Well... the family returned from our PG cruise (and post stay) last Monday. It was truly magical and everything we'd hoped. I can't thank everyone enough for all the advice. What a wonderful ship, wonderful people, wonderful place!!!! We had perfect weather too. Now I see why everyone wants to go back right away. We took lots and lots of pictures but I really miss the scent of the humid air with all the flowers... sigh!!!
Back to reality and all the work waiting.... I can't believe how quickly the time flew by!
-Sari

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, Sari! I hope you will share your pictures with us!

Did you book a return trip while you were on the PG?

I wish!
I see you just returned from the Caribbean... I'd be interested in hearing about that, and how the trips compare!
It'll take me a while to sort thru the pics. I also got a permanent souvenir... it's so much a part of the culture there, and I saw so many beautiful ones, that I got a Polynesian tattoo the last day in Moorea. Several people on the ship had gone to this artist and they helped me arrange it. Talk about personalized service!!!

-Sari

Sari --

Along with me and many many others, it looks like you have a bad case of the Polynesian Flu. There is no cure, but you can alleviate the symptoms by going back as often as possible.

Your post about what a wonderful time you had has caused a severe flare up of my symptoms. I particularly loved the evocative sentence about the scent of the humid air.

I'll just have to tough it out until December when we next go back.

-- David

Sari-

We are going on the PG April 26. I was wondering about the dress code. We have heard several things. In our documents it states no shorts after 6:00. In other posts we have read absolutely no ties, jackets and that is is VERY casual. I don't want to pack anything extra if it isn't necessary - so I would love to hear what you encountered. We are also so excited and simply cannot wait!

Jacky

It's so nice to hear about people having a great time on the PG. We have a friend coming with us in December for his first time, so having talked it up, I'd hate it if he was disappointed.

Which tattoo artist did you go to? We spent quite a bit of time in one studio, looking at designs, but the artist was busy working, and we pooped out and did not come back. Might consider it again this time! :cool:

Oh, and on the subject of shorts and dress code--the "no shorts" after 6 p.m. is a general guideline. No shorts in the dining rooms for dinner, or in the lounges in the evenings. If you're out on deck watching the sunset until 6:30 nobody's going to shoo you away. And yes, no jackets and ties required.

Sari, so you have joined the club! :) Isn't it the most magical experience? My husband and I were just talking last night about how even though we've cruised the FPs on the PG twice, in no way are we "sick of it" or feeling like "been there, done that". We would return again and again, at least once a year if we were able!

Would love to hear more details and see your pics when you get a chance.

Glad you had a wonderful time, Sari! Post pictures when you can.

Double post - sorry.

Boy would I like to be snorkeling in the waters there now.

Ah yes!
It would be nice snorkeling in that almost 90 degree water.

Hello all, sorry to be so late to reply but in the traditional "plan a vacation, get a job" fashion, I have 2 jobs I need to do by this week... so I'll try and catch up next week!
My tattoo artist was Gilles... here is a link to his website. I just kept asking people whose tattoos I liked, they all seemed to have been done by him.
http://www.lovisatattoo.com/english/english.htm
I'll post pics of the tattoo eventually too.
My whole family has the bug... we all talk about "next time" already, whenever that may be. I really can't think of any real negatives. Even the coffee wasn't THAT bad... once I discovered they had soy milk and that I could get my standard soy cappucinos I was in heaven.
Wandra is absolutely right about the "no shorts after 6" thing... people just gradually changed and the atmosphere on the deck gradually changed and it was really nice to see people appearing spruced up for dinner, with skin glowing from the day.
Also, the one time we ventured off the ship for a meal, ($$$!!!) on Moorea, on the way to get my tattoo, one of the girls from the ship took us to a wonderful pizza place called Allo pizza... kind of near where the tender docks, off to the right. We had a pizza with fresh pineapple. Expensive, but worth it!
Sigh! Have a great time!

-Sari

Sari, I am another one that has the Polynesian flu and will be so glad to see your pictures when you have the chance to post a link to them.

We also enjoyed Allo Pizza on Moorea on one evening of our post-cruise stay at the Moorea Pearl Resort in 2005. Back then the dollar was close to even with CPF so the cost was moderate compared to our other choices on the island.

This is Sari's sister, confirming everything she said and more! The entire family had a wonderful time, and it wasn't easy pleasing eight very different people.

I'm the coffee snob she referenced in an earlier post (although she's one to talk....) However, I thought the coffee on the PG was just fine! Several in our group switched to cappuccinos in the evening, and as discussed, they were great too.

My significant other HATES to get dressed up, and was a bit concerned about the "country club casual" rule. He brought several Hawaiian shirts (patterned and plain) and paired them with khaki shorts in the daytime, and pants in the evening. He fit in just fine.

For any of you new cruisers worried about the dress code - don't. It's interpreted differently by different people, but it seemed to work for everyone. I brought silver flip flops, and others were in much fancier shoes. There's such a great "vibe" on the ship, that it wasn't an issue.

I've never returned from a vacation so ready to go back - but I'm already trying to figure out how to return. I guess I've got the Polynesian flu too!

Thanks for all your great hints and feedback.

-Marianne

Hi Marianne, glad you liked it, sorry about the disease you caught--unfortunately it's incurable. I'm back for my 4th visit this December. We always say we'll go back "one last time", and it works for a while, like malaria, but then the whole thing starts again.

I'd forgotten about fancy flip flops--I will definitely get myself a pair this summer for the PG--perfect! Glad your husband was comfortable with the dress code-.

This is my first time posting, but I was on the 7 day PG cruise in June 2007. I am planning to return for the 10 day in July 2009. I have the flu - BAD. Loved the ship, loved the crew, loved the scenery, loved the diving, just loved it all!

Tifflet, I hope that you get over the flu soon! We were on the PG for a 11 day cruise December gone. We had such a fantastic time that we have booked back to back later this year. Yes, there are so many places to see, but hubby and I have done an amazing amount of traveling already, and still just love that side of the world. This will be our third time there. As many, like Wandra have said, we have the Polynesian flu!!! The strange thing is, we are just as excited about this as we were about the other two. I know this will not be our last time.It's just a little piece of over there.

Thank you all for making me feel "normal". After #4 in February I still ache to go back. I live vicariously through each report from a trip. I lked the description about the smell of air with the scent of flowers. Really brought up some great memories.