PIP Report – 5/17/05 – 5/28/05
Part II (On the Paul Gauguin)

Our much anticipated arrival to the PG started with our flight from Bora Bora where we hooked up with 2 other PG couples (not part of LCT) who also went to Bora Bora for their pre-cruise stays. Ron and Jackie from New Jersey (if you saw a Steven Spielberg look alike on board, that was him) and Byron and Margaret from Phoenix and their 2 grown sons Mike and David. For the entire trip we found ourselves running into all of them in Bora Bora and on the PG. Funny!! Very nice people. Of course I gave them all my praise about LCT. Hopefully they will check in one of these days. Margaret especially enjoyed Madame Fifi!!

It was so exciting to turn a corner at the pier and see the PG!!!! Yeah!!!! We were finally ready to board her. Check in was as quick , organized and gracious as we expected after our Navigator experience. From the moment we stepped off the bus, we were wisked thru checkin, handed our glass of champagne and taken to our beautiful stateroom (706 – Category C). Our bags arrived shortly and we met our stewardess, Monika from Germany. Then it was time to explore the ship and check on our excursion reservations. On the way, we ran into John, Kimmi, John & Tanya, Sheri and Suzanne. (hope I didn’t forget anyone). That was so much fun to finally see the smiling facings in person (new faces and then the familiar faces – Sheri & Suzanne who I’d met before).

On to the excursions desk where we made the first of many changes. I am now forgetting the name of the excursion employee who was always so gracious with all my changes (even when I was 15 minutes past the deadline on one of them). We got all the excursions we wanted. Not one request was denied.

At the muster we met Lynette and Ngaire’s sister, June and brother, Brian. All delightful people to share the muster drill with. They took John and Kimmi away for some reason. Never did find out why. John & Kimmi – what did they do with you????

Before we knew it, it was time to join the LCT Welcome party in La Palette. We were very excited to meet Wendy and David, Mark & Arlene, Fred & Pat, Mike & Heather and of course, Ken & Ngaire. All the other already familiar faces were there too – John, Kimmi, Sheri, Suzanne, Frank, Kathy, June & Brian. Please forgive me again, if I have forgotten anyone!!! Tom & I had each had a cocktail – the only ones we paid for the entire cruise with a total bar bill of $14!!!! As others had promised, there were free drinks available everywhere we turned!!! Tom & I then decided to sneak out early from the party to find some dinner as we had not eaten since lunch. We discovered Le Grill which was set up for casual dining the first night (no reservations required). We enjoyed the first of many buffets in Le Grill that night.

Then after losing our $20 each within minutes at the Casino, it was back to our cabin. I immediately crashed on the bed. I woke up to Siglo playing for the sail away party. I tried to wake up, really I did. But just couldn’t do it. I have fond memories of my own sail away party drifting back to sleep as Tom was on the balcony taking pictures of Papeete at night and Siglo playing away. I can still hear it now!!!! What a glorious way to fall asleep!!

From this point on all the days and nights activities kind of blur together. So I’m going to break this down into topics rather than a day to day report.

Cabin:
After experiencing the Navigator’s standard suite with it’s beautifully appointed, huge bathroom, the walk-in closet and the extended sitting area, the Paul Gauguin’s C Category had a lot to live up to. What it lacked in size, it more than made up for with it’s elegant wood finishes and excellent use of storage space. The bathroom, although smaller was still a good size. The only sign of wear and tear in the entire cabin was the bathroom sink. It really did show it’s age and the sink stopper did not work. But everything else in the cabin sparkled. The bed was EXTREMELY hard the first night. So we asked Monika to add a mattress pad and it really helped. I think it was Kathy & Frank who asked for two matter pads. Great idea. That would have made it perfect. Some complained about the split in the bed (twins made into a queen) but we did not have that problem. Our bed was an actual queen bed. Since I do not like down covers, I enjoyed that fact that they had regular sheets.

