In getting prices for our likely 4 Dec. PG sailing, I asked for class C, but was told that class C was sold out, so I was quoted class B. If class D is available, how much of a downgrade would it be from class B to class D (not price, but experience)? When on the Navigator, the balcony was terrific and we really did spend a lot of time in our cabin, unlike conventional wisdom that says you never do, so don't tell me that it doesn't matter, because you only sleep in your cabin.

Also, what in the world would I do with a butler?

The balcony is worth it in my opinion...I also use my balcony a lot...some people don't. The problem with the PG is that it is SO much more expensive to bump up to a balcony. If you have the money, do it!

The butler, in my opinion, doesn't really do that much. I am not being negative about the butlers. It's just that on Radisson you can have what you want when you want it WITHOUT the butler...beteen the cabin steward/s and room service you aren't left wanting for much. I think the only time you might really want/need a buter is if you plan on doing a lot of entertaining in your cabin.

Capt;
From my limited experience on the P.G. I believe that the cat. D has a big window, not a balcony. I may be wrong on this, but if there is a choice, between a balcony, and a window, and the $$$ are there to upgrade, I would upgrade in a second!
We were in Cat. C and LOVED our balcony. IF there were a choice between Cat B and C, I would take the C. I don’t think there is much of a difference between the rooms, for the price difference. I spent many hours out there, during breakfast, during the day, at night. IF I wasn’t eating, gambling, eating, I was on my balcony. Many people don’t mind going out on deck, to see the sites, but I really like just opening my own door, and stepping out!!!
IF you have a choice, pick the Starboard side of the ship for your “B”.
Thanks, Bob

Sheri:

Thanks; that reinforces what I thought.

I suppose I could play chess with Jeeves. ;)

Bob:

Why starboard? Also, does it matter if we're forward, aft or neither?

Starboard, port - nah! Much too easy!! Won't go there again!! Once was enough!

Capt.
Well, from what I remember:
1) The starboard side of the ship fills up first (guess people heard of this starboard thing before; ask Ngaire about this one)
2) When we would park at an Island, the captain would use his aft "pushers" to keep the ship pointing in the direction he wanted to stay at, while at anchor. IT seemed really strange, but it worked that US on the starboard side, would stay in the shade, while the port people would fry. Just my observation, but it amazed me!! We were in C-741. That was right over the little run-about boat that they used (you can see the location from a starbord picture of the P.G. That was further aft from amidships, but it was, say, 5 or 6 rooms from the stern. Seemed to me, if you were forward, past midship, there was less foot traffic. We were invited to the Owners cabin for a drink, and it was BEAUTIFUL, but it was ALL the way forward on C-Deck, and in waves, I bet they did some rockin!!!

FIRST WELCOME. You are our 250th Member which is such a nice number and you also POSTED. So we are delighted to have you on the boards.

Actually I suggest booking the B but waitlisting for a C. Between now and then the odds are good one will clear. Starboard is better primarily for the sail from Raiatea to Tahaa. This is a very beautiful sail and eating breakfast on your balcony while sailing past the scenery is magical. On the port side you just see open water. Big difference.

If you can afford the B go for it over the D. THere is a big difference in having a balcony in Tahiti.

Welcome Capt! After reading that the starboard side is better, I eagerly went to check whether our cabin for PIP was on the starboard side or not only to discover/remember that all class F cabins are on the port side of the ship ...


Masaki

Masaki, I don't think it much matters unless you have a balcony. Even with a window instead of a port-hole (E and D), it's more fun being out on deck looking at the sights.

But this means that you are "out and about" more, walking, with a breeze in your face!

I will have my own balcony this time on the Diamond, but on the PG, I've twice travelled "E", once port, once starboard, and loved both.

Wendy:

Thanks for the good reports re: Cat E, I was getting worried that we may have made the wrong choice.

BTW, don't you mean to have "2005" vice 2004 in your signature line?

Ah, yes, Mark, thanks for pointing that out!

You will like the "E". I have enjoyed the window, and I believe all the non-balcony cabins are identical.

How exciting to be #250! Maybe that's a good omen.

Thanks for all the great comments. It never even occurred to me to waitlist for C. That's particularly useful.

Ngaire's advice is excellent, as usual. The balcony is worth it, and if a category C clears, that would be terrific. Personally, I don't think a category B is worth it unless the option is no balcony. We were on a back-to-back on the starboard side in a category C last year. Fantastic trip.

