I'll no doubt be back on the PG,
probably in early 2008.
There's a reason for this screenname.

PG is habit-forming.

Plus, post-cruise, there's PG-withdrawal-syndrome,
where you're wondering where's Efrem the bartender?
where'd the food go? Where's the service at home?
and, since Leeanne brought her up,
Where's Estelle, the Cousteau Society lecturer?

Gotta get yet another fix. Number five.

Fortunately, Regent's behaving just like the corner pusher stuffing my mailbox with endless Paul Gauguin brochures, personalized Cousteau invitations, President's letters, etc, etc, etc...

OK, here's another PG Tip:

If your goal is to delay your disembarkation for as long as possible (perhaps for a reason as mundane as your hotel room not being ready 'till 2:00), keep in mind that on disembarkation day in Papeete, L'Etoile (the main dining room) offers, to all the sad guests, a full hot buffet breakfast between 7:00 and 9:00. Nice.

Then,

*Only if you booked the standard air-sea package*
You get a farewell bloody mary party on deck from 10:00-11:00, and a brunch at L'Etoile from 11:00-13:00, at which time the bus takes you to the hotel, or first the 2 1/2 hour standard Tahiti tour if you want. (more on the tour in the next PG-trivia item)

*If you did not book the standard air-sea package*
(you're "cruise-only")
You are invited to get the heck off the boat no later than 10:00. No chance of a reprieve. I tried.
In hindsight, Regent does allude to this treatment in the fine print in the PG-specific brochure.

So, having done both the air/sea as well as cruise-only,
If this is your first time on PG, never mind Papeete, and if the total cost is not too much worse than booking Air Tahiti Nui and a hotel room yourself, I recommend the Air Sea package.

--PGJunkie
(3 x 7-night Society (2000, 2002, 2005))
(1 x 11-night Marquesas (Dec 2006))