Hello to everyone on LCT. I have lurked this board and CC for a long time but have never posted a message. Now is the time!! :banana:
My husband and I will be on the 8/27 PG sailing. We are taking advantage of the new nonstop JFK-Papeete flight. I feel like I know so much about the PG from reading the postings on this board. I would appreciate any insight or tips for a first time RSSC cruiser. Which excursions are recommended? How is the new Radisson hotel in Papeete? We will be staying there for one night post-cruise. I would love to hear from someone taking the new flight (they start on 7/4). Thanks.

EJF Welcome! Thanks for posting and coming out of lurk-mode!

If you can stay at the Intercontintal Post Cruise, it is a much nicer property, IMHO. the property is more organized, better service and more beautiful.

You will have a great time in Papeete. My favorite excursions were the Aqua Safari, the Lagoonarium and the Photo Excursion. No matter what you do it will be fun. It was a great trip.

Wecome EJF!!! I cannot help you as I have not been on PG but just wanted to say hello and keep posting! Joanna

Hiya, EJF!

Welcome to the boards and your first post! I'm not a PG alum either but wanted to say hi and welcome. Please post a bit about yourself on the introductions thread.

Welcome ejf! There is nothing like an upcoming fantastic cruise to make you come out of lurk mode!

My two favorite excursions were the Bora Bora jeep excursion and the wave runners but I can't remember if that was Moorea or Bora Bora. I bet someone will chime in and tell you for sure!

Welcome EJF! I'm sure you will be able to get a lot of good advice from the PIPsters (the group that just returned) on the PG etc. As for the Radisson hotel, I've never stayed there as we were in FP as part of the World Cruise. We did spend time walking around the grounds, had a cool drink in their outdoor bar and even viewed several rooms (a nice hotel guy gave us a tour). The rooms and the property looked very nice to us and I would think it's a fine place to stay. There was an elaborate wedding taking place the day we were there.

Congratulations on your first Radisson cruise and we're happy you're no longer just a lurker.

P.S. Everyone is calling you EJF...did I miss something?

Marcie, it was just easier than typing out ejfpharmd :)

Welcome to LCT and congratulations on your upcoming Polynesian cruise.

While I haven't been on the PG, we've been in that part of the Pacific several times. The waverunners in Bora Bora are great. I loved the jeep tour in Moorea and from what I've heard the Motu is the best. You'll find lots of photos and reviews right here.

I'm sure you're counting days.

Welcome to LCT, ejfpharmd! (I'm assuming that you're a Pharm. D. from that moniker) :) I too have nothing to add since I've never taken the PG cruise but wanted to say welcome!

Masaki

Welcome! The motu off Ta'haa is a real highlight of the cruise. The shark & ray feeding in Bora Bora had a great combination of rays thisclose to you and lovely snorkeling; we also liked the Mo'orea ray & snorkeling expedition. We rented a car on the spot in Mo'orea and drove around the island for 1/2 a day. It was well worth it.

Taking the nonstop from New York sounds like heaven versus having to stop over in LAX and then go through a second round of airline check-ins. I'm itching to take that flight, too. Cheers, Anne

Welcome to LCT ejf!

Anthony

Another welcome here, ejf. I haven't been on PG either but hope to one day. Looks like a lovely cruise.

Welcome, ejf to LCT!

Betty

EJF,

Welcome to our group!!!!! You are going to really enjoy everyone here. We all LOVE to help with any questions you have. I also came out of my "lurkdom" when I booked the PG :)

I was on the PG PIP cruise on 5/21. We had a wonderful time!!!!! You are going to love it so much.

I agree with Kathy (ChatKat) that the Beachcomber is the place to stay on Tahiti. It was a beautiful resort and full of the French Polynesian flavor. Also, closer to the airport and port.

My favorite excursion was the Shark and Ray Feeding on Bora Bora. I agree totally with Anne (Adrenn). We were on that excursion together. It is so much fun and the snorkling there was the best of my entire time on this cruise. Amazing!!

And, yes, the Motu Mahana day at Tahaa is pure heaven!!!!

We'll look forward to sharing your excitement as your cruise approaches.

Welcome!
This is the best place to get all your questions answered and also to make contact with some wonderful people. We, too, will be making our first trip to FP, but not until December. Looking forward to your future reports.

Have a safe and fun 4th!

Miriam

Welcome, you are going to love the PG and Fp!! We were on the June 4th sailing. My trip report is posted in 4 installments under trip reviews. I loved the Bora Bora off road adventure, Joe was a fabulous guide. Also the shark and ray and in Moorea the Lagoon Discovery was wonderful, they video tape the excursion, you can purchase the DVD for $60. Was worth it for sure. Since you are on Papeete for just one night, you will be fine at the Radisson. The rooms are lovely very nice view of the black sand beach. We enjoyed walking down the beach to a locals hangout for a beer. Half the price for Hinano! The pool is lovely too. If you were staying longer would recommend the Intercontinental also, we stayed there pre cruise. BonVoyage Jeanine

Welcome ejf! We loved the PG so much when we were aboard last year that we booked it again for this fall. We look forward to your review of the Radisson hotel as we will overnight there one night also.

It's a fabulous cruise. I think my favorite part was the day at Motu Mahana. There is just something magical about that spot.

Welcome! I was also a lurker until I booked the PG for October 15, 2005. Enjoy reading all the PIP reviews for the PG. I know I really did!

Babs

Welcome to LCT from another Kathy who just returned from the PG. I say ditto to adrenn's first paragraph.