Dreps

Wendy - true, I figure the lack of a balcony will probably mean that we spend more time on deck instead. Which will probably be more fun anyways given this group that's going. :)

Masaki

Masaki, I hate to tell you this, but if you have a balcony suite on one of your cruises before this one with an "outside cabin", I think you are going to have second thoughts. Sure hope not.

Olivia - don't say that! PIP will be the first time we've gone cruising without a balcony. I'm a little nervous as is about that! I keep telling myself, "you can do without a balcony for 7 days ... you should at least try to go without a balcony once to see what it's like ... " I'm spoiled, yes, I know. Didn't want to spend the extra money for a balcony suite ... no, that's not entirely true. Couldn't get Amanda to agree to the balcony suite ... that's probably a more accurate assessment. :)

(I would be SOOOOOOOO broke if she didn't keep me in check)

Masaki

Put it this way, I'd rather go to French Polynesia more often without a balcony than less often with a balcony!

Wendy - very true.

Masaki

Don't worry about the balcony, Masaki. I was in an F class cabin last September, and I somehow managed to have the best cruise of my life regardless!!! Of course, what everyone is saying is true, a balcony in French Polynesia must be wonderful, if you can justify the tremendous cost differential for the upgrade. But thankfully, it is Radisson, and the public areas that you can relax in are not crowded, to say the least. You will have a wonderful time, I'm still swooning over my cruise.

Charlene

We didn't have a balcony back when we sailed on the PG in 1998, early in it's history. We met two couples in LAX while we were waiting for the flight there and it turned out that our cabins were very near. I've never had a balcony as WindStar was our previous cruise and the big liners before that didn't have them, so I haven't been spoiled, I have to admit. However, we never ate in our room and were with this group on deck or on the islands all the time. We enjoy people watching or being in a fun group that we meet onboard and don't want to miss anything sitting on our balcony! (Not that we don't enjoy each other's company!)
We chose a sitting room on the Diamond this summer primarily because of the cost. I'm sure there will be times we may regret it but if it's a choice between cutting corners on excursions while we're in Europe or having the balcony, we'd rather spend the difference in that way. Everyone has to decide for themselves what is important and we're all different. Nice to have something for everyone! Have a fantastic time on the PG. It was a highlight in our traveling experiences.

I have had an "F" port hole stateroom on the PG and an "E" Balcony Suite on the Mariner. I liked having the balcony in the Chilean Fjords for picture taking (especially first thing in the morning when there is a glacier right off your balcony!). If I did PG again would I do a balcony? Probably not because of the cost - from F to C is about 50% more and 100% more if you are going solo. We never had breakfast in the room and always had it in La Verandah - Menus and Servers with GREAT views! We spent so much time out of the room on shore excursions and other activities I honestly could not think of being able to spend much time out there. Just my thoughts.

Since we eat every other meal in a public dining room, room service breakfast on our balcony is such a luxury to us while on a cruise. I love being able to eat breakfast before I have become "all duded" up :) There is just something so relaxing about having breakfast in private.
I doubt if I would enjoy it as much if the climate was colder or if I was sailing solo, though. I am hoping that our October Med sailing next year will provide us with mornings warm enough to dine outside!

I am going to agree with Todd on this. Balconies are pretty sweet on most Radisson cruises, but the PG is a totally different cruise. Sure it is Tahiti and a balcony there sounds most desireable, however the PG has such a different feel to it that we don't see the upcharge for a balcony worth it. The PG is small enough that the outside decks are easy to get to and the social atmosphere is unlike any other of the Radisson ships we have been on so it is worth not having a balcony to lure you to spend time in the cabin. It is the only cruise we have been on without a balcony and the only one we can't wait to do again.

Thanks for everyone's input! This mirrors some of my thinking as well ... and the reality is that PIP wouldn't be possible if we weren't doing a cat F cabin. So, better to be on a cruise in the worst cabin on RSSC than to not be on the cruise, right? :) I agree with Karen about breakfast ... it's nice to have a meal on your balcony/in your room before you have to get dressed up for everybody!

Masaki

Thanks here as well.

We made up our minds and we're going to be on the 12/4 sailing. We have a class B reserved and we're on the waiting list for class C.

We'll be doing Le Taha'a Private Island precruise and Hotel Bora Bora post cruise as well. I'll be reading a lot from this site and asking questiuons as we get closer.

Capt, did you read Todd's review on cruise critic?

Not yet. I'm in the process of trying to find it.

OK. I found Todd's review. Now, I just need to read it and I will.

Thanks,

Capt. Badger