Michael, thanks for posting all of those wonderful pictures!

What beautiful pictures Micahel, you make us feel like we were there.

Andi, how exciting would that be to snorkle next to a whale! That is definitely a once in a lifetime experience WOW !!

I'm so sorry the trip has ended, you can tell just how wonderful it was ! Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. LOVED IT ALL

Great photos, thanks!
Andi's whale encounter is simply amazing. I am so jealous!

There have been so many great photos. I will just add a few on mine. Ken.


A beautiful flower at Belvedere in Moorea.


Rarotonga, Cook Islands from the tender.


A beautiful beach in Aitutaki, Cook Islands.


Mary Elaine with a flower in her hair from this Cook Island lady.


A view point from the back side of Bora Bora.

Beautiful ending to Tahiti Trip....


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I would like to thank Marcie, Tom and Ralph for starting the trip off so wonderfully by being such great hosts. Now that I don't have to pay for internet, I so enjoyed looking at everyone's pre cruise and cruise pics. They were wonderful. I wanna go back!

Sorry I didn't post more often, but not only was the Internet expensive, I was having difficulties with my photo software. Glad so many beautiful photos were posted especially toward the end of the trip. If I come across any of mine that are a little different, I'll post.

The weather was spectacular and we were very busy with excursions. Cheron and I had done very well with our selection of private excursions, and the two that we took through PC Cruises were also very good.

The PG may not be Regent, but it is still very good. For the most part the food was excellent--but not as consistent as we find on Regent. And it does take getting used to the smaller cabin after being spoiled on the Regent ships. However, nothing can beat the beauty of French Polynesia in our opinion. This was our third PG cruise, and we hope to go back some time. We also enjoyed our pre-cruise at the Intercontinental on Moorea.

I hope to do a much better job reporting on our Valparaiso - Papeete cruise on Oceania after Xmas. There will be plenty of sea days and free Internet! I'll also attempt to compare the experience with Regent.

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Eugene

Love reading these posts as planning our upcoming trip aboard the lovely Paul Gauguin. Quick question, have read reviews recently stating that the retractable marina was not operating. Any news on this? Thanks much!

Welcome to the board Elsie and what a fun cruise you have in store!

Hi Elise, you are right. The marina was broken. Enjoy your trip!

It surely was a treat to have enjoyed this cruise vicariously with our lens lads! Thank you Michael and Grant! And to Andi and others for commentary along the way.

Elsie, the marina was not in service, but all the usual activities were offered. The zodiacs for scuba dives loaded from the same deck as the tenders (opposite door) and the kayaks and paddleboards were available for use as usual on both motus. You are in for a great vacation!

There is a lot to like about a vacation on the PG, but one of our very favorite things is the wonderful crew, many of whom have worked on the ship for years and remember us when we sail. I found a couple of photos of crew members from our first PG trip in 2005 - it was great to see Junar and Kelly again last month! (We all seem to look older now...) There are too many others to mention without leaving someone out - it's an excellent crew.


Dena and Junar, one of our favorite waiters, in 2005


Grant and Kelly, who was a bar waiter in 2005 (and always had our Diet Coke with ice ready) and is now Sommelier

Couldn't agree with you more, Dena. My favorites were Bar Manager Elmo, Head Waiter Cesar (I remember him for the Song of Flower days), waiter Christian and Elmo's son-in-law assistant waiter Ryan. They all took such good care of us.

Hi Dena - Somehow I missed being introduced to you - unless of course I was under the influence at the time! So hi to you both! Lee

Just got caught up with this thread so I was on vacation too. Looks like a wonderful trip, and I am glad the PG is being taken care of well.

Beth, I think Elmo is everyone's favorite! He is really outstanding at his job and keeps those drinks coming. I don't think we'd sailed with Cesar before, but he was also great and very helpful to us with a special order in L'Etoile - I think he had to run interference with the chef.

Lee - I hope you had a great time. I did meet Michael, but I don't think our paths ever crossed. We always went to La Palette before dinner, and I think most others went to the piano bar.

Beth,

Any Arnold sightings or news of him? I know he decided to stay on the PG when she left Regent, but don't know of his current where-abouts. Maybe he finally hung it up...

Suzanne,

Cesar told me that Arnold was either on the Mariner or gone to Silversea. I didn't even have to ask about Arnold when Cesar and I started talking about the Song. Wouldn't it be great to cruise with him again? I was surprised to see Cesar after all these years.

Holy Cow! If Arnold's on the Mariner that would be incredible to see him next month!

One of my most perfect vacation memories is from the Bora Bora motu. Alice and I were always the first in the beacher to get to the motu as soon as possible. One time it was Elmo and I can't remember who else, there to provide the drinks. Alice went to the shack but the boys hadn't had time yet to chop down any coconuts to make the drinks in. She said, no problem of course, and she'd come back in awhile. We were just as relaxed as we could be laying on the beech kind of far from the shack, when I just happened to turn my head left and see Elmo walking down the beach towards us with two coconut drinks in his hands... almost like a mirage.

Dena and Lee, you sat at adjoining tables the last night of dinner -- almost back to back with one another and I am so sorry I didn't introduce you two. You'll just have to take another trip together!

Kim, Elmo is the best!! When introduced at the Captain's Farewell Party, he got the loudest recognition from the passengers.

Sorry to hear that Arnold has "jumped ship". Was looking forward to seeing him on the PG next year!