Although we stayed at the Beachcomber for 2 days pre-cruise and had a day room there after our 3 day post-cruise on Moorea, the people we met during the cruise who had stayed at the Radisson Hotel thought that it was great.

I hope to get my review written the week after next. We have many family things going on right now that take first priority.

ejf - Our favorite excursions were: Shark & Ray Feeding on Bora Bora, Lagoon Discovery with Snorkeling on Moorea, and the Moorea Photo Safari - fabulous, as long as you are not afraid of heights and Land Rovers going on extremely steep roads with no safety rails. On that trip, you can see vistas that are simply not otherwise available.

As far as the private motu goes, what is appealing about that? Unlimited excellent food, drinks in fresh coconut shells, and a floating bar? Hmm, sounds pretty good, which is probably why we did it twice (we were on a back-to-back, along with Wendy and David).

The non-stop from NY seems very loooonnnnggg, but, all things considered, better than that ridiculous experience at the Bradley Terminal at LAX. Other than the airport at Moscow about six years ago, I don't recall any airport experience in something other than a third world country which was more inefficient that Bradley is - it is almost as if they decided to make it some kind of stange "how many lines can you stand in for how much time" alternative world. So, ejf, be glad that you are avoiding the LAX connection and have a superb time on the PG in FP.

Cheers, Fred

ejf,

We are in the minority it appears. I liked the Radisson Plaza hotel, for some reason I have always disliked the Beachcomber. Go figure.

The service is spotty at the Radisson, to be sure, but the restaurant and bar are nice, the pool is great, and you can go for a sunset walk on a beautiful black sand beach.

Nothing beats the PG, especially on the island of Tahiti, frankly. But I'm sure you will have a pleasant day there.

Welcome EJF!

We are taking the non-stop from JFK to Papeete on July 11. I'm not a fan of 12+ hour flights under normal circumstances, but avoiding LAX seemed like a good idea.

I am sure you will have a blast on the PG. We were on three years ago and liked it so much we are going back for an 11 day trip.

Last time the Motu Mahana day was our favorite. We liked the 4x4 on BoraBora. On Moorea we just rented a car and drove around the island.

The ship is great and I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise.

m'ellen

Thanks you to everyone for the warm welcome. Imagine my surprise returning to all of your responses after a long weekend away.

m'ellen-please make a few comments about your flight when you return. Can you purchase an upgarde at JFK?

masaki-you are correct about the PharmD. Not too many people pick up on that. Are you and RPh or PharmD?

We will be booking our excursions tonight via rssc.com. Thanks for the great feedback.

Has anyone been upgraded to another cabin on the PG? I don't know if this happens onboard or when you get your trip documents.

EJF,
Welcome. I can provide a data point or your last question. Gretchen and I booked the PG b2b a year ago. We were torn between getting a balcony or not. Really couldn't see spending the difference to get a balcony for both weeks. So, we opted for a Cat F the first week and a balcony the second week. Decisions aren't what we do best. Anyway, when we got our documents there was only one suite number(for the Cat C Balcony) for both weeks. I thoght it was a mistake but it turns out we'd been upgraded for the first week from an F to a C!! I can't even begin to tell you why. You can see from my signature block we haven't sailed very many days on RSSC. I don't recall that the ship was sold out the first week (it was the second). Our TA claims she did nothing particular. So I guess we were just LUCKY! But we did find out when we got our documents.

We've also "paid" for an upgrade post boarding on our Paama Canal cruise, but it didn't sound like that's what you were talking about.
Greg

Okay guys, what's a PharmD and an RPh? Medical related to be sure but just what? Or am I the only one in the dark? LOL

ejfpharmd - I'm a MD. I work with some Pharm Ds and have a lot of respect for your profession especially as medications get more and more complicated. Here's hoping to hear more from you as your cruise gets closer!

robert - PharmD = Doctor of Pharmacy. Usually a 4 year postgraduate program to get your doctorate. Know more about medications than MDs do, usually. :) I'm not sure about the RPh but I'm assuming Registered Pharmacist?

Masaki

ejf - we were offered a free upgrade on our recent PG 10 day itinerary. We had booked a specific cat. E cabin through our agent (Ngaire). She phoned me about 5 months prior to departure and said that RSSC was offering to move us up to a specific D cabin. It is not her practice to ask Radisson the reason why she just checks with her client to see if they would like the change. I said yes and we were very happy with the cabin we sailed in. It put us one floor closer to our friends and very convienent to use the stairs whether we were going up or down (have to burn those extra calories somewhere). When we were on the ship it seemed as though all the F and E cabins had been booked to Grand Circle Travel and Virtuoso clients.

Thanks, Masaki.

Welcome EJF.
No one mentioned taking the sunset catamarran ride..which is really a beautiful thing to do so I will
Also in Bora Bora you can rent little 2 people cars they are fun to tool around the island.

Do they still do the Hiking Trails of the Ancients on Moorea. It was run by a college professor and DH and I really enjoyed all the history and culture. Not strenuous, bus goes up to Belvedere, you walk down thru the woods.

This much I must say, when you get all your documents, there should be a brochure describing the excursions. I thought the descriptions were quite accurate. Read them over and see what floats your boat. On our recent cruise thru the canal I read about the canopy tour which involves swinging from tree to tree and couldn't wait to sign up. Ted, on the other hand, read the same description and wanted to have me committed.

Colleen - Yes, Mark Eddowes (Archeologist/Anthropologist) still does this excursion -"Trails of the Ancients Trek". He also gives 2 enrichment lectures on board the PG in Le Grand Salon.