I really missed the huge, plush bath sheets that we had in the Navigator. The towels in the PG were certainly sufficient, just not as plush. I preferred the lighter weight bathrobes of the PG to the heavy terrycloth robes on the Navigator. Much more comfortable. The heavy terrycloth were too warm at times.

Monika and Michael took excellent care of us while on the cruise. We were never left wanting anything and they took immaculate care of our cabin. Of course, we loved our nightly chocolates and bed-time stories left on the bed.

The only complaint is that we were not one of the cabins who received Godiva chocolates, nor did we get a bottle of champagne. It wasn’t until people started posting that I realized I should have felt deprived!!

I loved having our balcony. I kicked myself for not waking up early each morning to sit out on it. But I did find time each afternoon to sit there and enjoy the beautiful scenery and write in my journal. I did not feel deprived of any scenery with being on the port side. There were plenty of beautiful views everywhere one looked no matter which side of the ship you were on. For the fabulous views on the day we sailed from Raiatea to Tahaa we were on deck anyway, having our usual breakfast buffet!! It was truly a magnificent sight!!

Oh my, I know I’m forgetting many, many details that some may have questions on. So please ask specific questions if you have any.

Dining:
Tom and I love to eat, but are not French gourmet diners. We love places like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse where you can experience fine dining and excellent service, but still have steak and lobster readily available. So we never did make it to Apicius. Hope that Fred and Pat (who were on the wait list for a second seating) were able to enjoy our turn. Also, just let it be known that we LOVE buffets and ate EVERY breakfast (except the final day) at the Le Grill buffet, enjoying the gorgeous scenery and good company. We are early risers and it’s funny how you see the same early risers every day!! We spent quite a few very good breakfasts with Wendy and David and often ran into Marc and Arlene. We also ran into Anne & Gary quite a bit at Le Grill.

We also ate all lunches (except a couple of room service lunches and the last day) at Le Grill. Can you tell we liked Le Grill?

Dinners:
Saturday – Le Grill (as already mentioned)

Sunday – L’ Etoile with Kathy and Frank and a couple that joined our table (not LCT) Paul and Anita from Tucson. Can’t remember what Tom had, but I had the Lobster entrée and it was delicious.

Monday – Ngaire’s private dinner at the Pacific Grill. Tom and I were honored to sit at Ngaire and Ken’s table, along with Kathy and Frank and Wendy and David. I know a lot has been said about the food at that dinner not being up to par, but Tom & I thoroughly enjoyed our meal there. My steak was extremely tender. Many thanks to Ngaire for a wonderful evening of dining and great conversation.

Tuesday – Room Service – EXCELLENT and quite relaxing!!!

Wednesday – Ngaire had arranged for each of the LCT’ers to dine with one of the ship’s officers. We sat with the Chief Purser Veronique Faget . She is French and a delightful person to share dinner with. She had been assigned to the PG since the beginning. In her words – she is part of the furniture of PG. At our table were also Peter and Mark and Fred and Pat. Unfortunately that evening the seas were incredibly rough on our way from Bora Bora to Moorea. (In fact, we left Bora Bora early – about 5:30 to try to miss the bad seas). Poor Mark started feeling sick and had to leave and then Peter became ill and also left. We sure hated to see them leave and hated that they didn’t feel well. The rest of us continued on with our meal and had a great time.

Thursday - Room Service again!! Another fine meal in the luxury of our cabin.

Friday – L-Etoile with our Bora Bora friends, Ron & Jackie, Byron and Margaret and Mike & David. Chateaubrianne for both Tom & I. It was excellent.

A word about the PG desserts. They were out of this world. Especially the pastries. I am now spoiled for life.

Service:
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!!!!!! We had learned to expect that from our Navigator cruise and were not once disappointed. What exceptional people Radisson finds to run their ships. Thank you, Radisson.

Well, either I type really slow or am giving way too much detail, because I’ve run out of time again and need to get ready for work. I had hoped that I would finish this with Part II. But there will now be a Part III to come with all the excursion detail and miscellaneous thoughts about the cruise! Till the next installment. . . . . . .