Much has been written about the Gauguin, in far better words than I can use (Todd…), and I concur on most everyone’s comments. I’ll try to stick to things that may be of interest or difference from previous reviews…
The cabin – perfectly adequate. I’ve cruised several times with balconies, on other ships, but just couldn’t justify the 200% cost for a single, so went with el cheapo, #320, and honestly didn’t miss the balcony at all. I spent most of my time out and about on the ship or on shore. In the cabin, I found the little desk area to be really great for setting up my laptop, various chargers, and my iPod with the Altec Lansing speaker system. I got one of those electrical outlets that has 3 sockets into one plug and it worked perfectly. Also, I brought a French-to-US plug converter since all of my equipment was 110/220 capable. I was very mildly disappointed to find out all the tiki gods in the rooms were the same, although he was easy to customize.
My cabin attendants were very unobtrusive, yet very thorough. I asked for all cokes and some bloody mary mix and was left with 6 cokes and 3 glasses of mix, with Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco and salt & pepper. My original request, pre-cruise, was for Bacardi O (orange flavored) but they said they didn’t have it and I got Bacardi Gold – sufficient. My 45-ish-yr-old neighbors were apparently new to cruising (they didn’t know the walls weren’t soundproof or didn’t care), and were on board with their parents. She was a shrew, constantly berating hubby, and shouting at him, to which he would answer with a loud long belch :lct:

Phil from Greenland thanks for your most excellent review. It brought back wonderful memories from our PG cruise two years ago.

Sue

Phil,

It sounds like for a spur of the moment, you had a heavenly time! Too bad about the Lockhorns next door...at least he belched instead of passing gas on cue at her <img border="0" alt="[c]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

It makes one realize how some people cannot be moved out of their misery, even in Paradise!!

Phil, thanks for your comments on your cruise. Brought back good memories. Your comments on the lack of shade, believe me, have been called to the attention of the ship mgmt. many, many times! I mean, many, MANY times. It appears they simply do not want to remedy this. I sailed two years ago, and then last year, and the excuses I heard were 1) its French management and they think all pax want to burn in the sun, 2) if we had umbrellas they would all fly away in a high wind, to 3) they will put some awnings in the next time the ship is in drydock.....

About Franco - isn't he delightful!!! This last year when I cruised with my daughter, he was so friendly on the motu, and we also enjoyed many wonderful conversations with him.

When my hubby and I went two years ago we thought Michael Shapiro was the BEST. I guess he left for awhile, now he is back, and I'm sorry he is leaving again. But - like you - I wish him well with his singing career.

Too bad about your neighbors - you hate to register a complaint - I can understand your reticence - also there is a fear of retaliation.....I have read before on this board about kids who basically trashed the cabin and were REALLY disruptive to their neighbors, and guests were too intimidated to complain. Last year, our next door cabin neighbors rose early about 6:00 a.m. and sat outside on their balcony and smoked and talked - very loudly. After being awakened twice, I did talk to them and they cooled it. In that case, they appeared somewhat apologetic, and end of problem.

I know you look forward to September!

:D :p :)

Thanks for the compliment Phil!! Great review - thanks for sharing. Tell me more about the solo part on other nights. Did you sit with people you met while on shore excursions, did the Maitre’d seat you at a table with others? I ask this because there were not many singles on board and wondered how the PG staff handles that.

The night I got stood up, it ticked me so much that I just didn't eat. One night I got to eat with CD, etc. Other nights I'd go to L'Etoile and Franco would ask if I felt like eating with others, or, on a couple nights I ate with Hal Fraser. Franco was - I hate to say "concerned" but interested, that I did what I wanted to do and would never push me to sit with others if I didn't feel like it. And one night at Bloody Mary's, one night in the room, not too hungry. At lunch, Hal or Michael Shapiro or the Doctor or others would invite me to join them - everyone made an effort to see that I wasn't left out, yet did it without making it look like an effort was being made, effortlessly .

Thanks Phil....good to know for the future. Seems like they did a good job.

Phil:

No one (& myself included) can ever say enough nice things about Franco.
He is a gem!

Doug

Phil, great review........it brought back lovely memories. Re the entertainment........was there no Siglo? Just loved that band!

Siglo was there :app: , as were the Gauguins <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> , Hal Fraser at La Palette <img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" /> , O Tahiti É dance troupe <img border="0" alt="[hula]" title="" src="graemlins/hula.gif" /> , Michael Shapiro (CD) <img border="0" alt="[12]" title="" src="graemlins/18.gif" /> , Yalba ("Around the World with 40 instruments <img border="0" alt="[sleep]" title="" src="graemlins/sleep.gif" /> "). Almost all were great ;) .

Phil, really enjoyed reading your review. You brought up an interesting point about port calls on Sundays (we just experienced this in Bilbao with everything closed). On the World Cruise (now called BAIL), we will be in Bora Bora on a Sunday....wonder if everything will be closed there???

Phil - I like the one line summary of the entertainment! :D

Masaki