within walking distance of CarrFour, supermarket where you can not only buy food items but also some gifts(I soap and a parro-both were the best price anywhere). Oh, if you are going over on Tahiti Nui, they sell a calendar which is also better priced than on the islands.

I took a light shawl and was ok with the ac on the PG and I am usually the one with the chills.

We had a wonderful time on the PG and so will you!