I remember reading about people bringing floatation devices ( air mattresses, etc) on the Paul Gauguin, with many leaving the devices behind for crew and locals. Any preferred kind? Websites where they're available?
Also - any other little hints for a Gauguin trip - for instance: can it be done with just a carry-on? Any need to bring extension cords? Electricity on board 110? 220? both?
Thanks...

Phil:

This float is lightweight and small enough to take along. I know others may have suggestions, but this is one option. I don't know if they sell if Greenland - perhaps not.

Swim Float

Editing to add, they list some internet sites for purchasing.

We took tote and floats, BUT I must tell you that they were of such high quality that I would not recommend them. Very difficult to blow up and we took a pump along.
The name of the company to look at is Quality Trading Company. Just buy the cheapest thing you can find.

Phil, At first I laughed about your carry-on question but the more I thought about it, it might be doable. Assuming that you don't have to bring along the hair products and appliances that I do, you would need to only pack 3 gasp pair of shoes, beach, excursion and evening. Then you would need some shorts and shirts for the day time, a bathing suit and slacks and shirts for the evening. If you use those space saver bags for you clothing, I bet you wouldn't have any problem at all.

On Tahiti Explorer this was a hot topic a year ago. Then it went to CC.
You really don't need it on Tahaa but it was really nice to have at the beach in Bora Bora.
We had 10 tote and floats and only filled 5 because of how difficult they were to fill.
A couple of others had very inexpensive floats that you could blow up real easy and they actually worked better and were much lighter.
If you can find these at Wal Mart K Mart etc great. If not Quality Trading was the cheapest price I found on the internet. Of course shipping cost more than the product!!

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WAAHA38cXS85MY!6TeqYYvQdAG6VpIqj8rni*eppdSiVgKiYkFy95LzzYuDJExXgMMY7a!I8muYzGQe8EaxJQMpfF5g4nGM*jtBCeo3yRK!5nt!vdLm!B2vJFWCtyS*JRQAAAP****8/EasySpringlounge-action.jpg?dc=4675466404576983063[/img]

Jim: I'm not sure we're talking about the same kind of float - the one I suggested is fairly easy to inflate (you only blow up the pillow and a ring around the outside of the float) - and is very durable and easy to carry. It's a spring form frame to open and fold easily.

Wow that is cool.
Where do you find this?
No what I am talking about is the $3.99 to $5.99
almost a toy pool blow up mat.

Jim:

I found it locally, but the web link does have some information on internet sellers.

I've had this kind of float in my pool since last summer - it is great - as I remember the cost was about $25.

And where is locally? And or where what web link?

Margo:
We have some friends that signed up for 11/21/04
Barcelonia to Fort Lauderdale on Voyager.
Is that the same cruise as you only they get on board later?

Never really found any need for the floats on our PG trip. Not worth dragging them along, in my opinion. Be sure to do the waverunner trip in Bora Bora if it's a reasonably calm day; same in Moorea. The day in Tahaa on the motu is really fun as well. If it's calm they'll have waterskiing, as well as the kayaks and snorkeling. If you're at all interested in scuba the PG is a great place to certify or get recurrent. Have a great time, Phil!

Jim....I found mine in the Publix Supermarket here in Sarasota...there is a web link near the beginning of this thread with information on local and internet sellers.

Yes, we are on the same cruise as your friends. Please try to convince them to join our LCT board so we can share the excitement. There are several others doing the crossing including Marc, aaannthony and Babs.

We should probably bump our roll call thread back to the top of the list.


PS: The waverunner tour that Doug mentioned really is terrific - a MUST-DO!

Oh I wish they would join up but as I said before they do not, (and will not) have a computer. (Don't need one of those Damm things!)
They struggle running their VCR!!
By what I am writing you would think they are sheltered country Bumkins but they really aren't.
Just don't want any part of electronic equipment other than the TV.
I would agree that you really don't need the mats in Tahaa, even though we used them just to float around on, but really were glad we had them at Bora Bora to use on the beach.

Jim...the floats I recommended would probably not be good for lying on beach - but great for floating.

Ah good point. I see by the picture what you mean.
Actually in Bora Bora it was nice to have them so the ants did not crawl all over us. Not biting type ants just ants.

I bought mine (exactly like Margo's photo and it comes in a little carrying case) at Toys R Us for $19.99

Phil:
Are you getting anything out of this??

Marcie...I think you got a good deal and I'm pretty sure Toy's R Us has them - I remember buying some other items from the same company(Swimways) for my Grandson when he was visiting last summer - we now own more pool toys than the average grandparent! :D

Yes, bring a cheap float for the moto days...
and do not miss the waverunner in Bora Bora!

Doug

Getting plenty of info - thanks!
But I think I'm going to need more than just one carry-on, now...

Phil,

I just took a look at my packing list: I **COULD** carry on if I were only taking clothes, shoes, and bikinis.

But I think I need a whole 'nother suitcase for my "stuff": snorkel, mask, floatie, cameras, sunscreen, IPod...

You, too?

Cerinda

The PG furnishes snorkels and fins. You don't need to take any.

I always bring my own snorkel and mask, I have had tooo many problems with ill fitting equipment.

Bed,Bath & Beyond has float (same as Margo's picture) for $14.99 - they are extremely easy to inflate and pillow makes them comfortable - Joanna

Well Phil,

I think a guy could easily do carry-on only for the PG. Especially since country-club casual means you don't really have to bring a sports jacket, let alone a suit.

But, if you're travelling with a lady, it might be hard for her. I don't like dressing up, but I did have my wrap skirts, and nice blouses, and summer dress, and three pairs of sandals, and...you get the picture. I packed all my husband's nice shirts in my suit bag along with most of my duds, and then we both carried a carry-on.

But the point is, if one of you has to check a bag, then you've blown the reason to try to skimp--you might as well bring along a few more changes of clothing, or an extra pair of shoes.

I've seen these comments about floats for the beaches a number of times. Can't you just sit on a blanket? If the beaches are full of ants, wouldn't you be better off staying on board? I'm tentativley doing the 4 Dec. cruise, so I'm really curious.

Capt.
The floats are for just floating around looking at the fish, or just floating. I didn't see anybody using them for seats. We brought along the tote-&-Floats, and they were heavy, and hard to blow up. They were over kill by a bunch.
I didn't see, or FEEL any ants on the beach. There were plenty of seats to sit on also during our Feburary trip.
Thanks, Bob

Capt.:

There are very nice beach chairs available (early birds get the best locations).
You do not need the floats for the beach. But they do make being in the water just a wee bit more fun.

To all, two suggestions: 1. get chaep floats & don't bother to bring them home. They never fold up as nicely as they are when you buy them. 2. Make sure that they are easy to inflate. We got a foot pump & I'm glad I did.

Karen: I agree. If you have your own snorkle stuff, bring it.

Doug

Well, I did my first "practice pack" yesterday and managed to get everything into one carryon. Then I saw my shoes sitting on the floor :( . So, I have to rethink it all. Luckily, most stuff I'm planning on bringing back is small (pearls? Vanilla?), so maybe I can do one carryon and one "personal" item (backpack?). Sigh - it's so tough having these life-altering decisions to make <img border="0" alt="[rofl]" title="" src="graemlins/rofl.gif" />

Forgot to ask - how big around are the spring floats when they're folded? Will they fit in a suitcase?

Phil...I think they might be about 24 inches in diameter (mine's floating in the pool right now so can't really measure it) I think it would fit into a large suitcase but not a carry-on.

Ours were the size of a folded queen sheet in original packing.... easy to transport